It's good to be back doing podcasts again!Very happy to have locked down Scott for the first episode back after all this time. We have known each other a good few years now and have often had many chats at past gigs and events but not as long as this. We speak about the new Black Coast songs, plans for the future, writing music and maintaining the band through lockdown + that doesn't scratch the surface. Scott is a legend and overall sound dude to chat with about music and all the rest of it. We get a bit nerdy with metal, solos and guitars near the end. Hope you enjoy and there are more on the way!

If you asked me to recommend any cool live music photographers to take on tour or do your new promos, Alex would be one of the first I'd mention. Much like Ryan on the last episode I'm sure everyone will already be aware of Alex-Jaye or "AlexJayPhoto" if you follow his socials (which if you're in a band playing shows right now you probably do).We talk about the basics, how he got into photo-ing shows as opposed to the majority of people who get stuck into an instrument, then cover a lot of other things. Also I discover he'd taken a photo of me before I'd properly met him... Small world. He was currently shooting a band in the studio and was recording his end in the studio kitchen so if you hear the occasional kettle don't be alarmed. Was a great catch up and cool to hear experiences from the photographer's eyes for once. Big thanks to Alex for finding time to do this. All that and more, hope you enjoy.

This episode I chat to Ryan, probably needs no introductions because everyone that has ever gone on any size tour around the UK has more than likely met him. Ryan promotes shows in Birmingham as part of 'Surprise You're Dead Music'. First met him in 2016 through playing at the classic Subside Bar (another thing that doesn't need an introduction if you're listening to this episode). He has also started session drumming for new band Wargasm who you can catch at a load of festivals this year including Download.We talk a lot about Promoting gigs, the importance of bringing so many small bands through town and why meeting so many people through being involved in a huge music scene has helped in actually playing in a band. All this and some other funny stuff plus new music recommendations. 

It's been a while since the last episode.This time I talk with Matt who plays in local Kent hardcore band, Revoked. Matt is a really good friend, I met him around 2016 when our bands played a fair few shows together. As years went by we'd always see him at shows and was always a pleasure to be around. When my old band did a few runs in 2017/18 we had Matt along with us which brought up some hilarious memories in this episode.He's very big on his hardcore, we talk a lot about that side of the music spectrum, along with playing shows, look-backs on various shows and tours, plus a load more stuff. We probably go off on multiple tangents but it made for a great catch up and a lot of laughs.Catch Revoked at some shows this year.

Sorry for the radio silence, been very busy with other things. Got to have a good chat with Alex from Palmist last week, I met him just over 3 years ago at a show in London. His band used to be known as Greyhaven but recently the band changed its style along with a new name and everything else.We talk about how he got into music and joined bands, this story was a bit out of the ordinary and was great to listen to. We also touched on teching for bands, keeping busy and how to rightly juggle it all as well as other aspects of life. Not to mention more of the worst places for a band to load in and more new music.

I didn't have a lot of time to get another episode out before I went on holiday but luckily this bloke lives next door. I've known Pete since school, we played guitar together for many years, started jamming in 2013 which eventually grew to be 'Cove'. After late 2018, the band went quiet. It is now back, completely re-booted, new songs, new name, new genre, new everything. On top of this, he's recently started taking photos (of shows and otherwise) under the name 'Xvisua'. We talk about how starting fresh has changed the outlook on music and band life, a lot of old funny tour memories and I think at one point we stumbled across the real reason we've been pals for so long. All that plus new music you might want to check out and more.

Another Rob, this one I've probably bumped into about 10 times over the past year at shows all over the place, he plays currently in a band called The Escape Artist and 99% Cobra, he's been in many others and has only just turned 21. On top of this he promotes shows in his hometown of Hull at a venue called O'Riley's, many touring bands will know and have played there, its the one with the huge boxing ring in the back. We speak about how bands from up north may come across different to bands from down south and vice versa, the importance of promoting small local shows and a tonne of other stuff. More talk about shit load-ins (this is starting to become a thing now) and new music you need to check out.

Pretty sure almost everyone knows this bloke, if you're in a rock/heavy band especially. Rob is a massive social butterfly, he used to play in a band called Glass Harbour, he now designs merch/logos/artwork for a lot of bands and has just started working on a clothing brand Skulls N' Stuff. I met Rob back in 2016, did lots of shows in venues all over the UK with him and the band and ever since then I haven't been able to get rid of him, he's an absolute dude. Rob came down from Middlesborough, we went to see Comeback Kid and Svalbard then came home and had a huge chat about all of the above and reminisced some good memories. Oh, he also designed the logo for this Podcast.

If you've been to/played or just had a look at any shows over the past 2 years, you definitely know who Dream State are. Their single "White Lies" stacked up a whopping 1 million views within a year of it's release. Since then they've been on the up and played festivals such as Download, Reading/Leeds, 2000 Trees and supported acts around the world like Neck Deep and BabyMetal to name a few. I met Rhys and the band in 2017 and supported them at a few shows. We talk about how band life changes as the band grows bigger, are there less stressful things or just new things to worry about? How is a band as busy as this able to find time for life at home/work amongst other things. And again we talk about more terrible load-ins plus lots of new music that is worth a listen at the moment.

I met Thom in 2016 when our bands played an all day festival at The Black Heart in Camden, since then we've done shows together, been a part of each other's creative ideas and he's become one of my closest friends. We chat about how our views of doing music have changed over the past 3 years.