Every
now and again I am given the chance to re-interview bands that we
have featured previously. Well I thought should catch up with today's
guests once more. As I am a huge fan of this amazing band.
Their
2013 album – Blood Becomes Fire – is a personal fave of mine. I
made it my No 1 Record of 2013. it's a huge colossal album packed
full of emotion, mood and riffs. They have a huge fan-base within the
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal community.
Their
vinyl records are highly sought after within the Vinyl Collectors
World. Though the band have just released both of their albums on new
limited edition vinyl’s which quickly sold out. I managed to buy a
copy of each vinyl this time round as I was stupid not to buy them
first time.
So
I am talking about New Zealand Hard Rock/Sludge/Stoner Metal
riffsters – BEASTWARS. We have Nathan Hickey, the drummer from BEASTWARS talking to us today at Sludgelord HQ.
Q1
– Hi Nathan. Thanks for doing this. How are things with you today.
Hi
Steve, thanks for the nice introduction and talking to us again. And
cheers for putting us on your best of list! That was a huge buzz for
us when we read it. Right now I'm just cooking up a couple of steaks
on the BBQ, drinking a shitty European lager before I head off to
rehearsal for our Australian shows this weekend.
Q2
– Well it's been a year since I originally interviewed James. Seems
like you guys have had a great time since then. Blood Becomes Fire
has became something of a fave within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner metal
community. How would you describe the last 12 months or so.
The
last 12 months have been incredible really. You know, we're at the
bottom of the world down here in New Zealand just making noise for
fun and the fact that people seem to dig what we're doing is really
cool. For us the last year has really just been trying to have a good
shot at breaking in to the Australian heavy music scene. Slowly
trying to take over the world one continent at a time haha.
Q3
– Did you expect Blood Becomes Fire to become so successful the way
it has. By fans and critics alike.
I
really had no idea how the new album was going to be accepted. It was
made under quite stressful circumstances with our producer ending a
18 year relationship the day we began recording. His family literally
moved out as we were moving our gear in to record. So there is
definitely a heavy vibe on the album due to that. Also we were
drinking a lot so when we all got back home and had time to listen to
what we had done it all sounded like a bit of a blur. But in terms of
success, yep we sold all of the 500 self funded vinyl in a few weeks
and have just pressed 500 more for people that missed out the first
time and for people that are only just hearing about us.
Q4
– What have been your favourite experiences and memories over the
last 15 months or so.
My
favourite moment was when we were playing a show in Melbourne and it
was just one of those crazy shows with guys and girls crowd surfing
and beer being spilt everywhere. We started the song Rivermen which
is a pretty mellow one. It's hard to explain just how good this
feeling is in words but my heart was pulsing totally in time with the
guitar intro and I got a huge rush of endorphins and a massive smile
on my face. It was really cool to have a totally natural chemical
reaction with the music. Sorry, that is a pretty hippy answer but
it's the truth.
Q5
– Your albums are being re-released on Limited Edition Vinyl. Which
has already sold out. How did all this came about.
We've
repressed 500 of both records and put 100 of each in a limited
coloured pressing up on our bigcartel. We were so blown away when
they were all bought in under 24 hours. The remaining 800 records
have been scattered around the globe waiting for their new forever
homes. We always said that we'd never repress the vinyl ourselves,
but we'd be happy to if a label was interested. Then we saw albums
going for up to $100 and that's just crazy money.
So
we repressed them for the fans. The big difference this time though
is that we're working with Granite House records so for the first
time we have worldwide distro. So if you want to buy the album, just
head into your local record store and hopefully they'll have it or at
least be able to order it in for you.
Q6
– Did you have much input into the design of the new records.
We
wanted to make sure the vinyl colours were looked cool and I think we
did alright! My favourite one is the limited edition starburst
self-titled album. It looks like a huge psychedelic mess just like
the actual album cover. We've also added our name onto the front
cover of the first album. We thought we were pretty badass putting
the album out initially with out our name on it but now that a few
more people know who we are it makes sense to have that name
recognition on the artwork.
Q7
– Are you Vinyl Fans yourselves. If so what are your favourite
records you currently own on vinyl.
Yeah
we're all pretty serious about owning albums that we love on vinyl.
My most recent purchase's are Mantar's Death By Burning, Monolord and
Brown Sabbaths Hand of Doom/The Wizard 10". My prized
possessions are my signed Kyuss records. I've met John Garcia, Josh
Homme and Brant Bjork all on separate occasions - I just need to
track down those bass players.
Q8
– Where did the name Beastwars come from and why that particular
name.
It
was a name that popped into my head one night at band practice. I am
a little too old to have seen the cartoon series. We never thought
anyone was going to hear the band outside of our practice room so it
didn't seem to be a problem. Now I think we've given the name another
context.
Q9
– I have been asked by a few readers of the blog – When are you
going to tour overseas. Any plans in the future as you have quite a
global fan-base.
Ha
yes that is a question that we get asked A LOT. We're all keen to
play more overseas - we just need to get invited to the right
festivals to help facilitate the trip. As the other guys kids get
older then I hope it will make it easier for us to get overseas.
Q10
– Does it surprise you that you have quite a fan-base without even
touring Europe/USA yet.
Everything
that happens to this band surprises me. Whether it's getting to
support our favourite bands or charting at #2 in the top 40 sales
charts over here, everything is much more than I ever expected.
Sending out the 200 limited pressing last week was a real eye opener
to see exactly where in the world our fans are. Denmark and Germany
would definitely be on our tour schedule based on those sales.
Q11
– Now I don't take much interest in Pop Music as such. But I have
to say LORDE is a freaking legend in my book for her recent actions
at the Taite Music Prize ceremony. Where she donated her prize money
to her fellow nominees which you guys were apart of. How surreal was
that. And what have you spent the money on. Plus it' s cool your
share of the prize fund had a 666 in it from $1666.
Yep
that was pretty cool. We bought a double neck 1976 Ibanez SG with the
money - a guitar that is so outrageous and prog rock - basically the
antithesis of what Lorde is all about. It already feels like it will
be a powerful riff summoner.
Q12
– I think it's cool that New Zealand music ceremonies grouped a
diverse collection of artists and musicians in one overall category.
You don't get that sort of award ceremony within the music world.
What did it feel like to be nominated.
It's
always a nice feel to be nominated but we don't for a second think
that we'd win one of these awards. Heavy metal will always be the
underdog genre and I don't mind that at all.
Q13
– What is your musical set-up when playing live or recording your
music. Any hints and tips would you like to give to the budding
musicians out there.
Our
secret weapon for both albums has been recording both guitar and bass
through a Hiwatt guitar head that belonged to Peter Green from
Fleetwood Mac. Apparently he left in in New Zealand at the end of one
of their tours in the 60's. I bet he never thought it could sound
like that. That's not too helpful for the budding musician though. I
think the main thing is just to write good riffs, good songs. If the
song is good then it doesn't matter too much how it's recorded.
Q14
– What is your verdict on the whole crowd-funding scene. Where
bands ask fans to fund their next album.
Are you a fan of that platform. Would yourselves ever go down this
route.
We
have used our own type of crowd funding in the past which is as
simple as offering preorders for our vinyl 6 weeks out from the
release date through bigcartel. We haven't needed to do any other
crowd funding but you never know if it'll come in handy for us in the
future.
Q15
– So what does the future have in store for Beastwars. New album,
tour or break away from it all.
Right
now it's just about doing these Australian shows then we'll take a
break from playing live to write some new tunes. We've a got a tonne
of ideas tucked away in our brains, sketched on garageband or hummed
into phones. If what we come up with is better than the first 2
albums we'll record it and see what happens next. Because the band
isn't a full time job and we don't have a label we're feeling pretty
relaxed about it.
Q16
– If you could give any advice to someone wanting to start a band.
What would it be.
Buy
a guitar tuner. Then have as much fun as you can.
Q17
– The last thing before you go, Do you have anything else to say to
your fans.
Mainly
just thanks to everyone that has come to see us live or bought a copy
of the album or a t-shirt. You guys are pretty much our record label.
Without your support we wouldn't be able to do what we do in the way
we do it.
Thanks to Nathan for talking to us here at Sludgelord HQ. Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for arranging this interview. I have interviewed James and Nathan. Only have Matt and Clayton to interview left. Maybe when their next album is released.
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Written by Steve Howe
