Interviews: Ward XVI

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Shock Rock band Ward XVI from the UK. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Dok Von Stottenstein: The idea of the name came from historic reports of mistreatment of patients at a hospital that has now been shut down. We just added a bit of complexity to the name by changing the number 16 to its Roman numeral… something that we regret now as no one pronounces our name correctly ha ha.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Psychoberrie: It's hard to pigeonhole the genre anyway but when I started the band I specifically wanted to work with people who didn't have the same taste in music as me. That way we were guaranteed to challenge each other, blend styles and create something unique which I think we have managed to achieve across all 3 albums. Ultimately we write the songs to fit the mood that the story needs to portray at that particular point on the album. We never say this song needs to incorporate this genre or that, we say this song needs to project anger, resentment, sadness, innocence etc and that's how we have built at least the last 2 albums.

Dok Von Stottenstein: Each member of the band have influences within the hard rock/ theatrical / prog genre, from Alice cooper to iron maiden, pink Floyd 

Wolfy: Which one? Honestly, I don't know. I listen to everything from jazz and classical to russian hard bass. There's not a sound I don't like really. We are all very multi genre liking People which is why we sound like we do I like to think Bam bam- Before I even heard of Ward XVI I was looking for exactly what we do. The modern electronic sounds mixed with metal and all with a theatrical element, just like my all time hero Alice Cooper.

Rico: Pinning down the genre we actually play is rather difficult to do, but the blend of theatricality and metal is something I've loved for a long time. I grew up with my dad being a fan of Led Zeppelin, the Stranglers and Yes, so there was always a mix of styles in my early years. I discovered more modern metal at the end of high school and have been a fan ever since, but Ward XVI is perfect for me because it can't be pigeonholed, so there's a good eclectic mix. Heavy metal, hard rock, reggae, industrial, all melded together in one chaotic whole.

Nurse Betty: We all have a very eclectic taste in music, and I kind of accidentally fell into the role.

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

Psychoberrie: Ward XVI first got together in 2013 but I always say we didn’t really become a band until we released our first album in 2017. We had a lot of lineup changes in the beginning so I’m actually the only founding member. The Dok joined early on in 2015. So he’s been an integral part of the writing process for all 3 albums and we auditioned Wolfy shortly after the release of our 1st album in 2018. We actually asked him to join us on bass for our 14 day UK tour with Doyle (from The Misfits) and we used that tour as his audition. We were really mean as well and didn’t tell him he’d got the part until the last day of the tour. Bam Bam joined us on drums shortly after the release of our 2nd album and has been touring with us since. Rico joined us on stage as an actor for our Bloodstock performance in 2021, the first show after Covid and after the release of ‘Metamorphosis’ along with Mother. That’s when we kicked the theatrical stage show up a notch.

Nurse Betty has been touring with us for many years although she’s been mainly in charge of the merch, bar a few occasions where she’s filled in for Mother; however now that Mother has taken a step back she’s going to be one of the main characters in the show going forward.

Dok Von Stottenstein: No.. we’ve all met as a consequence of being recruited / admitted into Ward XVI

Wolfy: No, I was a fan of the band many years ago and followed them wherever I could, then one day psychoberrie approached me and asked if I wanted to join them as their bassist was leaving... My audition for the band was a 2 week tour supporting Doyle!

Bam Bam: I didn't know anyone in the band, although it turns out Psychoberrie took a selfie with me backstage at Bloodstock festival in 2017 having mistaken me for someone in a much more famous band haha!

Rico: Never met any of them before, I was brought in to help out as an actor approximately ten years ago as a one off, and remained a fan from that point. When I was asked to join as an actor I jumped at the chance and they've been regretting it ever since. 

Nurse betty: Wolfy Huntsman and I were friends prior to my joining and then met the rest of the band through him.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Psychoberrie: skindred

Dok Von Stottenstein: iron maiden (between 80-88), pink Floyd

Wolfy: Mine is either TOOL or IGORRR. Progressive multi genre madness, just how I like it.

Bam bam: ..I have a big love for SLAYER and all things classic thrash. I'm also a die hard Alice Cooper fan.

Rico: Very hard to pin down because I change with the tides, but the band I've had a longest running love for is Blind Guardian. German power metal about dragons and elves? Perfect.

Nurse Betty: TOOL

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Dok Von Stottenstein: originally iron maiden inspired me to play guitar, right now Psychoberrie influences me to write (under pain of death)

Wolfy: a lot of my inspiration comes from grassroots bands. Riffs and sounds that I've never heard before get me very excited and just make me want to play and experiment with what my amp and pedals can do.

6. Where was your last gig?

Dok Von Stottenstein: we played at the insane Whitby Goth festival last night.

7. Where would you like to play?

Psychoberrie: I'm desperate to play Download Festival and Wacken. Those were the first festivals I went to and the reason I decided to become a vocalist in the first place. I would like to be able to gift that to 16 year old self.

Dok Von Stottenstein: main stage bloodstock, long beach arena, donington or Pompeii like Floyd did.. that venue looked incredible.

Wolfy: A dream of mine would be hellfest. One of the best festivals I've ever been to.

Bam bam: Wembley or a big arena

Rico: Bloodstock festival main stage was my dream since the first time I went back in 2008. We've played New Blood and Sophie Lancaster stages so it's just completing the trio. Also a few European festivals would be incredible, like Wacken, Summer breeze, and maybe even M'era Luna.

Nurse Betty: Download festival

8. Who would you like to support?

Dok Von Stottenstein: Iron maiden, Alice cooper, Avatar, Ice nine kills

Wolfy: TOOL. If that ever happened, I could die happy.

Bam bam: Alice Cooper, of course.

Rico: Unironically, Lady Gaga. I reckon the Little Monsters would love us. At the other end of the spectrum, King Diamond has been a massive influence on me over the years so performing with them would be a dream come true. And we already pulled the April Fools prank of saying we were supporting Ghost so I feel it would be rude not to.

Nurse Betty: In this moment, Slipknot, Linkin Park.

9. Who not?

Psychoberrie: Marilyn Manson. I love the music but I also read his book... Dok Von Stottenstein All options are open. I’d never limit our opportunity

Bam bam: Bewitched (never again) hahaha

Rico: I'm happy to support anyone. Just not physically, I have a bad back and my feet hurt and I've not brought my P.E. kit. 

Nurse Betty: Can't think of anyone. Every support slot we've played has been a great learning opportunity and a great night/ tour.

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

Psychoberrie: Yeah, I used to be such a shy person and my stage fright was so bad that not a single person heard me sing until I was 21, not even my parents so when I announced that I was going to start a band it was met with a lot of confusion. It's no different to doing anything else scary, you've just gotta take the leap. We've been doing this a long time now so I rarely get frightened anymore and tbh I actually miss the stage fright because the more scared you are the harder the adrenaline hits as soon as you hit that first note.

Dok Von Stottenstein: When I was 11 I was meant to sing Kayleigh by Marillion in an assembly with the band I was in at school . I bottled it and was so ashamed of myself that I have always thrown myself into performing since as the fear of being on stage is nothing like the shame I felt by not doing it. I mean… What's the worst that can happen? Mistakes happen and allow you to learn and grow.

Wolfy: I still do. My main tip is don't look at the audience... Make your performance your own. Have fun and do whatever makes you feel good on stage.

Bam bam: Yes, when i first started out i used to throw up before every gig, to the point that my band mates used to put a bucket next to my floor tom. Now after many years of experience I kind of take it in my stride. You should always try to push yourself out of your comfort zone because sometimes you might just surprise yourself as to what you can achieve.

Rico: As anyone else in the band will tell you, I have over 15 years of theatre experience, so the best advice I can give is to do what we've done. Create somebody to be. That way it isn't 'you' out there. It's the person you've made. I'm not Rico Romero at home, he's quite frankly a bit insufferable. But he's excellent for creating a buffer between the real you and the audience. And if they aren't nervous, you don't need to be either. It's weird psychology but it works for me. 

Nurse Betty: I do get terrible stage fright. I focus on the band members quite often to get through it and then pick a spot at the back of the room to focus on. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Dok Von Stottenstein: iron maiden/pink Floyd/ butterfly effect

Wolfy: IGORRR mainly because they are so... Different, you can't put a single genre to them, they are so technically complex and watching them live just makes you wanna go ballistic

Bam bam: ....I find my inspiration in watching any band who has an engaging drummer. I watch Keith Moon a lot.

Rico: Too many to list; King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, Cradle of Filth and Blind Guardian are my unholy trinity at the top of the pile, but various other genres sneak their way in. Psychobilly bands like The Brain and BZFOS, medieval or folk metal like Saltatio Mortis and Eluveitie. It all comes together to influence everything we create.

Nurse Betty: South of Salem's progress from supporting our album launch to now has been incredible to watch. Death Ingloria were a brilliant tour partner and I learned so much from Rin.

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

Dok Von Stottenstein: tbh I don’t asked for weird stuff, I know the others have but as Psychoberrie is my wife, I think she scares them off… on the other hand, we did ask Scorpions’ legendary guitarist Uli Jon Roth to sign our chainsaw.

Wolfy: Never really been asked for anything weird but we have had many people get us tattooed on them and we have had people make us band cookies!

Bam bam: autographs, I still find this really humbling.

Rico: My blood covered t-shirts that get stripped off after a show. Not once but twice. I know for a fact one of them is framed on an inmate's wall. The other I don't know about. And I'm not sure I want to.

Nurse Betty: I don't think I've really been asked for anything although my first autograph felt really surreal.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Dok Von Stottenstein: Our inmates are incredible. The most loyal, nutty fanbase who threw their every thing into making us feel more than a small independent band that we are. They’ve driven us far beyond where we were destined to go and motivate us higher and higher.

Wolfy: I don't like the phrase fans, they are all friends to me and I love all of them. Some are crazy some are chill... All are perfect.

Bam bam: They could shout louder!! But I love 'em all!!!

Rico: Absolute lunatics, the whole lot of them, in the best possible way. We don't call them our inmates for nothing. But they're passionate, enthusiastic, and cliché though it sounds, some of the most genuine people I've met in my life. But yeah. Stark, staring, raving bonkers.

Nurse Betty: Absolutely brilliant, I love chatting with them and we wouldn't be here without their support 🤍🖤🤍

14. What do you think of our site?

Dok Von Stottenstein: It’s a real ace site, good visuals and well laid out with eclectic content

Rico: I like it a lot, the addition of the option to search for bands by country is absolute genius, more sites should have that option.

15. Something to add?

Dok Von Stottenstein: Please follow our platforms and get active in our very exciting year of a new album (the end of our theatric trilogy about a female psychopath), a huge launch show at Manchester Academy and a tour to follow. We aim to offer a unique and very special and passionate musical experience and you won’t regret it once you dive into our world.

Bam bam: ..a little piece of valuable advice whereas, sharks will generally only attack you when you're wet.

Rico: Our album launch is July 25th at Manchester academy 2. Bring your dancing shoes, and we'll bring the bloodshed.

Nurse Betty: I can't wait to see the reactions for the new stage show and the new album, It's very hard not to tell people and July 25th Manchester Academy 2 all will be revealed.