Interviews: Antlerz

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rap/Metal band Antlerz from the UK. 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?

OK so Antlerz was started by vocalist Guchi and guitarist Mickey, and they are both cousins. Somewhere up the family there’s a Scottish great, great, great, great grandpa and his surname was Deer. Deer have antlers, hence... Antlerz. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The hip hop influence comes from Guchi growing up in London while the grime scene was just starting up; that and just a general love for Wu Tang, Eminem, and Biggie. Mickey and Neil (bass) are more rock and metal, into bands like Pantera, Mastadon, Rammstein, RHCP, Stevie Ray Vaughn; and Ignas the drummer is into jazz drummers like Jojo Mayer; so we smashed them together to make this groovy blend of hip hop and metal.

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

Yeah, Guchi and Mickey are cousins so they knew each other since 0. But they were separated for a while but then later when they were just about to become men, they reunited and realised they were the missing part in each others' lives. Also they both liked being in bands so Antlerz sprung into existence. There were a few lineup changes before these two other head cases signed up.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Most of all, we all love Pantera. But other than them we are gonna do 2 each at random because there are far too many awesome bands out there. Guchi: Wu Tang, Aerosmith Mickey: RHCP, Stevie Ray Vaughn Neil: Manic Street Preachers, Jason Becker Ignas: Jojo Meyer & Nerve, James Brown

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Mostly we are inspired by the world around us and our own experiences. For example Sole Survivor, our current single (check out the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4TTMnoJLXs) is all about when you're struggling with your inner demons, depression, anxiety and losing control of your thoughts, but it's also an optimistic song about breaking through all that and listening to the voice inside you that tells you to keep believing in yourself and being the sole survivor of those bad experiences. City Lights is about homelessness, All For Me is about relationships gone bad, Facing Away is the lighters-out epic, Weekend Roam is our big party track. We've got a bunch more songs coming out on our current EP and even more in the works: we are in the ‘studio’ at the moment, recording our parts in lockdown.

6. Where was your last gig?

Amersham Arms in New Cross, south London. Awesome venue, the crowd was nuts and we shot our first music video at the gig. It's put on by In The Pipeline, shoutout to the guys they put on some really tight events in London with great bands.

7. Where would you like to perform?

The Whisky a Go Go in LA would be awesome but we've gotta get to America first. Also Download... that would be sweet.

8. Who would you like to perform with?

Oh, that would be an epic gig. Jimi Hendrix would open for Led Zep, and then Jeff Beck would do a quick guitar off with Brian May, then Guns n' Roses would start on time before Aerosmith did a few songs, then us, and finally yeah Pantera. Why not?

9. Who not?

Coldplay.

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

If you’re not nervous you don’t care enough. Embrace it. Drinking through it helps. But don’t get too wasted. 3 pints is usually enough to take the edge off. 5 and you’ll spanner it all up.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Rammstein are pretty inspirational because they are such a tight unit. But I guess, Eminem, Wu Tang and Biggie first made Guchi write rhymes; Stevie Ray, Jimmy Page, Slash and Jason Becker made us play guitars and keep practicing. Plenty of others made us better musicians over the years. There are new ones every week.

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

It's not weird but tit signing is always the right thing to ask for. Male or female. We don't discriminate.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are awesome, of course. It always a pleasure playing because our fans make it such a good time. Our live show is all about energy, and it’s the main reason why we exist, and we wouldn’t be able to do any of it if it wasn’t for having people that wanted to listen to us. The live show, the music, all the effort that goes into being in a band… totally worthless if it wasn’t for you guys. And you guys go NUTS!!!

14. What do you think of our site?

Loads of awesome new music, bands and artists from all over the world, it’s pretty sick. We wish we knew about it years ago but will definitely be coming back regularly.

15. Something to add?

Check out our music video and subscribe to our YouTube channel coz that's where the cool kids find out about our new shit.