Interviews: Of Concrete Gods

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band, Of Concrete Gods, 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?

Nik - We wanted a name that had weight to it, and toyed around with a handful of different ideas that ended with tail ...Of Concrete Gods. Eventually we realised that only the tail was needed, as it left the beginning ambiguous. We live in a world where everything around us comes from the concrete gods we're surrounded by, it's universal.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Nik - We've all come from different backgrounds in other bands over the years. We didn't really choose the genre as much as the genre chose us. As with a lot of bands, when we got in a room together and started jamming, this sound is what we ended up settling on naturally.

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

Nik - Most of us knew each other in one form or another. Boulder & I have been in a couple of bands together, and he's been in bands with Paul, so we started jamming together. Paul then brought in Simon from his other band, and I brough in Rich from a previous band we were in. It's quite incestuous.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Nik - Pearl Jam

Boulder - Megadeth

Paul - The Who

Rich - Pantera

Simon - Iron Maiden

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Nik - It's a cliche to say "life" but it's true. Music is the place you put the things you can't really make sense of. Sometimes it's something beautiful, sometimes it's something ugly, but it's always true.

6. Where was your last gig?

Nik - Our hometown of Luton

7. Where would you like to play?

Nik - Always had a soft spot for Camden Underworld. It's such a gloriously small sweaty little venue, and every gig has been a banger.

8. Who would you like to support?

Nik - There are some great UK acts out there at the moment that we'd love to get onto a bill with. Elephant Tree, Boss Keloid, Undersmile, as examples.

9. Who not?

Nik - We'd probably not go down well on a Steps reunion tour. That song about her boots being made of gravy was a sterling effort though.

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

Nik - Boulder never ever gets nervous, we can't figure him out. Personally I still get butterflies before every single gig. The important thing is to make sure you're well rehearsed. A deep breath, then walk on stage, and all those hours of rehearsal will just kick in like muscle memory.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Nik - We're all guys who grew up as teenagers in the 90s, so grunge bands like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden helped to form our impressionable minds. Then looking back and discovering the 80s wave of NWOBM and thrash... Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth. And moving forwards into stoner/desert territory with Down, Kyuss, Corrosion of Conformity.

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

Rich - I had to escort a fan to the toilet once, hold his hand the whole way there. He... may have had too much to drink

13. What do you think of your fans?

Nik - Without people in the audience at shows, all this would be meaningless self indulgence. Some might argue it still is! But any moment when you look out and see someone mouthing along, or banging their head as hard as they can, it absolutely makes the night.

14. What do you think of our site?

Nik - It's a great read. We especially like the breadth of genres, and the compilations you've put together.

15. Something to add?

Nik - Once the world has calmed down and opened back up, we're very much looking forward to getting back in the studio and continuing with the album. So keep your eyes out for more tracks to come later in the year.