Interviews: Theigns & Thralls

This is a new interview with the Metal band Theigns & Thralls 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, did you plan it or come out just like that?

To be honest, I can’t remember if the band name was based on the song ‘Theigns & Thralls’ or the song was based on the band name. Anyway, it is based on Anglo Saxon times, where everyone was supposed to ‘know their place’ (basically it means masters and servants) and it seems to me that in the intervening 1000 years not a lot has changed in some respects.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Theigns & Thralls is a side project by me but now includes John Ryan (ex-Cruachan) and Dave Briggs (Waylander). Between us we have many years experience in playing Folk-Metal, so, you could say that it is a continuation of what we do. I think we all like the blending of traditional/folk instruments with a metal band.

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

Yes, we did, a bit. I knew John and Dave from their work in different bands and we all played at a gig together in Dublin. I have also known Arjon (Valk) for many years as part of the Skyclad crew. Mike (Verhof) is the newest and youngest member of the band and we met him through Arjon. They have known each other for years and rehearse in the same town in The Netherlands.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

Arjon Valk – Rush

Kevin Ridley – too many favourites, but my new favourite band is Green Lung 

John Ryan – Suffocation

Dave Briggs – Iron Maiden

Mike Verhof – Bon Jovi

5. Where was your last gig?

Theigns & Thralls are just about to play their first gig in Zaragoza, Spain. My last gig was with Skyclad in Tokyo in 2020, just before the pandemic.

6. Where would you like to act?

Theigns & Thralls mostly perform around Europe and Scandinavia, which is great, but we would also really like to play in Japan and the States.

7. Whom would you like to feature with?

As this is all new for this lineup, we’ll have to wait and see who offers us gigs. Obviously, playing with any of the bands who collaborated on our album would be great, but we are open to suggestions.

8. Whom not?

That would depend on the circumstances, location, times, money and so on, but we are easygoing.

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

Yes, I think so, especially in the early days but not so much now. Don’t drink too much alcohol or take anything else to ‘give you courage’.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

I can’t even begin to list all the artists that might have influenced me, consciously or unconsciously. I have been involved in making music for fifty years now and I’ve listened to a lot of stuff. Who knows what resonates and stays?

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

Nothing really weird. Maybe just signing some parts of their anatomy, and you wonder why when it will just wash off.

12. What do you think of your fans?

Again, because this is a new venture for us, it’s hard to say what people will show up at gigs. But, given our collective history, if they are like the Skyclad and (folk)metal fans then I think we will be a very lucky band. Over the years many ‘fans’ have become long-term friends from all over the world and I don’t think I need to say more than that.

13. What do you think of our site?

I must admit that it was new to me, but it’s a nice-looking site that has some great links and resources. For example, looking for bands from different countries or trying some free music – always good.

14. Something to add?

As you can probably tell, this is early days for Theigns & Thralls. We have just released our first single, with another to follow very shortly, before the album release in April. Please, keep listening and watching and hopefully, (covid restrictions allowing) we might see you on the road sometime soon.