Interviews: Holding Out

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock/Punk Rock band Holding Out from UK. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name; did you plan it, or did it come out just like that?

Tomm: When I would go to my cousin's house parties, Ellis would be there and every time, he would watch Shrek 2. It was only while the fairy god mother ripped open 'Holding Out for a Hero' on the 3rd drink-hazed viewing that I realised the inspiration behind the band's name.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Tomm: Childhood playthrough's of WWE and Tony Hawk games fuelled our love for the genre.

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

Tomm: Barely.

Ellis: I knew Tomm and Ryan from house parties but that’s about it.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

Ellis: Against Me, The Gaslight Anthem, Enter Shikari

Tomm: Foxing (All time), The Oh Hello’s (Currently)

Jason: Guns n Roses, Rise Against, Alter Bridge, Bon Jovi, Neil Young

Ryan: Counterparts

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Tomm: When I was 13 I saw blink 182 live, I saw how much fun they were having, then heard how simple their music was. I decided I could and wanted to do that, but experience has shown otherwise. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Ellis: Headlining Little Buildings, the best venue in Newcastle! (R.I.P Little Buildings)

7. Where would you like to play?

Tomm: Someone's overcrowded house party where the audience sing the lyrics back, that'd be swell. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Ellis: Unkle Adams

9. Who would you not?

Ellis: Matty Healy, he’s a tool.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Tomm: Throughout school I would breakdown in front of the class whenever we had a presentation, so I think I've had a fair share and it followed me to the stage. I think I was drawn to it out of challenge for myself, I'm sure none of my old peers would've thought I would or could ever be a performer and one of the main driving forces is as a statement. Even if were playing an uninterested basement in my head it's a statement that not only I can be on that stage, but I deserve to be.

Ellis: In terms of advice, don’t overthink it. If you mess up, it isn’t the end of the world and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Tomm: Probably Royal Blood or Biffy Clyro, shifting riff's and unorthodox song structure are key themes we've worked from in the new EP. 

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

Ellis: No one has ever asked me for a photo before, so when people ask me for photos at shows that can be a bit overwhelming. There’s nothing ‘weird’ I can think of; our fans are lovely.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Ellis: Our fanbase is tiny, but they’re all great and always turn out to see us when we play live. Big Love. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Ellis: Your site is lovely.

15. Something to add?

Man Love is Okay.