NataliezWorld

Pasadena, California has had it’s array of events, but come the fall of 2019 into 2020, an assortment of events would he canceled due to a pandemic sweeping around the globe. Come 2021 into 2022, numerous events would slightly occur but one taking place in Pasadena, would be moved into 2022. So once that New Year arose so would the Pasadena Comic Con at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Taking place one day in the middle of January, on a Sunday the 23rd, geeks, nerds, and fans alike would gather, some decked out in cosplay attire, being dressed up in costume, as others wore their favorite accessories, t-shirts, and more of their favorite comic characters and icons. A long line spun around the building, fans eagerly waiting to get into the complex. Once inside after a quick check of their vaccination cards, and face masks, as this was done during the covid-19 timing, all was soon well and good to go!

I myself had gotten inside after checking in, then I hit the floor, browsing about, checking out the numerous booths of art, handbags, comic books of course, lots of action figures, toys, and appeal. A good majority of the convention had a handful of special guests, such as Johnny Yong Bosch who is known best as a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, as well as a voice actor in some anime like Bleach, Sailor Moon, among others. Other guests included William Daniel’s from Knight Rider and Boy Meets World, another Daniel named Daniel Ross who has been a voice actor from TV and commercials like Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Lucky Charm’s character Lucky, and Bob West another voice actor best known as Barney the Dinosaur the original! But other guests included artists in comics like Tony Fleecs, whose work includes My Little Pony and Stray Dogs. Many other artists and celebrity guests had attended, each and every one of them having a nice time meeting and greeting with fans both old and new.

I was lucky enough to have met Bob West who was the original and first voice for Barney the Dinosaur! He was very nice, and even did Barney’s voice! It was such a pleasant time chatting with him and getting to meet him nonetheless. Hope to meet the rest of the Barney gang eventually….. 

All in all though the Pasadena Comic Con was small but pleasing through and through. I had a splendid time, and even walked away with a few items in tow, with a smile spreading as far and wide as possible. If you haven’t gone before then be sure to check this con out next time it arrives in little old Pasadena.

Emotional act MINNERIKET have a style that conveys things, such as them releasing a fourth album to date as of just recently, with nothing else in the works except promoting this album to the max! The band discusses how they don't play live, but want their music heard regardless with much said below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Minneriket is a one-man band, I am the only member. I started this band because I usually don’t play well with others and wanted to have complete control to realize my vision. I use session musicians from all over the world on this album, some I might wish to collaborate with on another occasion too, but the core of Minneriket is just me.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Before Minneriket was a musical project it was originally a poem in nine parts, and the title of a book I published more than ten years ago, consisting of translation of old Norse poems, self-made pieces and photography. It’s a nostalgic and melancholic dreamscape world.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

The band is based wherever I live, and as have moved around the band has moved around with me. You could say it’s based in the south-east part of Norway.

4. How would you describe your style?

I’ve used to label Minneriket as romantic black metal, but earlier today someone called it gothic neo folk black metal. I think that was a good description. I don’t aim to create music with any particular sound, I just want to convey the right feelings. 

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

Today Minneriket released the fourth real studio album “Gjennom meg går ingen til hvile» and I prefer people to listen to it rather than me explaining it. If there’s anything you can expect it’s atmosphere. Dark atmosphere.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

GMGITH was released today, after six years in the making. 

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Minneriket does not play live. My music is best experienced alone on headphones walking in the snowy forest.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

No plans, I just make it up as I go along. When inspiration strikes I make music, and I never force anything. I have no goals or ambitions, I just have this feeling screaming underneath my skin telling me to create – and when it’s strong enough I obey.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Music and merch is available on Bandcamp, and Minneriket is available on all relevant streaming services.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

There is solicitude in darkness.

Rockers WHISPER have a song out, with another out this spring with an EP soon after. More content is also being recorded with tour planned out as well as much more. The band talks of this all below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

I began to record some songs but I always liked to play with others. I sent it to some friends to record their part for the drums and bass, synth and at the same time playing live. After recording their parts on the songs, drums and bass I finalized the structures with my friend who's a sound engineer.  And then we mixed the Ep. We started playing live those songs.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

We were walking with Vianney my bass player friend on the docks in Paris. We looked at the boats passing by on the seine and there was wind. We thought about Whisper, which is the rustle of the wind, and we thought it was a good name because it means liberty. We thought about how to draw the name and we thought it represented the band’s music. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based in Paris. There's mainly pop, dance, hip hop but there are a lot of bands playing live. I like the bands No One Is Innoncent, Mano Negra. 

4. How would you describe your style?

Acoustic Folk with rock riffing, some reverb and delay and some French touch synths.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We released a song called “Fly” with a music video. We'll release a video for a song “Burn” in March and an Ep (5 songs).  

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

We' re mixing the song “Burn” from the EP. There is one called “Alive” that we recorded during the lockdown. We are also recording other songs.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Yes, a tour in Taiwan, Asia and South America. 

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Recording new songs and play live. 

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

On the streaming platforms, YouTube, Spotify, Deezer, iTunes.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

How the instruments play together and respond to each other. Hear the space between the instruments and discern the different electric and acoustic elements.

Metalhead's SHOW YOUR FACE have three albums, a demo and an EP thus far. More music is set to come forth later this year as well. The band talks about themselves and music for sure below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Show Your Face band was originally formed as a 4 member band, back in 2007. We were young, restless and driven by our passion for music. We have performed in many Live Stages in Greece and abroad. Currently, the band is consisted of Huge (vocals, bass), Kostas Karageorgos (guitar), Achilleas Koutras (guitar). This year we are releasing our 4th album!

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

The name Show Your Face is a statement to be yourself and fight for it no matter what. It is our answer to people who pretend to be someone else and are hiding themselves from the reality. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We live in Central Greece, in a city called Karditsa. There is a strong music influence of different styles: Rock, Metal, Death metal, Black metal etc. Many band live events and projects take place all year long. We are all friends and support each other. Some local bands that we listen to and we would recommend you to listen are : Deathvalves, Calf, Deacidified, Procrastinate, Side Effect, Pompa Funebris.

4. How would you describe your style?

Our style changed over the years, as we evolved. We began as a Thrashcore metal band and, then, we added Progressive elements, in our Groove and Melodic 3rd CD. Our new album will be more Deathcore, but without losing our original style.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We have released 3 full albums, 1 Demo and 1 EP so far:

YOU CAN'T AVOID (Demo 2007)

LOST FAITH (EP 2009 - Self Financed)

UNLEASH (2011 - Orkestral Promenade Prod)

APNEA (2013 - The Leaders Records)

APNEA Japanese Edition - (2013 - The Leaders Records Japan)

SHOW YOUR FACE-III (2017-straight from the heart records)

Our 4th album will be available later this year. We are currently in the studio, recording. You can find diversity in our albums with Extreme, Groove and Melodic elements. Just listen to our music and feel it yourselves!

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

No. Next question. Our 4th album will include 8 songs. 7 new songs and our Single “Shot at dawn”, which is already available on YouTube! We are planning to release one more Song before the release of the Album, so STAY TUNED!!!

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Right now we are recording for our latest album. We are also looking for for a new drummer, and so at the moment live shows are not our priority. However, we are keen to return on stage again as soon as possible!

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We take it step by step, because this  pandemic is giving a hard time to all of us. We are not discouraged and soon we want to come back with more Live Shows!

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

You can find all our Music and Videoclips on YouTube and of course on Spotify, iTunes etc. You can also get our Merge by messaging us on Facebook! 

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

We want our listeners to have fun and be one with us! Be aggressive, full of energy and true to yourselves! 🤟

SHOVELBELT is a band that are truly their own creation. A single is out with an album expected come the fall of this year. Even a summer time tour will be taking place in a few month's time with so much more in-store. The band chats about these things and more below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band.

The history of Shovelbelt starts back in 1994 when Russ Mickel moved to Portland Oregon from Eugene. Russ joined up with guitarist Rich Cornelison and formed LID, a solid Pacific Northwest band playing all over the region. This lasted 14 years, then Russ relocated to Bend to create Shovelbelt (2009). Rich would travel back and forth from the valley to the high desert to record and play shows with newly created Shovelbelt. Russ spent the last 7 years playing, writing, and recording Shovelbelt material. Not always following the general guidelines of being an average band. Shovelbelt has now become a Central Oregon regularly played band across the local radio networks. Commonly referred to as the high desert band that wants to bring good music to everyone worldwide. Thanks to Damon Moreno and the Innerlight Agency, this is really happening for Shovelbelt.

2.  What’s the origin of the bands name?

 The origin of the bands name comes from an apparatus created by the French in the early 1900’s. Some 8.5 million French were mobilized to fight in WW1. Following the conflict, the wounded were mobilized to work. A 1918 Red Cross report put it bluntly: “Disabled men will have no difficulty in obtaining employment immediately after the war when there will be the greatest of good-will... the difficulty will come... when the way in which the disabilities were acquired has been forgotten.” Amputees were fitted with a Shovel Belt and trained to compensate for their lost limbs. Essentially, it is a belt so a one armed man or woman can dig a hole.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Shovelbelt is based out of Bend Oregon USA.(“High Desert”). The music scene is all over the map. A lot of singer songwriters playing the local breweries and clubs. Bend is a great place for National touring acts to stop and play outside to 14-20,000 fans. Either they are heading north to Seattle, and several outdoor venues in central Washington. Or they are heading south to Northern California. The other direction would be East towards Idaho and Utah, then Colorado. Shovelbelt has used Bend as the starting point for all their past tours going in all 3 directions. Kris at 92.9 FM has been a great support and positive voice, playing Shovelbelt tunes for the past 7 years. The bands that are releasing new stuff locally are: “Beyond The Lamplight” a Rock Blue Grass feel. “Black Currant” a trio with a hauntingly indie pop feel. Another singer songwriter is “J Meast”, the music has a really close relationship with roots of central Oregon. Those are just a few of the ones that have really pushed through the pandemic and made music to reflect on the last 2 years.

4. How would you describe Shovelbelt’s style?

Shovelbelts style is made up of several key ingredients. Thick guitars, created with Gibson Les Paul, VOX, and Marshall. Smooth drums that flow with solid rhythm throughout stories that have deep meaning and purpose. The kind of music you can roll the windows down, catch the sun on your face and take in the moment.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

Shovelbelt has just released the new single “Memories In Stone” This is the first song off the upcoming album do out this fall 2022. People can expect a deep, driving, solid sounding LP. With stories of life experiences and the people that have created our world we live in today.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes. We are finishing up the full length album this spring. So far 3 songs have been completed and released for people to get an idea of what's to come with the next 11 tunes off the album.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We will be starting out our summer tour in Bend Oregon, and heading southwest. This tour will depend on what venues are available to new Covid restrictions. Shovelbelt will be concentrating on festivals and outdoor venues. Then taking the tour oversees is the second stage of the plan.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

The future plans for Shovelbelt is: Finishing the recording and finalizing the remaining songs for the album. Structure a tour through-out the United States, concentrating on festivals, and outdoor venues. Within the next few months we will be releasing more songs. We have decided to release a single every 4 months. Playing shows in 2022 is a big priority. We would like to take Shovelbelt to the next level, reach out to a broader audience, and facilitate in anyway we can in playing for organizations helping out the greater good of our society.

9. Where can we listen and where can we buy your stuff?

You can find Shovelbelt at: 

a. AppleMusic

b. Spotify/Shovelbelt

c. YouTube

d. Facebook

e. AmazonMusic

Bend Oregon Radio Stations:

Kris@92.9fm

KTWS 98.3 fm

KLTW 95.7 fm

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

We would love the listener to listen closely to the lyrics and let their mind ride the rhythm and soul of harmonious tones of the 70’s brought to the year 2022 with influences of the 80’s and 90’s. Hopefully relating and feeling a tearful moment of compassion for our fellow humans. Thank you, SHOVELBELT.

Hard rockin heavy metalhead's RABID HOOD have a debut EP out and about, with many new songs ready to go! Since this band is fairly new, no shows have occurred but hopefully will soon. The band chats of these matters at hand below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Well Rabid Hood is a brand new melodious Hard Rock band from Vestland/Norway. The band has extensive experience in the Metal and Rock n Roll stage with members from Helheim, ex-Taake, Trelldom, Nattverd, Aventyr and Spitfire++. which creates a solid foundation for success and I think this will be well received by both new and old hard rock listeners who appreciates good music.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Rabid Hood is a name guitarist Steinar  had lying in his head for a while, and we thought it fits well with our style of music. It`s only Rock n Roll.. hehe

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Rabid Hood is based in a little town called Sande in the west coast of Norway, with good music environments in surrounding towns it was difficult not be affected by it. There are very many bands like Aventyr. Spitfire and Drusar to name a few.

4. How would you describe your style?

Hard hitting melodious hard rock with the influence of heavy metal.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

So far we have released our debut EP Spiteful and we hope it will be well received by all hard rockers. Produced by Beau Hill music production the hard-hitting drummer with a touch of metal, hard rock and rock at the same time, lead guitarist with heavenly solos, rhythm guitar and bass which creates a solid foundation for success and a vocalist who tops it all. with this we hope to be a breath of fresh air in the jungle of music out there.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes we have many new songs ready for production and planning our next release in the next few months we hope.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

Well since Rabid Hood is a brand new band, we have not started playing live yet due to the Coronavirus and restrictions,  but we are there soon I hope. We have big ambitions to get out there and play our music in front of live audience as much as we can.

 8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We want to try to make Rabid Hood a hard hitting hard rock band that people notices and talks about, and I hope we will achieve that in this crazy music world we live in LoL. And that is our modest goal.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Rabid Hood is out on digital platforms for anyone who wants to listen to and enjoy our music.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Hard hitting, controlled sort of insanity, melodious hard rock, the reverb guitar solos, that makes you feel successful.

NO RESTRAINTS  creates a genre they like to call "Street Core", mixing the likes of street punk mets New York hardcore. The band has released some material, including a debut album expected this spring, with much more content on the way soon enough. Band member Johnny discusses the band's music and more below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

No Restraints born officially in June 2019, when I (Johnny) finally found all the members to complete the line-up of the band. That took me one and a half year, since I wanted to find the right people to develop this project, not simply musicians but someone that can love and have passion in what we were going to create.

No Restraints are:

Johnny – Voice, Fax – Guitar, Fere – Bass, Dave - Drums

After few practice we immediately went in studio to record 2 songs for our first single, that has been suddenly released in February 2020. We started to play live in September 2019 and in the following months we had the chance to share the stage with some great bands like Exploited, Crim and Maid of ace, just to name a few...we had in plan some nice gigs in Germany and other European countries, but we all know how it went from march 2020 to on...

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

This is exactly how it went about our name: It was march 2018 and I was in Montpellier at “this is England festival” playing one of the last gigs with my former band, and I was speaking with Nigel, a very good friend of us from England. I was telling him about the new project  and basically as a joke I asked him a name for the band. And he immediately goes: No Restraints…. Eh? Why? What it means? - It’s like  don’t put limits in what you do and in how you live, break your chains, nothing can hold you back!

Nigel are you fucking kidding me? This is exactly what I had in mind, I am writing a song about this, I also used some of these words...and it is also exactly how I want to write the music, I love Oi!, Street punk, hardcore and many other things, I want to put in our music all these influences without caring too much about the genre...you know just let it flow...No fucking Restraints…and that’s it...i still owe him a t-shirt and a record for that. 

So basically this applies to everything we do, in life or in music, just be yourself, do what you like, do it your way!!

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based in Vercelli, north Italy. Scene here is not bad at all, there are some punk, hardcore and metal kids and some nice bands. There was also a great live club called Officine Sonore, we saw many nice bands and met a lot of crazy people there. We also used to practice there in the first period of the band. Unfortunately it had to close at the beginning of 2020. 

There are some great bands here in town and in the nearby, the Italian HC punk legend Indigesti are from Vercelli, but many other nice bands are from here around like DiscoMostro, il complesso, middle finger

4. How would you describe your style?

I think that the definition of Street Core fit perfectly to us, we basically play a mix of street punk and New York hardcore, but of course with many other influences, I never wanted to put limits in what we do...No Restraints, right? ;-) 

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

At the moment we released two splits on 7” vinyl (available also on digital platforms).

The first one is a split with the great Spider Crew from Vienna, that gave us the honor to share with us our debut single, and has been released the 29th of February 2020.

In November of the same year we released on Sunny Bastard records our second single, this time shared with Day Drinker from the Netherlands.

Our debut album will be Released on Sunny Bastard Records and Demons Run Amok Entertainment the 22nd of April 2022, it will be available on Vinyl, CD and digital platforms.

Honestly I am really satisfied of the result, it sounds tough and we could find a good balance between anger and melody, all the songs are different but keeping the same style and energy, I can’t wait to see it released and see how people will react to it. :-) 

The first single extract from the album will be available on all the digital platforms the 28th of January, together with a videoclip that will be published on YouTube the same day.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

At the moment we are working on a song that will appear on a compilation tribute to the Analogs, the legendary street punk band from Poland. We should record within the end of January.

After that we will start to write some new songs, we already have a lot of ideas, half lyrics, guitar riffs that we can’t wait to develop.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We had the chance to play a few nice shows in November and December, before the new wave of covid lead to another month of closure for live clubs. It was really great to be back on stage and see many people at gigs. At the moment we are planning some European shows from April to on to promote the release of our album, some gigs are already confirmed, like Basel or Berlin at the legendary punk club wild at heart, while some other will be confirmed soon. Keep an eye to our socials for the official announcement. ;-)

Oh, and if you want to organize a gig with us just get in contact with our booking: breakout.promoting@gmail.com.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

At the moment we are willing to play live as much as possible to promote the release of our album. 

We are also planning the shooting of another videoclip. After that as said before we will start to write some new music.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Our songs can be listened on Spotify, iTunes, Apple music, Deezer and all the other digital platforms. You can also watch our videoclip on YouTube. You can find all the links, including all our socials in this page:

https://linktr.ee/norestraintscore

The labels that produced our records did an amazing job with the distribution, you can find our vinyl in many distros and labels in various European countries, even Australia (1054 records) and Japan (retribute records) But you can can also buy our records and merch directly from us on our webstore: https://norestraints.limitedrun.com/.

Aaand, to thank you for the interview we would like to offer to all the readers of Natalie’s World a special 10% discount, just use the code “Nataliez” at check out. ;-) 

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Uh that’s an interesting question, also not so easy to answer haha...well, I care a lot about the lyrics, also because I work hard on that. I have not this big talent on writing 😅 so I have to compensate with hard work. So I would like that people notice that we really have something to say and we are not saying things just to fill the music. Also I like to hide in our songs some easter eggs, small quotes of other bands that I love and things like these...the funny thing is that I noticed that also our guitar player do it now and then. So it would be nice if someone can recognize them, but surely is not something that you can do at first listen so maybe I’m going a bit off topic.

I would lie to thanks Natalie’s world for this interview, we are really happy for this. And to all those who reads this interview don’t forget to follow us on social and feel free to get in touch, but mostly we hope to meet you at one of our gigs. – Keep the faith – Johnny 

Old but modernized band GREEN WIRE have released a couple of single's with their debut EP this spring! The band talks of their music and what's planned next.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Green Wire started initially in the spring of 2021, mid a national pandemic where musicians had been stripped of performance opportunities through venue closure. The band formed from members Simon Stirzaker (Singer/Songwriter), Charlie Morris (Drummer), Jack Massey (Lead Guitarist), Ethan Henry (Bassist) who all met at university in Manchester. Though not all inspired by the same genres the lads have an eclectic range of influences between them which helps shape a very unique sound for the band. With Simon inspired by early Rock’n’Roll, Indie Rock and Indie pop, Jack inspired by Math Rock and Funk, Charlie inspired by Funk, Metal and Classic Rock and Ethan inspired by genres such as pop punk and metal - the band have managed to put their influences into their songs to form a sound the band have become known in their local Manchester scene for. 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

The bands name came from me (simon)  brainstorming looking at ideas around electricity. Initially the thought was about the bands lively nature so we looked into Livewire and Red Wire, both of which were already heavily used by other bands. 

I began thinking beyond this into something my nanny taught me when i was rather young, which has stuck with me and that was to “always stay grounded and remember where you came from”. I ended up thinking about the Earth/Ground wire within a plug. That ended up bringing me to Green Wire which i found nobody had actually used. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

The band are based out of Manchester, UK. The music scene is primarily focused around genres such as Indie Rock, Indie Pop as well as other genres like Grime and rap. I personally don’t know much about the rap scene but Indie wise - the scene is buzzing. Manchester has to easily be the best city in the world to live in right now if you’re an upcoming band within the indie or alternative scene. There’s so much diversity and culture here and everyone loves live music.

Bands I'd recommend to you are The Siennas, Escapades, My Pet Fauxes, Boxteles, Lottery Winners, The Sherlocks, Reytons, The Outcharms. 

4. How would you describe your style?

We’re very much a blend of old school Indie Rock from the mid 2000’s and new more modern indie. We try not to compare ourselves too much to other bands either as we’d like to make our own name and style but to give you a few names of who we’ve had comparisons with: The 1975, Circa Waves, Arctic Monkeys, The Vaccines. 

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We’ve released 2 singles so far. The first song “Looking Back” was a song written in lockdown about the anger at the government felt by the whole of the UK. A bouncy indie tune that left The Manc describing us as ones to watch on the Manchester scene as well as Bread Records saying we were ‘a band to keep your eyes on’. The second release which seems more mallow at first is “T-Shirt & Jeans”. This song, released in December 2021, was a move away from that initial anger and a move from home recording to a studio. The song is the first of a few releases lined up before our EP release and tells the all too familiar tale of the memories and feelings of romance at the start of a relationship. The song was written at the start of a relationship that Simon was in and the song mirrors the feelings in the lyrics in that it is constantly building. Lyricism that everyone can relate to and songs to dance along to or do car karaoke to. That is the best description i can give anyone for what to expect haha.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

We’ve just finished recording our debut EP ‘How’s Your Head This Morning?” which will be released in April. It’s been an absolute dream to record this. Building up to that release however we do have 2 more single releases planned. The first of which is on January 28th and is the bands - as well as our crowds favorite song: Mrs. Artois. The next single after that will be another favorite in Cigarettes on the Dancefloor which will be released at the beginning of March.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We have just been booked onto our second ever headline show on March 11th at 33 Oldham St, Manchester (details will be on our social media shortly, anyone reading this is hearing about that before anyone else haha). After that we’ll have our EP launch show at the end of April/start of May and then we’re planning a little support tour around the north/midlands of the UK in the summer!

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

So currently we have planned for our first EP and a few albums after that, we just want to keep releasing music and playing shows really. It’s what we all love and there’s no more rewarding feeling than having your fans dance and sing to your songs while you play them on a stage. For as long as we can do this we will and we have the people who constantly support us to thank for that.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

I’ll attach links to our music below. We currently don’t have any merch available but we will closer to the time of the EP release. We’re currently still designing it and about to put an order in. 

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HviO4x9zeD0zpo9UsZhtC?si=0xsQsaWTSoavI4_R6OIfEQ

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/green-wire/1576404601

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJFHD0WEyXY

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Probably the fact that the songs, although written about experiences in our lives and stuff we’ve seen or heard around us, aren’t just written in a one dimensional format for ourselves. The songs are open to interpretation and if anyone can pick their own meaning out and the songs can help someone get through their day, or they brighten someone's day by hearing them. That's the magic of music for us and that’s what we want for our fans. If they aren’t connected to us like a fifth member, we feel like there’s something wrong.

Alternative hard rockers ELEPHANT TAKEDOWN have been around for a short while, with a debut EP titled "Forked Tongues and False Hopes" out now. They are also hard at work planning out all new content which could lead to their first album. The band discusses this and more below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Elephant Takedown started off as a jam session in January 2019 between Phil (Lead Guitar) and Alex (Bass), and after that first session we decided we really wanted to do something a bit more, so Alex put out an advert for a drummer online. Simon answered the call pretty early and the interview was basically “What music do you like? Can you come tomorrow?” We started off by playing covers of Black Stone Cherry and Shinedown, but really wanted to write some original music. From then on we had a number of vocalists and other guitarists come and go with the three of us as the permanent core members, until Christmas 2019, when we lost the only steady vocalist we’d had to family life. We were going to put off an advert until after Christmas, but did it anyway. Ben showed up to practice the next week and had already learned some of our material, and we all just had a really good time. When we then met back up in 2020 we started pumping out music faster than we had all year, there was really good band chemistry, and we booked to record our EP. Then COVID happened and we were forced to delay it a year but eventually with the help of Headline Studios and Headline Records, we were able to release Forked Tongues and False Hopes on July 16th 2021!

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Phil and Alex were out at a run for charity in summer 2019, and while we were there we started ruminating over new band names. Phil had mentioned that his old band was something like Mustard Tiger, and that he always liked the sound of Elephant Takedown, but an Elephant doing the taking down, rather than being taken down. When our vocalist at the time left, we decided that was the opportunity to change the name. From there we started making jokes about an elephant-headed mascot called Gordon, and he’s now the character that can be seen on the EP today.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK. The music scene is really coming alive again, especially since lockdown ended. We played the Portland Arms recently which is a great venue, and we’re dying to play The Junction. There are loads of really solid bands that are actively gigging locally too; Call To The Faithful, Dead Reynolds, Standing Like Statues, and Dear Monday to name a few.

4. How would you describe your style?

That’s a difficult one. We’re probably defined as hard rock or alt rock, but there’s influences from metal, punk, blues rock, and progressive in there too.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We’ve currently got a 4-track EP out called Forked Tongues and False Hopes. It captures a little bit of everything we like to play, from punky distorted riffs, to rock ballads. Our lead single “The Boatman” is probably the best representation of us. We love energy in our music, if we can’t dance, sway, headbang, or sing along, it won’t make the cut. The EP captures everything that for us is fun in music. 

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Always. We’re currently planning for our first studio album, and all the stuff that comes with that. We’re most of the way there, but are still in the writing phase at the moment. It’s surreal because for us this is some serious bucket list territory, and we’re just excited that there are people out there who want to hear it.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We’re talking to some people, trying to make some stuff happen. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to announce some shows very soon.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

First and foremost is recording our first studio album, but releasing a single with our first proper music video is up there as something we’re really excited to do. It’s something that not everyone gets to take part in, and as a group of people who regard themselves as quite uncool, it’s such a cool thing to do!

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Everywhere. Our music’s on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, iTunes, Deezer. About the only place you can’t get it is in your local shop.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Turn it up loud and have a good time. If the floor isn’t vibrating like there’s a herd of elephants in the room, it’s not loud enough.