While we were enjoying the show, we did a short interview with Chilean metal quartet IIII (Cuatro) at Cascadian Midsummer Festival in June 2025. With a mixture of influences ranging from Fugazi to Mogwai, At the Gates to Kyuss, Cuatro brings a rather unique blend of sounds to the stage.
Can you tell me a little history of the band?
Jose: The band has existed almost 10 years, in two different stages. The first stage of the band, it was called III, and it was a trio doing improvised punk noise and black metal. The idea was gathering in a studio, recording some improvisations and arranging a live show the next weekend. My plan was to do that a couple of times during the year.
We started that in 2014. During the pandemic I decided to start the project that is this band. So I met Pedro, and suddenly we were making new music that was very far from the origins of the project; we were not doing improv or noise; we were making actual songs. So when we had three or four songs, we decided to bring it to the studio, and we called Fernando, who is our drummer and when we were recording we realized that we needed a voice and that’s how we decided to invite Christian to the band as bass player and singer and lyricist. Chris and Fernando were very active in the Chile metal stoner scene. I used to run a label, so I had worked with Chris and released some albums for Fernandos band.
Pedro: I was the “new guy” actually; I came from the post-rock scene. I quit my band and decided I needed to start a new project totally different from post-rock and ambient music, and that’s when I decided to start doing some doom and heavier stuff. So I did a search on a music page, and Jose appeared on the search.
Jose: That’s how the second stage of the band started
What’s the DIY and metal scene like in Chile?
Jose: There is a huge metal scene (in Chile). You can trace back the origins of the scene to 1983; there were some bands doing proto-death metal when Possessed was recording Seven Churches. There are many metalheads in Santiago and all over Chile. You will see many guys wearing Slayer t-shirts. Chilean guys really love heavier stuff. It’s one of the most popular genres in the country. You’ll find fans for everything: nu-metal, stoner, doom, hardcore, metalcore, traditional, death, thrash, black metal.
All: Everything is DIY so far. We hire venues, and we do the production for local and international shows. DIY has been serious enough to permit metalheads like us to bring international bands into Chile.
DIY in Chile means no one will do anything for you except yourself. We don’t have the support of major labels or sponsor. It’s just your wallet and couple of friends handling all the work and making things happen.
Jose : I had a label that was very active until five or six years ago. We released like 40 albums by Chilean bands. I managed the label with my brother, but I decided to stop and devote all of my efforts to my band.
What has the experience been like coming to play here?
Jose: This is our first time playing in the U.S., and our first time playing outside of Chile. Coming up here is hard. It was a combination of family and work arrangements and loans we received from the bank and from wives and whoever was available to help us pay for flights.
Pedro: Considering that we have been together just for five years, it is going to be the first time for many things. Two years ago, we opened our first international shows. Our plan for this year was to play abroad. We are also playing some shows in Peru. We are planning to travel next year to Mexico. So we are going step by step.
All: This has been the best experience in our musical career. It has been amazing. There is a vibe in Oregon and Washington that is unbeatable, very supportive. They really love music. The fans, the venues, the other bands, all have been very supportive. We’re very loved here. People are genuinely friendly, not fake or phonies. It’s like they are true people.
Why this fest?
Jose: I was a fan of this fest for a couple of years; I loved the vibe and the lineups—The kinds of bands that have played here; most of them are on my list of favorite artists. Last year, I checked instagram, and I saw that they were inviting bands to participate in this year’s lineup, and I said to myself, “It will never happen, but I can send the application.”
Pedro: And he didn’t say anything to us.
Jose: Because it was impossible, very unlikely to happen. That was in October, and in December, I checked the email and saw that we were in.
Pedro: Surprise, we are going to the U.S.!
What’s next for Cuatro?
Jose: Our plan is to rest for a few weeks, then prepare new music. We have arranged a couple of shows in Santiago and nearby and we have a show in lima Peru in November with bands from Columbia and Brazil.
We want to try other recording techniques, to go back to the basics. We want to record using tapes or reel to reel or cassette decks. We want to create something from scratch, including creating new noise and seeing what comes out. You never know.
Do you have any advice for young people?
Pedro: Don’t give up. This has been a dream for 30 years, and now finally I am here. I still remember when I sold my SuperNintendo to buy my first guitar. That boy is now living his dream playing this stage. I am now 40 years old. Be consistent. Be prepared to be frustrated. Be prepared for people to say stop doing that; don’t play anymore. In reality, at one point, you’re going to achieve your dreams and your goals. It’s a matter of discipline.
Instagram: @IIIIofficialband
