Camden Rocks // Ryuketsu Blizzard // Lupus-Dei // Nigel Messenger // Saskia Eckert // HVMM // Panic Island // Towers of London // Gary Roach // The Bottom Line // Cornells Gerard // Deadset Dream // Beatsteaks // Massive Wagons // Lots Holloway // Sonic Boom Six // Findlay.
In between our fingers burning as we go through and edit the interviews of up to seventy-four artists, we bring you the second article of our feature for Camden Rocks.
The sixteen bands below provide their insight into Camden Rocks by answering our questions. During editing this, I honestly have to applaud some of the answers. HVMM? We are looking at you! Particularly how you answered, “How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival”?. Just simply put, outstanding, shameless self-promotion which quite frankly already has you firmly placed as one of the bands that we want to see…
Creative answers aside, this article features Ryuketsu Blizzard, Lupus-Dei, Nigel Messenger, Saskia Eckert, HVMM, Panic Island, Towers of London, Gary Roach, The Bottom Line, Cornells Gerard, Deadset Dream, Beatsteaks, Massive Wagons, Lots Holloway, Sonic Boom Six and Findlay.
Be sure to check everyone that is featured out. You really don’t want to miss anyone!
Read our first article on Camden Rocks Build Up here.
Ryuketsu Blizzard
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
PiL, The Professionals, and INME!
Our music style is influenced by The Sex Pistols and we like John Lydon so much!
We like Metal so hope to see INME too!
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
No.
Who would you recommend for next year?
HADOUKEN! If they might (get) reunited.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
I’ll try to tell my friend Camden town’s attractive points. London is special for music lovers like us.
Lupus-Dei
Lupus-Dei are a 3 membered hard rock/Punk band with members from Australia, The United Kingdom and Japan. They describe themselves as ‘New music reborn for 2016’.They play The Lyttelton Arms at 3pm at Camden Rocks.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
PiL. Just because I’m a fan and I’ve never seen them live. Also good chance to finally meet John Lydon. Beatstake is a great band live.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Not really.
Who would you recommend for next year?
Us.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Just come out instead of sitting at home miserable. You might find your new favourite band. So many bands to check out in one day for the reasonable price. Keep music alive.
Nigel Messenger
A superfan of live music and avid supporter of bands such as Weekend Recovery! Nigel will undoubtedly be at every venue tomorrow.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Weekend Recovery and Healthy Junkies are my main two bands. I love both of these for their originality, friendliness, amazing live sets and creativity. The only older band I must see is PWEI. Have been a fan for many years.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Quite lucky. Choosing to miss PiL as will see them at Rebellion.
Who would you recommend for next year?
Without a doubt Pretty Pistol and Tokyo Taboo. Both are glaring omissions this year.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Speed dating in music with bands you love and bands you will fall in love with.
Saskia Eckert
One of live music’s super fans! Be sure to catch Saskia everywhere tomorrow!
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Sisteray, Skinner Brothers, Soap Girls, Ramonas, Healthy Junkies, PIL, Gulps, Berries, Weekend Recovery, Lucie Barat, Towers of London
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
I don’t know what’s going to happen this year but I’m pretty sure I will miss a few I really want to see. I don’t know which will it be but I do know definitely not Sisteray, Skinner Brothers, Healthy Junkies or Soap Girls.
Who would you recommend for next year?
Adrenaline Animals one of my current bands and on their way in the music business. Smashing energy rock band with loud guitars, deep lyrics and an incredible singer’s voice.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
More than 200 Bands of choice at the most popular venues in Camden Town for just 30 quid. Also a good mix of famous bands and upcoming bands. An absolute must, go there if you’re up in the scene!!!
HVMM
HVMM are an alternative rock band from Worcester made up of lead vocalist and Guitarist Andy Teece, lead guitarist Ebony Clay, Bassist Jack Timmis and drummer Samuel Jenkins. They play Dingwalls at 5:30pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Blood Red Shoes. Got a couple of their records and haven’t had the chance to check them out live, so would obviously like to rectify that!
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Well, we are playing at 5.30, so anyone playing around that time-frame, we will obviously miss. We usually walk around the festival without a plan, you always stumble upon something!
Who would you recommend for next year?
The America’s.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
HVMM are playing at Dingwall’s at 5.30.? If you need HVMMs’ socials then all can be found on their website.
Panic Island
Panic Island are a modern rock band from London made up of Arron Sans, Vinnie M, George Todd and Jorge Gill. They have been described as being ‘slick as a Josh Homme quiff and as spangly as The Killers’ and ‘pure-Vegas glitz…ready to go shoulder-to-shoulder with rock ‘n roll’s high rollers’ by Q Magazine. They play the Lyttelton Arms at 9pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Well, other than ourselves reflected in the whites of everyone’s eyes… I’m hoping to catch up with Blackwaters, we played with them a couple of times, great live energy, cool tunes and really nice lads.
Personally, I think The Monarch has got great line-up this year, from 1pm onwards, got this band called Flavour Nurse that have this wicked showmanship really looking forward to seeing. Followed by The Kut and then The Skinner Bros. It’s gonna be a great couple of hours there! Up and coming acts and top entertainment.
Dead!, although that last one will be tough, they start at 10pm I believe and we’re on at The Lyttelton Arms at 9:15.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Sorry, yeah, ‘Dead!’ I think it’ll be tough to catch Mallory Knox too, which is a shame, Sugar is a banging pop-rock song! I’d like to see Professionals and followed by Pil, that would be solid moshing stripes!
Who would you recommend for next year?
Haha! Ahead of the curve! Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes! Panic Island main support for them too!
Seriously though, check out a band called ‘Deep Freud’!
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Via our special discount link and code, wink, wink, DM us! Haha! Selling point… Panic Island single launch party… Kiss America! Done! *big grin!*
Camden Rocks is a great festival for lovers of guitar music, no matter what genre/year/bands you prefer, there is something for everyone and it’s all slap bang in the middle of the worlds most iconic rock and roll town.
With so many live music venues closing down this is a great chance to see some top class entertainment in some of the worlds most notorious venues. The way things are going – you never know how much longer you’ve got to see live music in some of this places.
It’s sad but exciting! Makes things even more important to be in the ‘now’. O’right you hippie!
*everyone cracks up & George gives Arron the middle finger*
Towers of London
Towers of London are an alternative Indie rock band from London made up of Donny T, Frankie Brannan, Rocco, Stevie Sunset and Tommy De’Ath and are regulars on Nexus. Their motto is ‘Rock and Roll, Spirit and Soul’. They play the Monarch at 3pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
It has to be Danny Goffey. We were huge Supergrass fans, so definitely very interested in seeing how Danny’s sounding. Buzzkiller’s a tune, if his set’s filled with tunes like that then it’s gonna be well worth a watch (Donny Tourette, ToL. Photo credit: Lisa Knight)
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Ah Findlay‘s playing the same time as us boys which is a shame, surprised she’s not playing later, she’s good.
Who would you recommend for next year?
There’s a band from Dunfermline called Moonlight Zoo. Young lads with great energy and some cool indie tunes.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Camden Town without the festival is worth hanging out in. Fill it with some decent bands on a summers’ day. Hey presto, you’ve got a good time!
Gary Roach
Another superfan? Of course!
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
I can’t wait to see The SoapGirls again (it’ll be my 95th show of theirs). Also really looking forward to Weekend Recovery as I love these and print their t-shirts etc. The Professionals as I’ve never seen them before but heard glowing reports. Hands Off Gretel, The Kut, Healthy Junkies are all bands I’ve seen on various occasions and all are excellent in their own right. And finally PIL, another band I’ve never seen before and heard differing reports so want to find out for myself if they cut the mustard. Will also take in other gigs but as yet I’m undecided who to see.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Having really looked at the full listing of gig times/venues I’m not sure if any clash but I’d be gutted if 2 of my faves clashed & it’d have to be a toss of the coin to choose who I’d have to miss.
Who would you recommend for next year?
Jesus, that’s a hard one to answer as there is a multitude of fantastic bands around but I’d love to see Pulverise there as well as Pretty Addicted & I Destroy. All very different from each other but all superb in their own right.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
I’d probably go with ‘Music is the food of life, so come to Camden Rocks and stuff your faces with this A La Carte menu with some of the finest bands around’
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line are a 4 piece pop-punk/punk-rock band from London made up of vocalist and bassist Max and guitarist/vocalist Callum, Drummer Matt and guitarist Tom. Their influences include Sum 41, Blink 182 and State Champs. They play Our Black Heart at 8:30pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
We are stoked to see Press To Meco. Those guys are so dope and doing really well at the moment! Our boys in Mallory Knox are there too so can’t wait to catch their set. Let’s not forget to mention Crazy Town! We are excited to discover some new bands too.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
We aren’t quite sure yet as we haven’t seen if there are any clashes during the day. Fingers crossed we won’t miss out.
Who would you recommend for next year?
We love seeing friends bands in rosters. Chapel, Better Days, Lacey & loads of our friends are super hard working & talented, they deserve the best time!
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Okay, we are gonna be super straight here… we haven’t been before. BUT everybody we’ve spoken to have been like ‘hey Camden Rocks is sick, super well organised and everybody goes or the same reason; music, so the vibes are unreal’ so yeah, we say go because anybody who does go loves it!
Cornells Gerard
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Don’t know, will just go to some random venues and see what I find.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
No
Who would you recommend for next year?
My band
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
You get to see loads of new bands and discover music you would not have been exposed to by just going to a venue and seeing what’s on.
Deadset Dream
Deadset Dream are a 5 piece alternative rock band from Sheffield made up of lead vocalist Shiney Lingwood, lead guitarist Dan Burridge, drummer Conor Burridge, rhythm guitarist Alex Hudson and bassist James Yeaman. Their influences include Don Bronco, YMAS and Mallory Knox. They played the BBC introducing stage at Reading and Leeds last year and are ready to conquer Belushi’s Camden at 12pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Crazy Town! We’ve been lucky enough to be added as main support for their Sheffield show on 28th June so will 100% be popping over to get ourselves in the mood for that 🙂
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Both Maximo Park and SikTh 🙁 We’re hosting two rooms DJing at the Leeds Uni end of summer ball so need to get back on the M1 pretty sharpish annoyingly!
Who would you recommend for next year?
Would have to be Led By Lanterns from Brum I think. We toured with them over Easter and they are just so far ahead of their game and absolutely top-notch geezers – the professionalism and live performance in that band is mental! They’ve tour managed and guitar tech’d for so many huge bands and it’s so great to see them doing their own thing now. They’re joining us this Friday 1st June for our headline show at Cafe Totem Sheffield too 😉
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
It’s one of the best opportunities to see the best up and coming talent in the beloved capital. The setting in the heart of the market is absolutely stunning as well, so much culture! Missing it definitely isn’t an option.
Beatsteaks
Beatsteaks are a 5 piece band from Berlin Germany made up of Arnim Teutoburg-Weiß, Peter Baumann, Bernd Kurtzke, Thomas Götz, and Torsten Scholz. They play at the Electric Ballroom at 7:15pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
I’m looking forward to seeing PIL. They are some kind of childhood heroes, Jah Wobble used to play bass in PIL…also, Keith Levene – they were a very progressive band for that time back then and I am excited to see what they are about today.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Yeah, I will miss the Parquet Courts show this year in Berlin because I already booked a flight to Greece this summer for holiday…bad choice to make a holiday when you could see Ariel Pink and Parquet Courts at the same time…poor me….
Who would you recommend for next year?
Die Tunnel from Berlin. Super Creeps from Berlin. Human Abfall from Stuttgart. Die Nerven from Stuttgart…
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Come and see Germany’s finest, THE AMAZING BEATSTEAKS, never mind their bad English and their shitty brand name …..they also stink but are worth every English pound you spend on them!
And if you come….bring some drinks and food for them….they love beer and curry.
Massive Wagons
Massive Wagons are a 5 piece rock band from Carnforth, Lancashire made up of Baz Mills, Adam Thistlethwaite, Stevie Holl, Adam ‘Bowz’ Bouskill and Alex Thistlethwaite. They play the Camden Assembly at 6:15pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Man, the whole lineup is sick!!! So many ace, ace bands! But, if I had to pick say, 5? I’d have to go with…
1, Lupus-Dei, 3 piece, so much attitude and aggression, totally fucking badass, loud, lairy, just a total assault on all senses, amazing band.
2, Those Damn Crows, absolutely in the top 5 live bands I’ve seen in the last few years, no question, the songs, the power, so natural on stage, total chemistry and connection, miss them at your peril.
3, Empire, these lads are a class act!! Super, super talented, an unbelievably tight unit, Henrik has such a unique voice, they wrote these kinda grunge-esqe, bluesy, heavy tunes, sound original as hell, I love em!
4, Pete Spiby and the Beat-Alls, if you don’t know who Pete Spiby is where the fuck have you been!? The man is a legend, ex-Black Spiders frontman, this is one of his new projects, everything he grafts at is outstanding, he has the magic touch, works so hard at his music and it shows so much, again do not miss Pete.
5, if I was to pick one of the headline bands I’d say Echobelly, my second ever gig was an Echobelly gig, I have great memories of the band, mad fan back in the day, chuffed they are still at it, so many great bands from the 90s, Echobelly one of the best. Honourable mentions for the Main Grains, Ryan Hamilton and Tequila Mockingbyrd all outstanding bands and need watching.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Hands Off Gretel, we’ve gigged with them before in London, they put on an ace show but unfortunately we clash with ’em haha which is a bummer! But hey, no flies on Camden Rocks, giving the customer amazing options, can’t knock it, we will catch up with them again I’m sure.
Who would you recommend for next year?
I can seriously recommend some outstanding bands, Trucker Diablo, Screaming Eagles, Gasoline Outlaws, Henry’s Funeral Shoe, Skam, Theia, Kyngs, Takeaway Thieves, Jamie Brewer, Haggard Cat, I could go on, all great bands, class operators.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
The whole of Camden is absolutely buzzing, like-minded people walking between venues talking to each other about music, music everywhere, it’s like a massive venue with a hundred stages all serving beer and nice and warm haha every genre, anything goes, it’s such a tolerant environment, it’s a weekend of mental fun, different to anything else, such a unique awesome event. Do it!
Lots Holloway
Lots Holloway is a singer, songwriter, producer & multi-instrumentalist who creates hugely addictive indie-pop tunes. She has been described as “A true star in the making” by Wonderland Magazine. She plays The Halleyway Arms at 1:15pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
Lots: I’m mostly looking forward to seeing my musicians as we walk out onto the stage at the Hawley Arms @ 1.15, but I think Twin Atlantic is going to be an epic show!
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Boris (drums): I would have loved to see Maximo Park playing at the Koko, I had seen them once but would love to get the chance to see them again! I love their energy on stage, their songs are really well written and they have powerful sound as a band.
Who would you recommend for next year?
Lots: I would recommend getting someone like BLOXX on the line-up. A new indie band that seem to be shaking stuff up right now. And definitely Anteros, a throwback to Blondie in the most modern and sexy way possible. They’re hot stuff!
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
Ken (bass): It’s an opportunity to see world famous bands plus a great deal of very talented unsigned bands for just a small amount of the disgusting price of more mainstream festivals. I’m really looking forward to PIL and Crazy Town. The Professionals are playing too so half of the Sex Pistols will be there. Worth it just for that!
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six describe themselves as a Rock, Ska, Reggae, Hip-Hop and Jungle band based in London but, made in Manchester. Made up of Laila K – Vocals and Melodica, Barney Boom – Vocals and Guitar, Nick “The Blade” Horne – Lead Guitar and Hair, James T Boom – Bass and Synths and Luke Hesketh – Drums and Samples. They play The Underworld at 4:45pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on our stage as there are so many friends on there! We love Hacktivist and it’s been ages since we’ve seen them. I’ve never seen SikTh live even though Dan Weller who plays the guitar in them produced our last album!
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
Screech Bats are amazing – badass punk rock! But they’re clashing with us, which is always the way when it’s a festival as big and diverse as Camden Rocks!
Who would you recommend for next year?
I’d love to see our friends King Prawn playing it. We formed Sonic Boom Six after seeing them back in the day, they’re from London and legends!
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
There’s something for everyone! As if Camden isn’t alive enough, on the day of the festival, the vibe is amazing! There’s music coming out of every venue and if you love music, it’s the festival for you!
Findlay
Findlay is a singer/songwriter from Manchester who is currently based in London, ‘A cat scratching in her throat, full of banter and insolent, tearing cracks through nature: Natalie Findlay comes from the same bloodline as PJ Harvey or The Kills’ Alison Mosshart’. She plays the Fest Camden at 2:15pm.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Camden Rocks Festival 2018?
I think Blackwaters and PiL are gonna be awesome! I’m on a punk wave at the moment so I think they’re gonna be the best picks for me. We played with Blackwaters at the NME awards show at The Garage with Yonaka and they were brilliant so I’m super excited to see them again. I’ve never seen Blood Red Shoes before either so I’m gonna try and catch them too.
Is there any band you want to see that you’ll be forced to miss this year?
We’re playing at the same time as Sophie and the Giants! I’m so gutted I love this band. We’ve just been writing some tunes with Sophie and I wanted to see them played out live! Ah well, they’re supporting us for some shows we’re doing later in the year (not announced these yet though!)
Who would you recommend for next year?
I’m hoping for a Sophie and the Giants album… I am dying for Black Honey to hurry up and release an album as well! There’s a new Findlay record in the works as well right now I’d like to have our for next summer …watch the space.
How would you sell the event to someone who is thinking of attending this year’s festival?
I’ve never been to Camden Rocks before so I have no idea what to expect or how to sell it! Hoping it’s gonna blow me away then you can ask me the same question next year ha!