Interviews: Human Renegade

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Human Renegade from the UK. Check out this band and follow them 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?

The name came from when I (Alli) was writing some lyrics for an old, and unusable, song and I was thinking of something to rhyme with a hand grenade. The song never stuck but Human Renegade did.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Playing to any genre was never a conscious choice. I’ve never got an idea in mind when I start any song. Something just jumps into my head and works as the catalyst for whatever it ends up growing into. Probably unconsciously though I’ve always been influenced by the general rock around me growing up.

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

Me (Alli) and Craig (drummer) have known each other basically since birth. We grew up together around each others’ families. Charlie (guitarist) and Lily (bassist) joined the band later as we’d gone through a couple of old members who never worked out and now we have our solid nuclear family.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Alli - Genesis

Lily - waterparks

Craig - Starset

Charlie - Reuben

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Nothing in particular ever really influences me to write. Sometimes it’s by accident or sometimes I think up something fictitious and make a song of it. Sometimes it can be a half-hour process and it’s done, sometimes it can be weeks before I go back to it again. There’s never really a set inspiration for it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last show was at the Cathouse in Glasgow supporting the band Starbenders.

7. Where would you like to act?

We’d play anywhere that would have us as long as there are some people willing to give us a listen. We’re not a fussy bunch.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

My Chemical Romance would be a real dream come true to open for. They’ve had a great impact on me (Alli) as a performer and a writer.

9. Whom not?

There’s not really anyone in particular that we wouldn’t want to work with. There’s always room for something great to happen, even if it comes from the most unlikely place.

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

We all get stage fright. It just comes hand in hand with playing live. It’s not a bad thing though. It’s something that can really drive you and push the best shows out of you. A lot of people are scared of stage fright and want to rid it of themselves but we would always say use it to your advantage and turn it into adrenaline. Your best show could be the one you’re most afraid of.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Again, My Chem has been a huge influence on our music. A lot of theatrical artists have always been something that influenced my (Alli) writing a lot. Alice Cooper, Bowie, and Peter Gabriel… they’re telling stories with their music. Not everything needs to be true to life or personal to the writer. Sometimes it can be an exaggeration of an observation or just a complete fabrication of the mind. In terms of actual playing styles, we’ve been influenced by a lot of heavier rock/metal and new wave pop punk-type stuff. Got to keep it loud.

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

To date, the strangest thing we’ve been asked for is a picture. That doesn’t sound inherently strange but it’s definitely something we aren’t used to and when it comes to pictures, we come out worse than a vampire in the end product.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Anyone who would consider themselves to be a fan of our music is a part of our family. Anyone we’ve met who has shown an interest in our music is the nicest person imaginable. Everyone at our shows is the friendliest and funniest bunch of misfits. They lift us up in ways we can’t quantify and all we hope is that we can try to give them a sliver of that kindness back.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your site is great! There’s a lot of really great reviews and interviews on there and it’s really easy to use! It’s really well set up and all round looks brilliant.

15. Something to add?

Not really anything to add other than this was a lot of fun and we’re super grateful to be asked such fun and interesting questions, we’ve gotten to dip into the platitudes this afternoon! Thanks so much!