Interviews: My Silent Wake

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal/Death Metal band, My Silent Wake, 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, did you plan it or come out just like that?

It has been many years since I came up with the moniker but I remember liking the way the words flowed and the ambiguous meaning. It is a scary thing to decide upon and one that you will either regret or become very proud of in time. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Because of a love of doom metal, which started with Sabbath in my early teens, later adding Trouble and Candlemass and further on, Paradise Lost, MDB and Anathema by the early 90s with many other bands along the way. I like all styles of doom and I also enjoy a lot of classic rock and gothic music amongst other genres. From the start of the band, we have played what we want to play, with no rules.

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

The band was formed many years ago with myself and other members who were friends and also ex-members of Ashen Mortality, but out of the current members, I have known Simon for about 35 years, Gareth and Addam for about 25 at a guess. We are all friends.

4. Each band member's favourite band? 

I asked the lads what their favourite bands were rather than one favourite each (an impossible question!) and got these replies:

Simon - Recent enjoyed bands - Venus Principle, Dodheimsgard, Empyrium, Hammock, Isole…. Changes constantly.

Addam - I change my mind about this constantly; Fields of the Nephilim, Deep Purple, Emperor, Dødheimsgard, Slayer, Bolt Thrower...I could go on

Gareth - Slayer, Rush, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Cannibal Corpse, Hypocrisy, Metal Church, The Haunted, Def Leppard, Nevermore to name a few And as for me I would have to say Led Zeppelin, Trouble, Black Sabbath, Dead Can Dance, Rush, early Marillion, Paradise Lost, MDB, Bauhaus, Fields of the Nephilim, Hawkwind, BOC, Saxon, Maiden, Priest TSOM, The Cult, Roy Harper, Mike Oldfield are some old faves and more recent ones are Blue Angel Lounge, Dead Skeletons, P.G. Lost and Arabrot. I'm bound to have missed lots out of that list though!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Normally something that stirs a strong emotion. Not always negative emotions, but often something that is melancholic or that wells up from somewhere deep down.

6. Where was your last gig?

Bristol's The Gryphon. A lovely rock pub in the famous English West Country city. This will be the venue for our next as well.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere with an appreciative audience.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

The Drowning, Pantheist, Esoteric etc...bands with people I love.

9. Whom not?

Anywhere or anyone promoting hatred.

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

I always get it to some degree before going on, but during the performance, time just seems to slip away, and then at the end, if all goes well, there is an elation that is hard to beat. I suppose as far as tips go, I would say to practise so you are confident enough and to give yourself to the performance fully, trying not to hold back. Most of all, it is important to enjoy what you are doing. Mistakes don't matter if you are generally tight enough and have the right attitude and presence on stage.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Probably the bands and artists I grew up listening to from my early teens such as Bauhaus, Rush, Saxon, Maiden, Priest, Floyd, Mike Oldfield, Motorhead, the bands I have previously mentioned, Dead Can Dance, some folk rock artists such as Roy Harper and many, many more.

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

Hmmm not had any really strange requests as far as I recall. We did have someone ask me to make a video for their wedding day just saying hello. I did do it.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I obviously appreciate them a great deal. I think when you are at such an underground level as we are, they mean so much more, especially when they have stuck around from the beginning. It is so hard to make an impact these days, so every listener should be valued.

14. What do you think of our site? 

Excellent - looks great!

15. Something to add?

Thanks for the questions and interest in MSW!