Bloodstock Metal To The Masses, South Wales Heat 6
Another hard-fought heat last week provided us with an enjoyable evening with a range of styles throughout the evening. The final heat arrives on 5th April with possibly the most eclectic evening of the series. Only three bands were able to provide their thoughts on the questions we pose, so you’ll have to find out more about From The Depths and Throwing Knives from another source.
In Which It Burns
West Walian’s In Which It Burns have been making steady progress over the past couple of years, so Let’s start with some background about the band from guitarist/vocalist Stretch and then contributions from the rest of the band. “Formed in Feb 2016 by current guitarist Steven Flynn, and former drummer Dan Mayhew. The original line up was completed by bassist Michael ‘Mikey’ Thomas in April and guitarist / vocalist Wayne ‘Stretch’ Mayhew in May. First E.P Hatred In Disguise was recorded in August 2016, using the bands own equipment and then sent to be mastered by Loud Noise Studios in Birmingham. The Band took to the stage for the first time in Nov 2016 at Crowley’s rock bar in Swansea. And have since performed on many stages across south west Wales. Many gigs, a recording or two, and few line-up changes later and IWIB are ready to make their (skid)mark on the worlds metal scene.”
Introduce us to the current line-up. “Wayne ‘Stretch’ Mayhew – Guitars and Vocals; Michael ‘Mikey’ Thomas – Bass; Steven 'Steve’ Flynn – Lead Guitars and Eugene ‘Vinny’ Lowe – Drums.”
The guys all wanted to describe the band’s sound so here goes. Vinny: “Heavy, heart thumping metal with raunchy riffs, a fast backbone beat, a driven bassline and pure hardcore vocals” whilst Stretch added “All things heavy and angry rammed in your face in a protest of aggression and a stand against indifferences. Or ......METAL!!!" Mikey: “Dirty Thick, hard hitting, groovy, headbang inducing. Steve: “Lamb of god meets (old skool) Sepultura”. Got it? Good. So, moving on, who are the main influences for the band? “We are all influenced by many different bands, artists and genres which we feel makes our overall sound more unique." Vinny adds “Avenged Sevenfold, Trivium, Slipknot, Lamb Of God, Foo Fighters, Disturbed, Skindred, Alestorm”. Steve throws in “Pantera and Lamb Of God", whilst Stretch includes the more extreme side of things with "Cradle of Filth / Acid Bath / ThyArtIsMurder and Skinlab". Mikey probably makes the most sense: “The little voices in my head and finding ways to make them shut up for a while”. Okay, we’ll just let that one sink in a bit ... and move on to the lawn question.
Lemmy once said “if we moved in next door your grass would die”. If you moved in next door, what would happen to my lawn? Vinny: “It would be red like the fire.... In Which It Burns!!” Mikey “Much fire, much burning, some toasted marshmallows”. Stretch “I can give you a quote to sort all that”. Well, that’s cleared that up then.
What prompted you to apply for the M2TM competition? “It’s all about the chance to progress. If we can share a stage with the best of the west and somehow convince everybody that we deserve the chance to play on a stage at a major festival, then we’ve progressed and fought damned hard to do it. We thrive on the pressure”.
What can we expect from you at Fuel? Vinny: “A performance us and the crowd will enjoy on and off stage!!” Mikey: “Four guys on a stage going like fuck to the best of their ability!!” Steve: "Riffage you can groove to. Power, heaviness and volume!!” Stretch “A crew that does its best to rip your face off leaving you wondering how it happened ... but wanting it to happen again!!”
Let’s hear about a few of the band’s highlights. Mikey: “Headlining Sin City, the fun, giggles and coffee when we get together”. Stretch: “Been doing this as long as I can remember in one form or another, my highlight has to be that finally I have found like minded peeps who just want to play. We work hard and play harder, the jam is our planning room, the stage is our war. Fuckin’ love it!!”
And finally, tell us something unusual about each band member that you feel needs to be shared with the rest of the metal community. Mikey: “Steve isn’t a metal guitarist, I’m not a metal bassist (or even a bassist!) Vinny isn’t a metal drummer.... Stretch is metal as fuck!!” Stretch: “Mike has an issue with candles, Steve has romantic inclinations towards me (but is a look don’t touch kinda guy!) Vinny is a Russian double travel agent”.
Thanks to the guys from In Which It Burns for their answers. Moving on to one of the most anticipated performances within the heats, we took a bit of time out with the mysterious Rombonoscop to find out about Trombonoscopy. Brace brace. We are going down!
Trombonoscopy
Let’s start with some background. Give us a potted history of the band “There is no band History in this version of linear time.” Introduce us to the current line-up: “ROMBONOSCOP”. How would you describe the band’s sound? “Disappointing, and Strange.” It’s going well so far so let’s push harder. Who are the main influences for the band? “Mr Bungle, Herbie Hancock, Bucket of Piss.” Lemmy once said “if we moved in next door your grass would die”. If you moved in next door, what would happen to my lawn? “It'll most likely go deaf.”
What prompted you to apply for the M2TM competition? “EVERY BEGINNING MUST HAVE A STORY. AND EVERY STORY, MUST HAVE A BANANA SANDWICH”. A lot of shouting going on here but stick with us. What can we expect from you at Fuel? One word captures the whole evening: “Tinnitus”.
Tell us a few highlights for the band since you started. “The inception and conception of the walking contradiction”. Have you been to Bloodstock before? If so, tell us some of your experiences; why is it such a great festival? “Yes, a few times. You can't see Mr Big share an outdoor line up with Ingested anywhere else!”
And finally, tell us something unusual about each band member that you feel needs to be shared with the rest of the metal community. “R O M B O N O S C O P”. Little to say after that apart from be there on Friday night. It could be something quite special … or bizarre!
Epic Fail
At the last minute we received the response from Tom Roche at Epic Fail so here are the answers from band number 3 and we start as always with some background. “Epic Fail is a Melodic Metal band from the South Wales Valleys, with a distinctive sound, Epic Fail can please all genres of metal and rock. Epic Fail’s single A Life Reborn released December 2017 has an introduction release video by Richard Brake (Game of Thrones/31) gaining over 1k views very quickly. Epic Fail are a recording and touring band which sell out venues they play. Epic Fail have toured the UK and are regularly playing Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol.”
A promising start so let’s continue with Tom guiding us through the six-piece’s current line-up. “The current line-up is Karl ‘Reggie’ Harris – Vocals, ‘Rocking’ Tom Roche – Guitar, Dannie ‘Fingers’ Beaton – Guitar, Natasha Sault – Keyboard and Vocals, Mike ‘Needles’ Price – Drums and Michael ‘Smiler’ Phillips – bass”. It’s going to be snug on that stage in Fuel but if Agrona can get seven on there no reason why Epic Fail won’t fit comfortably.
How would you describe the band’s sound? Who are the main influences for the band? “Epic Fail’s trademark sound can be described as melodic metal with shot of rock ‘n’ roll. Epic Fail tend to focus on sizzling leads lines and filthy groove-based riffs. Our influences include a huge Scandinavian metal, such as Children of Bodom and In Flames. Epic Fail also count bands such as Iron Maiden and Avenged Sevenfold as highly influential.”
We move onto the lawn question and possibly the most surreal answer of all interviews. Lemmy once said “if we moved in next door your grass would die”. If you moved in next door, what would happen to my lawn? “A landscaped 3D picture of all band members wearing nothing but hopes and dreams would be carved into the grass. In addition, water would also weep from any cracks in the ceilings, birds would fall out of the sky, and every time the wind blew a haunting voice would gently whisper “filthy as sin”.” See. I told you.
Okay. So, what prompted you to apply for the M2TM competition? “Epic Fail have consistently been rocking shows around South Wales for the last 10 years and have previously entered M2TM; around 9 years ago. We have always wanted to play Bloodstock as several our members go every year. To play would be an honour. With 10 years additional experience, it’s time to kick it up a notch and finally get a place playing Bloodstock.”
What can we expect from you at Fuel? “Unadulterated awesomeness with a sprinkling of fantastic hair. Amazing guitar harmonies; guitarmonies if you wish, will accompany this sensory spectacular. Our singer may be rocking a Zimmer due to a broken foot, so if anything, it’s worth watching just to see if she breaks the other one.” Ouch! Good luck to Tasha. Broken feet seem to be a theme in South Wales with Adam Vaughan (Fallen Temples) also sporting a fine cast now.
There is a strong line-up this year and the competition will be fierce. It’s great to have a healthy Welsh Metal scene. Playing this event always seems to raise the game. Tell us a few highlights for the band since you started. “Epic Fail has recorded in the same studio as Bullet for My Valentine and supported amazing bands including The Defiled, Despised Icon, Anterior, Misery Index, Shaped By Fate, Psychostick, Galactic Empire, The Dirty Youth and many more. A record deal was also offered in 2009 just before Epic Fail disbanded for a short period of time. Unfortunately, this was not picked up when the band reformed, but this didn’t stop them from rocking non-stop.”
Have you been to Bloodstock before? If so, tell us some of your experiences; why is it such a great festival? “Some of our members have been to Bloodstock before, including the singer who attended the first ever bloodstock. The best part is the music and the diversity of bands, there is something for everyone. The atmosphere, unlike other music festivals, is one of togetherness. The entire metal community is a family and Bloodstock is an excellent example of individuals who have never met sharing a common love and having an amazing cider fuelled experience in the process.”
And finally, and I’m slightly scared to ask, tell us something unusual about each band member that you feel needs to be shared with the rest of the metal community. “Karl Harris has been credited with the invention of escape rooms. He came up with the idea by accident when an individual inadvertently escaped from his house. Details are a little fuzzy. Tom Roche, inventor of the time travel and the bourbon biscuit, will be releasing his bestselling and multi award winning autobiography ‘how I time travel’ last week. Dan Beaton knows how to play the secret cord that pleased the Lord and remains the only person able to do this. Natasha Sault, inventor of the Battenberg, once made a 1.5 metre tower of soup that required no supporting structure and held itself as a tower in liquid form. When Mike Needles loses his cheese grater, he simply uses his abs instead. Shredded. Michael is called Smiler because he is the only known person with the ability to make cats laugh at will. In fact, his smile is so powerful he would be able to take down light air craft with it if ever a war broke out.”
If that doesn’t intrigue you, then please don’t bother to come. However, if you want to be part of a night showcasing the best of the Welsh talent, and pay a measly £5 for five bands, then get to Fuel on Friday night. It should be a fitting final heat.
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