Mr Shiraz - Interview

In this new occasion we have the great opportunity to interview the Hardcore/Punk band Mr Shiraz from UK, here we will let you their FACEBOOK PAGE to give them a like and follow them.We have nothing more to say, so enjoy this interview!

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Mikey (Vocals): It came from when I was at University. We lived with a dude called Sharad. Super nice dude, I wonder where he is nowadays? Anyway, the local nutter decided to latch onto us guys who lived in said house. Used to come across all the time, let himself in, etc. Well he could never get Sharad's name right and would call him Sharaz which really pissed him off so I thought I'll name the band after him to piss him off more. On our first gig the poster had spelt it wrong, instead of Mr Sharaz it said Mr Shiraz. I thought it looked better so we kept it.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Tim (Guitar):  Growing up as an MTV generation kid, Rock, Grunge and alternative music was all over the station. I think the first rock/metal band I got into was Iron Maiden and Guns and Roses. Hearing Axl Rose scream 'and you can just...fuck off' I was like whoa, this is bad ass! I wanna be part of this. All the dancey music at the time just didn't have any substance, energy or passion that alternative music had.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Mikey: Yeah kinda. Tori (Bass) was in the same circle of friends. The rest of the band all kind of came together through mutual friends and playing in different bands around the town.

4. Each band member’s favourite band?

Tim: Too many to mention and it changes on a daily basis. Basically, I’m still listening to all the grunge bands from the 90's.

Mikey: Yeah mine changes weekly. I put on gigs for my main job so I always get new favourites. The main bands that I never grew out of and still adore are Faith No More, The Bronx, Sublime, Suicidal Tendencies, NWA and millions more.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Tim: Picking up my guitar and just seeing what comes out still excites me. Sometimes nothing will happen, but then a riff will just pop out. Inspiration comes from listening to other bands, listening to lots of different music and listening to what other people are doing and how they put songs together. Hearing tones and sounds from both old records and new ones is exciting when you hear it for the first time. It makes me want to play and write.

6. Where was your last gig?

Mikey: Nottingham at The Maze was the last one, a wicked venue, awesome crowd. Soon we are in Manchester playing a big punk rock xmas show with loads of killer bands so that should be all the fun.

7. Where would you like to act?

Mikey: Anywhere that will have us. We are like that old Kevin Costner film 'Field Of dreams'. If you book us, we will come, although I'd love to go back and do another U.S tour. Also, I really want to play Rebellion Festival in 2016! Descendents, Bouncing Souls & Flag are all playing!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Mikey: The Bronx, Fugazi (they should reform and let us play with them), Bouncing Souls, Faith No More, NWA, Violent Soho so so many.

9. Whom not?

Mikey: OPM. We were put on a tour with them once and it sucked so so bad, they kicked us off after two days. It was just all round shit!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Tim: We don't really get stage fright anymore, sometimes if it's a bigger crowed we'll get a little nervous but once we are 2 songs into the set that all settles down. Advice for beginners to beat stage fright is practice lots, know your stuff and make sure the rest of your band know their stuff and everything will click once you get on stage. Don't get drunk before you go on stage... you might think you are awesome but you probably suck!

Mikey: I still get nervous before every gig, doesn't matter if its a crowd of one or a thousand, I just get mad butterflies. As soon as we start though it just vanishes. I think it's good that I still get like that. It shows to me that I still care.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Mikey: Like Tim mentioned earlier, so so many. Lyrically, I have always been impressed with Faith no More, Sublime and The Bronx. They all have very clever ways of getting their message across in very different ways.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Mikey: My seed haha. Had my shoes stolen once whilst playing a festival, whilst on stage. I hope they kept them.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Mikey: They are awesome. Hey, if you are taking the time out to come and see us cats doing something we care so much about then how could I not appreciate them. I love talking to people who come see us. I have made a lot of lifelong friends from that.

14. What do you think of our site?

Mikey: I dig it. Tim and I especially have been fans of hardcore for a loooooong time and having a site flying that (Black) flag and supporting those on the underground is what this scene needs to thrive and survive. Keep up the good work!

15. Something to add?

Mikey: Thanks for taking the time to have a look at us. We are DIY through and through and truly appreciate everyone who listens, watches and shows us some support. Hope you all enjoy the new record!