As ever, we’re going to try and cover every single Jäger, New Blood and SOPHIE stage band before Bloodstock kicks off on August 9th. 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!
Dead Label – Sophie Lancaster Stage, Saturday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We have been playing together as Dead Label for ten years, but we were all in a band together called VX before and Danny and Claire were in bands together before that.
Where does the name of the band come from?
When we started Dead Label, it was around the time that Sophie Lancaster got killed. We were greatly impacted by her death and so we wrote a song about it, called “Dead Label”. We then decided it would be a good band name. The song is about her killers and is on Sense of Slaughter, it’s called “Rest in Pieces”.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Our music is heavy, groovy and hopefully smacks you in the face. What we want to achieve with our music is to get people headbanging. We want the groove to get you in a way that you just can’t help headbang. We write music we want to hear. We love when you’re at a festival and a band just grabs your attention, so that’s what we aim to do! We want people to have a good time listening to our music.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Our show is fast moving and straight to the point. You here to mosh? Then get straight in. We don’t expect everyone to know all the words or all the songs, so we ensure our set is interesting enough that if is the first time you’re coming across us, you can still enjoy yourself. We give 1111% energy! We want everyone to leave with a Dead label hangover. (Headbanging hangover!)
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
Yes, this will actually be our second time to play at Bloodstock. We are so lucky! It’s an amazing festival! From the people who organise it, to the people who go to it, the grounds themselves, the layout, the bands, the atmosphere, the size, everything! It is perfect. We are huge fans of Bloodstock. They have the perfect combination of bands, always. There is something for every metal head. The campsite is always so well laid out in relation to the grounds. There is never any huge trek to see your favourite band. We love it! The reason Bloodstock is so amazing is the team behind it. They are true metal fans and their love for the genre and the fans is evident in the way the festival takes place. There is so much work that goes into it all, including the Metal to the Masses competition, and it’s always such a success.
So how does it feel to be invited to play the one and only Bloodstock?
It’s always such a special feeling! When you get that invite, it’s like you know you’re going to have the best summer ever! You get to play at one of the best metal festivals in the world and you get to be with your Bloodstock family! We are always so honoured and grateful to be part of Bloodstock and we hope we do a kick ass job!
What sort of set list can we expect?
Heavy, energetic and loud! We have plenty of movement in store and we want to make sure everyone is warmed up for Gojira!
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not squished up next to so you can see them play?
The main band we are looking forward to seeing is GOJIRA!!!!!!!!! They are going to be absolutely amazing and we are so looking forward to them headlining. It’s going to be a surreal experience. We are also looking forward to seeing our friends in This Place Hell who won the Irish Metal to the Masses play. It’s their first time and it’s going to be amazing!
What are you working on at the moment?
We are just finishing up writing our third album. We have big plans for it, but we can’t say too much write now!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
We always blank on this question, always! We played a place in Amarillo in Texas that was connected to a Chinese restaurant and after we played, Claire ended up getting taken into the kitchen and offered food… we don’t know why but when she went in, they were gambling and she almost got involved. We also stayed in a Chinese restaurant while on tour with Fear Factory; I think it was Cologne in . I don’t know why I am telling you all this uninteresting stuff and Chinese restaurants but it seems to be a reoccurring theme.
Jager, Hobgoblin Ale, Kraken, Kingstone Press Cider, Kaltenberg Beer or Bulleit Bourbon? And, yes, we’ll be counting all the votes!
BULLIT BOURBON!!!!!!!!! Its sooooooooooooooooo good!!!
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