Interview with Dan Brown - (Guitarist) The Amity Affliction

THE AMITY AFFLICTION were finishing up the last date of the UK tour at o2 Academy Islington, London after being on the road for some time now, the quartet have had their fair share of stories to tell from this journey. Dan Brown, guitarist of the band had some time to sit down and answer a few questions about the band.

Hello Dan, so how are you?

“I’m good today, I’ve been a little bit sick but we all got sick. We’ve got today, then we’ve got four shows left back in Europe.”

Have you even played in O2 Islington before?

“No, we haven’t, well I haven't. It looks cool, we just did the meet and greet out there with a few kids and its big and got a cool balcony. We did a sound check before and it sounds good so looking forward to it.”

Who would you want to go on tour with?

“Theres a few I would want to go on tour with, obviously Architects, they're our good friends but there is a few I guess that wouldn't suit our bill. Me and Joel, we’re all hardcore kids, growing up  with that stuff and we’re not really a hardcore band but I guess whatever you want to call it, full of hardcore kids so we’d basically want to be on tour with hardcore bands. One of my favourites are from Belgium I think, Rise And Fall, they’re like an older band but really good. As soon as we have the offers come up, Joel said we could take Rise And Fall, but we can’t because it just wouldn't make sense.”

What are your favourite venues around the UK?

“It’s hard to remember them all, cause its like a whirl wind, The Underworld was a good venue, I really liked that one. There's no barrier and it had all the different levels to it so there was crowds here and there. Paris was cool, last time we were there we played on a boat.”

Things you Love/ hate about the UK?

“Me and Ahren  will always go to get a kababs and chips, that's the main thing, as soon as we get here we want to eat that. It’s usually food. We’ve got an American playing guitar for us now, he's filling in and we get to take him out, we had fish and chips and roast dinners, he doesn’t have that in america. Australia is pretty similar so we just take him around.”

Are you going to get anyone to fill in for Troy Brady?

“There is Kyle who was our guitar tech, he’s a good guy and knows how to play guitar and he's just filling in presently now, he's not a member but he's going to be in that spot the whole time.”

There has been a lot of controversy about the Chasing Ghost album, artwork, what is the meaning?

“Well if you only look at the front cover then you would assume but if you flick through the booklet its actually not, its more of a metaphor, Joel goes with these lyrics, its all about being in the ocean and being cleansed and you come out the other end. We all talk about the album work, but Joel gets the concept. He writes all the lyrics. The answer phone message ain’t real, we wrote the script for it, the guitarist in Deez Nuts said it, and figured he's got a cool accent so we asked him. Because it ties the two songs together. We knew we had a happy song, then the repack after was heavy and if we just went from one to the other it would sound a bit odd so we needed something to tie it together, and him talking about it was brining both the lyrics and meaning.”

How do you feel about having such a large and supporting fanbase?

“Yeah that’s great, its mainly Joel and his lyrics, because he's been through the same thing when younger, and he wants to help and tell people that it’s alright and just stick with it. Everywhere we go we get people saying, oh you helped my friend or you helped me, its weird but its good.”

Would you ever change the sound of your band to fit into Hardcore?

“No, we also like metalcore, we like the stuff we play and its working for us so we wouldn't change, it’s gotten a little bit heavier, Ive started writing songs with Ahren so the sound has changed, just a little bit. But we would never be a hardcore band, we’d loose a lot of fans probably.”

What does 2015 hold?

“We’re full, we’ve got touring and writing new things, there is a lot of stuff we cant announce yet but it is a full year. We will be writing for a new album, it depends when we get it done to record it.”

Goals for the band’s future?

“Keep going the way we are going, as soon as we start going backwards we will start asking ourselves why we doing this, its cool at the moment, it pays us enough to be the only thing we do. When you've got to work a job and do a band its hard, so now our job is our band. It takes a long time though, you’ve just got slug it out. Ahren has been in the band for 10 years now, I’m going on two so I am fairly new but still I was doing other bands for another 8 years before that. You start off as an apprentice like any other job, then eventually things grow if you're doing the  right thing and making the right decisions then.”

Best food here?

“Nandos is better here, Australia cost way more and its a fast food thing. Australia has a better subway. I get the Italian BMT, with mayo and I always get all the salads. Food is cheaper here, but once you do the conversion it costs us a lot. You can’t just eat junk food all the time you do get sick.”

Shows you are looking most forward to?

“We are looking forward to London because its a bigger room and London always cool so, the next one is cologne and its a big one and sold out and last day of tour.

Who is the messiest on tour?

“The plot in you or Napoleon are the messiest, so we know not to annoy each other and just take care of our own stuff otherwise  we have these little fights.”

Any fights break out on tour or rowdy stories?

“We usually get along with most bands nothing major if something happens anyways. We all know how to treat each other and how each other works, some days someone will have an off day and you know just to leave them alone, it’s like living together so you get used to it. We are very close.”

Would just like to thank Dan Brown for giving me 11 minutes to do this short interview and the rest of the Amity guys. Thank you and great show.

Baby Godzilla + Zoax + Hooligan Collective LIVE @ Hatfield The Forum 5/12/14

A perfect breed of two brilliant bands, Baby Godzilla and Zoax, joined forces to hit up the road just before Christmas for a full run of show.

Joined at the Forum Hatfield, Hooligan Collective were the first band to open up the night.

Their hardcore/ punk influence sound was presently heard within their performance as the youngesters had a dated noise to them, with their performance taking to the floor space rather than the stage, the band tried to re live what old punk shows were about, getting the crowd as close as possible and moving along. With a much lengthened set, Hooligan Collective gave a visual performance, bouncing around in his glittering jacket, guitarist Dale swamped the lime light.

Bordering on from one energetic performance to Zoax who gave a whole new level of intensity, the night was sure to be heating up just in time. If you have never seen this band live before, then you are sure to be in for a treat with their most talked about frontman. Lead frontman Adam Carroll, decided that he belongs on the floor with the crowd, doing all kinds of shit to make sure that every single person was included. 

Starting off, Adam roamed around the venue, having a little chat with everyone before he screamed into their faces, crossing paths with their shocked expressions which seemed to charge his charisma even more, plunging his microphone to dance around the room while capturing members of the audience in his waltz. The rest of the band who were left on stage, left no silence. Getting stuck in with bashful moments which complimented their vibrant loud, angry sound the band gave an astonishing performance that truly left the crowd in mutters of what they had just witnessed. 

If that wasn’t enough then Baby Godzilla were on next to finally take over The Forum and leave your souls running out of your body. Known for their outrageous stage presence, the band wasted no time in getting stuck in, as the show seemed to take place on the floor rather than the stage. Not complaining, Baby Godzilla who claimed to describe themselves as "General extreme noise” certainly did live up to the expectation. With such a spacious room to cause havoc in, the band sent circles spinning, climbing onto the bar, interrupting conversations between friends, they are the band who literally don't give a fuck.

There is no word to describe that night other than complete and utter chaos, one of the best shows that Baby Godzilla have played, by making girls cry in the process of destroying themselves, Matt Reynolds dominated his angry howls, making sure everyone was shitting their pants while Jonny Hall got upfront and personal.

‘Powerboat Disaster’ ended the beaten night with gang vocals of the crowd cheering in in a bundle of madness, as exhausted screams let out one final whirl wind of noise before dropped to a halt.

10/10

TOP 10 EP’s of 2014

1. Creeper - Creeper

Listening to a whole EP at first glance and thinking, “I FUCKING WHAT TO SEE THIS BAND LIVE RIGHT NOW” is a rare occurrence, however with the first tune of Creeper’s self titled EP, this was my exact thought. Ex members from previous band have come together to create this hybrid punk band and honestly it’s the best thing to happen in 2014. Banging out this EP had to reach number one on my radar as every song is just so catchy and upbeat, it screams “PLAY ME AT A HOUSE SHOW” which luckily enough actually happened, ending the year with a great celebration.

(LISTEN)

2.Trash Boat - Look Alive

Saint Albans new comers, Trash Boat rep the UK’s pop punk scene with an EP that puts many albums to shame. The five-piece, who are relatively new to the scene have shown great capability of releasing four head banging songs, that will be sure to get you finger pointing live. There is no room for being mediocre here, as vocally Tobi Duncan produces incredible biting sounds while the band cover a high end energetic presence. As well as that, lyrically the band are top on my list with catchy choruses that aren’t just about relationships but broaden to a positive vibe.

(LISTEN)

3. Mind And Separation- Charnel House

The Sheffield quartet have returned with an outstanding melodic hardcore EP which literally just blew me away. M&S (No not the high street retailers) have exposed some solid sounding vocals which Travis fires out, as each scream is clearly heard and packed with passion that is deeply emotive.

Young at age, there is no trace found as their melodic sound is perfected to every last note and composed beautiful together, wrapping up a flawless EP.

(LISTEN)

4.Wallflower - Summer Daze

Another fresh band blowing straight in, earned their ranking at second place as their four tracked EP was an instant winner. 

Packed with a Basement emo vibe, the quintet produce earnest music which is dominant in melodic value, keeping clean vocals that match their overall tone.

What really grips me to this band was their outstanding ability to produce such professional sounding music at such a young stage. Wallflower are ones to watch out for in 2015, expect great things.

(LISTEN)

5. Bloody Knees - Stitches

Not known to many faces, Bloody Knees have to be one of them bands that you simply just cant get enough of. With the release of Stitches this year, the band have buried themselves with darker themes and punky riffs that capture a nostalgic feel, you find comforting. You need to see this band live to capture their justice, as their sound is projected profoundly. ‘Daydream’ and ‘Stitches’ are two banger tracks which are sure to grab your immediate attention, packed with Bradley’s captivating vocals and a rough swaying feel, Bloody Knees are sure to keep you moving.

(LISTEN)

6. Elegies - Elegies 

Another self titled EP banged out right at the very start of the year, another Sheffield locals, have made the top 10 with their fast cutting sent. ‘Exile’ and ‘Scars’ open and end the EP with each producing some of their finest work. A gracefully planted instrumental is layered in-between tracks to set the mood down, dropping in temperature before brought back up with howling screams that are matched with clean vibrations. From start to finish, this EP is sure to keep you on your toes, with their mastered sound taking a hold of your ear drums.

(LISTEN)

7.Water Canvas - At Least

A mixture of sounds are exposed with this EP, as the only way I can describe it is to be “a mixture of all the things I like.” Their sound is very ideal as for me they capture what a lot of current bands are doing but combining all elements into one track. Water Canvas have this mysterious sense when listening to them which gives you all kinds of reflexes that are calmingly enjoyable.

‘Memorial Drive’ is the first track on the EP, and without a doubt a favourite due its sentimental touch that leaves an implant on you.

(LISTEN)

8.Hopes - Wake Up

Brining you a non UK band, Hopes gain all the brownie points with me, from recreantly releasing their Wake Up EP, jam packed with five post-hardcore tracks that certainly do this modern world justice. The four-piece are smothered with layers of talent which are yet to be explored, as this EP is a gateway for their creative sound to be opened. Friction rubbed vocals are shouted onto of a solid build up of crashing sounds that make up each song to be distinct in flavour. A band and EP you don’t want to pass by.

(LISTEN)

9.Counting Days - The War of The Wolf

Surely an EP we have all been waiting for? Counting Days have lived up to their hype without even releasing any music, which just to happens to now follow it’s greatly repped reviews.

Packed with fast paced action, slugging riffs and breakdowns that make you want to loose your shit to, this EP really does hold everything for a heavier audience. Great things are expected from this band and with The War of The Wolf as living proof of this, it’s going to be hard to disappoint.

(LISTEN)

10.Acres- Solace

Finishing off the at number 10, where it started at the South Coast, Acres fill the slot with their enchanting melodic tune. 2014 has been a year of great EP’s which seem to have been thriving better than major albums, as Solace plays great tribute to the UK’s hardcore scene producing fresh grooves that are polished in vocal pitch, leaving no battered strain behind. Standing out from many other bands, Acres have adapted a clarion pressure to their music as both the vocals and instruments dominate each song, compliment the two, they work solemnly together.

(LISTEN)

GIANTS - Pledge for an album

Skate Punkers, Giants are doing something great!
Yes you heard it, the hardcore essex punk band are asking you to help them release their first ever full length album.
All you need to do it go onto: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/giantsuk and choose an amount you want to pledge for, it can be as little as £5 to a whopping £300, every little helps.

Giants have been a DIY band forever, as their attitude and outlook on life is clearly reflected on their lyrics, from touring non stop in various parts of the world, the hard working band have accomplished so much, and off their own backs too. With a heavy filled fan-base, Giants are continuing to make their mark, proving that hard work does pay off. Their positive outlooks makes their music stronger to anyone else and hearing a full album would be a dream.

There are so many options to choose from, it was so hard to pick, from hand written lyric sheets to Edd doing vocals in one of your songs to the band playing in your house, the ideas are endless as it's a great opportunity for all, everyone wins something!

Hopes - Wake up EP

The freshly picked punk, hardcore band Hopes from Liberec, Czech Republic have just released a brand new EP, Wake Up.

Building up their own established sound, the newly exposed band have created such a tight little collection of tracks which represent all their hard work.

Mastering a matured tone, ‘Step Out’ quickly introduces Wake Up to a new audience which then builds onto the second track, exploring highly texturised movements, embracing their influence of Terror and Stick To Your Guns. With their harden tone, the band do not sound new at all, as their sent is so concert that it screams experience. 

Hopes don’t waste their time by producing something mediocre, as each song proves its worthy with another. You are definitely woken up by now, as their riveting sound captures you in an instant, filled with melodic twists and bouncy beats that gets your blood pumping through your veins.

‘Friends’ unites the album to a close with a punk edgy that is filled with influential style rhythms, by combining these all to one close, it strengthens the song as part of a solid album that is a great credit to the current hardcore scene of new waves.

8.8/10

Never Say Die TOUR @ o2 Islington London 5th November

Terror, Comeback Kid, Stick To Your Guns, Obey The Brave, More Than A Thousand, No Bragging Rights, Capsize

It’s that time of year again, early November welcomes back Europe's Never Say Die tour, as this year proves to thrash out the others. With a solidarity line up of America’s finest hardcore bands, this tour is sure to bring a main meal of pure carnage to the table. 

Finishing off the UK tour with the London show at o2 Academy Islington on the 5th, brought down a packed crowd.

Smaller to the scene, Capsize opened this early evening with a monumental amount of energy, despite the small crowd. Scattered fans mimicked vocal chords which were spat in all directions while the band didn’t let anything come in their way of putting on a show.

Followed up by an equally appealing act, No Bragging Rights got a pumped up crowd as the night progressed, more and more bodies appeared, ready to bring on the mosh.

Less conserved energy was lazily escaped for More Than A Thousand, as their classical tone didn’t float as well with the crowd. Never the less, putting on a show which slipped with the lineup, the Portuguese band represented their talent hearty.

Edging deeper into the core, Obey The Brave took to the stage with their large fan-base greeting their roars accordingly. The band had a close interaction within every fan as they played exceptionally well by gaining the energy from the majority of the room. Loud and roaring their sound could be heard from beyond the venue, as the Montreal metal core band lived up to their much hyped expectation. 

There was a slow change in the atmosphere as the top three bands were finally set to play, up first were Stick To Your Guns, a well cherished hardcore act that were known to every spirit. Their instant presence got the room spinning in circles as the formation changed, making room for a pit for fans to release their zest. Flying all over the floor, bodies collided with another in time to their hard edge movement reflected on stage, as vocalist Jesse Barnett gave an affirmative speech in-between each song, expressing the bands beliefs. 

This then seemed to egg on more dancers to the pit as ‘We Still Believe’ and ‘Amber’ blasted on, ending their set way too short.

Keeping within the same pressure, Comeback Kid made their well greeted appearance, as more than half of the crowd appreciated their presence on stage. No need for introductions, friends of the hardcore genre dived straight into their set, plunging out their most known songs for the audience to repeat at the top of their lungs. Lasting slightly longer, their vigorous set seemed to be over before it started.

However this didn't stop a single soul from going absolutely ape shit on the floor, two stepping to their hearts content, connecting fully with the music being played, not a care was shredded that night as essentially it was a gig for hardcore lovers to come together and break lose.

Time pressed on, ahead of planned lists, Terror were finally discharged to tear apart Islington and get everyone jumping. 

The keepers of the faith have finally returned to restore their morals onto the crowd as the pit opened up wider for more participants to join in, dashing all around the perimeter.

With such brutal migrations, the heavy beat downs got a bodily flow that somehow took over all senses, as you would find yourself moving along with it. 

Insanely catchy, there was no escape from their capture, as Scott Vogel made sure that everyone was having a good time.

“THIS IS A HARDCORE SHOW, MAKE SURE YOU STEP ON SOMEONES HEAD” had been shouted every now and then, reminding the audience of what they were surrounded by.

With no need, the crowd were spinning in full rage, matched with the bands ruthless sound.

Not as preachy as expected, they kept their chat short, focusing on their music as well as thanking everyone for turning up, with Stu Mackay, former Your Demise member on stage for one final song.

If this didn’t get everyone moving then, I don’t know what would have. Ending the night with a war zone like remains, Never Say Die had done it once again.

9/10

Basement + Cloakroom + NewMoon 29/10/14 @ Electric Ballroom London

It’s only been two years since the quintet from Ipswich Basement have played a London show, since their announced hiatus in 2012. Playing what was thought to be as a last ever show at Camden’s Underworld, soon became a myth as a venue less than a breath away, The Electric Ballroom developed the base of the four dated tour. 

Following similar support acts, the sold out London show dragged along Belgium's’ NewMoon to get the crowd  pumping. 

Taking an early start, the dreamy indie vibes soon filled the packed venue as their instrumental explosion captured the crowds senses. More than half of their songs seems to be strained out noises rather than vocals, all emerging into one. Somehow this rare eruption worked perfectly, with the right amount of weight floating each way, as although their set did seem to go on forever, NewMoon proved to be an outstanding support act for Basement. 

Gently pausing in-between breaks, the grand venue soon became filled with huddles of bodies emerging as dear friends and ex-members of old bands made an appearance including, Edd McRae (vocalist from Your Demise) and Charlie Holmes (Vocalist from Heart In Hand).

Main support act, Cloakroom pushed on to take the stage next, as the room fell silent once again.

Similar to NewMoon, Cloakroom produced a lingereing instrumental piece witch soothed your ears and soul, feeling yourself free to wonder along with the music.

With more of an indie inflection, the band filled their slot with a mixture of juxtaposing sounds that pleased the crowd as bodies slowly moved from side to side in time.

Time passed steadily as the build up of tension rose for Basement to make an appearance. When the clock had finally reached 9:20 on the dot, five familiar faces appeared within the mist of the orange lights, spotlighting each shadow. 

Straight into ‘Whole’ the crowd greeted this with a plunge of flying figures bouncing in all directions.

Andrew Fisher’s vocals swept in, met with the hundreds of echo released by the audience, pelting with full expression. The crowd now fully pumped, the band decided to simmer down with a new track off their EP Further Sky, embarking their comeback.

There was a certain chilled out atmosphere at the gig which had seemed to be lost in many others, sure it was a well waited performance, yet everyone seemed to respect others in terms of going nuts. Not saying that the gig was totally calm, as various spots were causing massive havoc while the overall coverage seemed to be chilled out.

The band kept their energy flowing, absorbed by the crowds fuel, as they covered their most famously known tracks within the two albums, occasionally dipping into their new ones. Delighting the crowd with this mixture, screams of voices escaped their mouthes, as the band gave a passionate performance, before ending with a much loved favourite, ‘Crickets Throw Their Voice’.

This sent everyone in the room roaming for one last mosh.

For a band with such a high reputation and style, they have certainly done well to maintain this, two years later performing as if nothing had happened. Basement are more than just a band to most of their fans, and tonight very much proved that.

9/10