We're always looking to draw in new elements into what we do, this time we spoke to a star-to-be, you might not have heard of her just yet, but she has a good career in the making on the horizon.

We speak of course of Becca B, one of R&B's hottest properties, so hot we think she's metal enough to deserve the coverage by us! Becca B supported Gareth Gates and Stacey Solomon and so you would think this would be the perfect start to any music career in the mainstream, however Becca admits that she was slightly nervous at the time in question:

"I was so giddy when I came to being on the same stage as Gareth but didn't really bother me with Stacey. I actually didn't stay and watch her, plus she arrived late! All I was thinking watching Gareth was that's going to be me one day". 

Of course during life we all make decisions that can either be straightforward or so hard and difficult to apprehend that we don't know what to think, so when Becca shifted from playing football to singing, she reiterated her passion for football and despite her drawbacks when she was 18 she remained determined to achieve something life.  Regarding playing football (and at a charity match; let's hope someone reads this who wants her on their side), Becca shared her thoughts on it:-

"I never really achieved anything major with it as I had a kid at 18, so couldn't go on to play for anyone major but having to give football up was where I needed to be to knuckle down on my career. Yes of course I would play a charity match that would be awesome!"


Music connects with us and we connect with the musicians, but a compromise has to be met according to Becca in terms of how musicians use social media, it's becoming harder yet ironically easier as well, "it’s great to interact with fans and answer questions but so hard to get a reply back from radio papers etc, they just seem to ignore it! Lol", but naturally social media has enabled musicians to share their music to an international audience; potential at that, so of course Becca's new single 'Ready & Waiting' would surely act as the catalyst for her exposure.

After all it featured MceBisi who Becca regards as a "cool and an awesome artist" and one who she'd love to collaborate with again, currently she's "working on new material, but I really want ‘Ready and Waiting’ to be heard, it's different, easy listening and so catchy!" (we couldn't disagree), clearly Becca has vision in mind so take note, this lass isn't giving up anytime soon!


‘Ready and Waiting’ without any doubt has given Becca a boost in confidence following comments made about the song, especially when "a lot have said they can't get it out of their head", clearly it is loved, whether it be because of the music or the lyrics that Becca wrote for it. Her inspirations are drawn from her own experiences, emphasizing that it makes "the lyrics fresh, it's good to offer something different".

 
Becca goes on to confess her love for Olly Murs, adding that not only is he cool but also that she loves most music genres, as for R&B if it is listened to both musically and lyrically it is just as good, if not better!". Of course music borrows elements from all types, metal from classical for example. She confesses she want's to do a music video for ‘Ready and Waiting’ and Eurovision, adding "once I get a feel for how well the songs doing! And most definitely hell yeah I would defo do Eurovision!"

 
Becca wishes to thank:-

"Electric Bear Records both Simon and Jared have been so good helping me produce this track and I’m sure I do Jared’s head in, I’m constantly on the phone! I wanna say a massive thank you to all my fans for sticking by me in all the decisions and directions I’VE been taking and hope they all like "Ready and Waiting" also to my family and friends for their support and hello to all my new fans!"


"Ready and Waiting" -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kWHkGrkvlw



https://www.facebook.com/BeccaBOfficial
https://twitter.com/beccab_official

Following their successful performance at the charity event Danfest, which was a festival designed to raise awareness for autism involving raising money for the chosen charity from which former drummer David Pankhurst's son has autism; and David's sad departure from the band leading to the new drummer Jay being instated, I had a couple of minutes sit down time to talk to the band and find out what's happening, how they enliven their sets and what the future has in stock for them.

By Rhys Stevenson

So guys you played Danfest which was raising money for charity in order to raise awareness of Autism, how was this for you?

We had a great time, playing for a good cause. It was worth while for us to see Dan and Evie's face light up watching the bands play. Was great that the day turned out well and raised money for the charity.  


Danfest was David Pankhurst's last live show, what was the band's reaction to him saying he can no longer play?

We were really shocked Dave was with us for just over a year. It was a bolt out of the blue and we were gutted. It was a tough time for the band and Dave but with his blessing we carried on and found a new drummer. Leaving a band is always a difficult thing especially when the decision is taken away from you. Dave's now gone into band management and we wish him every success in the future and glad he's managed to keep himself involved with music in some aspect.  


From September till the end of the year, what plans have you got and how do you plan to finish 2013?

We're planning on doing a load more gigs really and planning what's next for new recordings and videos.


Some people have commented on each member and their dress style on stage, what would you say your individual dress style is like?

We don't have a uniform or set dress style. It's just really an expression of each individual and who we are.


Now Brad as your the lead guitarist, what was the most challenging aspect of you learning to play and what tips and tricks can you share with GMA's readers?

Learning to play for me was fairly tough, especially with the lead work (my fingers aren't that quick).

As for tips and tricks, learn the music you like, then forge your own style. There are a million faster players who can out shred, sweep pick or whatever than me. But I aim for feeling, and that counts more in our music than any amount of technical ability can give you. Matt has a much more technical role in the band and is often overlooked on the 12 string, as he is more often than not playing a lot of melodic lead runs throughout the songs and I consider him the lead guitarist as well in this band. We both play rhythm and we both play lead. Without the other, the band would not be the same.


Ken, same question as above but applying to Bass Guitar.

I wish I could give you more of an answer, I didn't find anything particually challenging, at the same time music shouldn't be challenging except to the listener.


Melany, your vocals are sensational. How do you practice your singing and how did you get into singing?

Thank you that's very kind. Since I was young I've always loved to sing.It just is such a free way to express yourself.I can't not do it.


Jay, you're now Trash Monroe's new drummer, how have you felt so far and how would you sum Trash Monroe up in one sentence?

So far I have felt welcomed into a warm and loving rock and roll family which allows me to have a whole lot more freedom of expression. To sum Trash up in one sentence?? Trash Monroe are a pop-punk through to monstrous heavy metal enema that the whole world needs in it's playlist.....and other places


Regarding the stage presence, Brad and Melany, the relationship between you two on stage is interesting, who came up with the idea of what you could call 'dramatics' whereby Melany puts her arm round Brad's throat, what is it meant to portray?
             
Brad: From my side of things, I wouldn't really say it was anything that was planned out, how I react to Melany, Ken, Matt or Jay on stage depends on the song and the feeling I get from it at that moment, be it the rhythm of the music, or how the lyrics affect me or how I want to interpret them at that time. Everything that comes out on stage is a reaction to the music, the energy in the room and is my way of expressing myself further.

Melany: It's because I'm trying to get his attention ;) but to be serious, this is NOT a show for me. I do not plan to do anything beforehand. There are parts in certain songs which makes me want to be close to certain members of the band at certain times and other times I like to stay alone. For me it's my mood. How I'm feeling. A vibe. Sometimes I draw strength from the physical contact onstage. It reminds me that I'm not alone. Sometimes it's not as deep as that and I just wanna say 'Hi, enjoying yourself?' to my band mates.

     
To all band-members, if you had to choose what person you wanted to be for a day (musician, actor, celeb, etc) who would it be and why?
            
Brad: I'm quite happy being me to be honest, but as with most people, i'd like to be playing music as a way of living and playing alongside those that have influenced and inspired me.

Ken: Stephen Hawking to just have that clarity of mind and imagination would be great gift. I would just hope I'd be able to keep the things I've learned till the next day.

Melany: I've never wanted to be anyone else. I'd have the same amount of problems in a different body. What's the point in that? I would much rather spend the day with someone like Martin Luther King / Elvis Presley / Nelson Mandela / Marilyn whoever and try to learn something about myself through them.

Jay: I'd be Nikki Sixx for a day. To see the world through the eyes of someone with that level of determination, that will simply not allow life to put you down, would be amazing. If you can survive everything he has been through and keep going then you must have great depth of character. Plus the fact that the man defines Rock and Roll, a pure legend!!!!

Matt: I think i'm pretty fortunate to be me as I get to play music with some really good friends, but if I had to choose anyone I'd probably choose Duff McKagen as he played in and with some amazing bands and the guy is really focused and has his head screwed on.  


If you have not played outside the UK yet, where would you play first and why?

Anywhere where people want to listen to something original and will have us.


Finally are there any greetings, hello's, thank you's you wish to issue to friends, fans, family?
             
Special thanks go out to Becky Rowe for helping us with merch at gigs and everything else you continue to do for us and to Alan Comerford for getting us through some tough spots and taking amazing photographs.
             
Thank you to all that come out to shows, Buy our merch, leave kind words on our pages and generally support us in everything we do. You all know who you are. You make this band what it is and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Viva la Trash


Catch Trash Monroe at the following confirmed dates:

27th September - The Green Room @ Welwyn Garden City, Herts
25th October - The Square @ Harlow, Essex
23rd November - The Judge & Jury @ Colchester, Essex

https://www.facebook.com/Trashmonroe?fref=ts      

Country: ENGLAND
Genre: ALTERNATIVE ROCK / DEATH POP
Label: GOREMOUNT RECORDS

All questions: Laurence Beveridge (except question 7 which was Kier Kemp)


So guys you're playing Download Festival, this surely has to be the band's biggest career highlight so far?

Yeah well we played Download last year as well, so it's really awesome to be back. It's definitely between playing Download twice and playing Brixton on the Kerrang! tour that ticks the box marked "highlight of career".

You just released your second release 'Exposition', has there been a shift in music style from 'Militia of the Lost'?

Yeah in fact it was almost a shift backwards. On 'Exposition' each member of the band wrote a song and it was much less collaborative. I guess we just wanted to flex our musical muscles. It's an awesome record, but not the direction we're heading in.
 
There have been times where you have been associated with the Steampunk / Victorian image, what is your opinion?

We love Steampunk. We played what I'm pretty sure was the first ever Steampunk festival in Lincoln back in 2009. We love the whole Victorian vibe and I guess the literature we write could be described as steampunk.

Reverting back to Download, will there be any new material unveiled on the day? Will you be playing any earliest material?

We might be playing a new song, as we're heading into the studio to record album number 2 like 3 days later, so yeah. But old material, who knows.

On the note of Download, have you brainstormed set designs or will you go for the simple option?

I'm not sure how much we're allowed to do regarding set design, but we're going to get something exciting. Maybe a replica spitfire or some shit.

You have been nominated for the Kerrang! Awards, in two categories I believe? What is your reaction to this?

We're excited. It's the same award we were nominated for last year, so lets hope we get it this year!

Kier, you appeared on Channel 4 News in light of the changes to hate crime, how was this for you, was it easy to express yourself on television or was it a little surreal?

It was both! I had never done live TV before that and it's a very different experience. Luckily being in a band and performing prepares you for these things a little more. It was evident that my counterpart from The Telegraph didn't feel so comfortable. It was a fantastic experience. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Especially for such a good cause!

What plans does Fearless Vampire Killers have for the year ahead and what can fans look forward to?

New album, touring with Madina lake and another single off 'exposition'.

Finally are there any hello's, thank you's, greetings etc you wish to send out?

Thanks to all the fans for sticking with us even though we're busy and can't always chat. You guys are more important than anything else in this business.

https://www.facebook.com/wearefearlessvampirekillers?fref=ts

Following the recent review we gave to uprising East Sussex quartet City of Ashes in regards to their groundbreaking new EP "Then There Was  A Hand In The Darkness", it was time to crawl beneath the skin of this fortified monster and excavate the truth behind why this band is one to watch for 2013. The band has just released a new music video and can be seen after the interview.

So guys how long has the band been going, how did it form and what does the band name mean?

We had a couple of line up changes early on but in it's current form the band has been going since beginning of last year. The name is something that Orion wrote whilst he was living in the London. It reflected how he was feeling about 'the big city' life and the way it can really crush you creatively and artistically. When the band formed shortly after that in it's original form in 2009, it seemed like a very appropriate name.

Who or what inspired you to play the style of music you play?

We never really tried to play a particular 'style' of music, but we really just write music which feels natural to us whenever we are in the writing stage. That being said, each of us has extremely wide ranging influences from punk to classical to acoustic to rock and everything in between, and I think these styles have all come through in our music at different times.

What is your local town / city scene like?

We're based in Sussex which has always had a pretty decent rock scene. Over the past two or so years it has seemed to lull slightly, but recent times have seen it beginning to come back in a big way, with more people than becoming excited that about live music again, and we're thrilled to be one of the bands representing this.

Have you played alongside any big bands, if so who? If not who would you like to play alongside?

We've been fortunate enough to play alongside some great bands which have and still are making a huge impact in UK Rock, and further afield! Highlights for us include the shows we've played with our friends Hildamay, Polar and Fei Comodo, while others include Young Guns, Skindred, Exit Ten, Verses, Attention Thieves, SCG and more!

Has the band got any plans for 2013?

We've got some pretty huge plans for this year actually, which have already seen the launch of a brand new Merch Line! The E.P. we recorded with Matt O'Grady (You Me At Six, Deaf Havana, Architects, etc) has just been released in all online stores today, and we're hitting the studio again with Matty through a bit part of March to record the next record! Right off the back of that session, we hit the road for a 2 week UK Headline Tour and are already sorting tour plans for the summer! It never stops over here, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

Finally any thank you's, hello's and any other messages you wish to say?

We'd like to give a huge shout out to all the people who have taken such a big interest in the band. A big cyber hug goes to anyone who has grabbed a copy of the E.P or a tee, come hung out with us or put us up on the road. To name you all individually would take an eternity but know that we love you for it!

"Then There Was  A Hand In The Darkness" is out now and can be bought from the band

https://www.facebook.com/cityofashesband
http://www.cityofashes.co.uk/

Below you can watch the bands latest and new music video, "Falling Star"

I interviewed Jason Danzelman of Brighton Rockers Verses @ The Rayleigh Mill when they were on tour last April. Enjoy.