Interviews: Weaponry

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Hardcore band, Weaponry from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band 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 wanted a name that was one word that stood out. We used to write songs in a garage owned by Dan (Ashowrth, guitar). He called it 'The Bunker' and when we had the songs and decided to play gigs we were 'taking the weaponry out of the bunker'. So Weaponry was the name!

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Al (Bristow, vocals) has always loved post hardcore bands, especially the early 2000's UK scene with bands like Funeral for a Friend, Reuben, Hundred Reasons. They didn't stay strict to post hardcore but the influences are obviously there. We wanted to do something similar as that generation of music really got mixed up in a lot of record labels struggling and it looks like a missed opportunity. You can't beat a big sing a long chorus which you don't always get in post hardcore, so we added in that to the formula and Dan (Ashworth, guitar) hates any music that's too quick, so that had a huge impact on the tempo.

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

We're a family band! Al and Jay (Rozentals, bass) are brothers through marriage and Dan and Max (Ashworth, guitar) are father and son. Al and Dan have been friends since childhood. Tim (Doyle, drums) was 'adopted' in January 2020 after an online search for a drummer! He was asked to join the band immediately after his first audition and he accepted there and then.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Al – Deftones

Dan – Therapy

Max – Funeral for a Friend

Jay – CKY

Tim - Seether 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Inspiration comes from all over! Al writes most of the lyrics and he loves a good story whether it's something real life that's happened to one of us or something he's heard about (our song Hard Place is about the kidnapping of glamour model Chloe Ayling!). He writes loads of lyrics so if he hears something and he gets a good line in his head he'll write out a full song and then decide whether it's Weaponry material.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses in Oxford! We got through to the semi final but unfortunately the competition had to be stopped due to Covid-19. It's such a shame as we were enjoying playing these brilliant events and we felt we might have had a chance to end up actually playing Bloodstock Festival. We'll be back when it's next on though, for sure.

7. Where would you like to play?

Bloodstock would be fantastic! Even though most of us are from Reading I think with the way Reading Festival has changed recently to a less metal orientated vibe we would probably want to play Download Festival before Reading. But Reading would still be a great experience. We've all been to Reading so many times and everyone imagines themselves up on the stage when you're in the crowd!

8. Who would you like to support?

Deftones definitely. They're such a huge influence on this band that it would be the dream support slot. And the fact they normally play Wembley Arena when they come to the UK, it would be incredible to play there.

9. Who not?

I think we'd play with anyone! With music being so freely available with streaming services, mixed genre line ups should definitely be more of a thing. Can you imagine saying no if Post Malone or Kendrick Lamar asked you to support them? Or even someone who does pop like Justin Bieber or Ed Sheeran!? “Nah I don't fancy playing my music to 90 thousand people tonight...”. You'd be mad.

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

Definitely at first. You will shake uncontrollably and you will forget lines or mess up the timings or riffs even if you have practised until you don't need to think about what you are playing. It just happens. But you just have to go out there and do it. You can control your emotions and when adrenaline is pumping through your veins you have 2 options, decide to let that feel like nervousness and worry about what will happen or just know something bad might happen and don't worry about it and choose to feel excited!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We sound like a broken record but Deftones without a doubt. Love the way they craft incredible songs that are catchy but are still heavy as hell. We love heavy music but there's nothing better than after a big mosh you get a sing a long chorus. Funeral for a Friend nailed that, Bring Me The Horizon have done it quite a lot. They were honest and said they didn't want to just make deathcore anymore, they wanted to have those catchy numbers too. And that's cool.

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

An autograph! You don't need our autographs, we can go out for a beer if you want. Then we'll ask for your autograph on the tab at the end of the night! 

13. What do you think of your fans?

The fact that people actually love what we do and will pay money for it to see us perform our songs that we wrote and pay to wear a tshirt with our bands logo on it is the best thing ever. Every person who messages us saying they love our tunes or come and watch us live are incredible, we love everyone of them. The first time you play outside of your home town and you know no one there but someone comes up and tells you they came to watch you is like a drug. Nothing beats it.

14. What do you think of our site?

A site about Metal without at least 3 articles on Corey Taylor on the front page!? That's very different! Looks like a tonne of work goes into it and to cover so many bands that don't normally get much coverage is huge, definitely what is needed. Melodic Vibes playlist is great, would love to get on it when Something I Lack is released.

15. Something to add?

Thanks for interviewing us! Our new single Something I Lack is released December 4th across all streaming platforms (Pre-save here: https://smarturl.it/SomethingILack) and we release a weekly video every Sunday on YouTube as part of our 'No Lasting Memories' series. Get it here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9oSXemxfrJmJve7dHLMJ7w