What was the beginning point for your music career? How did it all start?
Mik : I’ve always played in bands and have been lucky enough to release a few albums on record labels. Back in the olden days we used to hand out fliers and CDs at gigs as well as sneaking them into magazines at the stores. Prior to that I remember playing the school hall. We used to have a bunch of friends called the crew who made sure the trendy jock /chav kids didn’t sabotage our gigs.
Tye: I started getting into alternative culture and heavy music around 11 years old, it was 2008 and 2009. It started with the gothic aesthetics, the darker side of the imagination etc. and I slowly started finding classic rock bands like Black Sabbath, Queen and Kiss, once I discovered Nirvana that was it. I very quickly became acquainted with Slipknot and Bullet For My Valentine and it’s snowballed ever since, I kind of always thought it would be cool to be able to play an electric guitar and I loved singing ever since I was a kid and making up my own lyrics and melodies, around that 11 year mark I got a firm idea in my head of what I liked and where I wanted to take, I was naturally a good screamer from an early age too so once I started putting it all together…that was it for me and remains the case.
Was there any bumps on the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
Mik: The challenges I have had to face have always been members not agreeing on things, pulling out of the bands at key times that have ultimately damaged any potential to go on further. There are different kinds of musicians; some are happy to play concerts on a weekend and have music as a hobby. Others eat, drink and breathe their art.
Tye: Lineup and member changes are always inconvenient and can be interesting to navigate correctly, especially if they’re a key part of the songwriting aspect. I’ve not really had any irregular or overly morale testing challenges, I can’t think of any anyway. Perhaps when my first band dissipated and grew distant during the last years of school that lead to a 4 or 5 year period of me not really pursuing music that much and I was definitely hungry to get going, but that vacancy and drive lead to on to become the musician I’ve now become and alongside my current band, INHERITOR, I’m now in the process of writing and recording a full album with my school band, Demoralised, so realistically, no harm done.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Mik :This is a new project so I would say the response we are getting from the single.
Tye: Definitely, I wouldn’t say it was a “risk” at all, as it’s still within the confines of the heavy metal and gritty rock sphere, but this style is something new for me to be delving into and releasing, so it’s refreshing and satisfying to see it get a great reception. Releasing music or coming off stage after a great show is always very very fulfilling regardless though.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Mik : This project is a combination of a few things. Classic anthem style hooks, industrial electronic music and 80s influenced guitar riffs. Tye adds his elements and vision to the lyrics and vocal melodies.
What is your creative process like?
Mik : I tend to sort the kit parts and structure out first. Then, I’ll do a guide guitar track. Then bass. Then all other guitars. From that point on I’ll add synths and samples. Tye Comes in to do vocals at the end.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Mik: It would be to work on outlets other than Tiktok and Instagram to help expose bands. That’s why your page is important. It’s helping keep a scene and various aspects of reality prominent. Every one is famous on Instagram or at least they think they are. Here today, gone later today. What I’m getting at is with a different approach and gaining a loyal fanbase through other outlets, we can get rid of trends and give artists a better shelf life.
Tye: I’ve definitely banged my drum about social media based breakthroughs and marketing being the new, soulless way artists are discovered or “make it” these days, which is a term that has all but lost it’s meaning, and how jaded I am by the oversaturation of content out there. But honestly, I’m part of that world and new climate we currency operate within as creatives, so I don’t really have an answer for it other than keep going to shows and buying stuff from bands, don’t let that sentimental and tangible element die. I’m not going to say let’s go back to how things were 10, 15, 20 years ago, because there were different challenges back then too and who’s to say we’d all fare any better or flourish more? It’s a hypothetical that’s fun to think about and romanticize but the only constant is change and the algorithm world waits for no one, so just do right by yourself creatively and put it out there for like-minded people to enjoy.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
Mik: Research what it takes to be in a professional band. Make sure you know how to record your music and work the software. If you want something to sound a certain way learn how to reference it and then create in a similar fashion. Look at how to market a band. Don’t get sucked into pay to play or pay for likes scams.
Tye: Have fun and form a brotherhood or sisterhood or some form of that special camaraderie you only get between band members, especially in metal or heavy music, bands come and go, songs can be flops or classics or forgotten, but you’ll never regret or forget the memories or know friendships like you do within the setting of a band. That’s what I always reflect on, and it’s given me many of my best anecdotes and experiences of my life.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Mik : This project is primarily a recording one so no live shows at present. Never say never though.
Tye: If all the correct pieces were in play, this new song, ‘No Guts, No Glamour’, would absolutely slay live I’m sure. Personally, for me there’s a lot to consider, but I’ll go with a headline Leeds show from the January just before lockdown with INHERITOR’s previous incarnation. We truly went all out and brought an arena show to a club venue, sold loads of tickets, put on a great stage production and played an amazing set. We even had multiple press outlets lining up outside our green room for video interviews. It was like a massive victorious scream before the pandemic hit and took it all away, I’m not sure that same energy has been captured since to be honest.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
Mik : I would be working in film in some way. I took acting classes for a number of years. We are both massive horror film fans. So either behind the scenes or in front of the camera. Even working in a cinema. My first real job was working in a video store.
Tye: I have, and continue to work many labour intensive jobs during the day so if I wanted to dull my life down and be more ordinary probably just that…but that will never be happening hahaha. I was an aspiring combat sports athlete back in school so if I didn’t have music taking up a large amount of my time it’s possible I’d be locked in a cage or in a boxing ring with gloves on, I’m also big into writing and have pursued that with great vim this year, that’s also an option.
What is new with the band at the moment?
Mik : We have a new single out called ‘ No Guts, No Glamour ‘ check it out if you can. It’s on all streaming platforms. It’s a retro but fresh take on a few different styles of alternative music.
What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
Mik: We are currently writing new material that we will release in the future. Tye is in a few bands so he is working on recording an album and touring. I do session work as a guitarist and produce bands as well as working in music education so I’m busy helping up and coming rockers pave their paths.
Tye: We live each day just trying to make the world a slightly more interesting place.
