Due to the huge number of bands playing at Bloodstock this year, and the fact that our two roving reporters will actually want to watch some of them, we’re doing a little round of pre-festival interviews this year. We’re focussing on the bands playing the Jagermeister and Hobgoblin New Blood Stages so they get a chance to convince you to go and watch them. , these guys and gals are the future of our musical world!
Simple things first- Where are you guys from?
We’re from Lancaster, up near the Lake District in the North of England
How did you meet?
We’ve know each other for quite a few years, there’s quite a small scene in Lancaster and mostly everyone knows everyone else
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We got together in 2010. Donna (vocals) was already in a band with Matthew (Drums) as a guitarist but wanted to chance her arm on the microphone. So she got in touch with Nick (guitar) to try something different. Then Matthew came on board and Dave (Bass) got involved and we haven’t looked back since.
Where does the name of the band come from?
We always said we wanted something short, snappy, and to the point, and after a few weeks of not being able to find a word that we liked and wasn’t being used, we made one up!
What are your influences-individually or as a band?
We’re all music geeks in our own way, and are fans of all types of Heavy Metal. Everything from Thrash stuff like Metallica and Slayer, lots of nineties bands like Pantera and Sepultura, Melodic Death metal like Entombed and Carcass and more modern bands like Lamb of God and Arch-Enemy and everything in between.
Describe your music, what makes you unique?
Our music is powerful, heavy, and groovy. From day one we all said that we want to make music you can dance to. There are a lot of fantastic technical bands out there that use complex time signatures and almost mathematical riff structures, and that’s all well and good, but some days you just want to put your horns in the air and bang your head. There is nothing better than looking up and seeing a venue full of people all moshing along!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Our live shows are all about fun and energy. From the very first riff to the last we’re up there giving it our all. We’re big fans of wireless technology and love getting amongst the crowd, so it’s not uncommon to see Donna wandering around the venue mid-song! We play as often as we can and usual manage to get three or four gigs a month in, so over the years we’ve played hundreds.
Did you enter M2TM thinking you could win it?
Obviously we were confident of putting on a good show and playing well, but we didn’t expect to do as well as we did. A few years ago we reach the final of the Manchester M2TM but finished runner up, so this year we went at it with more relaxed attitude, and thankfully it paid off!
What sort of set list can we expect?
We’ll be playing a similar set to the one we used in the final. It’s pretty full on from start to finish, with a mixture on songs from both or our Eps and a couple of our favourites.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with / are you glad you aren’t clashing with so you can see them play?
Nick and Matthew are hoping to get to see Death, and Dave is a big Opeth fan, so if we can get to see those that would be awesome, but if we have to miss a few bands we like I can’t think of a better excuse than playing in the New Blood Stage!
What are you working on at the moment?
We’re currently writing new material for our next recording, which we should get to early next year, and other than that it’s all gigs, gigs and more gigs. We’re already confirmed for Beaking Bands festival 2016 and hoping to secure a few more festival slots too.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
That’s really hard to say, I don’t think there are any stand out things, it’s more just constant laughs and mischief!
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
A good reputation goes a long way. Work hard, because no one is just going to hand you success, but most of all enjoy it.
If you could be part of any 3 band line-up (as ing or headlining) who else would you have on the bill?
- Nick – Mine would be with Pantera and Black Sabbath
- Donna – Lamb of God and Machine Head
- Matthew – Carcass and At the Gates
- Dave – It would be Iron Maiden and Metallica for me
Bloodyard play the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage on the Saturday.
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