INTERVIEW WITH PRIMAL MEDIA

Words on violent participation at shows, root inspiration and bands that surprised them live with Joe from Primal Media. 

What is it about this sub/underground culture that really drew you towards it ? Is there any band or show you can note ?

Obviously the music comes first but secondary to it has to be just the culture of shows in general. Most people are friendly and regulars of hc shows understands the vibe so I feel it’s a great opportunity for people to just be themselves.

What turned that into eventually starting Primal Media ?

I’ve always loved filmmaking so as I imbedded my self more into the hardcore scene, through going to more shows and starting my own band. I just tried to see if I could combine the two really.

I think documentation in hc is super important at any level for the scene to continue to thrive and for people to look back on , what’s your take ?

I couldn’t agree more, I wouldn’t be shooting videos if I wasn’t influenced by people doing it before me. Even watching videos from like 20/25 years ago for inspiration.

Can you name a band that you’ve watched that really surprised you , and why ?

Headstone, mainly because I hadn’t listened to them before I filmed them at a show in Sheffield. Just an incredible band that I know are going to do big things. And Nelson street, just not what I was expecting before I listened to them but they just tick every box for me. Groove, riffs and unexpectedly heavy breakdowns. Incredible live band.

What have you got to say to people who believe that violent participation in hc is out of place and ‘ wouldn’t happen at a show if they were there ‘ ?

Get in the bin. Orrr, leave your ego at the door, take a backseat at a show and come to the conclusion that it’s not just people meeting up for a scrap. Talk to people, “most” people just want to have a good time.

INTERVIEW WITH CALLUM OF EMANCIPATION

Words on the meaning behind some of the songs on their latest EP, breaking out of the hometown and their local champions. 

What personal or cultural influences shaped the music and lyrics on your latest EP (like When The Heavens Opened…Bodies Fell)?

Mostly frustration coming from lots of things, internal and external. It’s hard to pin point one thing because each song deals with its own issues. But I’d like to say that even though it can be pretty negative at times there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, we tried to convey that idea in the music.

Are there particular messages or experiences you want listeners to take away from Forsaken Cause or other tracks? A recurring theme of the EP most evidently in Forsaken Cause is the feeling of not being good enough to live up to your own standards, which I think a lot of people can relate to. Also questioning the reason we’re here in the first place and why we all choose to get out of bed everyday to make the most of it.

What has been your biggest challenge in reaching new audiences outside your home turf, and how are you tackling it? Giving people a reason to care, there’s a lot of talent in UKHC. The biggest challenge is creating your own niche, giving a reason to check out your band. Naturally people like to give opportunities to their mates rather than some randoms, which is understandable, but it means have to be active in the scene to make those connections.

How do you guys view your local scene and are there any main players in the game you think deserve a shoutout? Nottingham is thriving shoutout The Tura (RIP), Torn Apart, Mindhold, Human Deceit. East mids OGs Full Contact, Built Upon Hatred and No Witnesses.

Stream Emancipations latest EP out on The Coming Strife below 

INTERVIEW WITH NICOLAI OF LIFESICK

Words on early influences, Copenhell, and Hatebreed with Nicolai of Lifesick ahead of their appearance at the Rhapsody all day fest January 31st. 

Do you remember the bands or records that first made hardcore click for you? How do those early influences still show up in LifeSick?

For most of us, our first experience with the sound of hardcore was through Hatebreed. At the time, we were just taking in all kinds of aggressive music and didn’t really know what “hardcore” actually meant. That changed before we started going to a festival in our hometown called Fredericia Hardcore Festival. We were all around 14 years old, and that year—if I remember correctly, 2007—the lineup included bands like Madball, Municipal Waste, and others. There was a mix of punk, metal, and hardcore, and from that point on it became a huge part of our lives: what we listened to, how we dressed, how we moshed—everything -  And bands like Hatebreed are still a huge inspiration for LIFESICK—we have a lot of working titles on riffs and songs simply called “Hatebreed riff.”

What’s your take on the current hardcore scene where you’re from and globally?

The genre is definitely becoming more “accepted” and has seen a huge rise—especially in Denmark, where heavy metal, black metal, and death metal have traditionally dominated. Because so many bands mix genres these days, the word “hardcore” isn’t as dangerous as it once was. I can only speak for Denmark, but when the festival Fredericia Hardcore Festival existed, it was great. Then there was a gap of about ten years where it just kind of sucked.

These days, we have an even bigger festival called Copenhell, which now invites quite a lot of hardcore bands. The festival is attended by more “normal” people who mainly listen to rock and similar genres, and that helps open things up and makes hardcore more accepted.

Globally, it feels like the genre has taken a step back toward its roots, drawing more inspiration from older hardcore. And with bands like Terror still keeping it alive all around the world, it’s just amazing.

Is there a particular track in your catalogue that you feel defines your identity as a band? Why?

We tend to change the setlist from time to time, but there’s one song simply called “LIFESICK” that we’ve always played. No matter what kind of show or set it is, it’s always been a part of the setlist. The song was on our first album/EP—it’s built around one riff with a few catchy vocal lines, and it’s just easy to get into.

Where do you see LifeSick HC heading in the next few years — musically or as a scene participant?

Not sure, to be honest. LIFESICK has been around for about 10 years now, and it’s always just been five friends playing and having fun—that’s probably our main motivation. We still love playing shows and getting out there.
We definitely have some goals we want to achieve, and one of the main ones is to tour the US, since we’ve never done that. Besides that, we want to create hardcore music that inspires people, especially the younger generation. I guess we’re on the edge of becoming “old heads” now that we’re entering our 30s, so we obviously want to stay relevant and keep pushing the genre without becoming too corny or gimmicky.

How do you want people to feel when they leave a LifeSick show?

Exhausted but hungry for more. We always keep our sets short so we don’t bore the listener. Our music moves at a fast pace, and you don’t want too much of it.  

Do you approach smaller DIY shows differently from bigger festival stages?

Yeah, for sure. We always care a lot about our live shows and adapt them to the type of audience and show we’re playing. At bigger festivals—especially metal festivals—you obviously need a different kind of stage presence. That’s mostly the singer’s job: not calling for violent mosh pits, but maybe encouraging a circle pit, if you know what I mean. Stuff like that.

We also don’t want to use too many gimmicks, but when playing a festival like Copenhell, we had to bring in pyrotechnics and bigger banners to fit the atmosphere.

Nicolai / LIFESICK

Catch Lifesick at the Rhapsody Records all dayer 31.01.26 Play Middlesbrough. Stream their single on Metal Blade Records 'Legacy of Misery' below :

SECONDS OUT INTERVIEW

Words on dream guest vocal, hard working starts and messages for the younger generation with the young team in Seconds Out. 

Seconds Out have played a bunch of rhapsody shows already , we’ve loved having you every time, you guys got any feedback on how TSHC has welcomed you/highlights ?

All of our shows in Teesside have been class and we’ve played lots of good crowds and supported some dope bands , one highlight would definitely be playing for negative frame and Ollie being kicked in the face the same night.

There’s no doubt you guys have worked hard this year , it shows and we gotta respect it. What has pushed / inspired you to do seconds out as a project?

Hardcore music has always been a passion with all of us , really big on our local scene and the scene across the Uk , our main drive is trying to get ourselves out there and play on bigger shows and meet more pals while we do it for sure

Do you have anywhere you’d like to play in 2026 and why ?

For 2026 we’re definitely looking to play out of the north east down by Bristol and London but a show out of the country is always gonna be a big thing we wanna do. 

It’s dope to see younger homies doing bands , what message do you have for the generation below you in regards to hc?

Remember the roots of the genre and what is stands for and have fun with it.

If you could get a guest vocal from anyone dead or alive on a Seconds out track who would it be ?

Gonna have to with bill greenburg from swear to god.

Catch Seconds Out. at the Rhapsody Records all dayer 31.01.26 Play Middlesbrough. 

R.I.C.O. INTERVIEW

Words on tour with despondent, local representation and plans for 2026 with R.I.C.O.

What you got planned for Rico in 2026

We’re Writing new stuff for 2026, we’re moving away from the pure beatdown scene and focus on writing heavy mosh anthems. No heavy for heavy’s sake anymore. Maybe a five/six track EP. Potentially a split with a band very close to us!

How was tour with the despondent boys , any highlights? 

Tour was really fun - big shoutout to despondent for being some of the best boys we’ve met in hardcore. Glasgow was a highlight, Muz choking out one of screwdriver lobotomy

How important do you think local representation is in building a scene?

Incredibly, you can’t build a local scene without the involvement of the locals, you gotta support each other, attend shows, put on shows, uplift each other. Everywhere we go we shout about Teesside hardcore, here on Teesside we’re building something so special - some many bands that have established themselves and some unreal up and comers. We’ll always champion our hometown an our home scene.

Our last all dayer saw your first set, our next your latest , how do you think Rico has evolved in this time?

We had only been a band for a couple of months for that show with a lot of changes happening. Kyle Lightfoot [shoutout] stood in on drums for us. We played a mashup of 3 tracks and a cover. This next all dayer we’re gonna bring the heavy mosh tunes you’re used to from RICO and we might have a few new things in the pipeline for it. One thing we can guarantee is we will not be playing nothing but a beatdown anymore.

Catch R.I.C.O. at the Rhapsody Records all dayer 31.01.26 Play Middlesbrough.  Stream 'Call it what it is' by the TSHC outfit below:

INTERVIEW WITH MITCH OF DISARMED

Words on the end of Aggrieved, first show and musical influences from Mitch of new NEHC outfit DISARMED. 

Youve already dropped a single what have you got in store for the EP?

We've got another single dropping in early Jan and the full EP dropping before the rhapsody all dayer, got some new shit that we're working on too so hopefully that won't be too long until it's out either

Disarmed even though based further north feels like a TSHC band to me, where do you sit on that?

I feel like by the end of Aggrieved it was less of a TSHC band since only Jack lives in Middlesbrough, but I feel like even with the vibe of Disarmed that TSHC is still a massive part of it

Disarmed feels like the next evolution of Aggrieved , what style changes/influences have you drawn on for the new project?

Everyone's brought loads of different ideas to the songs with Disarmed which is sick. Petes big inspired by Whispers and shit on this EP, Leeroy has brought loads of Killswitch Engage style shit, I've ripped off that riff from Thank You For The Venom as much as I can. I think it's still fairly obvious that we're all massively into thrash and death metal but it's a really nice change from what we're all used to.

What are your experiences of the first show with Jawless / Clobber at etch?

That show fucking banged. I remember the first Aggrieved set being weird and a bit awkward but this one went really well. Etch is also one of the sickest venues I've seen. The whole lineup absolutely banged for that show too.

3 bands UKHC heads should check out in 2026?

Actin Up, Despondent, Human Deceit. Honourable mentions to Break Them and Dispute 

Stream the latest single from Disarmed below : 

GOING OFF - KILL LIST II (2025) REVIEW BY @JDPROSHO

Going Off – Kill List II (2025)

Manchester’s Beatdown Bruisers find their tender yet visceral greatness to round off Spooky Season.

Manchester’s Going Off have never been ones to play nice. Their 2024 record Die Fast was a feral, teeth-bared sprint through hardcore punk’s nastiest alleyways. But Kill List II, clocking in at a lean 11 minutes, is something else entirely: a snarling, emotionally raw evolution that doesn’t just punch—it bruises, bleeds, and occasionally, hugs.

From the first chug of guitar, it’s clear the band haven’t lost their taste for beatdown brutality. But there’s a new texture, a kind of wounded clarity that cuts through the distortion. Vocalist Huxley, known for his guttural bark, now sounds like he’s screaming from the edge of a breakdown rather than just the pit. It’s still confrontational, still visceral—but there’s vulnerability in the venom. A middle finger, sure, but this time with a more polished nail.

Tracks like “Soft Target” and “Dead Air” showcase this duality best: the riffs are pure concrete, but the lyrics hint at something deeper—regret, reflection, even tenderness. It’s hardcore with a heart, and it hits harder because of it.

The band’s cheeky punk ethos hasn’t vanished either. There are still moments of sardonic humour and chaotic energy, but they’re tempered by a sense of purpose. Kill List II feels like a band growing up without growing soft—a rare feat in a genre that often equates maturity with compromise.

Released DIY, the album is a testament to Going Off’s commitment to doing things their way. It’s short, sharp, and emotionally devastating. Hardcore punk rarely sounds this human.

For fans of: Bareknuckle, Slow Burn

Written by @jdprosho

INTERVIEW WITH SAM + BECK OF TEMPERED

Words on ideal tour partners , writing processes and proudest milestones with Sam and Beck of central Scotland's best crossover band Tempered. 

What role does old-school thrash bands like Anthrax/Metallica play in your music, and how do you work to make it feel fresh and personal?

Beck: We grew up on old school thrash. To us, bands like the Big 4 were, like a lot of people, our entry into heavy music and they still hold a special place. They are foundations of not only the genre, but our own individual styles as musicians. There’s aspects of that music which definitely still and probably always will inspire us.

Sam: It's fundamental. Evenly though we're firmly rooted in Thrash Metal, I do like to think we draw from a wider source of influences - but all those influences are probably just listening to Ride The Lightning for the hundredth time, like we all are. I'd say the old school gear that came slightly later than Metallica and that such as Sepultura, Demolition Hammer and Nuclear Assault was absolutely crucial for us.

When you sit down to write, what usually comes first for Tempered—a riff, a lyrical idea, or just jamming until something sticks?

Sam: We have a pretty collaborative process, which I like. Even when one of us essentially brings in a finished song, by the time it has spent a few weeks (or months) with us all in the rehearsal studio, it typically ends up being something different and greater than the sum of its parts. Doing things this way, no song is ever completely abandoned until we commit it to record either. We've played songs live in the past only to take them away and completely change them. It's a long process sometimes, but it beats just finishing a song demo, bringing it in and telling the band to play it exactly as is.

Beck: Outside of band rehearsal, I find it’s just a case of messing around on guitar as much as possible and if something feels fun to play I try and expand on it until I’m happy with it. I never sit down with the intention of writing something, because it never works out. I feel the best stuff comes together naturally.

If you could jump on tour with any band—past or present—who would it be, and what venue or festival would be the ultimate stage for Tempered?

Beck: I’d love to have toured with Cavalera on their recent runs. Old school Sepultura is a big influence for this band, and to be able to play alongside Max and Igor every night and pick their brains would be amazing. Any stage shared with those guys would be my ultimate.

Sam: I’ve been to Damnation Festival a good few times and always really enjoy it. Always a great lineup and good vibes - so that'd be a big achievement if we could ever play that one.

What other bands or local acts inspire you, and how do you support each other in the scene?

Beck: I love getting out to gigs and seeing what all the other bands are up to. There’s so much raw talent in the central belt right now. Old school death metal’s been the big thing here in recent years, but there’s just as much love shown for the thrash, hardcore, punk and grind stuff too. Everyone in these kind of bands has an appreciation for anything with good raw energy to it, and we all sing each other’s praises and support each other as much as we can.

Sam: Our man Kendo from BrainBath does a lot for helping heavy bands from Scotland and beyond release records under his Macho Records label/distro. He's done releases with us, Suffering Rites, Penny Coffin, Tymvos and a lot of other great heavy bands. Good, reliable distro and just an all round enthusiastic supporter of the scene. Always worth checking out a Macho Records release.

Looking back at where Tempered started, what’s the proudest moment or milestone for you so far?

Beck: My proudest moment is this new album. We’ve put a lot of work in to put out something we feel is worthy to sit beside some of our biggest contemporaries, and I feel we’ve achieved that. It’s definitely the best musical project that I’ve ever been a part of.

Sam: I’d say the album too but we did recently get to support Power Trip on a Glasgow show and that was a buzz. I haven't seen them since 2018 so it was great just to watch their set but it's nice seeing your band's name on a gig poster with a band you love. That was a class show.

Go listen to their devastating new album here : 

INTERVIEW WITH JAWLESS

Words on female representation in hardcore, Rebellion fest and ideal tour partners from Theresa Vendetta of Jawless :

What was rebellion fest like? I’ve always wanted to go but never made the trip be wicked to hear how it went

Rebellion was incredible. It was our second time playing there, and honestly, it’s one of those festivals I always dreamed of being part of. So many of the bands I grew up on.

We opened the Casbah Stage on the last day, which was such a massive honour. It might sound cliché, but getting to be part of something with so much history and energy meant everything to me.
The crowd was amazing, too. And I got engaged there! Hahaha I had so much fun! Hopefully we’ll be back again next year!

Just missed more Women headlining the festival.

Any influential women on your hc (career) or was the lack of early representation apparent ?

The lack of representation was absolutely apparent — especially where I’m from. For a long time, I just didn’t see any woman in the kind of music that I was listening.. so I started to feel like maybe there’s no space for me.
But then I discovered Candace Kucsulain from Walls of Jericho, and everything changed. I remember hearing her voice and just thinking: fucking finally.
She gave me so much inspiration, without even knowing it, to do the same. That moment stays with me to this day.

The sad part is that I am so sure they were other awesome female bands out there, but I never noticed them because they were not given the same attention as male ones.

What do you want to see out of ukhc in the coming years / weeks / months ?

I want to see more women. More immigrants. More trans and non-binary people. More people of colour. More shapes, more more diversity.I want a scene that feels truly open — not just “you can come watch,” but you CAN be on stage, you CAN headline, you CAN lead.

And I want less gatekeeping. Hardcore is supposed to be about community, not some tight little club of people who’ve been around the longest or know the right people. That elitist energy is toxic and tired. More LOVE and less ego. That’s what I want to see.

If you could tour with anyone who would it be , maybe give a realistic one and a wildly unrealistic one ?

Realistically? Walls of Jericho. 100%. They’re one of the biggest reasons I do this. It would be full circle in the best possible way — to share a stage with someone who helped shape who I am as a vocalist.Unrealistically… well, I want to say Turnstile, but let’s be honest, that could still happen. So let’s go big: Shakira. Imagine that show? Chaos. Hardcore punk and reggaeton pop Latino. Stage diving, mosh pits and twerking. I’m into it.

What can we all do to make sure that non male contributors to the scene are seen heard counted and included? 

Start by giving us real space — not just a token slot at the bottom of the lineup. We’re not here to tick your diversity box. We’re here because we work just as hard — often harder — and we’re fucking good at what we do. Put non-male bands in headline spots. Book diverse lineups on purpose, not as an afterthought. It’s not just about who’s on stage — it’s about who’s running sound, doing the artwork, promoting the shows. We’re everywhere. Start giving us credit. And honestly Listen. Actually listen to us.Do not speak for us, but let us talk for ourselves. We know what the fuck we doing. If you say the scene is for everyone, then prove it. Otherwise, you’re part of the problem.

INTERVIEW WITH LIGHTS OUT

 Words on on favourite labels, hardcore origins and more with Ross Lynch of Lights Out:

What was the first band that opened your eyes to hardcore as you know it now?

There are a fair few, but if I was going for one it would have to be Merauder. When I first heard Master Killer it was like a punch to the gut with how heavy and intense it is & the raw emotion on every track. It's fast and aggressive & has this real street level grit to it with something a lot deeper in the lyrics. For me, their brand of metallic hardcore feels powerful and almost personal. That album made me realise how hardcore can express struggle and defiance in a really bold way;  how it could speak to people in a way that feels real and urgent, and for me that is one of the best things about hardcore music.

Favourite label and why?

This is tough because there are far too many. I'd probably say Triple B because so many of my favourite bands are on their roster. But it's the same with Closed Casket Activities with all the bands they've got too, and Unrest here in Scotland. It's too tough to answer so I'll just go with those 3. I get every side of hardcore I care about - fast, heavy & real. 

Any gear preferences for playing hardcore / in general?

I love Jackson guitars and bought one not that long ago and out of every guitar I've ever owned it's my favourite. The floyd rose is a bit of a pain in the arse but our other guitarist Harry is a wizard with guitar maintenance so if I have any issues with it then he is able to deal with it all which is super handy. But to be honest, I don't really think it matters much what you play, it's all just about having fun isn't it? Some people can't afford to go out and spend a fortune on gear. Just live within your means and have fun.

Outbreak or a 100/200 man festival if you could pick?

100/200 man easy. Outbreak is cool but I feel like it's almost not hardcore anymore. It started as a hardcore festival but I think now the line-up is half-dominated by hip hop, shoegaze and post-whatever bands and that's cool if that is what you're in to but it's sort of lost that edge from the outside looking in. So I'd take a 200 man festival in a shithole venue over that any day of the week.

Favourite pre-200 band? 

Again, too hard. I'll list a few. Black Flag, GB, TSOL, Youth of Today, Merauder, Judge, Killing Time, All Out War, Kuckledust, Divide, Broken Oath and Fugazi. But I could sit here all day writing this list!

Shoutout GHC, EHHC and TSHC. Hardcore forever. 

INTERVIEW WITH DIVINE HATRED

Words on new record, bands origin and their new video 'Family of knives'.

How does your background shape your identity as a band ? 

Sheffield used to have a very broken and fractures hardcore scene but since around 2022 it has started to come together a lot better wit the help of Busybodies and MLVLTD putting on shows. A lot of our early years were focused on playing in Leeds and Manchester where touring bands and local shows would usually stop at but Sheffield is now being taken seriously again by UKHC which is great to see. 

How was filming the video and how did you pick Family of Knives to be the song featured on your latest?

The process was very smooth. We spoke to Richy Unsworth about our vision and he instantly got it and clicked with it and even put forward some great ideas. The song is a lot more structured and melodic compared to the rest of the album and the lyrics are more mental health based which gave us a lot of room to experiment with visuals and not make it feel like theres too much going on. 

How important is the narrative throughout your songs, you guys have some heavy hitting lyrics, is this by design ?

We try and keep the lyrics as heavy and visceral as the music. Liam can write in rehearsals on the spot as well as at home in his spare time. He'll send me what he's working on and we'll combine our ideas together. This then gets changed again on the day of recording for further tweaking. If its not political based its mental health based, as these are the two things that we all collectively have on our minds a lot.

Whats next for Divine Hatred, full length?

We release our debut LP 'Infections of a pathogenic message' via AAK and Guillotine on the 29th September. We have 9 tracks coming out with 3 features from our favourite bands. Currently in talks with sorting vinyls via a US based label which (fingers crossed) will be announced soon. We started writing for the album a few months after our EP 'Moral Event Horizon' , its all written, recorded , mixed and mastered in house. DIY.

INTERVIEW WITH CONZ OF BN1COLLECTIVE/TEMPERS FRAY

Words on building up the BN1 scene post lockdown from real UKHC head Conz of Tempers Fray. 

The Scene in brighton undoubtedly has absolutely popped off for shows / bands over the last 5 or so years, is there anything you would say has been real important in the rise ?

Don’t think it’s because of any one reason alone and really just a mix of things falling into place at once. Post lockdown everyone pretty much came together to kick off shows again after a few years without anything, be it collaborating on shows or just putting our own bands in the local limelight and giving them a platform to push Brighton Hardcore. Plus at the same time we also had a bunch of younger faces attending events and starting their own bands. I’m just shy of 30 and most of the attendees at shows call me “Unc”… The lads in Bodybag would bring half of their college mates to shows, venues hated it… until they all turned 18 and started being able to support the bar and not the offie next door… I can’t lie though we are super lucky most venues here welcome us with open arms and support Hardcore in Brighton & Hove. But I think that’s due to the respect we have for our venues here too.

Favourite band you've played in and why?

I don’t know if I can say I have ever had a favourite band Iv played in. Every band (Tempers Fray, Ex-Stone Hand, Ex-Put Down, Ex-Sleep Lost) holds its own memories for me. From being 16 years old playing my first hardcore shows with Sleep Lost in venues I’d have to get snuck into because I was too young to be there… Too later being able to play shows overseas with some of my favourite bands. Iv been super lucky that of all of the bands Iv been in my over the years it’s always been with super close friends, so much so that the new drummer in Tempers Fray was also the drummer in both Put Down and Stone Hand.
I think that’s one of the most important parts… Having your friends around. That’s what makes it, what it is…

What was your entry to hardcore in the first place how did you come across it

I was definitely exposed to Hardcore without even realising. The famous Irate - Vendetta mosh video would fall into my “up next” on YouTube regularly, older kids in school would send me songs over Bluetooth, things like Suburban Scums first record and UK bands like Brutality Will Prevail but I think the first time I saw it first hand was at a Last Witness show about 15 years ago in Brighton. The aggression of the music and crowed combined really resonated with myself as a teenager and Iv never looked back since on the genre of music that has given me a home away from home… It’s cliché but since the day I found Hardcore, it’s given me something to be a part of. Something to be proud of. And something to look forward to.

Best band/set you've ever seen live if you can pick?

I don’t know if I can pick a best set… “Cold World” or “Madball” always spring to mind… But realistically Iv seen some crazy sets over the years but for me the most consistent band iv ever had the pleasure of watching is the kings of Essex “Splitknuckle”. My first ever tour when I was like 16 was with those guys, the shows were 50/50… but friendships were made that I’m blessed to stay still hold up 15 years later. I’m yet to see them play a bad set and it’s amazing to finally see them get the recognition they fully deserve. Seeing footage of them playing in countries like China or the USA or just killing it on the big stages closer to home at Outbreak and Ieper Fest this year has been amazing to see. I also have to give a special mention to “Knuckledust”… Probably the main reason that Hardcore made a huge imprint in my life. And another band that always kills it live…

Could you suggest something important to UKHC and surrounding scenes being strong and cohesive for the future?

Don’t take it too seriously. Hardcore is a getaway from normal life. Somewhere you can meet up with your friends. See some bands and listen to some music and forget about the bullsh*t that life throws at us. People will say this is a hot take but there’s more to hardcore than mosh moves and wearing Arcteryx. For the most part we as hardcore kids follow the same morals, ethic and views whether that is something political or just every day life views. Be nice to people in your scene. Those close to home should be ones you should try to impress. Hardcore is an incredibly positive thing… despite the image some of the best people Iv met in my life have been because of this type of music.
So yeah, in short… Look after your friends & support your local scenes.