A Chat With HANGFIRE!
Southern Welsh rockers Hangfire have been on Total Biker FM’s radar for quite a while now. They are currently gigging to promote their brilliant second album, “Shoot The Crow“, next appearing in Birmingham on Friday 30th March with support from glam rockers, Lovebite!
TBFM – Introduce yourselves to our readers/listeners. What are your names and what instruments do you play?
Hangfire – Max Rhead – Lead Vox, Bobby Goo – Bass/Shapes, Matt Blakout - Drums/Backing Vox/Stick tricks, Lizzy Evans - Guitar/Backing Vox.
TBFM – How did you all meet?
Hangfire – Max and Lizzy knew each other from previous bands. They decided to get something together with Aaron, Lizzy’s brother, on drums. After the untimely death of Aaron in late 2009 they recruited the services of ex-Tigertailz drummer Matt Blakout whom Max knew and was friends with. They also drafted in the services of ex October Country bassist Bobby Goo who Lizzy knew as Aaron had previously played with October Country.
TBFM – How did you get your current band name?
Hangfire – Because of a saying that Max would use on a regular basis.
TBFM – Who are your biggest musical influences?
Hangfire – Led Zeppelin obviously, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Whitesnake, Bad Company and Free to name but a few.
TBFM – How would you describe your music to people who have never heard your tracks / seen you perform live before?
Hangfire – Good old fashioned hard rock with late 1987 influences plus a modern edge.
TBFM – What type of product could your band sell?
Hangfire – Cadburys Flakes and Lazer eye treatment and hair dye.
TBFM – Which comes first, the music or the lyrics?
Hangfire – Music 90% of the time but it depends on the song.
TBFM – Who writes the songs?
Hangfire – Me (Lizzy)
TBFM – Have you ever made a video for any of your songs?
Hangfire – Yeah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCbQVdo0ZPo (Bodies) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLsaSXLzFNM (For Crying Out Loud)
TBFM – Are you writing / recording any new material at the moment?
Hangfire – Always writing and just released our album “Shoot The Crow”
TBFM – How do you feel about people downloading music illegally?
Hangfire – The same as any other recording artist really, especially as this album is self financed.
TBFM – How much time a week do you spend in rehearsals?
Hangfire – Once a week really, especially as we are gigging regularly.
TBFM – Do you play any covers at your shows or have you recorded any cover versions?
Hangfire – We only have one in the set but we only play it every now and then. Its “Fire” by Jimi Hendrix.
TBFM – Which of your songs do you enjoy performing the most?
Hangfire – Adrenalize, because its all Energy and POWER!
TBFM – Do you have a favourite venue you like to play?
Hangfire – The Patriot Crumlin, the biker crowd, always a Great night!
TBFM – What is the furthest show from home that you have done?
Hangfire – We haven’t really played far away, but the furthest north on the upcoming tour will be Wakefield, and we have been south to Ilfracombe!
TBFM – What is the biggest band you have been support act for?
Hangfire – Marseille, Wrathchild
TBFM – What gigs do you have coming up in the next few months?
Hangfire – HANGFIRE TOUR 2012
FRI 30th MARCH – The Roadhouse – Birmingham
FRI 25th MAY – Fiddlers Elbow – Camden
FRI 1st JUNE – Asylum2 – Birmingham
SAT 2nd JUNE – The Swan – Evesham
THURS 14th JUNE – Snooty Fox – Wakefield
FRI 15th JUNE – Fuzzbox – Wigan
SAT 16th JUNE – Dove and Rainbow – Sheffield
FRI 22nd JUNE – The Patriot – Crumlin
SAT 23rd JUNE – The Rhondda Hotel – Porth
SUN 24th JUNE – Le Pub – Newport
FRI 20th JULY – The Vic Biker Festival – Coalville
SUN 29th JULY – Steelhouse Fest – Aberbeeg
FRI 17th AUGUST - The Rolleston – Swindon
SAT 18th AUGUST – Wales Bike Festival – Carmarthen
SAT 25th AUGUST – Patriot Party in the Pub – Crumlin
TBFM – Have you ever had to deal with negative publicity? If so, how did you handle it?
Hangfire – No not at all yet thankfully but we are ready for it if it comes!
TBFM – Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
Hangfire – Probably the release of the ‘Shoot the crow’ album.
TBFM – If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry, what would it be?
Hangfire – More opportunities for unsigned bands to get airplay and media coverage.
TBFM – Where can people find out more about you?
Hangfire – Our website, http://www.hangfire-rocks.co.uk/ plus…
http://www.facebook.com/HangfireRocks
http://www.myspace.com/hangfirerocksuk
http://www.reverbnation.com/hangfirerocks
TBFM – Where can people buy your music?
Hangfire – All the sites above have links to our online shop, also itunes.
TBFM – Thank you for answering these questions for Total Biker FM, is there anything you’d like to add?
Hangfire – Keep Rockin!
