It’s that time of year where we set out to interview as many of the Sophie, New Blood, and Jager bands as we can in the lead-up to one of the most anticipated festivals of the year, Bloodstock. Answering our questions here are Headpress who play the New Blood stage on the Saturday [UPDATE – due to personal circumstances, Headpress are having to skip Bloodstock this year. Recall The Remains will be filling their slot].
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Birthplace of Lemmy and Discharge
How long have you been playing together as a band?
The current line up have been playing as a band since 2008
Where does the name of the band come from?
We used to read Headpress magazine back in the day. Just took the name from that. Seemed like a good name and it stuck
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
I think we’re an amalgamation of metal and hardcore. We’ve had comparisons to early Entombed, right through to Biohazard and Hatebreed. I think it’s quite hard to pigeon hole us. We’re just metal. We just try to maintain a lot of groove and clarity in our songs and our live sound, and be heavy as fuck
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
We bring the heavy. If you like that sort of thing
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
We’ve been coming Bloodstock for years. I don’t think I’ve missed a year since 2007 when In Flames headlined. It’s home from home. It’s where you see mates you haven’t seen since the same time last year. One weekend where you forget about work and just watch tons of bands and drink tons of beer in a field.
Which M2tM region did you win, or did you come through other channels?
Our hometown, Stoke. Six competing bands and everyone deserved a slot. Two of the other bands did get a slot.
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Can you put into 10 words or fewer how it felt when you realised you were heading to Bloodstock?
Shocked. Didn’t expect it with the talent we were up against
What sort of setlist can we expect?
Relentless, short and sweet. They run a tight ship on the New Blood Stage because they have so many bands to get through
Which other bands do you most hope you’re not squished up next to so you can see them play?
It looks like we might be clashing with Jinjer over on the main stage, which is far from ideal! Really wanted to catch them. There are tons of ace bands on so it’s not like we’re going short
What are you working on at the moment?
We’re just about to drop a new video and track – 4th August. We’ve got more tracks recorded ready for more video shoots, plus we’re always writing.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Tough question. It’s crazy when you watch your mates’ bands playing and they’re on fire. And I think watching Footprints (in the Custard) play is always eye-opening.
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
Might have a can or two. Nothing crazy. Can’t be getting leathered beforehand. Those days are long gone
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Headpress: facebook | spotify | youtube
