Interviews: Call To the Faithful

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Call To the Faithful 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?

We had been practicing under a different name for months, but things never really got going and we had this moment where we felt that we needed to reset. Changing our name at that point felt like the most natural thing to do to draw a line under the old version of us and this newer reinvigorated version. Around the same time, one of our favourite bands, Don Broco, had released this song ‘Come Out To L.A.’ which has the Lyrics - “It’s my call to the faithful” - and that really resonated with us. We want to use this creative outlet to make social commentaries about the state of the world and issues that we feel passionate about, so in a sense this is our call to the faithful, our audience, and the things we believe they should hear.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Will and Ethan were in an indie band prior to this and it just didn't scratch the itch for them - they wanted to make angry music and turn their instruments up to the max. Will really only has one setting when he’s drumming and that’s to hit HARD so there’s no choice really but for us all to match that intensity. Fortunately, in the rest of us they have found kindred spirits that want make just as much noise.

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

Ethan, Oscar & Will all went to school together then Ethan met Matt through work around 8 years ago. Ethan & Will had been in a previous band together for a number of years.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Will - Enter Shikari

Matt - Papa Roach

Oscar - The Dirty Nil

Ethan - Architects

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

If we can write one song that resonates with one person then that’s a success for us. Nothing beats the feeling of performing your own song live and having the crowd connect with it. That energy is addictive, and it inspires us to keep writing and striving for more.     

6. Where was your last gig?

At a pub called The Bear in Bedford, which we love – we joined our friends Basement Strippers on their hometown show and this great new band Concrete Xi opened – it was a sick show, but it was right in the midst of the growing fear surrounding the coronavirus pandemic just before lockdown so there was a definite sense that could be our last show for a while so everyone just threw down and made the most of it.

7. Where would you like to play?

Download Festival would be the ultimate for us as it’s an iconic festival that we’ve been attending for years and years, but on a smaller scale you look towards some of the great iconic venues we’ve all grown up seeing our favourite bands play at, like Rock City in Nottingham – that would be amazing. 

8. Who would you like to support?

Rage Against The Machine would be out of this world. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes put on such great shows and Frank always has a lot of wisdom to share, standing up for great causes so we would love to be part of that. Don Broco are another band that we love to go and see as a group, everyone at their shows is just having the best time and enjoying the moment so it would be great to play to those crowds.

9. Who not?

We would play with pretty much anyone - if you're good people and you're making a positive contribution to this industry then you’re alright in our books. 

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

Before our very first shows then yeah, I’d say the nerves can kick in. Our advice is just to practice as much as you can to improve your self-belief and always make sure you go to the toilet shortly before you head out on stage.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We watched the Parkway Drive documentary ‘Viva The Underdogs’ recently and they are so inspiring. To achieve what they have whilst being entirely self-managed is absolutely insane – plus their live show is just next-level – we think they are one of the bands setting the bar for the intensity of their shows.

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

Thankfully we haven’t had any weird requests yet – just the usual chancers asking for free stuff. We like to look after our fans as much as we can, and you’ll usually find if you buy some merch then you’re going to get a bunch of freebies thrown in.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love both of them very much. Joking aside, we are yet to encounter anything but positive support. We like to think that our ethos and the things we stand for and write about tend to invite morally sound individuals that just want to be kind to each other, and long may that continue.

14. What do you think of our site?

We’ve got so much love and admiration for any site that is giving a platform and promotion to musicians such as ourselves. Without your support then we might not have the chance to get in front of someone who could go onto be the next Call to the Faithful superfan so we’re really grateful.

15. Something to add?

Once this pandemic is over then you can expect to find us at rescheduled shows across the UK in London, Northampton, Rotherham, Cannock, Stamford, Peterborough & Cambridge – dates TBC. In the meantime, please consider pre-saving or pre-ordering our upcoming single Demons at https://ditto.fm/demons-call-to-the-faithful - this is a song that means a lot to us and explores themes of mental health which we want to help continue raising awareness for. Proceeds from the single will be donated to a mental health charity. Find us on all the usual platforms: www.linktr.ee/calltothefaithful