Photograph by Chad Kelco

-(16)-: Sometimes, not fitting in anywhere means you can go everywhere.

“I’m an equal fan of Ratt and Cattle Decapitation,” says Bobby Ferry. “Bottom line, this city has produced some of the best metal music ever made.” The founder/guitarist/vocalist for -(16)- fronts a band with an international following; they’re often referred to as the Godfathers of Sludge. They elude categorization in much the same way as they defy newer music distribution models — they’ve earned a rabid fan base willing to snatch up vinyl in the age of streaming. “I’m a huge fan of digital music as a consumer,” says Ferry. “What’s the saying? If Spotify’s algorithm proposed to me, I’d say yes. It’s uncanny how it caters to you and really knows you, like a teenage crush making you a mixtape. And as a band that still makes a bunch of vinyl, honestly, we are doing as good as we ever did with vinyl and merch. I see it as a positive, with fewer promos in the landfill. All music is accessible at any time. Streaming and legal weed blow my mind continually. We are living in the golden age, in some respects.”

Bassist Barney Firks (Shot Out Hoods, Taz Taylor Band) was added to the lineup while streaming was still ascending. “I’ve been in the band for 10 years now, and digital media was already pretty dominant when I joined. It has continued to morph and expand exponentially, and streaming has really come to dominate the industry. Obviously, we can reach a wider audience now, but the financial returns from streaming are negligible, at least for most artists. Lucky for us, much of our fan base continues to appreciate vinyl, so we move a fair amount of that. The labels we work with always produce limited run and multicolored products, and that keeps the collectors happy.”

One such label is Totem Cat Records, a French company that specializes in vinyl issues of underground metal. Because of their reputation, it’s become a badge of honor to have the label release a band’s product. The recently-released Cadaver Monuments is double vinyl split four ways between -(16)-, Deadbird, Nightstick, and Fistula. The gatefold item is available in a variety of colors and splatters, all limited to 200 copies, plus a standard black vinyl.

The European fervor for bands outside the mainstream has always provided a window to different and extreme music, with a higher level of respect shown for some acts there than in many U.S. cities (including San Diego). “When touring in Europe with a band, they always make you feel welcome and show you so much appreciation for being there,” says Firks. “They always have ample catering backstage, and a hot meal as well. Many of the clubs have ‘artist apartments’ that are part of the same building, or just around the corner, so there are no extra costs for lodging. Another bonus is the drives are usually shorter. You just feel more like a real artist, and that what you’re doing has value. Those two things are kinda rare over here in the States.” Response at live shows overseas is often stronger as well. “We have a good following in Europe. I would say Italy always comes through for us with good crowds. The Netherlands and Denmark are solid as well. Switzerland and Slovenia come to mind.”

The band’s brand of proggy metallic sludge is more of a cult genre in America. “We played a small festival in Little Rock, Arkansas back in June,” says Firks. “We’ve gone out there to play more than a few times now, and there’s a pocket of our fans there that always bring it. People right up in front going off hard, that know all the lyrics, and are screaming along, shouting out requests. There’s nothing better than that.”

Both Firks and Ferry are unconcerned about appealing to the masses. When asked where -(16)- fits into the metal scene, Ferry tells me “I don’t really know honestly, nor have I considered it. We’re here, and we appreciate all comers. We’re strangely both an international band, and a bit of a struggling local band. There’s always been a bunch of great influential bands in this city since the ‘80s. If we fit in somewhere, great.”

Adds Firks, “I think it is to our benefit that we don’t really fit in with a specific genre of the metal scene here. I mean, just in the past few months, we have played shows with Bongzilla, Pallbearer, Cancer Christ, and Pentagram. That’s a pretty mixed bag. We have elements of sludge, hardcore, thrash, doom, and even stoner rock. Sometimes, it’s good not to fit in.”