EMQ's

EMQ’s with Solitary

EMQ’s with SOLITARY

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Lancashire, UK Thrash Metal band Solitary. Huge thanks to Vocalist/Guitarist Rich Sherrington for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Hi, this is Rich from Solitary – lead vocals and rhythm guitar. We’ve been playing thrash metal for 25 years and don’t intend to stop any time soon.

How did you come up with your band name?

One of the early band members came up with it. I wanted us to be called Solitude but there was a band using that name so he came up with Solitary and we went for that.

What Region/Country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

We’re from Preston and the metal scene in the UK has changed a lot over the last 25 years. I think it’s best to separate it into sections: In terms of social media and webzines etc it’s really good. I think the live scene isn’t what it was, with the exception of the major cities and the core people who buy merch and physical formats, really support the bands, definitely keep them going.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)

We released an EP called “XXV” in the summer to mark our 25th Anniversary and we’re just about to mix our next album, with Simon Efemey, so that should be out at some point in 2020.

Who have been your greatest influences?

I would say really Slayer and Testament are probably the bands whose influence can be heard in our songs, but to be honest, anything that makes you stop and listen probably makes a subliminal impact on you when it comes to being creative.

What first got you into music?

It has to be Xentrix! I actually won a competition to meet them on 10th Dec 1990 and from that moment I knew I had to form a band and get on the stage myself.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

I’m not really sure…thinking from a business perspective it would have to be a really big name to enhance the bands profile, so maybe Tom Araya now that Slayer are no more.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Hellfest or one of the mega European ones would be amazing and I would like to play Donington as well.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

Well we don’t tend to receive anything, but years ago I was aware that someone was going to do cross stitch of a photo they took of me.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

‘Thank you’ – because without them we wouldn’t still be here!

If you could bring one Metal/Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Got to be Jeff Hanneman!

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

I enjoy it all really, there’s nothing I would say I hate. It’s difficult at times, organising everything. I would say the worst point is when someone leaves and you have the uncertainty until you find a replacement.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Digital royalties! It still costs the same to record an album so the royalties factor that in.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“Reign In Blood” – still as amazing as when I first heard it in the 80’s.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

From a musicians perspective I would say vinyl is a really special achievement, but my own personal preference would be CD for the sound quality.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

We’ve done so many, but Bloodstock last summer was up there and also playing abroad has a lot of great memories. The one I enjoyed the most was probably at Backstage, Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I don’t know…I’ve been a musician longer than I’ve not been one! I think life would be pretty tedious to be honest.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Dinner parties aren’t really my thing.

What’s next for the band?

We’re in the midst of compiling a retrospective DVD and then obviously the new album being released in 2020.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

We have the usual platforms like Facebook etc, but it’s really becoming all about guiding people to platforms like Spotify.

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

Bizarre question! They are a biscuit.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thrash forever!

https://www.facebook.com/Official.Solitary/
http://imperativepr.co.uk/management-solitary.html
http://www.solitary.org.uk/

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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