SPEEDBIRD

Q

Please introduce your band, the current line-up and what each of you does in the band.

A

Yeah, hi we're SPEEDBIRD. We've got the almighty Rolf Berg on vocals, Rob Whelan on guitar, Dave Neate also on guitar, Neil Podmore on bass, and Matt Lawless on drums.

Q

How would you describe the band’s sound?

A

We like to think of ourselves as a classic bluesy hard rock band, but with a contemporary groove-metal kinda twist - like masturbating in a time machine.

Q

How do you approach your song writing and what is your lyrical theme/content?

A

Our songs always start off with a single riff, what'll usually happen is Matt (drums) will tell everyone to listen to some tunes, and then a guitarist will come back a week later with a head full of ideas - once we have a riff started, we'll slow it down, put it on the back-beat and make it groove. Everything generally seems to fall into place after that! Our content ranges from assholes, to pricks, to racing cars across the desert, to severe mental illness. I think we've got just about everything covered there!

Q

Who gets involved with writing of lyrics and melody? Is it down to specific individuals or a collaborative process?

A

Once we have a song down and arranged, we'll come up with a title that fits the feel and sound of the track. The talented Mr Rolf Berg will come up with lyrics around the idea in the title. We find that this way the whole process is totally organic and integral to the initial ideas of where the song came from. It's a natural progression from start to completion.

Q

How often do you practice and have you any other gigs lined up?

A

We practice all weekend every weekend in the studio and all day every day at home, in our heads and under our desks, on rulers, staplers, tabletops, in the shower. We never stop! We've got a UK tour coming up, dates starting from July and we're still booking as many venues as possible. We won't be happy until we've torn down every rock venue in the country. The next one at the moment is The Hangman in Chester on May 27th for the awesome Crazy Pug's Rock in the Attic.

Q

What has been your best gig so far, and why is it so memorable?

A

We recently played at Manchester's Roadhouse in April, and that was definitely the best one so far. We had to play without a bass player because of unforeseen circumstances and we were testing out a load of new material that only we had heard before. The crowd were amazing and totally loved us, so much that they wouldn't let us leave after our set and we had to play our "Woodpecker Blues" as an encore. Even though it's still in the arranging stage they seemed to love it, awesome bunch!

Q

What was the last song you listened to, either on the radio, your mp3 player, at a gig...?

A

Backdoor Thang by Sofa King Killer - we can't get enough of this shit right now, an awesome old band who inspire a good few of us, shame they split though.

Q

Is there anything about the metal scene today that you would like to change?

A

Well, we're a slightly older band so it's mostly the posers that get right on our tits. Skinny jeans, cardigans, scarves indoors, and long fringes have been infecting the true metal scene for too long now. We're doing what we do to bring back the true feel of hard rock and metal back. We're paying tribute to the original bands that made the scene so fucking cool back in the day - Black Sabbath, Free, Zeppelin, Judas Priest...all that good shit.

Q

What do you think of the North West metal scene right now?

A

Metal seems to be thriving in the North West right now which is a good thing, but there are a lot of bands that are maybe afraid to push the envelope a bit. Don't get me wrong, they do the Iron Maiden, Metallica, or Slayer, or Cannibal Corpse thing, and they do it well, but you gotta agree that going out and listening to the same old Death/Thrash/Power metal gets a bit stale. A bit more originality would give the Manchester Metal Scene the kick in the jaffas that it needs!

Q

What do you consider are the benefits of initiatives like Metal 2 The Masses Battle 4 Bloodstock?

A

It gives bands who might not normally have the chance, an opportunity to play at some of England and Europe's leading metal festivals. Can't be a bad thing, that! It also gets people involved in listening to music that they might not normally bother with, ya know? Broadening horizons of metalheads and festival line-ups is nothing but good shit.

Q

What made you get involved with M2TM?

A

Well, we entered last year but we were in a bit of a transitional stage as a band. It was just before we got Matt in on drums and before we had Rolf, and Dave on guitar. Now we've got a solid line-up, led by the twin guitar brutality of Rob and Dave and Rolf's massive lungs. We feel a lot happier with our sound.

Q

Have you ever been to Bloodstock, and what do you think of the festival?

A

Matt and Rob went last year. It was probably really good but we're fucked if we can remember! Drinking, fighting, drinking, and music, and more fighting and drinking. It's a great festival, generally a great atmosphere and a chance for some obscure bands you might not normally see to come over and rock the shit outta Derbyshire for a few days.

Q

What’s next for the band?

A

We've got our EP coming out very soon, so keep your eye out for that. Once that's done with we're hoping to do an album, and of course we'll be gigging the UK later this year. As of 2011 we've been invited to go to Scandinavia to support some friends of ours on their European tour!

Q

For those wishing to check out more, what is your website and/or myspace link?

A

www.myspace.com/speedbirdinc and you can find us on facebook, search for "Speedbird". Thank you and goodnight.