EMQ’s With ICANTDIE
EMQ’s With ICANTDIE
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Welsh Heavy Alternative Rock band, Icantdie. Huge thanks to their drummer, Adam, and Guitarist, Kyle, 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?
Adam: I’m Adam and play drums – my history of the band is that I have known Kyle from previous bands and saw that he was looking for a drummer to take forward a new project (ICANTDIE). It came at a time when the band I was in had fizzled out and I was looking for something new and different. ICANTDIE was the perfect fit.
Kyle: Hi, I’m Kyle, I play guitar and lead vocals in the band. The whole idea of Icantidie started (like Adam) when my previous band fizzled out. I was fortunate to have equipment that allowed me to write and write and write so I can find what sound I wanted to explore. It pretty much materialised from there, and then came the task of finding members that shared the same vision. Sam and Adam were the perfect fit for that.
How did you come up with your band name?
Kyle: The name “Icantdie” came from a brainstorm I had when writing the demos in my bedroom. This band was gonna be a project that was fun for me so I didn’t want to be serious about the name, but I also wanted it to stick out. I then got to thinking after seeing festival line-ups that you always see band names that are so weird that not only do they stand out, you wonder how they got on the bill. So that’s what I wanted.
After that I watched an episode of South Park and the character Kenny dressed as his superhero alter ego Mysterion said the words “I Can’t Die”
And there it was…
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Adam: Wales, UK – there are so many bands here making some great music! But it is so difficult to get people to come out and watch your band on a Tuesday evening in a shit pub somewhere in the Valleys. It’s about trying to stand out and get that reputation above all others.
Kyle: Yeah, a lot of venues have suffered with the decline of new live music since the pandemic. It’s still recovering ever so slightly. But when they are booked well and promoted well, it really shows the love of live music that we hold dear. We’ve had some phenomenal gigs in Wales, and it really does push us every time.
What is your latest release?
Kyle: Our New EP “ERRORS” comes out on the 17th November, however our latest single “Teaser” is out right now!
Who have been your greatest influences?
Adam: I have been influenced by 25 years of growing up in Emo/metal/hardcore whatever you call it. From Dave Grohl in whatever band he’s in, to bands like The Used, Glassjaw and Every Time I Die. The local bands and friends bands were also such a huge influence on me! The Blackout, Straight Lines, SKWAD to name a few. It’s really great to see the resurgence of these bands all getting back together now too!
Kyle: Muse, Alkaline Trio, Every time I Die, The Mars Volta, At The Drive in, Foo Fighters, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Biffy Clyro, System Of A Down to name a few.
What first got you into music?
Adam: I always wanted to play drums from as early as I can remember. Then I started listening to Nirvana, Greenday and all that early punk/grunge stuff and then got my first drum kit and I was away.
Kyle: I’ve always been intrigued by music, ever since I was 10 years old. I then got started in a school programme that taught guitar. When that ended I carried on as I got more and more inspired with the music I was listening to I became obsessed with timing, composition and song structure. It’s really something that’s really never lost my interest.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Adam: I would say Every Time I Die but they are not technically current any more so would have to be Better Lovers.
Kyle: Yeah definitely those guys, but I’d also love to work with Jamie Lenman, Tom Morello, Ian D’sa. Mostly musicians and vocalists that would make our sound even bigger and heavier.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Adam: I’d love to play Download as it’s the iconic one isn’t it? Also there are some Festivals in Australia with these crazy line-ups, it would be cool to play one of those too.
Kyle: Download, 2000 Trees, Arctangent and Bloodstock I’ve definitely got my eyes on.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Kyle: We haven’t really received any weird gifts from a fan, but any stream, merchandise purchase or even coming to a show is a gift to us! *Insert groan here*
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Adam: Please come to local shows! Whether it be to see us or just another local band playing music you like.
Kyle: Oh, and check out our songs online!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Adam: Kurt Cobain. No explanation needed.
Kyle: Pretty ironic to ask this to a band called “Icantdie” Hahaha. But hands down, Taylor Hawkins. Gone too soon.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Adam: I just love playing my instrument with my friends, meeting new people and getting to express myself through music I love.
Kyle: As difficult as the music industry is, it’s a profession where I express myself, play with friends, and like Adam Said, meet new people. The industry has its problems, but live music is an enjoyable experience for performers and spectators, and we shouldn’t lose that. It’s what makes memories for us all.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Kyle: Pay… Streaming sites are making it insanely difficult to earn any kind of revenue out of plays, yet the labels make bank out of it. Something needs to change.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Kyle: Oooof! Tough choice!!!! Well to name one of my favourite albums it’ll have to be Muse – “Absolution” since it turns 20 years old this year. That album blew my mind when I first heard it. I was already a fan of Muse when I got it, but Stockholm Syndrome is one of the best tracks on there!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Adam: I just stream but that’s because it’s simple and cheap. I know how much it’s affected the industry though. Times were much simpler with CDs! But then my Walkman used to skip all the time which drove me nuts!
Kyle: I stream too, I have a hefty CD collection, but I’ve started getting into Vinyl also. It’s a relaxing hobby to have.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Kyle: We did a Halloween show at our local venue that we wanted to make an impact on, so we dressed up as our green trio skeleton t-shirt. The costumes were uncomfortable, but it was definitely one of our best shows and definitely showed people what we were all about.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Kyle: Uhhhhhhh working! Hahaha.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Kyle: Ghostface, Micheal Myers, Leatherface, Jason Voorhees, and Spencer Charnas. Just to see what would happen.
What’s next for the band?
Kyle: Gearing up for our release of our “ERRORS” EP on the 17th November, lots of gigging, and lots of content also!
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Kyle:
www.facebook.com/icantdieofficial
Twitter/X and Instagram/Threads: @_icantdie
Youtube: Search “Icantdie Band”
Find our music on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud and other streaming sites.
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Adam: Well a roll is a round piece of bread like the one you put a burger in. A tea cake has fruit in it, a muffin is a chocolate/blueberry type thing, a bun is for your hair, a cob is for Brummys, a bap sounds rude, a batch is a load of rolls all stuck together from a single bake and I have no idea what a barm is!
Kyle: I’ve never heard of a Barm Either hahaha.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Kyle: See you at a show soon!!!!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
