Interviews: Bela Fool
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it just come out like that?
There’s a really obscure branch of Zoroastrianism where one of the minor deities is called Bhaela Feaol, champion of the beautiful and the stupid, who has eight arms and three heads, legs of a faun, and snake hair. Throughout the centuries, it’s been filtered through different cultures until it eventually landed on a pack of frozen peas in an undisclosed Brighton corner shop. We knew it had to be the band name straight away.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Why do birds fly? It’s their thing! So Bela Fool is ours. There was no higher plan behind it or a specific target audience we’re trying to milk, or an already famous band we’re trying to be a cover band of. Whenever we’re writing, we keep things simple at first and come up with a more or less finished structure. Then we make it Bela Fool. Each one of us has a different musical background and inspirations, and instead of clashing together like maybe it should happen, we support each other, where one takes over where the other left off. The result is something grungy, rocky, punky, and guitars screaming. And most importantly, something that we like to play because it means something to us.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Yes, we did. We met in a martial arts gym in Brighton, and we beat the hell out of each other even before talking about music. The legend says that the first thing Sye said to Jonas was “keep your hands up” after throwing a roundhouse at his face. The thing is, when you do that 3-4 times a week, then go out and compete and all there’s this sense of belonging that turns into some sort of camaraderie. Bela Fool isn’t just the band you see on stage or you listen to. We got each other's back out of the band, and it feels like a big Bela Fool family. Somehow we extend that to the people we work with too; we like to have a group that likes and supports each other, cause that’s how the best work comes out!
4. Each band member favourite band?
Bela Fool, always.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Life, experience, memories, and future thoughts. Woes and what life throws. Stories of people, true and visceral, whether they’re good or bad, but raw, authentic. We’re not writing to provide an easy escapism, something you can talk over to give yourself an excuse to look the other way. On the other hand, the sugar coating is gone, and you have to see behind the veil. But that might change something in you, and it might be for something good.
6. Where was your last gig?
StourJam Festival in Stourport, cool stage and a growing event. Show some support to them if you can! Part of that show is going to be in the music video of one of the songs from the EP called “Lost Her Mind,” which we’re really excited about! To be honest, we’re more excited for the gigs to come. To promote the EP, we’ll be going on our first tour, which includes a couple of shows abroad too. And all that’s to come, really, right now we’re at the very beginning of something that could be very beautiful.
7. Where would you like to play?
Madison Square Garden, of course! And Whiskey A Go Go. And Rock In Rio. And everywhere we get given a stage. And most importantly, where there’s a crowd that would emotionally connect with what we’re trying to do with Bela Fool. Of course, everyone wants an arena full of people chanting your name. But for us even if just one person comes over and says, “I see what you’re doing here, and now it’s mine too,” that means the world to us.
8. Who would you like to support?
It’d be a dream to support all the rock bands we like! But also, we’d like quite a bit to connect with bands in the scene in the UK and create a community that supports each other. It’d be fun to tour with Snuff, Kit Trigg, Kid Kapichi, Wrex, The Subways, and so many more. The dream would be to open for SOAD, Royal Blood, or The Sex Pistols now that they’re touring again
9. Who not?
Maybe Taylor Swift. Maybe.
10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?
Of course, we all do! The thing is, if you ever get stage fright, always remember why you’re up there. It helps to centre yourself. At the end of the day, you’re on stage, and the crowd is there to see what you’re there to do. Why are you there if you don’t want to be seen? You can do anything you want on stage, and the crowd is there to see it. So do your thing and have fun, and they will too. One of the most relaxing moments is when you make the first mistake, a wrong chord or a wrong note. If you were so worried about messing up, congrats, you did; no one cared; now carry on and enjoy yourself.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
We all come from different tastes; it’s quite varied! Definitely quite a bit of classic rock, Zeppelin and Floyd, but also Sabbath for sure. From the punk side, we’d say The Clash, Toy Dolls, and Snuff. Then how to miss Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and a bit of Britpop too! From Sye’s end, definitely some Van Halen and Paul Gilbert in there too.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
Nothing too weird so far; every so often, someone asks Sye to make them a wig with his hair should he cut it.
13. What do you think of your fans?
We love every single one of them. If you’re up to spending your time, energy and money on Bela Fool, then you’re one of us. Just don’t be a cunt.
14. What do you think of our site?
It’s situated very well. In sight. Sitting well, showcasing artists and bands on every side. A site the famous Sid and Syd would have loved to cite. Well liked by our Sye. The horns pointer really stands out from generic rock websites.
15. Something to add?
Make noise! Talk about us with your peers, share our stuff, even have a laugh and mock some stuff; the power of the word is key! At the end of the day, if a tree falls in the forest, does it make noise?
Come to gigs! We’ll be gigging all across the country soon. You won’t regret the good time. Then, of course, stream our music, show your support on socials and if you really want to help us, then buy some merch! Running a band costs so much that any bit of merch sold is a token towards improving the band. If you buy some merch and then you see something cool we do, you played a part in it!
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