Here we go again… Last year we covered every band on the Hobgoblin New Blood and Jagermeister stages in the run-up to Bloodstock 2015. This year, we’re going one better and aim to have interviews from all the bands on those two stages as well as all of those on the SOPHIE stage prior to the event kicking off on August 11th. That’s almost 100 interviews to get online for you lucky people over the course of the next couple of weeks. I bloody love this job, but you lot owe me a beer at Catton Hall, right?
Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken the time to respond!
Psykosis – SOPHIE Stage, Thursday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from Dublin Ireland.
How did you meet?
We were a mix of different local metal bands in the country at the time, that used to gig together. A couple of bands fell through and we all loved playing thrash so we just got together and started jamming, and then Tony “Scooby” Corcoran showed up on our doorstep one night with a bottle of poitín and said “Howeya my names Tony I’m in your band now” so we just had to take him on. I blame the poitín.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Almost 9 years now.
Where does the name of the band come from?
The name is almost a reflection of what we do and where we come from. If you have seen any of our live shows you would clearly see that.
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
Well our main influences would be the big dogs e.g Metallica, Exodus, Slayer, Testament etc.. but we all love Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. I was raised on The The Beatles and The Kinks from my mum and Judas Priest and The Scorpions from my Dad, so they kinda gel, so that’s what has influenced me writing music all along.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Our music is like, if the Big 4 all had an orgy and smoked crack we would be the offspring. I feel what makes us unique is our live performances, we just love what we do, so we tend to get a bit mental when we’re together on stage. We also love having the Craic with the audience we play to, so the energy bounces back and forward and and causes a great chemistry.
What’s your live show like – why should the baying hordes troop over to the stage you’re playing on to watch you?
Because we will release the hounds otherwise, haha! What we bring to the table is a session (a party) you just can’t top. The last time we played Bloodstock we brought the party, fast thrashy music, beer fuelled metal heads and inflatable sea creatures. We have a little something up our sleeves too for the Thursday night. But we expect to have the biggest party at Bloodstock this year!
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
Simon Hall told us a few months ago, which sent us over the moon. Our first UK show was at Bloodstock and the response was insane so we cant wait to get back.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
Luckily there’s no one else playing when we’re on, so there’s no excuse to miss us that night.
What are you working on at the moment?
We currently are working on the release of our debut album which will be out September 16th and it’s called Welcome to the Psykoward. As for next year we will be looking to tour, tour, tour!!!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
Well… last year we played at Metaldays in Slovenia and I had a little bit to much to drink staying up till 4am to watch Hyrax, so I ended up trying to walk back to our campsite when I suddenly realised I was lost so I thought the only logical thing to do was to keep walking. I ended up coming to a hill where I thought I could hear a house party and I wanted to go and make the lads jealous because they all went to bed early because they couldn’t handle the session.
I started to walk along this hill anyway and the ground crumbled under my feet and caused me to tumble down a giant cliff through torn bushes and rocks and splitting my head wide open (looked like a went toe to toe with wolverine). I got up and stumbled back to my campsite eventually with the help of a few friendly festival goers. When I got back I got into Jay’s tent covered in blood being like “Jay help”, expecting him to say “hey man are you alright” instead I got a swift kick to the face and blacked out. I woke up 4 hours later and played a killer show.
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Well it may sound a little cliche but I would say if your dream is to play music then don’t give up doing that. If you put enough time and effort into playing music it will eventually pay off… even if not, you will have an absolute blast. There’s no greater feeling than watching a fan or someone in the crowd singing along to a song you wrote or dancing to music you created. Also play abroad and play to as many crowds as possible.
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!
Exodus above and our local thrash brothers from Ireland Animator. They played the New Blood Stage last year at Bloodstock, they are killer, check them out!
What stage / time are you playing at Bloodstock (if you have your slot yet!)
We’re pre-headlining on Thursday night!
