EMQ’s with OF CONCRETE GODS
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Luton, UK based Stoner Metal band, Of Concrete Gods . Huge thanks to lead vocalist, Nik, 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?
I’m Nik, lead vocalist. The band has existed as an idea for a couple of years now, but it took us a while to pull the full line-up together. Originally it was just me, Boulder (guitars) and Paul (drums), while we hashed out the first few songs. Once thing started to take shape we pulled in Simon (lead guitars) and Rich (Bass) from other bands we’d been in to fill out the sound properly. We played our debut in October of ’19, and then a few more gigs before Covid locked the world up tight.
How did you come up with your band name?
As is usually the case, by all arguing until we found something we weren’t arguing about. We wanted something that implied heaviness, and hinted at displeasure at the world around us, without getting too specific!
Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?
We’re a Luton based band, with four of the five of us living here. The scene here is really strong. There is a great promo company called Luton Live/s who put on shows every week as well as an annual festival (Castlefest), a few different pubs and venues that are rock focused, and some long-standing bands who fly the flag well.
I would recommend anyone to pop into The Castle for a pint, catch a Cerberus show at The George, or push the boat out and drink some excellent whiskey at The Bear Club while watching something more eclectic.
What is your latest release?
‘Good Samaritan’ is our second single, released Friday 8th Jan.
‘Good Samaritan’ (Lyric Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
The big four of the 80’s thrash era (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax), as well as Maiden. Pick any grunge band from the 90’s, but mainly Soundgarden & Alice in Chains. Stone Sour, Killswitch, Breaking Benjamin. And more recently, bands like Elephant Tree, Gevaudan, Undersmile.
What first got you into music?
Transformers: The Movie, the 80’s animated film. The soundtrack for that film was insane, and blasted so high in the sound mix it was unavoidable. Wall to wall rock anthems, from bands you’ve never heard from since. Plus, Stan Bush, being his awesome self.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Right now, Undersmile. Their harmonies are INTENSE.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Hellfest. It’s always the best line-up, every year.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Got a Christmas card once, which doesn’t sound odd until I remember the guy was a complete stranger.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Always move forwards, even if it’s just little steps. Don’t get stuck looking backwards.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Probably Chris Cornell, or Chester Bennington. Losing both of them right next to each other was too big a loss.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the instant feedback of a live show, that moment in the middle of a set where the crowd are into it, and you have little wordless moments with the other guys because you know it’s going well.
I hate that little black hole between soundcheck and the first band going on, where you have no idea what kind of night it’s going to become.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The nepotism, and general paywall/class divide. Often the bands who make it over the edge are not the ones who are making the best music, they’re the bands who know someone or can afford the right help. Not always, but enough of the time for it to become a frustration.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Dirt by Alice in Chains. Vs by Pearl Jam. White Pony by Deftones. Grace by Jeff Buckley. Tidal by Fiona Apple. I could go on forever, and the top five would change every day.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl is the best for a proper evening listening to albums. Doesn’t stop me streaming a lot of the time, simply because I can’t fit a vinyl player next to me at work.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Probably the last gig we played in Luton before Covid kicked in. It was Boulder’s fiancé’s birthday, a great crowd, and we were on form.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I always thought I’d be a basketball player. But that never really panned out, what with me being British.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Damon Lindelof, Patrick Rothfuss, Dan Levy, Lev Grossman, Darren Aronofsky. I like writers.
What’s next for the band?
We’re gonna try and get the rest of our debut album recorded in 2021, all dependent on how things go with the virus and restrictions. And we want to get back out in front of crowds. That’s all we’re hoping for at the moment, because it feels like everything.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp mainly. We like engaging directly!
www.facebook.com/ofconcretegods
www.instagram.com/ofconcretegodsband/
www.ofconcretegods.bandcamp.com/
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
A cake. Stale Theory dictates it to be so!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We’d love to hear from people. Come hit us up on socials and talk about the track.
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.