Now on Sludgelord I am interviewing self
proclaimed – Medieval Power Rockers – Shields. Who recently
impressed the hell out of myself and my brother when we seen them
support Torche in concert at Leeds recently
Shields played a blistering set which went down a
storm with the crowd in attendance. Blistering riffs played at a fast
and furious pace has seen Shields been described as one of the best
Stoner Metal bands Leeds has to offer.
Well I have already featured them on the blog. So
I thought it would be better to get to know them that little bit
more.
So lets get started with these Medieval Power
Rockers. You never know, we might have a good old fashioned quest or
a deadly joust.
Here is the brilliant Shields.
Q1
– Hi guys, How are things with you today. Thanks for doing this. I
must apologize to you guys when I asked to do an interview with you
at the Torche gig. I was slightly drunk that night. Awesome show you
put on.
Jonty:
I just woke up from a dream about making an omelette, so I’m pretty
hungry, but I have no eggs in the house and now the shops are shut,
which sucks…
Glad
you liked the show, it was a lot of fun and an honour to share the
stage with Torche!
Q2
– For people not in the know can you give a brief history on how
the band came about.
Jonty:
Oooof, here we go… Started off with Me, Paul and Cheese, Cheese
left, Kev joined along with Owen, Kris joined, Kev left, Dave joined,
Owen and Dave left, Si joined, Martyn joined, Martyn left, Joe joined
and now here we are!
Q3
– How would you describe your sound. – Medieval Power Rockers –
which I kinda dig. But I would classify the band as a Sludge/Stoner
Metal Band though you do have some great medieval influences
especially with your lyrics and song titles. How did you proclaim
yourself as Medieval Power Rockers or is it a joke amongst
yourselves.
Jonty:
I think it’s it kind of hard to pin point our sound, But Power rock
seems to sum it up best, it’s heavy, but not metal, it’s happy,
but it’s not pop! I love heavy music, but I’m a sucker for a
catchy song. Party doom, is one of my favourite descriptions we’ve
had. The Medieval bit I guess is a bit of a joke, but with the name
and some of the lyrics, it seems quite fitting
Q4
– You have released two excellent EP's so for. Both of which have
been well received. Have you been happy with the praise so far.
Kris:
The only praise that we really listen to is praise from other bands
that we admire, that's what means the most to us. We've been happy
with how they've been received though yeh.
Q5
– Which bands and artists influenced you as musicians
Kris:
We all like different stuff, influence-wise I'd say Baroness and
Mastodon are a pretty big influence on us.
Q6
– What is the song writing process in the band. Is it a collective
partnership or down to just one individual.
Kris:
Normally Jonty writes the riffs, then we jam it out as a band, then I
write the lyrics. Sometimes Jonty comes in with lyrics already
written and if I like them I use them. Otherwise I set them alight
and throw the ashes in his face. I'm nice like that.
Q7
– Leeds has an excellent live scene with many great bands to check
out. Such as yourselves, Envoys, Sunwolf, Trees Of Sores, Hawk Eyes
and sadly no longer with us – WIHT. Do you get loads of live gigs
in Leeds or do you have to travel further afield to perform
regularly.
Kris:
We play Leeds pretty regularly, we're like the house band at the
Brudenell at the moment! We like to get out as well, Bungalows &
Bears in Sheffield is probably our favourite venue. The crowd is
always great there and we get to see our Sheffield pals.
Q8
– What are your favourite bands you are currently listening to. Any
bands that myself or our readers should check out.
Kris:
I'm mostly listening to anything Icelandic at the moment. Sigur Rós,
Kvelertak and Of Monsters & Men. Also Gojira, you can't really go
wrong with them!
Q9
– Your music has a great sense of humour. Was that always the plan
to include humour in your music to match the Sludge/Stoner Metal
riffs.
Jonty:
Yeah it was always intentional, we don’t like to take ourselves too
seriously. Playing music is supposed to be fun, so we make it so for
ourselves and the audience, we let the music speak for it’s self
but just have a bit of fun with it!
Q10
- What are your views of bands using websites like Kickstarter and
Indiegogo to fund their new album releases. Some people and bands are
for it. Some are not. Would you consider doing some thing like that
yourselves.
Kris:
I don't have a problem with that, it gets people involved and offsets
the losses of everyone stealing your music!
Q11
– Obviously you all have day jobs to contend with. How hard is it
to perform with Shields when planning it around your normal lives. Or
is being a musician your full time job.
Kris:
As a trained assassin I choose my own hours so there's always time
for Shields.
Q12
- How big of a help has BandCamp been in getting your music across to
the masses.
Kris:
It's great, especially the pay what you like option cos people can
download it or pay so you don't limit your audience but you still get
money!
Q13
– I know I have seen you guys in action but in five words what is
the Shields live experience like (For the record I would say –
Awesome, loud head-banging riffs)
Jonty:
Big slice of riff pie!
Q14
– What are your views of blogs such as Sludgelord featuring and
reviewing your records
Kris:
We love it!
Q15 – So can we expect a full length record or
new EP any time soon.
Kris: That is next on our agenda, we just demoed a
load of new tracks with our pal Rob from Pulled Apart By Horses,
we're gonna be recording an album soon!
Q16
- What are the most and least rewarding aspects of participating with
the band? Obviously, the reality of how expensive it is being in a
band could be considered as a negative aspect
Jonty:
The most rewarding is having people appreciate something you have
been part of creating, for someone to say “that was an awesome gig”
is just a massive complement, makes it all seem worthwhile. The worst
has to be the cost, it ain’t cheap!
Q17
- If you could provide words to wisdom for people wanting to start a
band – What would they be.
Jonty:
Tune down, rock out don’t be afraid to do something different and
fucking have some fun!
Q18
- What pisses you off most in music. Or do you not let the bad things
in music stop you from performing and writing songs.
Jonty:
Dubstep and twerking
Q19 – Do you have any exciting plans within the
next 12 months or so.
Kris: We are changing our name, due to the
annoying proliferation of other bands called Shields. And recording
the album of course. Stay tuned!
Q20
- Finally do you have anything to say to your fans.
Jonty:
Thank you, thank you and thank you!
Well
guys thanks for your time. I hope to see you guys in action soon. As
you really impressed the hell out of me. Definitely made me a fan.
All the best.
