Much like we endeavour every year before Bloodstock, this year, for Scotland’s Wildfire Festival which kicks off on 22nd June, we’re interviewing every band set to play the stages of Wiston. You get to hear (or read) right from the horse’s mouth who you should be watching over the course of the weekend.
Previous years have seen some excellent acts grace the stages as our reviews can attest to and trust us when we say this year is no different! So get reading and listening so you can plan your coffee/beer/food breaks accordingly….
Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!
These Wicked Rivers
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We’re from Derby, UK.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We first got together in February of 2014. This line up has been together since August 2014.
Where does the name of the band come from?
A conversation in a car park during a break at practice. We wanted it to be multiple words and sound kind of bluesy. John wanted the word River in there and we’d seen a song by an old blues artist called “These Evil Children”. We substituted Wicked for Evil and put Rivers in instead of Children. Bang! These Wicked Rivers.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We’re a mash up of several things, most obviously rock, blues and southern rock music. I (Dan) think the thing that makes us unique is that all four of us like such a wide variety of genres (from death metal to folk) and we make elements of some of these genres apparent in our music. It isn’t easy to pigeonhole us.
What’s your live show like? Why should people watch you?
Full of energy and tight as a gnat’s chuff. What you hear on record is what you get live, no frills, no effects. Just 4 guys, enjoying themselves, playing music they have loved writing.
Have you played Wildfire before? If so, when?
This won’t only be our first time at Wildfire, it’ll be our first time in Scotland, so we’re very excited for it!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
Mostly our own material… but as it’s a festival we might chuck a feel good cover in that’ll make people sing along and dance! It’ll be mostly our upbeat, rocky stuff I would imagine as opposed to our ballads.
Which band are you most looking forward to seeing?
Aaron Buchanan puts on an unreal show, so we’ll be checking him out. The best thing about this edition of Wildfire, is that a lot of our mates in other bands are there as well (Witch Tripper, Ryders Creed, At the Sun, Skam, Mason Hill, Theia, Those Damn Crows, Western Sand, Tomorrow is Lost) so it’s a weekend of our favourite bands and a chance to meet new folks.
What have you got planned for the second half of 2018?
We’ve got some great stuff planned for the back end of this year, which I’m not going to go in to too much detail about, but you can take my word for it, it’s huge for us. 2018 is a big year for us in of preparing for 2019, which will be even bigger.
What’s been the highlight for the band’s career so far?
Planet Rockstock 2017, a couple of appearances at Ynot Festival and the general love we have felt for our music so far. We still can’t believe people care so much about 4 lads from Derbyshire!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
We’re not really one for doing wild things at our own shows, we’re more about making sure we’re tight and that the crowd have a good time. Having said that, seeing Heck take ladders into the crowd and then form circle pits around them whilst they have climbed the ladders to play at the top of them was a bit mad! One of the guitarists was doing this with a broken leg as well! They were one hell of a live band!
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be ing and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Oooh what a question! In of opening the evening, our friends in Stand Amongst Giants deserve a whole heap of attention to flow their way. Superb band. I think if we were to tour with any band, it would probably be someone like Rival Sons or, if you’re going mega size, Royal Blood.
What day/time are you playing at Wildfire? (If you have your slot yet!)
We know it’s on Sunday, but no idea what time yet.
Pistonhead Lager, Cloven Hoof rum or Thistly Cross cider? And yes, we’ll be counting the votes!
All three of them make for an evil sounding hangover! For me (Dan) I’d take the cider and the rum!
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https://youtu.be/E9qMdq5x-XU
