Interviews: Prey Drive

In this new occasion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Alternative Rock/Post-Hardcore band Prey Drive from UK. 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?

Brad came up with a bunch of suggestions for band names, Prey Drive being one of them, meaning an animals instinct to hunt. As a huge animal lover, Steve loved this and Paul and Christian had no objections, and so the band was named! 

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Paul: Ever since watching the 'Bastards Of Young' DVD (featuring bands such as Thursday, Taking back Sunday, Underoath and Jimmy Eat World) i'd never really listened to the emo genre before. I'd always played in 3 chord pop punk bands. However It wasn't until watching this DVD that I realised you could combine melodic singing with heavier music.

The vibe surrounding the New jersey' music scene at the time was very DIY punk and originated in basement shows. I still want to play a basement show!

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

Kind of, Steve set about piecing together a band to play some new song ideas he’d written. The Norwich scene is fairly tightly knit and there will always be mutual friends between band members. A good friend (and tour driver) Sunny put Steve in touch with Christian and Paul, and after one practice 2 songs we’re pretty much in place and so it felt like a good fit. Steve and Brad were previously in a band together called Deers, and so working together again was a logical step.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Brad – Circa Survive, Turnover, Microwave... “the list could be endless”

Steve – Thrice

Christian – Right now i'm liking the band Free Throw

Paul – I really like the latest album from Seattle band 'Acceptance'

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

When it comes to writing the music, definitely bands such as Thrice, Circa Survive and Arcane Roots.

Lyrically, Brad likes the use of metaphors or the way John Lennon and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) create beautiful imagery and soundscapes with simple words, phrases and melody. Also Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) and Jamie

Lenman (Reuben) are huge influences in mixing up the melon collie with a bit of tongue in cheek.

Tabula Rasa (EP) is based upon a theme of starting again; the realisation that you’ve perhaps been taking the wrong, long, path and then having to retrace your steps. It’s about starting right back at the beginning but not knowing where you will end up this time around.

6. Where was your last gig?

23^rd March... We played a headline show at the 'West End Centre' in Aldershot, UK. It was the result of “4 of the best bands who put themselves forward to support Arcane Roots”

7. Where would you like to act?

Brad: The states would be amazing but a huge step up from Europe. It's certainly on the bucket list though, along with Japan. Europe was amazing. The hospitality of venues and promoters is incomparable to the UK for a band of our size. We were treated like kings and had an amazing time wherever we played. The fans really love UK bands and just love hanging out and talking to us and supporting us by buying merchandise.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Steve: I’d personally love to share the stage with Thrice – they have such an epic back catalogue of music and keep writing great albums. They seem like down to earth people too and I think we’d be a great opening act for them

9. Whom not? 

Crazy Frog? 

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

Christian: Nope, however Its definitely normal to get anxious before a show. Nothing a beer can't fix.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We’d say it’s a mixture of a lot of influences. We’re a guitar band, and we try to come up with interesting guitar lines, interesting beats and fills and layers of vocals. Steve is heavily influenced by Circa Survive and Thrice, so guitar work could be vaguely in the style of those bands. Brad is huge fan of Biffy Clyro and Bon Iver and his vocals are so recognisably angelic, they almost contradict the heavier music – but we love that sound.

Christian is influenced by a lot of hip hop and so certain fills will have that vibe, and Paul, like all of us, was brought up on punk rock so provides a solid backbone to our songs.

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

There once was a guy who brought his own guitar to a show with the intention to jam with us on stage.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They're grrreat !

14. What do you think of our site?

It's awesome! Its a great platform for new bands to get heard. We are very grateful to be featured.

15. Something to add?

If you like what you hear, let us know! We love to hear what people think of the songs