Interviews: Rockabye Reaper

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Rock band Rockabye Reaper 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?

Keeley and I (Dafydd) spent hours on end trying to find a name. It felt hopeless. Then one day, after about 4 months of trying, Keeley stumbled upon Rockabye Reaper while waiting for a train from work. She told me and I nearly cried from the relief

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Well, we felt like there was a gap in the market for a female-fronted band where there are very soft female vocals with heavy-as-hell screams behind her. We felt the contrast between Keeley's soft vocals and the heavy music was just really cool and nothing like we had listened to before

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

Yeah, so Daf, Keels and Shaun were mates from school, although Shaun was a few years below me and Keels. Matt and Keeley are friends via Keeley's parents. TJ was a Facebook advertisement answer via messenger and he saved us if truth be told.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Keeley - New Year's Day

Daf - ultimate favourite, ACDC

Shaun – Type O negative

Dan - Bring Me The Horizon

Matt – I have many in several genres but I do love the mighty Black Sabbath

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Well, it's quite odd really how I write something. I could be at my desk at work, or driving home and I will just randomly think of a rhythm guitar part. That's the key - always start with the rhythm guitar. If it works, I add the bass and a basic lead part with basic drums. There has to be a root to the song, so like a note or chord that the song is playing around. And I always start with the main riff, the part that gets repeated. And I repeat it over and over. If it gets annoying, I'll either scrap it or change it. If it makes me smile - we have a lift-off. From there, I just compose the foundations of the layout and then hand it to the guys to stamp their instruments onto and bam - we have a song to learn. The inspiration just comes from the love of music and wanting to make people's heads bop.

6. Where was your last gig?

The Moon, Cardiff. It was a cracking gig, although TJ nearly knocked himself out from the ceiling of the venue being quite low

7. Where would you like to play?

Dafydd - I'd wet my pants if we were offered to play at the Utilita Arena (formally known as the Motorpoint Arena). So many massive bands have played there and it's genuinely my dream to play there Keeley – Arena tours would be amazing

Dan - I mean…. Wembley, Download, Bloodstock, Antarctica, Venus…. Honestly anywhere and everywhere that wants to hear some hard hitting gupping songs! 

Shaun – I’d like to perform at Stadiums across the world, we can all dream.

Matt - Personally festivals are one of my faves so the awesome Bloodstock would be an amazing next show as our first up-and-coming festival that I am looking forward to is our next show at the epic SOS Festival in July.

8. Who would you like to support?

Keeley – Ghost would be fun.

Dafydd - I would love to support a band like I Prevail, or Bring Me The Horizon in our genre - but my dream is ACDC. I think I would cry.

Shaun – I’d like to gig with Funeral For A Friend

Dan - There are so many bands that would be a dream to support, any of our influences would be a surreal moment in all of our lives so hopefully one day that can happen!

Matt - The guys have covered a fair few so I’ll add some different mentions like possibly Paramore, Nightwish and Evanescence to follow the female-fronted lineup shows.

9. Who not?

Keeley – None come to mind really.

Dafydd - Honestly, I don't really think I would turn down any established artist - what kind of Pillock would do that.

Shaun – Artists that we would think wouldn’t be a good lineup choice really I suppose.

Dan - As much as she is absolutely killing it I don’t think the crossover between Taylor Swift and ROCKABYE REAPER would be quite what the Swifties would want from a support band!

Matt - Yeah, unless the lineup would be so odd having opposite genres on a small lineup, I don’t think turning down shows is in my nature.

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

Yeah - before we played the Fleece in Bristol, I Dafydd was suffering from a panic attack - I was scared I would cock something up, even though I never had done to that date on stage. The best thing you can do is just picture yourself playing in front of a mirror at home. You immediately calm down, especially if you have the warm embrace of TJ to help shake some nerves too. Matt always says it’s strange for him, although he’s done many decades of shows, each one he feels the nerves either on a personal or large scale stage. Matt then says as soon as that intro or first count happens it simply disappears instantly.  For our initial few gigs, Keeley had a little bit of understandable nerves before performing but the growth in confidence over the last year has been a joy to watch. The advice I would give anyone with any level of stage fright is that the joy you will feel coming off of any stage is worth whatever nerves you feel beforehand!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, I Prevail, In This Moment, Halestorm, Electric Callboy, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Slayer, ELO, The Police, Slipknot, Judas Priest, Funeral For A Friend, Paramore, Bad Omens, New Years Day, Glass Heart, Florence Black, Those Damn Crows, Type O negative and many many more all play a part.

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

Dafydd - One fan genuinely once asked me for the beer I had on stage because he didn't want to queue up at the bar.

Matt – I once had someone ask for my shorts I had just played in for over an hour, I kindly replied to him unfortunately not, but here’s a signed drumstick.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I mean, we haven't got an awful lot yet because we're so new, but the old faithful who have travelled across Wales to see us - we adore you. And we are so grateful that you have stuck by us and been so patient with us while we worked on getting this single sorted - you're the best

14. What do you think of our site?

Firstly - love the emblem! It's a super easy site to navigate and it's aesthetically pleasing as soon as it loads. Conveniently placed sections make it a pleasure to skim through and listen to some sick new tunes from other bands

15. Something to add?

Thanks for your questions, we had a right laugh at remembering some of the stuff we have gone through to get to where we are now. It all feels a bit surreal that it's finally happening, but we are so grateful for this amazing opportunity!