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Agankast are
one of the most talented young bands to come out of Scotland in a long
time, not only that but they have shunned the safer road of rock and
turned their sights to Thrash Metal. Here we catch up with
Scotland's finest to find out more.
MM - Hi guys, thanks for agreeing to take part in this interview with
us. 2007 finds a change in line-up for the band, what brought about the
change?
Allan - Well, Rob decided to set down and
pursue other things so we brought in a young guitarist named Steven Gray
and the drummer position has been taken by Matthew Finnie.
This will be the line-up going forward and after just a few rehearsals
together I feel that this is the strongest the band has ever been and we
cant wait to get out on the road with this renewed energy.
MM - Once Rob had decided to leave the band,
how did you find a suitable replacement, or did you already have someone
in mind for the position?
Allan - A friend
of mine knew Steven so I went to see him and check out his playing and
was blown away! His rhythm playing was just what we were looking for
with the thrash direction the band is going in and he has slotted in
perfectly.
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MM - I
would like to know what kind of feeling it is when a member
tells you he is leaving the band and if that brings frustration
along or do you think more of it as a relief sometimes to start
a new band-era?
Ciaran
- A bit of both I think! Its
always hard when a band member leaves but as
soon as Steve and Matt jammed with us it just clicked and we are
buzzing right now and can't wait to play live.
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MM - Last year the band played at the
Bloodstock Festival here in England, can you tell me did you get the
chance to meet and hang with some of the more well known musicians
backstage at the festival?
Allan - Well, we shared a dressing room
with Irish band Mael Mordha and Australian band Tourettes Syndrome who
were both very cool! Ciaran met Deathstars but Primal Fear were on the
previous night so I missed the chance to meet them.
MM - What part of the festival and everything surrounding it, made
the biggest impression on you?
Ciaran - I think just the whole
atmosphere was brilliant, the vibe with-in metal is so cool and
everybody is just like your best mate. Obviously when the spotlight
first comes down before you kick in to your first song leaves the
biggest impression.
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MM - How did you feel your
performance went that day, what feedback did you get from the
fans and how has this helped focus the band’s mind to go
further?
Allan - Looking back, I regret that we did not have the
line-up we have now back then. We played well and received great
feedback from everybody there but I'm hoping for another
opportunity at something like bloodstock to show off just how
good the band are now.
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MM - Has there any label interest in the band
as yet or are you still holding back until the time feel’s right to
approach them?
Allan - There has
been some interest but we won't sign anything unless it will benefit the
band in the long-term. Unfortunately, because of downloads, the money
just isn’t there for labels or bands any more.
MM - Do you have any gigs or festivals lined up for the Summer
months?
Steven - We have
a gig in Edinburgh on the 30th June, we are playing in
Galashiels in September and we are playing the full thrash assault
festival in Wakefield in December but we have a few more in the
pipeline.
MM - How did you hook up with new guitarist Steven Gray? It seems
quite difficult for bands to break through in the UK, perhaps more so
than in Europe. Do you think this is especially true for bands
like yourselves?
Allan - Yeah
definitely, Its so hard for bands like us to even get gigs these days
but in countries like Sweden and Germany we would be playing every
weekend! It’s a shame but that’s the way it is so we have to get on
with it.
MM - The thrash metal genre is one that has a lot of fans yet for
some reason the mainstream press chooses to ignore this genre for the
most part. Why do you think this is and what do you believe can be
done to rectify this situation?
Allan - Thrash
has always been an underground movement and I don’t think I or any
fans of thrash would have it any other way.
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MM - The new album
‘Walking With Angels … Running With Devils’ gives us a
taste of both the old and new sound of Agankast, what made you
decide not to just do a whole album of new Thrash material?
Ciaran -
Well, we already had most of “Walking With Angels” written
when we started thinking about the thrash idea and felt it was a
good enough album in its own right to be released. Its always
good to have such diversity
with-in our songs as we can pick a set accordingly depending on
what we want to do.
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MM - What is the main goal you would like to
achieve with the band and how much time have you given yourselves to
achieve that goal?
Allan - With this line-up and the
talent with-in the band now id like to see us settled for the next 10-15
years and I wouldn’t like to set limits on what I think we can
achieve! Matt is the final piece in the jigsaw as far as I'm concerned,
his drumming style and personality was exactly what we needed.
MM - How do you personally feel about the Internet and the role it
plays in the music industry?
Ciaran - Rob
always said if it wasn’t for the internet I wouldn’t have bothered
starting this band. I think it's fantastic to have a tool at your
disposal that allows you to get your music into any household on the
planet.
MM - Where does the name Agankast come from and does it have a deeper
meaning?
Allan -
Unfortunately, this is a very boring answer, I'd like to say it means
something cool but no. It means nothing, Rob came up with it and I think
it suits the band perfectly.
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MM - Name the most memorable
or inspirational gig you have attended as a fan and what made it
so special?
Allan - I
have to say Rammstein ... simply for the stage-show they put on!
Ciaran - Steve Vai for me, inspirational
Matt - I'm gonna go for Sepultura simply because of Igor
Cavalera … unbelievable!
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MM - Now name the most memorable gig that you
have performed at and explain why that particular gig stands out from
all the rest?
Allan - Its got
to be bloodstock! Just the whole atmosphere and the vibe from the whole
day made it special.
MM - Is it important for you as a band to get out of Scotland
to play gigs and get yourself known to a wider audience?
Allan -
Absolutely, we all love a road trip, getting out and seeing the country
and meeting lots of cool new people and contacts. We have played in
Birmingham a few times and the vibe is always fantastic bit I also think
its important to remember your roots and where you came from.
MM - Okay, to wrap this little talk up, did I forget something you
like to share and what is the latest news update from the band?
Matt - Nothing to
share, but a warning that Agankast are just starting now, a new, fresh
sound, playing full on relentless metal to the highest standard.
Allan, Ciaran, Steve and Matt
MM - We'd like to thank the band for taking the time out to chat
with us today. If you're a fan of Thrash Metal then make sure you
check out their new album 'Walking With Angels ... Running With Devils',
you'll not be disappointed! |