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. 

PRIMAL FORCE DEMO REVIEW

 

Primal Force – Demo 2025 (Demo, 22 July 2025)

Primal Force’s debut dropped on 22 July 2025, a scorched-earth demo. The band keeps things razor-sharp and short, delivering a mix of metallic hardcore, death metal undertones, and take no prisoners fury. 

With the Midwest being a breeding ground for bands that blur hardcore and metal’s harshest traits. Previous heavyweights like Integrity, Ringworm and Harm’s Way, Primal Force emerge carrying that tradition forward. 

Less like a debut and more like a declaration. Looking forward to any coming projects/seeing them pop up a little more. 

Favourite track : Paid in blood (Track 04) 

Credits :

All songs written and performed by Primal Force.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by @oxshaughnessy (insta)

Artwork and layout by @fleshfromtheacid (insta)

Logo by @carterpapas (insta)

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.

JAWLESS - CLOBBER - NYLON + MORE TBA 28TH NOV CAFE ETCH.

 SUPER EXCITED FOR THIS ONE, TICKETS ON OUR BIG CARTEL. rhapsodyrecords.bigcartel.com

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.