Interviews: Discarded

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Thall/Deathcore band Discarded from the Netherlands. Check out the interview and follow the band on their INSTAGRAM PROFILE.

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

When we were brainstorming ideas for band names, our vocalist, Andy, suggested the name “Discarded Pride”. Nikki thought it was missing something, so he suggested “Discarded”. We all thought that it was perfect for the band, but we were kind of afraid that it would already be taken. Turns out, it wasn't. Eventually, we ended up naming the band “DISCARDED” in all caps because it felt more memorable and more in your face.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

When we first started out playing music together, it was just Liam & Nikki. We wanted to mix Thall with deathcore to bring it to the masses. When writing “Humility” we were still very focused on the deathcore part, where in our new EP, we lean more and more towards the thrash side.

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

For the past 3 years, Liam was thinking about starting a “thall” project but lacked creative connections to write with. When he was scrolling through the Vildhjarta subreddit, he stumbled upon a picture of someone showing off his Vildhjarta tattoo. This guy happened to be Nikki. Liam approached him through Reddit, and it turned out they lived only 10 minutes away from each other. From there, they started to make music together. They met Andy while bouldering - thanks to Liam’s Infant Annihilator t-shirt - and thus DISCARDED was born. Bas joined later after hearing our first single ‘Humility’ while he was looking around for a new band to join after his old band, Ecocide, disbanded.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Liam: Vildhjarta & Mirar

Nikki: Vildhjarta & Defeated Sanity

Andy: Tough.. I love so many - from Placebo to Despised Icon. Last.fm says Bring Me The Horizon is my most listened, haha!

Bas: Disembodied Tyrant & Phil Collins

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Liam: For me, it’s the ability to channel emotions through melodies. When you write something awesome or beautiful, it gives you that bit of excitement to show it to people and to listen to it on your phone throughout the day. That feeling keeps me going.

Nikki: For me, it’s making something unique, combining chaotic melodies/rhythms with hard-hitting/headbanging riffs and sharing it with the world. Also, my mom, Petra Strahovnik.

Bas: Music has always been something I have been very much in tune with. To me, it’s the purest form of expression we humans are capable of. Some songs are able to transcend words.

Andy: To communicate something bigger than myself, to show and share something within. Honestly, music has kept me somewhat sane throughout my life.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our first gig together is yet to come - Our release show is planned in September, and another gig is lined up in November already... We’re eager. Very eager.

7. Where would you like to act?

Everywhere around the world. It’s important for us to have fun and enjoy the process, but we’re definitely excited to go places.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Honestly, anyone who is down to create something unique! Of course, it would be amazing to work with people like Calle Thomer & Will Ramos - let’s see.

9. Who not?

Collaboration is wonderful, like having recently worked together with DEEPROOT on our new song, Hollow. In principle, we’re open to everyone, so reach out! That being said, there are some bands we’d prefer not to work with, but it doesn’t add value to focus attention on the negative and call anyone out like that.

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

Nikki: Not really, when I was little, during my piano recitals, maybe, but after starting to play on a stage, it felt like home. It’s always the few minutes before the show that I get a little nervous, but I like to call it excited. But my advice would be to get your blood going maybe 10-15 minutes before, then do some breathing exercises, and you’ll feel much more relaxed!

Andy: Oh fuck yes, my first shows were terrible haha. I’ll never forget the first one that I rocked - I got a huge rush of adrenaline, anxiety, and fear - then I took a few deep breaths and told myself “I got this, I can do this” and I got into this crazy flow state - and honestly I fucking killed it.

Bas: A healthy dose of stage fright is normal; even the most seasoned artist still feels a little rush right before they go on stage. It’s that rush you get that makes performing for an audience such an amazing experience! Too much stage fright is not a good thing, of course, you could try meditation a few minutes before you go on to get your mind focused.

Liam: For me, the first time playing in front of a live audience was kind of scary, but since it was a festival and the soundcheck took 40 minutes because of technical difficulties, my stage fright was gone the second the set started. My best tip is just to mind your breathing because that's what controls your whole body 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Liam: Vildhjarta, Mirar & HLB

Nikki: Vildhjarta, Defeated Sanity, all the countless underground bands, and my friends

Bas: I remember when I started playing the drums, I watched a LOT of George Kollias videos on YouTube. Also, probably seen every drum video from Alex Rudinger. They inspired me a lot to keep pushing my drum skills.

Andy: Poah.. vocally: Placebo, The Devil Wears Prada, Emmure, Suicide Silence (Mitch), and even though they ran off and stole people’s money, I fucking love the vocals on Hester Prynne haha.

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

We haven't had many fan encounters since we are quite a new band. So far, no one has gotten pee’d on.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Any single person who gets even a little bit of enjoyment out of our music is forever in our hearts.

Andy: One of my beginning shows was for 5 people or so - one person was totally rocking out, and that made it so worth it. As long as one person is having a blast, what more can you ask?

14. What do you think of our site?

Fuck yeah, it’s cool! Great job.

15. Something to add?

Thanks for doing this interview with us - as we’ve said, we’re new, but we won’t be for long. We really appreciate it - let’s see what the future brings. Much love you y’all.