Band of the Day: The Parasitic Twins

We’re going all the way to Hull for a two-piece for today’s Band of the Day – so strap in.

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

Max Watt (guitar/vocals): Wish I could answer that one, but nobody ever told me…nowadays, I reside in York.

Dom Smith (drums): Max lives in York, and I live in Hull. But we say we are a Hull band because, as much as we love the York scene, for one reason or another, we attracted a bunch of drama in York. And there’s definitely more of that vibe there, as controversial as that may or may not be to say – there are some incredible venues and bands in that city but Hull really has something special at the moment. Like, the vibe and mood has really changed, and there’s so much drive and determination in the punk and metal scene.

How did you meet?

DS: I run an alternative music, arts and culture publication (Soundsphere magazine), and I was doing a seminar with English students at York St John University about getting careers in the creative industries, and journalism. Max was there, and for whatever reason dug what I was doing. We kept in touch, and Max ended up doing some work for me, we became mates – I joined a band called Stickybackplastics (doom/goth blues), and we needed a bassist, I put Max in touch with them, and we played some cool shows together (with the likes of The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing), and then when me and Max moved to Manchester (even though we were already commuting from Manchester to York to rehearse with our then new band, Seep Away), we got dumped! We’re all still friends though, so that’s cool.

Seep Away was formed out of a desire to do something a lot faster and heavier. Max is really into hardcore punk and metal, while I’m more into alternative rock and electronic music – but I wanted to push myself! We’ve definitely grown as musicians together. Seep Away died (through lots of the aforementioned drama), and I was really sad. We played some killer shows with the likes of Hands Off Gretel, The Bastard Sons, [[RSJ]], Mothcob, The Trembling Hellish Infernal Nightmare Generator (The Thing) and more – it was a great time, playing with some of my best friends!

I moved to America for a while for work, and me and Max always said we’d doing something else if/when I came back. I did, and The Parasitic Twins is the result – we’re together again, after sharing everything from bad petrol station food to cramped stages! We can’t shake each other! Max has also contributed to my doom/drone metal band, The Trembling Hellish Infernal Nightmare Generator (The Thing) and Mary And The Ram (post-punk)! We’ll be joined at the hip forever it seems!

How long have you been playing as a band?

MW: This band? A few months. In general, years.

DS: We’ve been in bands together since 2015!

Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?

MW: For me, as is the case with most things, it means absolutely fuck all. It’s a collection of words that sound cool together. Shadows on the wall. One day, those shadows will imitate our namesake. By which I mean, the sound of the music will be what people think of when they hear the words…yeah, I’m a pretentious cunt.

DS: It’s an accurate reflection of our relationship! Also, it’s a Dillinger Escape Plan tune!

What are your influences?

MW: There are no direct influences I could cite. They’re subconscious.

DS: For this band, for me: the live energy of Marilyn Manson, the groove of Turnstile, the ridiculous ferocity of Boycott The Baptist and the legacy (or lack thereof) of Seep Away!

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

MW: Basic low end riffage played in a slow grind style, with chaotic drumming and hectic, pained vocals? It’s not unique at all.

DS: We’re a two-piece metal band from Yorkshire.

Do you have any particular lyrical themes?

DS: Max’s pain and misery.

MW: I speak negatively, so I write that way too. It’s just how it comes out. There is no real pain and misery in my life. I’m the most contented person I know.

What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?

MW: It’s gonna be pretty fucking intense…as a band who haven’t yet played any shows that might sound like a twelve year old with no muscle challenging a bodybuilder to a fight, but…hey.

DS: None yet, but if I don’t bleed on stage, I’ll consider it a personal failure.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

MW: I’m not really the wild type. I mean, I have a loud voice and all, but in reality I like fluffy slippers, books, and warm cosy spaces. Being wild isn’t really part of my makeup, unless I’m drunk.

DS: In Seep Away I covered The Adelphi in my blood.

What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?

MW: I play a ridiculous eight string LTD, that´s how we get such low end. It makes me happy.

DS: Drums, guitars, guttural vocals, blood, sweaty…jizz.

What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?

DS: We have one track out right now, called “Massive”, and that’s taken from our debut EP, All That’s Left To Do Now Is Sleep With Each Other.

What are your plans for 2018, into 2019?

MW: We´re going to record an album and drip feed it to the world while touring and bleeding everywhere.

DS: We want to tour, and play and record, and destroy things.

If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

DS: I would love to play on a bill with Turnstile and Culture Abuse! Realistically, we’re doing a short tour with our mates The Carnival Rejects who are ace. Also, we’ll be playing with Pat Butcher and NOUR. I would love to have our mates Mothcob support us one time too. A band I’m really into right now that I’d like to do a show with are called NEWMEDS.

From previous Band of the Day, Muscular Child: Dave Grohl, Mick Jagger, Prince – Who would you kiss, who would you marry and who would you kill?

DS: Prince is already dead, so I would resurrect Prince, and use his beautiful zombie-self to kill Grohl and Jagger, and make them part of my undead zombie army of most excellent TPT road crew.

From another BotD, Vanity: if you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

MW: Kill yourself. It won’t get better.

DS: Don’t put yourself in a position where you have to trust, or rely on anyone.

And from Charly&Faust: what’s your underwear colour?

MW: I have a lot of underwear. Which one are you referring to?

DS: I only real wear black stuff because I’m goth as fuck, mate! I like to go commando when it comes to underwear, by preference.

The Parasitic Twins: facebook | twitter | bandcamp

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