After their incredible set on the Jagermeister stage at Bloodstock Open air, Kerenza Hudson got to interview Oscar from Nottingham’s hottest hardcore band Those Once Loyal.
How is it playing on the Jagermesiter stage compared to New Blood?
Oscar: The Jager stage is a really cool stage, the idea that its a lot more of a homely vibe, as close as
you can get at a festival. It gives you the closeness to the crowd that you're used to so you're not above
everyone else. When you come off here, it's humbling, and I loved it. It was fantastic!
How is the crowd compared to the crowd at Rock City, since you played a sold out gig with Attila at Rock City Beta!
Oscar: I’m so use to playing venues like the Tap n’ Tumbler around Nottingham, the Hairy Dog, and
obviously recently with Atilla, sold out at Rock City Beta. That was phenomenal! It’s always a scary
vibe playing with bands like Atilla, as you're not the band people are there to see, so you really have to
pull your punches, so that was nerve wrecking, and unfortunately I had a tech issue. Whereas here
it has been phenomenal, one of the most fun crowds I’ve ever seen, you’re a nobody band compared to the other stages. As a small band you have a lot to fight for, and seeing the crowd interact like that,
with the crowd surfers. Which got pushed back which is quite strange. It was pretty busy which I’m
quite happy about. Having Decapitated after us definitely helps.
"It’s always a scary vibe playing with bands like Atilla, as you're not the band people are there to see, so you really have to pull your punches, so that was nerve wrecking..."
Going from Bloodstock to your next show back at Rock City Beta in a few days, how does that feel?
Oscar: It is a reality check really, you don’t wanna think you’re the best because you had a good
crowd once. I quite like the idea of going back to playing for your friends and meeting new bands
and meeting fans properly. Here you have to just go, the next band is up, they have to feel
comfortable. It will not be the same of course, but its keeping your head and feet level.
Out of this weekend what bands have you enjoyed the most or are looking forward to?
Oscar: I’d say I’ve most enjoyed Killswitch, they were phenomenal. After that it has to be Knocked
Loose, that was an immeasurable set, all the violence in that pit. The rain came down and no one
cared at all! Employed To Serve absolutely smashed it and Inflames were brilliant!
How have you found the surge of the hardcore scene within the UK?
Oscar: We’re a hybrid hardcore, metalcore band. We don’t get to do many hardcore shows but the
community is so welcoming, we have the Nottingham postcode hardcore scene. You beat your mate
up, dislodge an eyeball but you’ll be fine afterwards and have a beverage. Everyone gets put off by
the crowd killing of hardcore bands, but step back or be a part of it and everyone looks after each
other at the end of the day. If you don’t like it you don’t have to be a part of it. It’s getting big,
hardcore, so people need to get use to it.
What are the plans for you guys next?
Oscar: We’re looking into the merch side of things, looking into more designs and that. At the end of
the year we’re hopefully looking at something new released. We dropped our EP in January, we
didn’t have much time to put things into it. January is a tough one to deal with. But at the end of the
year hopefully a new single. We just got our new drummer and bassist so its about piecing it all back
together and taking new steps.
If you could support any band who would it be?
Oscar: Corr, that’s a loaded question. I’d have to say, either Machine Head or Trivium for me. I’ve
basically nicked the guitarist’s guitar, the signature guitar. If it was Machine Head, I'd be the happiest
man in the world. But in terms of the band and hardcore, more like Malevolence, Hatebreed, or
Terror would be a cool one.
Bit of a fun one now, what is your ideal meal deal?
Oscar: Are we going shop dependent? Like a Tesco. Personally, at the minute, don’t judge me, I’m
feeling a meatball marinara, it’s gotta be either Skips or NikNaks, and for the sweetie item, the white
chocolate lion bar! You gotta go to the big Tescos for that, you can't be going to the mini boys for
that.
Kerenza Hudson
Edited by Tabitha Smith
Featured Image courtesy of Those Once Loyal UK via Facebook
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