(Photo credit - Joe Guppy, Sinners In Transit Photography
https://www.facebook.com/sinnersintransitphotgraphy)
https://www.facebook.com/sinnersintransitphotgraphy)
The DIY band is nothing new, bands doing it themselves. Record contracts aren't something that come easy or often so why not do it yourself? Sharkteeth Grinder are a DIY math hardcore band from Corby, Northamptonshire. I've watched them play hundreds of gigs and it never gets old watching them get all angry and sweaty while playing, the venues may not be massive but anyone that's there is always having the time of their life. Something that makes these shows special is the fact that the band has created the show and the music all off their own back, paying their own way through tours and writing and recording on their own money. I spoke to Bobbo Haldane from the band about his experiences in the DIY scene.
Q) Did you ever consider hiring people to help you through your career? How difficult is it to do it all yourselves?
We’ve never considered hiring anyone to help us, if we can keep up the momentum and hard work we know there will be a time, but it won’t come if we lack on certain things and we are a bit off that point I feel. We feel it’s always as difficult as you make it and if you have a momentum/drive then nothing can stop you, but it does have its downs.
Q)Does it give you a bigger sense of pride knowing you've put yourselves in the public eye without needing to use professionals to help you?
It gives me more belief to do more than anything, as a band we’re proud of everything we’ve been able to achieve. Sharkteeth has been very up and down but we’ve always put ourselves beyond for the band and having anyone pick your art up and enjoy it does give us a lot of pride no matter who it is.
Q) How much 'behind the scenes' work goes on while you guys are planning a tour or an album? Are you banding together to plan these things or do you have a 'leader' of sorts to keep you all in check?
There’s no leader in the band just we’ve got different roles in the band, I deal with all the management/booking side of the band and the other two are in control of all the music stuff and it’s always worked. We’ve just started working on our debut album and I think that’ll be more a collective involving all of us and something we need to put our all in together.
Q) Not to be too intrusive but how much does it cost to do what you guys do? To put yourself on tour and record your own albums?
It cost quite a bit to be fair and it’s a hard question to answer because it’s what you make of it, obviously we aren’t paying for bookings, press, management etc so we keep costs low in that department. Recording is complete different ball game and if you want a good recording then it’ll cost you.
Q) Is there any advice you have to others who are starting down the path you guys have taken? Anything you wished you hadn't done or things you'd say definitely helped?
The only advice we’ve been given is never stop, keep pushing playing everywhere and anything no matter what, fuck work off and anything else that stands in your way and just keep going even when things are hard don’t stop. I’m proud of everything we’ve done even the bad shit, I try not to look back and just focus on what’s to come but what has helped us the most is the van, the best thing the band has done was getting a van because we just haven’t looked back since, it’s the life and soul of the band and despite what anyone says it is the best thing to have.
Q) In your opinion what's the biggest hinderance and biggest advantage of doing it by yourself and why?
Biggest hinderance is money but like I said it is what you make of it, if you enjoy it and have a passion for what you do then you won’t care but if you don’t then it’s a problem. Grafting like fuck is something that does get noticed in the industry and also gives you reassurance but the biggest advantage is having everything in your own hands and making your own choices with no one to tell you what to do or control in anyway.
Listen to their music here - https://sharkteethgrinder1.bandcamp.com
Or listen here - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nUkHdAwGlW1N6UOwU3cXB?si=QvHPMdZ6Q5qoyjUONmuHYA
Twitter - https://twitter.com/sharkteethband
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharkteethagram/
Booking agent - sharkteethgrinderuk@gmail.com
Press contact - sharkteethgrinderuk@gmail.com
No comments
Post a Comment