Interviews: Dead Letter Box

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Punk/Post-Hardcore band Dead Letter Box, from Belgium. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

We started looking for a new band name and after a while this came up, we thought it sounded good and literarily a dead letter box doesnt’ mean so much but Dead Letter Box also has the additional meaning as a method in espionage used to to pass secret information between people by using a secret location.

We thought the combination of ‘sounding good’ and the additional meaning made it the ideal band name for us so from then on we were Dead Letter Box.

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

We all grew up in hardcore/punk/alternative rock environments. We started already some 20 years ago to play punk & hardcore ourselves.

As we grew older we all have broader musical interests then only hc/punk but if we start playing together, our love for hardcore/punk and all kinds of harder guitar rock makes us to just play it loud! 

Over the years we do have some more rock influences than we had in past bands but you still clearly can hear our hardcore/punk backgrounds. We’ve created our own blend of (post) hardcore – punk – 90’s emo - rock and we wouldn’t want to play something different.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Dead Letter Box was formed in 2011 but we know each other already a long time. Thomas & Kris were neighbours as kids, so they know each other practically their whole life.

Steven and Thomas were in the same high school class and started to play together with Kris and Stijn (Thomas’brother) in Kris’ basement, this must have been somewhere in 1990-1992. They played then under the name of Discordant and played punk influenced hardcore.

Somewhere around 2000, Stijn left Discordant and Steven, Thomas & Kris formed a new band with Kristof and Kimme under the name of Bruised Not Broken.

They played melodic hardcore and played lots of shows. Around 2010 Kimme left the band and Steven, Thomas, Kristof & Kris decided to continue with a new band: Dead Letter Box.

4. Each band member favourite band?

We all have lots of favourite bands as well in hardcore, punkrock as in more alternative rock but if we have to name 1 band that we love already for a long time it would be:

Steven: Fugazi

Thomas: At The Drive-In

Kristof: Rage Against The Machine

Kris: Madball

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

We inspire each other. We never prepare songs at home or whatsoever, we just come together in our rehearsal place and start playing and jamming, sometimes it’s crap, sometimes we have good parts that we keep, sometimes we have immediately almost a new complete song. Off course, unconsciously, we are certainly influenced by all music we hear and like and by everything that happens in the world. 

Lyric wise this can also be everything f.e. politically, personal, something that happened in the world etc.

6. Where was your last gig? 

In our home town Mechelen, Belgium.

7. Where would you like to act? 

We like all places to play: basements, living rooms, attics, youth clubs, small or large festivals, clubs, concert halls, every place has its own atmosphere and both small as big shows have their charms.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Euhm, never thought of this but there are so many people who we would like to work with…, preferably someone who creates some added value some extra inspiration and a different look …

9. Whom not? 

Euhm, also never thought of this but we’re pretty sure that featuring with f.e. Justin Bieber wouldn’t work.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

A little nervosity before you have to play is normal and keeps you sharp. Once you’re playing the gig, this disappears quickly. Tips: just play and try to enjoy, the more you enjoy playing, the better the show will be!

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Oh so many bands will have had an influence on what we are playing right now. Hardcore/punkrock bands like Warzone, Minor Threat, SOIA, Gorilla Biscuits, Madball, Vision Of Disorder, As Friends Rust, Morning Again, Yuppicide, Shai Hulud, The Bronx, Hot Water Music, Thrice,… And more alternative guitar bands like At The Drive-In, Fugazi, Quicksand, Kyuss and off course Led Zeppelin...

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

To do a lecture in high school class about one of our songs.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re the best!

14. What do you think of our site?

Very nice site, well maintained and updated! Gives a nice overview and news update about all hardcore related news and bands all over the world, gives attention to both smaller as bigger bands.

15. Something to add?

We released a new 6-song EP, which can be downloaded via our bandcamp:

https://deadletterbox.bandcamp.com/album/dlb-3 or via spotify etc.

Give it a listen and follow us via our Facebook : www.facebook.com/deadletterbox