Interviewsw: Core Of iO

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Technical Metal/Progressive Rock band Core Of iO, from the UK. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

BOB: I was hungover and watching space documentaries. I knew Jupiter had moons but I wasn’t hot on their names or characteristics. When iO was mentioned I thought it would make a great band name, but a quick Google search revealed it was already taken. I continued watching and the documentary started talking about how the Core of iO is alive and reshaping the moon on a daily basis. “That was cool,” I thought, that’s a band name! I guess it is a good representation of our changing music

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

BOB: I don’t, I’m just a rock singer. The lads write the music and it melts my mind trying to learn. And then I have to sing over the top of it. Probably best to not get me started. But in all seriousness, I love being pushed way beyond my musicianship limits. It definitely fills the void.

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

BOB: Luke and Gareth have been friends since primary school. I met them both at uni and we got off our boxes a few times before we formed. Rich joined later as he was a fan of the band and wanted in but I know Luke and Gareth previously knew him as well.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Bob: The Mars Volta

Gareth: Every Time I Die

Luke: Oceansize

Rich: Car Bomb

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

BOB: I think it’s safe to say the lads try to write at the top of their ability and then push it a bit further. We want to write exciting, energetic music where you don’t notice that it’s complicated as a catchy melody sits on top of it to hide all the intricacies. You could say we are trying to target both musicians and consumers with what we do.

6. Where was your last gig?

BOB: Cart and Horses in London, the birthplace of Iron Maiden. A classic venue which we are very happy to see is still around after all this time.

7. Where would you like to play?

For me, it’s the third stage at Download Festival. I went to Download for the first time as an 18-year-old in 2004 with nothing to do with my life. I don’t even know what band was playing on that stage when I walked into the tent but I immediately knew that was what I wanted to do with my life. 19 years later I’m still on the path.

8. Who would you like to support?

BOB: I really wanted to support Black Peaks as they are close friends of ours and touring with them was on my bucket list. But unfortunately, they called it a day. So I suppose supporting the Foo Fighters would be alright.

RICH: I'd love to support Car Bomb or Animals as Leaders or do a support slot for Ainsley Harriet as I know he's doing some pretty banging shows right now.

9. Who not?

BOB: Any band that does not watch the other bands.

RICH: Anyone that are dicks I guess?!

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

BOB: No stage fright as of yet as we haven’t played any major major gigs. Rich craps himself a lot though, maybe that should be noted at this point. Do I have any tips for that? Yer, don’t sit next to him in the van on the way home.

RICH: Yeah stage fright can be pretty debilitating but is often a lack of preparation in my opinion, or at least for me anyway. Making sure you are warmed up, well fed, and hydrated and actually knowing the songs inside out is the best remedy I find but sometimes you can't help it even if you've done all those things. Then I guess you got to just try and go in with the intention of having fun on stage, regardless of mistakes, it's all about the conviction!!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

BOB: I am more inspired by individuals than bands. So on that basis musicians that have inspired me the most would be (to name only a few) Freddy Mercury, Mike Patton, Dave Mustaine, and Joe Gosney.

RICH: Car Bomb for sure. To see them going from doing tiny stages with tiny or no audience with such obscure and unique music, to them supporting Meshuggah and playing some epic slots at festivals is a really good reminder that you just have to keep going.

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

BOB: I was once asked for a shoelace as someone had snapped theirs in a pit. Unfortunately for them, I was only wearing socks and sandals so I couldn’t help. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

BOB: To all the dozens and dozens of them. We love you and thank you for your time, attention, and loyalty. But please buy some merch.

RICH: We love them!! There are not many but that's cool, we just want to make music we love and if people also love it then we're eternally grateful.

14. What do you think of our site?

BOB: New music, free music, new bands, Spotify playlists, interviews. What else could you ask for in a music site??

RICH: The site is great and is pushing lots of already established bands as well as some not so well established so a good balance! Great to see lots of interviews, seems like a good online community!

15. Something to add?

BOB: Some views highlighted in this interview may not be the thoughts of the whole band. Just this one clown from the midlands. Thanks for reading and please keep in touch at www.coreofio.com