Interviews: Black Bolt

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Punk Rock band Black Bolt from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Good band names are hard to come by because many of the great ones are taken already. I’m not saying ours is especially good, but it was planned. Kyle (bass) and I are both big comic book nerds, so we wanted to name our band after a comic book character-- and we wanted it to be both somewhat obscure and something pretty cool. Black Bolt, from Marvel Comics, is the King of the Inhumans who can level mountains with his voice.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Punk is really just what came naturally. I’ve been playing in punk bands since my early teen years, so those are the songs I know how to write. And punk is sort of at the Venn Diagram intersection of all of our musical interests. We all love a ton of different music, but we can all agree on a fluid garage punk sort of sound that just comes organically.

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

Yes! We were all friends before we played music together. It’s kind of a crazy, rare, and amazing thing to just form a band with some of your best friends. Kyle and I formed a little band where we used a drum machine, and then Justin (drums) moved back to Boise from Salt Lake City, so we asked him to play with us. Then Steve (guitar) asked to join shortly thereafter. I’ve known Steve since I was 19, Justin since I was 21, and Kyle since I was 27 or so. It was just such a cool thing to bring all of these people together to play in this band-- and it’s been going for at least 8 years.

4. Each band member favourite band?

I’m not going to bother asking them, so I will just take a guess and they can yell at me later: Justin: Pennywise or Queens of the Stone Age Steve: Pixies Kyle: American Nightmare Dustin: RVIVR

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We get inspiration from both mundane everyday things and life-changing trauma. A funny line in a TV show, a puddle of urine in an alley, gentrification, political strife, a broken cigarette, climate change, etc, etc.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played at a local bar/venue with arcade games and a skate ramp, where we opened for CJ Ramone and Mean Jeans. It was great! We had a very good time and drank lots of White Claw.

7. Where would you like to perform?

The seediest, most depressing bar in New Zealand.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

This list could be 6 pages long. We’re happy to play with basically anyone, and we’ve been blessed to play with a lot of bands we love. Off the top of my head-- Garbage, Bob Mould, PUP, Mannequin Pussy, Dude York, Jeffrey Lewis, and Destroy Boys.

9. Whom not?

I don’t think I’d have the best time playing with Rush, U2, or any white reggae band.

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

I think we all get just a little nervous, but none of us have the level of stage fright or anxiety that a lot of people suffer from. Anxiety and nervousness are real things, and I’m not a qualified medical professional. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I guess “focus on the music” is the best advice I could give, but even that is such an abstract, intangible thing. It’s not real advice. If someone does suffer from anxiety, stage fright, or nervousness, they should just look into what works for them in other situations. It could be breathing exercises, talking to a friend, or whatever coping mechanisms they’ve found through their own experiences and through mental health experts. Stage fright isn’t that different from other types of anxiety, so maybe the solutions )on an individual level) might cross over. But again, I’m not a doctor or a mental health expert. But know that I support you and believe in you!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The Ramones taught me that anyone can, in fact, play in a band. The Germs also helped me realize that. Bad Religion, Jawbreaker, A Radio With Guts, Leatherface, Archers of Loaf, and tons of other bands have inspired me to play and inspired me to keep writing better songs and challenging myself.

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

Someone once asked us for an autograph. We are total nobodies, so it was very strange. But also very sweet. It wasn’t “weird” in a bad way, but it did take me by surprise.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Most of our fans are our friends, or have become friends, so we love them dearly. Really, I’m grateful for anyone who uses their valuable time to watch us play or listen to our music.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your profile, review and talk to a very diverse array of bands from a ton of different rock genres. It’s great to see it all in one place, and I appreciate that it all sticks to a theme, as well! Lots of great stuff. Plus, it’s easy to read and navigate, which I always appreciate.

15. Something to add?

We just released our first ever music video. It’s for the song “Claws Out,” which is a tribute to/jingle for White Claw hard seltzer. You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxCHLd3pQDs