As ever, we’re going to try and cover every single Jäger, New Blood and SOPHIE stage band before Bloodstock kicks off on August 10th. Your chance to check them out and start planning which bands to get there early for!
Trust us when we tell you that this is bound to result in some frustrating clashes because, as ever, there are some great bands on these three stages.
Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!
Trendkill – Jagermeister Stage, Friday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
The whole band is based in Teesside, hence our local nickname: “The Parmo Pantera”. Frontman Elliot Bartram lives in Stockton, whilst Jonny Stern, Corey Bennett and Isaac Edwards live in the lovely seaside town of Redcar – land of the lemon top, home of the crackhead.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
It depends on the context. If we go all the way back, the original three – Isaac, Jonny and Corey – first played together in October 2012. Given that they are currently 19 (and Elliot 21), they will have been 13 and 14 at this point; but the first time becoming a proper band will have been in 2014. This is when Trendkill became a serious commitment and when we began our road to hopeful success. This was the point when Trendkill began to grow their fanbase and write their own songs. This was the beginning.
In February 2016, Elliot took on the role of frontman, and just over a year later Trendkill are on the bill for Bloodstock – it’s definitely amazing and surreal for all of us, and goes to show how well Elliot has settled in.
Where does the name of the band come from?
We can’t deny the fact that the idea for the name Trendkill was Pantera influenced; the reason we chose it however is because it sums up our mission statement – we do not adhere to any trends and dislike the way trends are followed. For example: every new metal band that comes out now bar a few is metalcore or deathcore or some other shite, a lot of them sound the same if not identical, and this is simply a result of it being the “in thing”.
We don’t care what people think of our music as long as it pleases us. If we’re not happy with it, why would anyone else be?
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We’re a healthy mix of thrash and groove metal. Not all our songs are a mix of both though, other times we go full thrash or full groove but we like to keep a solid balance of quick instrumentation with the vocals being able to push the song along with the lyric patterns.
When it comes to being unique, it’s hard to say we are truly different because we base our music on the artists and bands we enjoy. Though I would say there is no other band we have heard that sounds like us, and that the way we present, structure, and perform our music is unique to us. We are slowly forging our own sound mark that could one day be iconic – if all goes to plan 😉.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Our live shows are top notch to be honest! On a serious note, though, we have never and will never see ourselves live which is a shame. However, looking at newer footage of us and listening to audience , especially from the M2TM gigs – it has gotten to a point where people give us a lot of respect after we have played a venue, which never used to happen. The fact that the audience enjoy us is the most important thing and is the best thing about playing live.
With regards to why people should see us, there is no reason. Our studio work as of yet does not reflect our live shows; but if you come to our shows you’ll walk away a happy person – if you get the opportunity to see us, do it!
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
Vocalist Elliot Bartram has, and cannot wait to go back. For the other three it is their first time and it will certainly be amazing! It is an honour to be playing Bloodstock so young and will be an incredible memory!
Everyone is invited to party at camp Trendkill after we rip that stage a new arsehole on the Friday!
Did you enter M2TM thinking you could win it?
In all honesty – no. When we first played, we realized the other bands were serious competition, and in the first round we had no idea we were on the same level. After the first one though, it became apparent that we had a very good chance, and though still nerve racking, we sort of knew we’d get to Bloodstock. This confidence was only brought on by the overwhelming response from the crowd after every show – with a lot of them saying they thought we should win.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
The Bloodstock setlist will be brutal for all of us. There is a very high chance that it may kill our drummer off – but we have already come to peace with that and said our goodbyes. If Corey survives, however, we will give him credit for not being dead.
Expect songs off our debut EP, and several new songs which have not been heard before!
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not squished up next to so you can see them play?
Well we’re playing on the Friday so we hope to catch Testament. They would be amazing to see live!
What are you working on at the moment?
Currently we are writing new material, to eventually follow up our debut EP, but with all this Bloodstock stuff things are a bit slow due to rehearsals and preparation. We will get in gear though eventually – just wait!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
Not on tour, but at one of our shows in Boro, shit got crazy. One of the bands turned up wasted and started trashing the “stage”; this set off the crowd to start going mental for some reason. People were ripping down the barriers and drumkits were flying.
We call this the ‘Horrible porn incident’, and the best thing is – we have it on video!
Jager, Hobgoblin Ale, Kraken, Kingstone Press Cider, Kaltenberg Beer or Bulleit Bourbon? And, yes, we’ll be counting all the votes!
Out of these, all four of us would have to say Hobgoblin. But we do enjoy a good Newcy brown… our personal favourite!
Trendkill: facebook | twitter | youtube
