#RoadToWildfire2018 – Hellbound Hearts

Much like we endeavour every year before Bloodstock, this year, for Scotland’s Wildfire Festival which kicks off on 22nd June, we’re interviewing every band set to play the stages of Wiston. You get to hear (or read) right from the horse’s mouth who you should be watching over the course of the weekend.

Previous years have seen some excellent acts grace the stages as our reviews can attest to and trust us when we say this year is no different! So get reading and listening so you can plan your coffee/beer/food breaks accordingly…

Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!

Hellbound Hearts

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

We are pretty much spread across Yorkshire West to North, so somewhere around the Leeds region probably be about, right? Yeah, go with that.

How long have you been playing together as a band?

Hellbound started in 2011 with the first gig being as support for Black Spiders when they came to town. There’s been a few come and go but nothing like the epic family tree some guys seem to have. But 3 EPs and 1 album later things are still looking good!

Where does the name of the band come from?

The horror genre has always been a big part of the things we like and do so in that vein that’s where the name comes from. The Clive Barker short story The Hellbound Heart is the premise for the Hellraiser movies so we felt that was a decent name and an easy one to remember. It also makes for great artwork and logos!

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

We are somewhat hard to pigeonhole and have been similarly told so by reviewers following the release of our debut album Film Noir last year. There are lots of influences running through it all but I guess it’s rock with a darker, gloomy edge that can stretch our music from punky licks through to more metal edges. We have been told there’s a British sound to it all too as it is all very melodic and singalong-able. We straddle a few camps and seem to pick up a few fans from each on the way! I would guess somewhere between Paradise Lost and Nirvana. But generally we aren’t after sounding like anyone else, which has been a big part of our reviews. It’s nice to be a refreshing change!

What’s your live show like? Why should people watch you?

Well, we aren’t from the USA and it isn’t 1985 so you won’t see us turning up in cowboy hats looking like Steel Panther’s mothers and pretending that we are. What you get is a high energy cocktail of dark multimedia imagery with singalong tunes that will leave you guessing where we are going to go next. A lot of our songs can be somewhat unpredictable.

Have you played Wildfire before? If so, when?

We played back in 2016. It was an awesome day in the best surroundings. Waking up to the Scottish countryside in the sun was amazing if somewhat of a rarity! It’s a great festival that Dave [Ritchie] puts on and it shows that there is a lot of support for new up and coming bands out there if you give it the time of day. You are going to be needing new headliners at some point!

What sort of setlist can we expect?

40 mins of previously unheard tracks! No! The show marks the end of the second run of Film Noir tour dates so we will be doing a best of set from the album, previous EP and alike. There will be a few you can singalong with your beers, don’t worry, Mr Bond.

Which band are you most looking forward to seeing?

The weekend has some great acts that we see listed on the circuit; some we get to play with, some we always seem to miss but in no particular order, Thundermother and Tomorrow is Lost are on the list. It’ll be good to catch up with some of the guys we’ve run into on our tour like Falling Red and the Wagons.

What have you got planned for the second half of 2018?

The final leg of the Film Noir tour will be kicking off in the last half of the year to see us through to December and then there are 2 more things that I can’t say too much about now; one of which will have to wait until Wildfire when we will let you all know!

What’s been the highlight for the band’s career so far?

Honestly, getting onto these shows and pushing the band further and further have been their own highlights. Seeing the results of your labour and being able to mark improvement year on year has been very telling from the rehearsal studio. Releasing Film Noir and its continued reception from fans and the media has been great, it really makes it all worthwhile.

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

Wild? Tough one, Bovril is a regular on the bus! Does pretending to be a wild front man swinging off the lighting rigs still do it for people?

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! 

Right now, opening for Ghost would be amazing, think our dark edge would fit with them and they put on a right show. Danko Jones would fit as well. As for supporting us, and we played with them just last week, then Baleful Creed were awesome, had a real Clutch-like feel to them and held a right groove all the way through. Hard working chaps as well!

What day/time are you playing at Wildfire? (If you have your slot yet!)

We are on Saturday afternoon/early evening, I believe but not got the exact time yet, but it won’t be when everyone’s hangovers are still in full swing!

Pistonhead Lager, Cloven Hoof rum or Thistly Cross cider? And yes, we’ll be counting the votes!

Tough one again as all three are top notch, I’m sure there will be plenty on the campsite. I think we’d have to go with Cloven Hoof Rum, we’ll have to have a word with them about getting a special Hellbound Hoof done!

Hellbound Hearts: official | facebook | twitter | instagram

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