Bloodstock Bound: If It Bleeds
As Bloodstock gets closer, we delve deep into the line up to find out more about some of the bands playing the New Blood and EMP stages at this years event.
Today we chat with If It Bleeds
The Razor's Edge: Please introduce yourself and your band mates.
If It Bleeds: Hello I'm Ryan, I am the Bassist of If it Bleeds, Paddy is on vocals, Arturs & Robbie play Guitar and Steeko is on Drums.
The Razor's Edge: How would you describe your sound?
If It Bleeds: We primarily are a hardcore band but are influenced by other genres of metal. I think it shows in some aspects of our music and playing styles. Paddy's vocal technique and style is very influenced by Matt Honeycutt of Khblai Khan, Desolated and Guilt Trip. Arturs is influenced by the guitar playing styles of Guthrie Govan, Devan Townsend and Kublai Khan. Robbie is influenced by bands such as Southpaw & Monuments and guitarists such as Jason Richardson. Steeko’s influences come from bands such as Knocked Loose, Parkway Drive, with techniques and style comes down to the drumming of Gavin Harrison, Danny Carey & Nic Petterson. Myself I go old school thrash and rock and roll with Metallica, Megadeth & Motorhead.
The Razor's Edge: How did you land your spot on the Bloodstock bill?
If It Bleeds: We landed our spot by winning the Belfast Metal to the Masses competition this year in May.
The Razor's Edge: How tough was the M2TM competition this year?
If It Bleeds: The competition was really tough this year. Our final and heats had some really amazing up & coming bands, Frayed Ends, From Ruins, Microtonal, Impulse To Resist and Indominus. Are some of the finest up and coming bands in Belfast.
The Razor's Edge: What does playing at Bloodstock mean to you?
If It Bleeds: I think I speak for all of us in the band when I say it has been a dream of ours all individually to play bloodstock from growing up. I remember watching youtube videos of Trivium, Slayer, Anthrax & Gojira from previous years and saying to myself I want to be there playing Bloodstock someday.
The Razor's Edge: For people who’ve never seen you live, what can they expect at Bloodstock?
If It Bleeds: We as a band like to express ourselves on stage and encourage anyone who comes to see us or has seen us to do the same. We're gonna bring a lot of energy to the Bloodstock New-blood stage, so some heavy songs and hopefully a few sore bodies and in the words of Paddy our Singer “Get up there and take that Mic from me”
The Razor's Edge: What day are you performing?
If It Bleeds: We are performing Friday
The Razor's Edge: What other bands are you looking forward to watching at Bloodstock this year?
If It Bleeds: Kublai Khan, Gojira, Machine Head, Mastodon, Trivium, The Black Dahlia Murder, August Burns Red and our friends in Lock Horn and Insidious Void.
The Razor's Edge: Playing the New Blood Stage is just the first steppingstone in a bands journey. What’s next in your plans for world domination?
If It Bleeds: We have a lot of things we are working on at the moment, new music, video, and a few shows lined up for after Bloodstock. But I won't give too much away.
The Razor's Edge: Are you camping with the fans? Which campsite are you heading for?
If It Bleeds: I think the boys want to go VIP. Treat ourselves with the artist campsite.
The Razor's Edge: You’ve gotta keep hydrated at Bloodstock, what is your drink of choice for the weekend?
If It Bleeds: Beer or water, pretty simple. Robbie will probably be on the Double Vodka Redbulls…
The Razor's Edge: See you at Bloodstock in a few weeks!
If It Bleeds: Well see you there. Thanks for chatting with me.
