{"id":65042,"date":"2018-06-26T14:00:40","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=65042"},"modified":"2023-01-24T15:52:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T15:52:59","slug":"interview-loathe-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/interview-loathe-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Evolving Away from Expectations – Loathe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo Credit: Zak Pinchin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We just want to do what feels natural”<\/em><\/h2>\n

For many bands, playing the Download Festival<\/strong> is one of the standout targets on their bucket list. Some spend their formative years visiting Donington as punters, seeing their favourite bands amongst the thousands of attendees. Yet for Kadeem France (vocals) and Erik Bickerstaffe (guitar\/second vocals) of Liverpudlian experimental metallers Loathe<\/strong>, they agreed they wouldn’t attend Download until they were on the bill.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a proud moment,\u201d<\/em> says Bickerstaffe as we spoke with the band just hours before making their Download debut. Vocalist Kedeem expands by stating \u201cIt’s been incredible so far. Me and Erik were saying earlier, we’ve watched videos when we were 16 of Download so many times. And now to actually be here, it’s kind of overwhelming.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Loathe<\/strong>‘s appearance comes at the end of an impressive 12 months which began with the release of their debut album, ‘The Cold Sun’.<\/em> Arriving with a wave of momentum spurred on from 2016’s ‘Prepare Consume Proceed’<\/em> EP, and as part of the relatively new SharpTone Records label, Loathe<\/strong>‘s growth over the past year has seen them take in shows alongside Bury Tomorrow, Blood Youth and Wage War.<\/p>\n

While they’ve made a smattering of festival spots since forming in 2015, both Kadeem and Erik suggest they’re still finding their feet as a festival band. “At first, we were a bit iffy. We weren’t really well versed with festivals. We’re getting the hang of it,\u201d<\/em> Bickerstaffe explains with France labelling their recent Slam Dunk Festival appearance as his \u201cfavourite experience so far.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Having gradually become well-versed with the routine of being a touring band, Loathe<\/strong> certainly see the positive differences playing a festival can bring. \u201cIt’s kind of like a big day out for bands, as opposed to touring, where you’re getting into the routine of getting to the venue,\u201d<\/em> France tells us. In addition, like many bands part of the UK alternative music scene, it gives Loathe<\/strong> the chance to catch up with pals they’ve met throughout their time touring.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s just sick. I love festivals now purely on the fact that I get to see people that I don’t usually get to see and hang out with people. It’s just really good vibes all around, and then we get to play as well. That mixed together with the thing that we like doing is the cherry on top,\u201d<\/em> says Erik.<\/p>\n