Interviews: LEACH

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Thrash 'N' Roll band LEACH from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Started out in the 2000s in our early teens. Back then it was popular with 3-4-even 5-word band names. Often in the screamo, deathcore communities we wanted to go the opposite with a short, preferably one-syllable name. LEACH just popped up, misspelled on purpose for the sake of it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

With older siblings, I've been a metalhead my whole life and got really into their old-school thrash catalog with Exodus, Anthrax, Kreator, and whatnot. At the time in Sweden, we had a lot of good bands to take influence from The Haunted, In Flames, at the Gates so it just fell naturally together really.

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

Me (Markus), Jocke, and former member Anders had known each other since 1st grade. In junior high, they had a project at our local youth center where you could have a practice space and borrow instruments so we jumped on that opportunity. Didn't know how to play anything so the initial years were slow. Did some Sabbath and Maiden covers but rather quick we focused on writing our own material.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Tobias Oja - Nile.

Robert Karlsson - Raised Fist.

Markus Wikander - Anthrax.

Joachim Dahlström - The Haunted.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Differs of course. Could be the state of the world. Current Ukraine war. Social Injustice. All members had some past issues with mental health and/or drug abuse so we got a few songs about that.

6. Where was your last gig?

Actually wrapped up 2023 in our hometown of Borås (Close to Gothenburg), Sweden.

7. Where would you like to act?

Wacken would be a dream

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A reunited Slayer would be a dream

9. Whom not?

Hmm not sure. We've been touring with totally different kinds of bands (Unearth, Misery Index, Belphegor, Slapshot) so I think we're doable at most places.

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

I have and I do. Often times throw up before shows which is not that great for your voice haha. Better for me to be outside and take a stroll with some fresh air and just breathe slowly.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Well, we like to think of ourselves as being a thrash band but with strong Swedish roots. So it's the classics of Exodus, Nuclear Assault, etc blended with Swedish sounds in "Gothenburg sound", Stockholm death scene, and Northern hardcore basically.

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

An autograph but he didn't want it sent to him. Instead, he wanted me to simply take a mobile pic of it and have it sent... Don't know what you get from that but hey, he got it.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Too few haha!

14. What do you think of our site?

Actually first time scrolling through but looks legit!

15. Something to add?

Thanks for having us on