Darkus Podcast

Pretty much since 2019 began, Australian band, The Faim have been throwing themselves into the spirit of live music, as they travel Australia, the UK and Europe as part of their headline tour. With the tour calling at Newcastle Upon Tyne on 2nd February 2019, we caught up with guitarist Sam Tye and drummer Linden Marrisen two of the members to recently join the band at a time where The Faim are day by day becoming a much loved and respected band for music fans across the globe.

There is nothing more liberating than when you come across one of those special bands who just make you smile whenever you just hear their name, and next thing you know you are listening to their songs and singing at the top of your voice like your living your best life ever. One of those special bands where you automatically know are going to create a great vibe the more stronger they become. In 2017 therefore I was bopping away to my Soundcloud and all of a sudden my playlist was pleasantly interrupted by a song called There’s A Honey, by this band called Pale Waves. I had no idea who they were, but damn that song was good. I saved it to my playlist and continued dancing away to the party inside my head – yes I am that guy haha! Anyway a few days later my good friend based in Leeds, sends me some press info about this band called Pale Waves that he has recently been working with. I was half asleep at that point when the email came through, but I clicked the message listened to the track he had attached then suddenly realised WOAH ITS THAT BAND!!! Since that very moment it has been such an honour to see the remarkable evolution of a band who have continued to grow in popularity with their addictive and catchy songs to the point where I don’t just value them one of top favourite bands, but four of the kindest and most inspirational people I have the honour of calling friends who I have the upmost respect for. Having bumped into her a couple of times already this year at various events, it was a pleasure to catch up with my good friend, Heather Baron-Gracie, when the band visited Newcastle as part of their UK Headline tour, for a good ol chat to celebrate all the fab things which are making this talented lady smile.

Los Angeles based band, Hollywood Undead have had an phenomenal career which dates back to 2005, and has seen them release 6 incredible albums such as Desperate Measures, American Tragedy, Day Of The Dead, and their most recent Five. They have also within that time visited to the UK on numerous occasions and played iconic festivals such as Download Festivals. However in terms of Reading and Leeds, this year was a first, and one as you can imagine was met with much excitement not just from the fans but the bands themselves. With the rain chucking it down, like any good British Festival, we took shelter in doors as we spoke to vocalist, Johnny 3 Tears as we discussed - Music, Harry Potter & Nandos.

Another band who made their Leeds & Reading Festival debut this year, were Swedish quartet Normandie. This year sees the band due to release their next album, the follow up their debut album Inguz, and comes at a time when the band are evolving on a whole new exciting level. We had the privilege of being joined by members Philip Strand, Håkan Almbladh, Jesper Malmberg & Lucas Englund for a chat.

Consisting of former members of The Defiled, Amen, No Devotion and the Ataris, US based Lowlives made their debut appearance at Leeds & Reading Festival this year at a time when so many incredible things are happening for the band. Half American & Half British, Lowlives have so much to offer, and are by far one of the nicest, passionate and fun loving guys I have ever met. We caught up with Lee Villain, Luke Johnson, Steve Lucarelli and Jaxon Moore to find out more about how they are enjoying their time in the UK and much much more!

It has been quite some time since I last saw American rock band, Papa Roach, so was really good to know that they were part of the lineup at this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals. Over the years, Papa Roach have continued to embrace their love of music, and treated us to incredible records such as Infest, Metamorphosis, F . E . A . R and their more recent album, Crooked Teeth. Taking time out of their busy Leeds Festival Weekend schedule I caught up with the band's bassist Tobin Esperance to tell us what it felt like being back in the UK, as well us giving us some extra insight in to what fans can expect from Papa Roach next.

This Summer we were blessed to be invited along to Leeds Festival and the ideal place to go especially if your on the hunt for fresh new music. On the line up this year, were Dirty Hits quartet, King Nun, and although quite new to a lot of people have made the most of every opportunity they have been given. Having first met the band back in 2017 when on the road with Pale Waves and Superfood it has been such a pleasure to see their continued growth over the past 18 months. Always happy for a good ol chit chat, we caught up with lead singer Theo as we reflected on the on going evolution on this exciting up and coming new band.

Winter 2018 has already been a very productive season for Liverpool based singer song writer, ZuZu as she released the music video to her latest single, Dark Blue and has also been touring across the UK supporting The Courteeners for their UK Headline Arena Tour, having been personally selected by Liam Fray himself. As the tour called to Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena, we caught up with ZuZu before the show as she told her a little bit more about her experience so far whilst also giving us more of an insight and introduction to her creative mind.

Having formed in 2013, The Dead Daisies have already established themselves as a must-see live act, having toured with the likes of ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard and most recently KISS, on their ‘Freedom To Rock’ US tour. With an remarkable level of experience between them, The Dead Daisies are here to show that the spirit of Rock music is very much alive. Having already done a number of dates in the US, many fans here in the UK were delighted to discover that the band were returning in November for their Welcome To Daisyland Tour. As a band I have much respect for, it was a good opportunity to have a reunion and a chat with lead guitarist, and good friend, Mr. Doug Aldrich.

For anyone who attended the recent Jess Glynne UK Arena Tour this November, you would no doubt remember the talented Moss Kena who had the important role of being one of the artists to open up each night. Being quite new to his music, we caught up with Moss at the Metro Radio Arena, to tell us a little more about his journey and evolution so far.

Over the years music fans have witnessed many great minds such as The Beetles, The Smiths and even the likes of Led Zeplin who have gone on to inspire future generations, and still very much have much influence even to this day. Fast forward to more recent times and for people of our generation there is one British band who for the past 15-16 years have been bringing their fun and vibrant approach to the music scene. Who I am I talking about I hear you say, none other than The Kooks. Following a busy summer which involved the release of their latest album, Let’s Go Sunshine, the band travelled across a number of locations over the UK in September to play a series of intimate gigs. I was truly blessed therefore when I was finally able to meet with front-man, Luke Pritchard when the band came to Middlesbrough Empire.

This November,Orange County based metalcore band came to the UK to support Bullet For My Valentine, whilst also hosting two of their own headline shows. We caught up with the bands drummer, Valentino Arteaga at Newcastle on 12th November 2018 to discuss not just the latest album, Defy but also discover more about how the band have been enjoying the year as a whole.