Interviews: Master Charger

On this new occasion, we had the chance to interview the Doom Metal/Sludge Metal/Rock band Master Charger 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?

We were looking for a name that didn’t necessarily paint us into a corner or that would pigeonhole us. We didn’t want anything typical. The idea was to have a band name that would stand the test of time and something that we could grow with, I guess. So that’s pretty much what came out at the time.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It’s basically to do with the great music that we all pretty much grew up with at the time. Either our parents or family members that listened to classic rock. So why wouldn’t you want to take the classics from the late 60’s and 70’s and put your own modern twist or spin to. Obviously being a Black Sabbath fan turned me onto this genre of music in the first place, but when I first heard Trouble and Saint Vitus, I was in!

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

Myself (John James, Guitar and Vocals) and Dave Hayes (Bass Guitar) used to go to the same high school as each other and jammed together in a band called Silver Tongue for a couple of years. Jon Kirk (Drums) I had known from sharing stages with him in previous bands that we were involved with.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

I have so many bands I love but I would go with Black Sabbath (Ozzy era) for me personally. That’s because they were the first heavy band I heard that made a difference to me. For Dave Hayes, it’s probably Led Zeppelin and for Jon Kirk, it’s most likely Lamb of God. He’s a good few years younger than me and Dave.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Life, the world, everything in life is inspiration. The world is a fucking shitty place at the moment. Great inspiration for doom music but not so much for pop music shit!! Hahaha!!!

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was a doom festival at the end of last year in Oxfordshire. We go out again in March of this year.

7. Where would you like to act?

We would like to get on one of the Desert Fests, but we would also like to crack some of the festivals over in Europe. That would be awesome.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would love to play on a bill with Trouble or Electric Wizard, or even play in Canada and share a bill with Sons of Otis. But we’d also like to play on a bill with The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Pentagram and any other legendary greats for that matter.

9. Whom not?

I don’t think that there is any band in this genre that we wouldn’t want to play alongside to be honest.

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

Everyone has nerves but never had stage fright. Adrenaline just takes over. I’m not sure I’m really qualified to give tips on stage fright. The only one I could give, is maybe have a strong drink or several. Hahaha!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Most of the late 60’s and 70’s rock stuff such as Cream, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad, Dust, Free, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull etc right through to late 70’s and 80’s stuff such as Motörhead, Venom, Slayer, early Celtic Frost, Black Flag, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Candlemass, Trouble and early Metallica just to name but a few.

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

A female fan once asked to stroke my beard many years back. Since then, that’s been off limits, although it’s on my face, it since belongs to my wife now! Hahaha!

13. What do you think of your fans?

We have a very loyal fan base and we think the world of them. Without them, we would simply not exist as a band!

14. What do you think of our site?

The site looks great!

15. Something to add?

Thank you for the fantastic interview. It’s been an absolute pleasure.