Interviews: House Of Hosts

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band House Of Hosts 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 did it just come out like that? 

Beth: I’d like to say something quirky or something truly magical and life-changing inspired the name of the band, but in all honesty, I came across the name as I was the constant host for house parties in the early 2010s. Until now, this information hasn’t been disclosed to the other members, and instead, they jumped on the name as it has a catchy ring to it!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Beth: This genre has always been in my top played since my early “emo” days. Having played in different bands in the past, it never crossed my mind to play the one genre that truly makes me feel like myself!

Jack: It's always kind of just made sense to me I guess? I always gravitated more towards guitar music, whether it be your stereotypical old guy on a porch playing the blues, a rock band belting out a huge ballad in a stadium with the crowd singing every word, or a bunch of guys (or girls) ripping up the stage in an act of defiance.

Dan: It's a great balance between the heavy and the light, it opens up more doors for creativity, instead of being limited to one sound.

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

James: So the band formed after Beth put up a ‘band members wanted’ ad on a website which I saw and after one practice in her parent's leaky garage the origins of both House of Hosts and mine and Beths friendship were cemented.

Ross: I knew Jack from School. Otherwise, new friendships were made when I got invited by the gang!

Jack: Ross, as stated, knew me from school. The rest of the guys I met after I received a message on Facebook from Beth, who I didn’t know at the time, said a mutual friend recommended me. I went to a practice, didn’t get kidnapped, and here we are. Seems like a win to me!

Dan: I knew Beth when I was in college, we were on the same course and became friends pretty much straight away! Beth introduced me to James further down the line when one of our old bands was looking for a guitarist. Jack and Ross I met in this band and what fantastic boys they are.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Beth: Evanescence through and through! They’ve been my favorite band since I first discovered the “Fallen” album back in 2004.

James: Bon Jovi. They were the first band to get me into Rock music properly and you can see a turning point in the music I was including on mix CDs back in the very early 00s after I went and watched them on the One Wild Night Tour in Cardiff.

Jack: I hate this question. I have a different answer every other day. Some days it’s Bring Me the Horizon, some days Radiohead, some days Slipknot. At the moment, probably Holding Absence (Although I did go to their gig the other night in| Cardiff, so might have some recency bias). Love them all regardless.

Dan: Bullet for My Valentine is definitely up there with my favorites! Alongside Nightwish and Disturbed… there are so many more!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

James: I’ve always struggled to get out of my own head in my life, but there’s just something freeing about sitting down playing guitar, and coming up with riffs and building those into songs that I struggle to find elsewhere. Chasing that sensation is why I don’t think I’ll ever stop making music.

Jack: You know when you have a thought, or a feeling in your head, but just can’t get the words out and it drives you mad? Music, that’s how I get it out of my head.

Dan: My inspiration comes from events that have happened to myself or to others I hold close. Mental state and how to switch from the dark to the light is what I try to bring to life in the songs.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was in the Bunkhouse, Swansea. We played in the Battle of the Bands competition and successfully made it to the Semi-finals. We played with some fab bands along the way though, it is awesome to see how alive the South Wales music scene is right now!

7. Where would you like to play?

James: As everyone would most likely say, I would clearly love to play any of the big festivals like Download or Hell Fest but there’s a club in Swansea called Sin City that I’ve seen so many amazing bands in over the years, and whilst we’ve played most other venues in the city, this one has so far eluded us. Watch this space!

Ross: Honestly, being very humble here... anywhere big! Japan would be cool, and perhaps even the good ol’ states! I’m definitely a fan of big to massive stages.

Jack: Cardiff Students Union. Ever since I walked into that room as The Devil Wears Prada was playing, I knew I wanted to be on that stage. The crowd, the sounds, even the sweltering heat, it changed me.

Dan: Obvious answers are Download, Bloodstock, Waken, and Hellfest but if it was to play a venue, I'd say Brixton Academy.

8. Who would you like to support?

Ross: Oddly, a tough question for me. If I were to support ANY band for the sake of being able to share a stage with them and have a good time, it would be Dorjé or something a bit crazy like, DragonForce!

Jack: Of course, any big band would be amazing. Got to say though, a lot of the newer and more upcoming bands such as Loathe, While She Sleeps, or Electric Callboy would be a hell of a lot of fun.

Dan: I'd love to support South of Salem. They are a great bunch of lads and have such a rich sound!  

9. Who not? 

James: No one really, at the end of the day you can learn loads by playing with bands/artists who are completely unexpected. Just look at Nuno Bettencourt playing with Rihanna!

Ross: My time at UNI gave me a lot of insight into other genres, playstyles, and all that shabang. My course and guitar tutor for a couple of years Ryan Haberfield, played with Jessie J a lot of the time... pretty sure he played with Jay-Z as well. He loves Nuno, John Petrucci and would often show me the stuff he can play, the man is crazy good. So, to really answer this question, No matter what music we are playing, I think we can support anyone.

Jack: As long as we can connect with the crowd, I’m happy supporting whoever. 

Dan: Peppa Pig live, I don't think our sounds and stage presence would mix too well.

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

Beth: I suffered from stage fright SO MUCH when I first started out, and even to this day I still get the odd twinge in the pit of my stomach when I’m about to hit the stage! To overcome my stage fright, I actually switched from singing/playing guitar to being a drummer so I could hide behind the kit, haha! But for any new starters out there, it’s easier said than done to just say “Just don’t be afraid”, but in all honesty, the people who have come to see you play won’t be put off if you’re nervous because everyone has to start somewhere, and it honestly gets easier with time 

Ross: Remember why chose to perform in the first place. Love the music you’ll be playing. Regardless of if it’s your thing or not. Own it.

Jack: I still get it to this day, my method is pretty simple though. Shut out the negative thoughts, don’t worry so much about if I do something that looks a bit dumb. You need to be the performer you want to be, the performer you’d want to see. Might take some trial and error, but who hasn’t made mistakes here and there?

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Dan: Easily Disturbed, David Draiman has always been a massive influence on my vocals and the way he controls a crowd and has them eating out of the palm of his hand

James: Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora's ability to serve the song has always inspired me, the way he never overplays but seems to find the perfect parts is genius 

Ross: Dream Theater. Every note has got to mean something

Jack: Slipknot, I love Paul Gray's ability to choose when to follow the main guitar or add something spicy

Beth: Evanescence, whilst I loved their early work, after Will Hunt joined I think he was able to take the band to another level and really inspired me to add more flair to my playing

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

Dan: I was asked to sign a guy's butt cheek after a set… yeah, that'll do it!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Beth: I think our fans are glorious! They’re so supportive and it’s always a pleasure to see them singing back lyrics, dancing around, headbanging, and even starting the odd “pit”!

Jack: Love them. The thought of anyone enjoying our music or shows, even if only for a little while, makes my day. If I can somehow bring even a fraction of the same joy my own favorite bands have brought me, then it’s all worth it.

Dan: They are f*#&!•g legends! Hearing everyone chant back our lyrics and to see them have a great time is the best feeling a musician could have.

14. What do you think of our site?

Ross: I'm not much of a “browser” of articles shall we say but honestly looks like a good place to get to know your favorite Band be it Metal, Core, Punk, and so on. Get those thoughts and ideas behind tracks you’ve wondered about!

Jack: I think it’s a great insight into the metal scene. There’s so much talent out there, and anyone who shines a light on it is an absolute gem in my book.

15. Something to add?

Jack: A massive thank you for having us, and to anyone who takes the time out of their day to read this! If you’re interested in us at all, our brand new single “Oblivion” is out now - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/houseofhosts/oblivion whilst all our other social media can be found here - https://linktr.ee/houseofhosts