Jam Out With the Boys of Trout God

David Walker (left) and Killian Venman (right) of Trout God.

Looking for local, original music? Meet Trout God. The group is a duo of Plymouth State students with a history of friendship that goes back for years.

David Walker, a 22-year-old English major, fronts the band with guitar and vocals. Killian Venman, a 21-year-old music major, is the drummer.

The two met during their first year at Plymouth State, and discovered their shared interest in music. They bonded over bands such as AJJ and Tally Hall. Nowadays, Trout God also looks to bands such as The Drums, LCD Soundsystem and Porches.

Trout God used to play under the name of Bible Camp. In 2013, they were put on the bill at last-minute notice for a show in Contoocook, New Hampshire. That was their first show as Trout God.

Walker has been playing guitar since his first year of high school. He originally wanted to be a drummer, but his family owned a guitar, not a drum set. He took the route of practicality.

Venman started playing the drums early. “I was hitting things, and I had my dad’s drum set since I was three, but I’d say I actively started trying to be a drummer when I was ten,” he said.

Trout God is a part of the house party scene, but they sparked a local buzz when they played at the Friendship Revolution in the HUB last November. The Friendship Revolution was in memory of their late friend, and a friend of many in the Plymouth area, Jake Nawn.

Nawn came up with the zany and unconventional name Trout God. Venman and Walker found the concept humorous, and they wanted to keep the religious aspect of their previous name, Bible Camp. “I liked the country, weird river aspect to it, because that has nothing to do with us,” Venman said.

The Friendship Revolution was a perfect fit for Trout God’s mini-show. Venman said that it was one of the best shows the duo has ever played.

“The coolest part for me, beside the event itself, was playing on a stage,” said Walker, who is used to playing at audience level.

The band frequently played at house shows during the last academic year, and made an effort to practice a few times every week. This year, things have been more difficult in terms of practicing and finding venues and events to play at. “It’s hard to have incentive to practice, because no one is having house shows this year,” Walker said.

Trout God has a hefty repertoire of original songs, and usually only plays one cover song per show. Original tracks include eccentric titles such as “Trout Talk,” “Sex Panther,” “Dance Song,” and “Case Race.”

One staple of a Trout God show is silliness and joking between songs. Walker is known to use his position at the microphone to incorporate humor. “Most of the time, it’s realizing that people will cheer no matter what,” he said.

Walker tries to make the most of his time in the limelight by inventing material on his feet, but a bit of the silliness is planned. “If I came out with an elaborate joke, I probably practiced it in the shower the day of,” Walker said.

Trout God is currently looking for opportunities to play their music. Check them out the next time they play in the Plymouth area. 

David Walker, of Trout God, at the mic.

COURTESY PHOTOS/JOEY BURGESS