EMQ’s With ForeignWolf

EMQ’s With ForeignWolf

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Belfast-based Hard Rockers, ForeignWolf. Huge thanks to their Lead Vocalist/ Rhythm Guitarist, Gerard, 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?

My name is Gerard and I’m the lead singer and play rhythm guitar. ForeignWolf formed back in 2019 just in time to be quarantined along with the rest of the world, getting our first few shows out by the end of the year and hoping for big things to come! We have always been made up of experienced musicians from other bands and musical backgrounds and have a wealth of local music scene history behind us. 

How did you come up with your band name?

It’s really just a play on being various individuals from different musical backgrounds, hence the ‘Foreign’. After coming together we became a pack, that’s where the ‘Wolf’ comes in. I’m not sure we were all totally sold on it at the time but it very quickly became our identity. 

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

We are based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We have the luxury of living somewhere that is renowned for its Rock and Metal scene, with no shortage of amazing acts. You’re never hard pushed to find a great band playing most nights of the week and community is brilliant. 

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

Our latest release is our single ‘Imposter Syndrome’, available on all streaming platforms, accompanied by a music video. This is ahead of the release of our new EP “Merely Mortal” available everywhere April 3rd.

Who have been your greatest influences?

As a band, we have varied tastes but always agree on some core bands. Two of those being Alexisonfire and Deftones. Our new EP may not sound like they’ve had an effect on us, but I don’t think we’d be the band we are without them.

What first got you into music?

I was a pop punk kid growing up. The first album I bought was “American Idiot” by Green Day and I was hooked. Bought a guitar, learnt how to play and jammed along to the entire record daily. After that I slowly transitioned into slightly heavier music. Early hardcore and metal but I’ve always retained that pop punk kid at heart! 

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

I think collectively we would say Deftones. Honestly, we wouldn’t need to do much, just let the guys write it and we’d be happy to do some backing vocals! 

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

I think Reading and Leeds is a big one for me. So many iconic acts, so many amazing performances. It may be cliche but it’s a goal! I don’t think there’s a single band I love that hasn’t graced one of their stages! 

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

I can’t say I’ve received any weird gifts, but recently I had a fan hand me back one of my guitar picks from a few years prior. He told me he kept it on him everywhere he went and listened to our music daily with his daughter. It really took me by surprise and was an incredibly sweet gesture. 

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

We love you and appreciate everything you do for us. Listening to our music, sharing our story, attending our shows. Our fans are the reason we make music. 

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

Anyone from the 27 club. Musicians who we lost before they could exhaust their talent. I think for sake of argument I’ll say Kurt Cobain. What could Nirvana have released by the time he was 30?! Most would probably disagree, but the guy started a movement that didn’t stop. 

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

I love playing live shows. I hate travelling to and leaving the live show. 

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

I’d take the greed out of it and make the industry accessible to all. Fair pay for streams, better funding for venues. No idea how I’d do it but it’s what I would want. There is more music than ever and less places to see it!!

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

I know I previously mentioned ‘American Idiot’ as one of my favourites but I think ‘Sempiternal’ by Bring Me The Horizon is the perfect album. The band really honed in on who they were and it shows. It took up at least a year of my listening time! 

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

I’ve recently gotten into Vinyl and started to put a collection together, which is fun but we live in a new era. CDs were amazing and I do miss how selective we had to be with our choices, choosing an album and listening start to finish. 

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

We’ve played some amazing shows but one of my stand outs is the launch show for our last EP “Your Weapons, Your Words”. Packed out venue, incredible night. Everything was perfect. 

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

Probably wishing I was able to be a musician. 

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Oh that’s a tough question. I think I’d ask each of the band members who their favourite musicians are. Invite 4 of them and leave the last space for the guys to fight over. Cruel but funny. 

What’s next for the band?

Along with our new EP being released in April, we will be supporting The Cost as part of their Ireland tour in both Belfast and Dublin. We’ve got more shows in the works but right now our cards are close to our chest! Keep your eyes peeled!

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

You can find us on all major platforms searching ForeignWolf. 

https://www.facebook.com/ForeignWolfni

https://www.instagram.com/foreignwolfni

https://open.spotify.com/artist/717RZ5zg0uqfvmay1Adin0

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH6mznMmbCXopnwnPrD9Rg

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?

It’s a bap. Even better, come to Northern Ireland and try a Belfast bap. 

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

Make sure to keep an eye on our socials!

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.