Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
The band name was created by Grizz (drums) as a name for a project he started after his previous band ‘Whiskey Preachers’ parted ways in 2008. Named partially in tribute to his Grandad (his hero) and also an ‘almost’ anagram. Flip the ‘W’ into an ‘M’ and you have ‘Emo dies here’.
The band formed in August 2014.
First line up was Gray – Guitar and vocals
Trev – Bass & BV
Grizz – Drums
The band added a second guitarist for a while, Ben Ford (Motorheadache guitar dep) but outside commitments meant that the band returned to a 3 pc.
The band recorded the ‘Lowering the tone’ EP in 2016 followed by ‘Rockers & Angels’ EP in 2018
Trev left for a short while and Steve Cater took on bass duties for one live performance before Trev returned and they opened for bands such as Sham 69, Vice Squad and Motorheadache as well as sharing the stage with local acts around Croydon.
As the covid dust settled Trev decided to leave due to work commitments and the band tried out a couple of bassists and luckily Glenn Johnson aka Shifty has stayed long enough to become part of the family.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Gray and Grizz are in Surrey whereas Glen is nearby in Sussex, all within a 20-mile radius of each other.
Gray saw the Whiskey Preachers live and drank in the same pub as Grizz and they soon got talking (on many occasions) about Motorhead so the friendship started there.
When Whiskey Preachers split due to the lead vocalist and the lead guitarist wanting to pursue a more ‘Audioslave’ style of band Grizz got to work building the WDH project but always struggled to find a singer so dropped the idea temporarily as he was soon to be a father.
Gray decided he had some material written that he’d like to perform live but needed a band and after a few attempts at getting Grizz to get the drums out of the loft he succeeded and then they found Trev through a recommendation.
Glen has known Gray for over 30 years and we didn’t think Glen would be available as he plays bass for punk icons ‘Control’, but he said yes.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
Grizz – Motorhead – Ramones – Misfits – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Metallica – Black Sabbath.
Gray – Motorhead – GBH – Johnny Cash.
Glen – Changes daily…sometimes hourly dependant on mood.
Motorhead have definitely influenced the sound and speed and the Ramones influence is definitely obvious in the speed and song length.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Grizz – Wanted to play drums from a pre school age but didn’t get a drumkit until he was 25 and started his own band in 1999 (Blight).
Gray – Always wanted to be a musician and has been for over 40 years.
Glen – Never wanted to be in a band but now plays in four bands.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
Grizz – Mainly Misfits at the moment (both Danzig and Graves era) but also been listening to the Backyard Babies, Anti-Nowhere League and Motorhead.
Gray – My playlist changes daily but there’s usually some Motorhead in there.
Glen – What’s a playlist? Normally I have setlists spinning around in my head as I’m always prepping for an upcoming gig or recording session (ie We Die Heroes and Ramstampits).
Do you sing in the shower?
None of us sing in the shower but Grizz will sing while driving alone and blow his voice box out for the Misfits American Psycho album. (all killer/No filler).
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
Our first post Covid gig at The Fighting Cocks, Kingston upon Thames Sat 28th October, Halloween special (fancy dress and DJ til late).
Next year we will be playing at least one festival and going into the studio to record a third EP.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
Nope, come back next year lol.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
The venue doesn’t matter to us as long as the crowd are good although Grizz appreciates venues with clean toilets that he doesn’t have to wade through.
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
Grizz – Motorhead – Ace of Spades
Gray – Never Mind the Bollocks – Sex Pistols
Glen – Van Halen – self titled.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
No such thing as a guilty pleasure, you listen to what you like and not what will make you popular.
Gray likes James Blunt, Grizz loves Country music and Chas & Dave and Glen…well Glen is just guilty full stop.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Grizz – Most of my favourites are dead, dying or disbanded but Metallica – Misfits reunion – The Almighty – The (reformed) Wildhearts – Motorheadache and We Die Heroes.
Gray – Dunno, Motorhead would have been nice with GBH but Lemmy RIP.
Glen – Mumbles random nonsense.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Grizz – Motorhead – No Sleep At All
Gray – Motorhead – No Sleep til Hammersmith
Glen – Pink Floyd – The Wall.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
Come to the shows and thanks for your attendance in the past, we’re not dead yet.
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
we_die_heroes_uk (Instagram)
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum