March 2003 - Obscuritaslatebrarum, interview
Hard & honest Heavy fucking Metal. That's what Irish HONEY FOR CHRIST play in their own words. Surely a perfect description for a true band. Guitarist Andy gave us some interesting answers…enjoy it.
1)
Brief us on the band history.Which are the most significant moments in the band's
life? And, mostly, what the Honey For Christ moniker means?
We formed in 1998, November I believe. Me and Jase met at a party, got pissed
and realised we both had the same passion for metal and decided to make some
metal together. I had been jamming with Chris for years so he was obvious for
drums, then we managed to sucker Paul in on bass. Most significant, mm tricky.
Probably recording our first CD. You really can't imagine that ever happening
when you're starting out, that was a real land mark for us. It also brought
to light the fact that people actually liked what we played, besides us! Very
cool. Supporting MDB was a major moment for me cause they're my favourite band
of all time. The HFC moniker has many different meanings, I like people to draw
their own conclusions. To me it sounds like a paradox, which is what HFC is
- a bastard creation of all things metal, no specific route or genre, just a
mixed bag of everything!
2) Love/hate question for every musician: how would you describe your
music?
Really I can only say, "100% raw, unclean, uncut, hard & honest heavy fucking
metal!!!" Sorry, but that really sums it up.
3) What are your lyrics talking about? What gives you inspiration?
Jason does all the lyrics so I can't really comment to be honest. I know he
is deeply impacted by the rest of us. He write about things that are happening
to us or one of us. It's very much based on human emotions through personal
experience, which I like, something everyone can relate to. Well, that's what
I hear anyway!
4) How do you compose your music? Are there some specific steps you
always follow?
More times than not I would have a couple of riffs or Paul would come up with
a bass line, and I would try to get a melody ofr it or vice-versa. Jason would
pick the kinda riffs he liked singing on and we'd create the song around that
pattern. There's no direct formula. Sometimes we can write a song in a night
if it's flowing, others can take up to a year to get right. We played Forging
Iron Will the song for about a year before we were totally happy about it. We
don't use any material unless all 4 of us are really into it. In practice I
can tell when a songs working cause we'd all be head banging and getting totally
sucked into the music, cool when that happens. We're very critical of our stuff
and it does take us a long time to get the songs the way we like them. Often
we kinda go too into it and have to scrap a song cause we get too close and
then maybe use the riffs later on.
5) What kind of feelings do you have when you play your music?
It varies. Sometimes I get totally happy and enthused by the whole thing. Playing
with 3 other guys i'd die for feel the real bond between us. Other times, especially
live, I get really wound up and almost angry. I've often left stage with blood
spilling from somewhere. Then in practice I would get totally into the melancholy
of some of the songs, like Movements Below The surface, or Orion Dust. It's
very moody.
6) Can you describe us a typical Honey For Christ live show?
Chaos! We're very unpredictable live. Jason is a maniac sometimes! Him and I
really feed off each other live, we're a bad combination. We really wind each
other up, give each other more energy to give it everything! Performances are
very explosive, full of energy, always something to look at!
7) How do you consider the Underground of your country?
It's very varied. In the North, where we're from, there are many bands playing
many different styles. It is pretty healthy numbers wise, but personally I feel
there are only about 6 main players in the underground scence. A lot of bands
don't hack the pace, cause it's tough in such a small country to play different
places, especially with all the bands sounding so different from each other.
8) Are you in touch with some label for a possible deal?
Nothing as yet. We haven't started labels with the new CD, we were waiting on
the mags responses first, which have been very positive so far. I'll keep you
informed!
9) Which represents the cover of "Forging iron will"?
Honey For Christ! It shows what metal is to us. You have the blood on the page
on the background, which is really Jason's actual blood scanned in from a bloodied
page! It's my own bullet belt which is totally metal!!! Every one should wear
bullets! Then behind the burned edge is a passage from Aleister Crowley. It
really just demonstrates HFC - totally metal, passionate about what we do, but
there is an important message in there too.
10) Are you usual to play some covers with HFC?
Nah, not any more. We used to do a great cover of "Mandatory Suicide" when we
used two guitarists but when we went to one we stopped. It was good fun though!
Chris was especially on the ball when it comes to Slayer!
11) Which are your occupations besides the band?
I'm working in a factory at the moment on a production line, Paul drives a fork
lift in an off license warehouse, Jason works in a warehouse doing fuck know
what and Chris is on sick benefit cause he has a bad back!
12) Which are the future plans for Honey For Christ?
Try and get gigs outside the UK, hopefully Europe. I have been in touch with
a guy from Belgium which is looking pretty promising. Also record another EP,
probably just another 3 new tracks, but spend a little more money and get a
better production. A deal would be nice too!
13) That's all. Have I forgot to ask you anything and you'd like to
add?
Nope. Thanks very much for your time and don't forget to mention the website!
Oh, and tell everyone to buy our CD - we also just got T-shirts done as well!
All for now, stay in touch!