Interview by Graham Finney
10 questions with …. DEADLOCK SAINTS
Hi, could you give us a quick introduction to your band?
Deadlock Saints are a four-piece rock / heavy metal band formed in Leeds last year. Founding members, Billy and Dusty, met years before and completed the line-up with Snake Eyes Simper and Tomahawk. We write songs about alcoholism, sex, drugs, escapism, freedom, liberation and general day to day life.
Complete the sentence: You’ll love our band if you’re a fan of …
Guns N Roses, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, trucks, explosions, spandex, half naked hairy men, motorbikes, guns, sex and lots of alcohol.
Where can people hear your music?
We have a few demos over on Bandcamp and YouTube. We’ll be recording our debut EP next month with Endless Creative Looking, which we’re hoping to release this spring / summer. You can find all the links via our Facebook page. Alternatively, you can support us by attending our shows!
How did you get involved in #360RAW? And how does it feel to be involved in the opening night?
We played for Richard at one of his 360 shows in December last year; that was our first show for him and the first time he has seen us perform. Following the show, he asked if we would like to play this show. It’s a big honour for us as we’re still in the early stages so to be put on a show like this is an amazing opportunity for us.
Nights like #360RAW show that the music scene for new talent is thriving across Yorkshire. What are your thoughts on that scene?
To be honest we thought all hope was lost for the scene; there have been a few great venues that have closed down over the past few years. However, there are many amazing venues still thriving in Leeds and we hope that with help from the BBC we can empower Leeds venues and inspire more musicians to keep it alive.
What are the ups and downs of being in a young band trying to make a breakthrough?
It’s finding the balance between work, relationships and commitments to the band. There’s sacrifices you’re going to have make at every turn and all four of us have had to make tough calls in our personal life. We’re not going to lie and say it hasn’t affected us because it has. But it’s definitely worth it.
What are your goals for the next 12 months and beyond?
Record the EP, record the album, film music videos, put out some merchandise and generally not dying. You know, the usual. We are playing Metal to the Masses for the opportunity to play at Bloodstock Festival later on this year which would be great if we get through. We’re also planning to go on tour around the UK towards the back end of 2018.
Do you have any good – or bad – stories from playing gigs across Yorkshire?
Oh God, yes. We recently played a gig in Stockton, and bear in mind that’s a two-hour drive from Leeds; we get there, we go to the door, speak to the bloke who runs the place to drop our gear off and he wouldn’t let us. The place didn’t open for another hour. So, we’re sat about like a set of muppets in the car before we can even get in to set up and soundcheck. And on the actual night there was about 15 people there. Including the bands. So, we must be terrible. On a positive note our show at the 360 Club in December was one the best gigs we have ever played. The energy from the audience that night was insane; we had crowd surfing in a venue which we didn’t even think was possible. Beautiful.
We saw someone at Leeds Festival in a T-shirt that said DON’T MESS WITH YORKSHIRE on the front – what would you have printed on the back?
I’m not even from Yorkshire.
Thanks for your time. Is there anything you want to say ahead of the gig at #360RAW?
Load yourself up on drinks for the night because if you haven’t seen us before … it’s probably for the best. Also, Snake Eyes wears spandex so there’s that. Joking aside, we are really looking forward to this show and sharing the stage with the guys from Stand Alone, Kill the Silence and As Sirens Fall.
