EMQ’s With House of Hosts
EMQ’s With House of Hosts
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Alt Metal band, House of Hosts. Huge thanks to their Bassist/Backing Vocalist, Jack, 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?
Hey guys, I’m Jack, I’m the bassist and one of the backing vocalists, and social media manager (the last part James insisted I include). The band was initially formed by our Guitarist James and our drummer Beth back when they were younger, but as it does, life got in the way and they moved onto other projects. Around June 2023 after their previous band broke-up, they decided to re-form Hosts, with Dan (vocals) and myself. The three of them had known each other for years, while they met me through a mutual friend who used to host a Jam night I would go to. We’d later decide we wanted to recruit a second guitarist, and just so happens Ross, my best mate from back in school, was also a guitarist. Funny how things work out like that. He joined mid-2023, and we’ve been a 5 piece ever since.
How did you come up with your band name?
Beth only told me this story recently funnily enough, but it turns out it came from typical teenager shenanigans. Her and her friends wanted a place to party, she had a house that would be available, so she’d end up hosting parties at her house.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
While we’ve primarily been active in Swansea, I’d say a better answer would be South Wales. I’d personally fallen out of the scene a bit due to work and personal circumstances, so when getting back into it I was shocked at how strong the scene is. Great bands and great people everywhere you look, anything from Pop to Metal to prog, and it’s not uncommon to see a mosh pit in even the smaller crowds.
What is your latest release?
Our latest release is our Debut single, ‘Oblivion’, coming out this month on the 24th! It’s been an absolute nightmare keeping a lid on it, as we’ve been building up to it for months, so finally getting it out there just feels absolutely incredible.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Bit of a tricky question, since everyone in the band has different influences. Personally, mine would be your typical Download festival bands, Metallica, Slipknot, Bullet for My Valentine etc (I say with an energy drink to my left as I write this, appropriately), meanwhile the other guys would say bands such as Evanescence, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, and then Ross spicing it up with some Dream Theater. That being said, I think it’s important to always be looking for new influences, keeping an ear out on what new stuff is coming out, as well as looking outside of your typical genre.
What first got you into music?
Of all things, Elvis. I’d be there as a little kid, singing to Hound Dog at full volume, dancing with my dog (who was bigger than me at the time) howling along. As I got older I’d be introduced to pop-punk bands like Blink-182 (I distinctly remember singing and doing air guitar to All the Small Things at a primary school talent show) and eventually my Dad would play me his old Metallica and Slayer vinyls, and then I knew I had to learn guitar. And I was awful haha.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Bring Me the Horizon sounds like a lot of fun, you never know what they’ll be coming out with next. Them or Pendulum, every time they collaborate with a metal band the results are fantastic.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Download Festival. First festival I ever went to, and the whole time I was dreaming of how amazing it would be to be playing those stages.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I haven’t received anything of note yet but I’m always on the lookout for the weird and wonderful.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you. Seeing you guys come to see us and seeing your faces, hearing you sing along and headbanging is just the best feeling in the world.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Cliff Burton, he was the first bassist to blow my mind and realise how much the bass guitar can bring to a band’s sound.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Playing your own music and expressing yourself on stage, and the feeling of seeing people relate and feel what you’re feeling. When the band and the audience are on the same page, it’s a magical moment few can beat. As for what I hate? Well, it’s expensive, but that’s kind of a boring answer. I hate all the waiting, waiting for a gig, waiting for the business side of things (although I completely understand why it is that way). I just want to get out there and play.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
It kind of feels like a lot of the passion of music is missing from the industry. Music is so powerful, whether it’s a massive orchestra, thick and heavy guitars, or even a woman with a piano. Yet we’re constantly hearing stories of people being taken advantage of, financially or other ways. I get it, people need to make money, but it kinda sucks seeing so much negative press about an art form so dear to your heart.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Are live albums cheating? If not, it has to be Metallica’s S&M. The songs on there are already amazing, but adding a full orchestra? It adds so much character and emotion to the songs, and everything is just perfect. The production, the performance, everything. Since I was a teenager I’ve always dreamt of playing a show like that.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Right, I’m lazy and a millennial, so downloads are what I use the most. That being said, listening to a vinyl of an album you love while laying on your bed, letting the music take over, it’s an experience I think everyone should try.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We’ve recently been taking part in a battle of the bands in Swansea, and I have to say every single round was amazing. Every band was top tier and deserves so much more love, and we saw familiar faces each round, a lot of which had discovered us through the competition, and my God, they gave us so much energy. Everyone there was having an incredible time, and it was just beautiful to see.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’ve always been fascinated with media and video games, so something in those industries. I’ve always been fascinated with artistic expression, and how different art forms can affect people positively. That, or I’d work in IT.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
The other guys in the band obviously, they’re my brothers (I’m including Beth in that). Them and my other half, don’t want her feeling left out.
What’s next for the band?
Well, I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say our second single is a lot further along than you might think. We’re also in the early stages of planning a 2024 UK tour, and may even be looking at a festival date…
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
All of our social media can be found on our Linktree here: https://linktr.ee/houseofhosts
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?
Right, we had a little argument (not serious) when I mentioned this question. Beth tried to say it’s a bread cake. She’s wrong. It’s a roll of bread. A ROLL. The only exceptions I will accept are a breakfast bap, and a chip butty.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
You can pre-save our single Oblivion on Spotify right now at:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/houseofhosts/oblivion
Thank you so much for having us, it’s still early days for us but we can’t wait to see what the future brings.
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.