Camden Rocks // The Rising Souls // Toffees // Bexatron // Koichi Miyashiro // Dead At Eleven // Damn Dice // Danny Starr
In one of our most ambitious features yet, we are putting a whole host of artists and notable fans that are going to be at Camden Rocks in front of you as they go about answering our four questions. You’ll be sure to find artists that you do and don’t know, but what is guaranteed is that all artists on offer here are worth keeping an eye and ear out for at this year’s event.
The artists in this release are made up of The Rising Souls, Toffees frontman Piers Nolan, Adam Adorjan of Bexatron, London superfan Koichi Miyashiro, Dead At Eleven, Damn Dice and Danny Starr.
So without further ado, let us begin.
Rising Souls
The Rising Souls, A band who say they’re an “intoxicating mix of contemporary hard rock with soulful undertones”, are looking forward to Camden Rocks because it’ll give them an opportunity to see a band called Raveneye. The Scottish rockers told me, in their interview, that they’re an act that possesses a “heavy vintage sound” which makes them one of their top tips of the weekend. Sadly, for them, there are always winners and losers in this kind of situation and they’ve had to accept that it’s just not going to be possible to catch the Amorettes.
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“The Higher Planes from London… they have a really cool 60s vibe about them!”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“Camden Rocks is a great festival, spread over all over Camden, which features a lot of rocking bands. It’s an event that looks amazing and is great value for money.”
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Elsewhere, meanwhile, are looking forward to seeing Press To Meco (a lovely bunch of guys with a unique musical style who always put on a show) as well as Sikth, Hacktivist, Raveneye, and Twin Atlantic who they call “just really great bands.” Mostly, though, they’re curious about seeing Mallory Knox’s new “format.”
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“The Artisans! They’re an awesome bunch of guys who put on a great live show.”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“A whole day of music with some great up-and-coming bands! You’re guaranteed to find your new favourite band… and have a lot of fun in the process!!
Toffees
Toffees frontman, Piers Nolan, a personal friend of mine who I’ve known for a number of years since meeting him when his band performed at the 02 Academy in Islington for Burn Down The Disco (reincarnated as Not Another Indie Disco) is next up and he clearly believes the Milton Keynes based rockers won’t be seeing a lot of each other this year!
“This time, the whole band is pulling in different directions! Sure, we (Piers, Tyro, Josh & Rachael) all can’t wait to see Public Image Limited at the Electric Ballroom, as well as attending the after party with Carl Barrat, but throughout the day we are aiming to just go all over Camden and try to breathe in as much of the atmosphere as possible.”
Calcio Jack are their main tip while the Soap Girls are the only act they say they’re going to truly sad at having to miss as they’re “a sight to behold” while on stage.
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“Well…being totally unbiased, of course, I would have to recommend the Toffees! However, every year, Camden Rocks festival always manages to surprise us with acts we would never have thought of! I do have to say, though, that if Carl Barratt fancies doing a set we will all be down the front… ready! Tyro, meanwhile, would like me to tell you that he thinks The Dead Gentlemen should be here next year.”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“The event never disappoints so you are always guaranteed a great time! It doesn’t matter whether you want to take in the music while enjoying the summer afternoon, decide to spend it knocking back a couple of pints down at the dock, or you simply want to throw yourself right into the middle of the screaming masses…the whole day is one to remember!”
Bexatron
Adam Adorjan, a member of a “high octane pop-punk band” (with a glam coat) outfit called Bexatron, is looking forward to seeing Crazy Town, the Healthy Junkies and Weekend Recovery. He told me: “The former, out of curiosity, after all these years, while I love the other two ‘cause I play with them sometimes.”
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“What about the guys who had their heydays in Camden? Maybe a recreation of the notorious fights of Blur versus Oasis, Pete Doherty, or maybe even Amy Winehouse’s band with a few guest singers?”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“I would give out more freebies, memorabilia, and more chances to get a free pass for next year!”
“Super-fan” Koichi Miyashiro
London “super-fan” Koichi Miyashiro, a regular on the underground music scene, is only really looking forward to one thing this year and that is Becky Baldwin appearing on stage alongside Lauren Tate as a full-time member of Hands Off Gretel. The Bristol-based musician is his favourite bassist of the modern era so he feels, like so many others do within the HOG fraternity, that they pulled off a major coup in luring her away from Idestroy to become the permanent replacement for Joe Scotcher.
Personally, I was sad to see her leave her other project but also pleased that the appointment was received so positively by so many people close to me.
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“Voodoo Blood! The band is solid, tight, and the vocals are incredible!”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“This is a really difficult question as most of my friends are going.”
Dead At Eleven
Dead At Eleven, a hard/alternative rock act formed in 2012, are signed to their own self-titled label. They formed, according to their bio on Facebook, after a couple of them (performing in a different band) were heckled by a member of the crowd who ended up successfully recruiting them. The trio, now unified in the search for someone to complete them, found themselves randomly stumbling upon a guitarist while on holiday in France and ended up persuading that person to relocate to the South of England. Henry De Belly, a few weeks after disembarking from whatever mode of transportation brought him to our shores, made a great first impression by turning up at a studio with a baguette down his trousers.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks festival on Saturday?
“We’re really looking forward to seeing Those Damn Crows (who are on just before us in the Fiddlers Elbow) as they are an outstanding live band that we’ve played with in the past. They have so much energy on stage! Also, Dirty Thrills at The Underworld will be a cracking start to the festival. They’ve got a really heavy blues sound to them! Other bands we want to catch include Black Orchid Empire, Healthy Junkies, Asylums and Raveneye.
“Unfortunately, we’re on at 9:30pm so we’re gonna end up missing a lot! This includes acts like Fire Red Empress (awesome band with a lead singer who possesses an amazing stage presence), Sikth (always epic) and Black Map.”
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“We’ve played with a lot of up-and-coming artists that would go down a storm at next year’s event! Bands like The Reaper who are a bunch of jaw-droppingly gifted lads we were recently fortunate enough to share a stage with at Proud. I would also love to see Climb The Attic, Slip Digby and The Diomedes play the festival. How about… Skunk Anansie? They’ve always been an outstanding live act! Maybe the organisers could even bring in Parkway Drive, Shinedown, Slayer and Metallica?
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“If you’re thinking of attending, you won’t be disappointed! There’s such a mixture of styles and sounds available that there is literally something for everyone. The festival basically takes over one of the world’s most musically iconic areas for the day and makes the whole city feel like it’s alive with sound. The only problem is there is too much to see! My advice would be to plan ahead, by going through the stage times to get a basic list of what acts you want to see, but be prepared to deviate from it for bands you’ve yet to fall in love with.”
Damn Dice
Damn Dice, an unsigned rock act based in London, will be filming their next video during their set at Lock 17 (Dingwalls) at midday on Saturday. The five-piece band, founded in 2011, is currently working hard on their forthcoming album Thriller Killer which will be mixed by James Loughrey and released at the tail-end of summer 2018.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks festival on Saturday?
“We’re excited about seeing Crazy town at the Ballroom! There are also a few other bands that seem to be getting increasing amounts of exposure at the moment. Acts like Massive Wagons, Dirty Thrills, The Amorettes, The Soap girls and Scarlett Riot.”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“You get to spend the day wandering around, going from one venue to the other, discovering new talents and see big names play. You also get to meet new people and make friends in a live music atmosphere. It’s just an awesome event!”
Danny Starr
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks festival on Saturday?
I’m very excited by the acts KOKO are putting on so I will definitely spend a good few hours in there before heading over to Brewdog for my set! Eliza & The Bear and The Lafontaines are both bands I’ve been listening to for a good few years now. I’ve seen the former play live numerous times during my lifetime and yet I still can’t get enough of their energy on stage. I’m also looking forward to checking out The Skinner Bros who I first met on Camden Lock while they were literally jamming in the middle of the canal. It’ll be class to see them again! Also, acoustic artists Harry Pane and Natalie Shay, who’ll be sharing a stage with me, are both great singer/songwriters so if you’re free, when they’re playing, do not miss them! The last band I have to check out, on the recommendation of my father, is Public Image Ltd.”
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
“As I’m on at 10.30pm, in Brewdog, I’m not sure I’m gonna get to see both Maximo Park and PIL. A tough decision might have to be made that I’ll probably try and get someone else to make for me. “
Who would you like to see at next year’s festival?
“I saw a band recently, during this year’s Great Escape festival, called Fond of Rudy. I wouldn’t miss them if they were performing this year. I’d also put forward Courtyards as they’re class.”
How would you sell Camden Rocks to anyone thinking of attending this year’s event?
“If you love live music, you have no excuse not to come! There are 200 bands playing within a 10 minute walk of each other and it only costs £40. That’s a bargain! All around you, new and old music is mashed together so you can either find something fresh or reconnect with the past.”