INTERVIEW: The Hyena Kill

INTERVIEW: 

 The Hyena Kill

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THIS is my second Manchester-based interview of the day…

but The Hyena Kill differ greatly to Sukh. The two-piece have shades of Queens of the Stone Age and Deftones; they rally against the ineptitude and corruption of the current government. RED is their most confident and assured track to date – the best work they have created to date. I talk to Steve and ask him how RED differs from their album, Atomised, and what he makes of the government’s handling of the Grenfell tragedy – and whether it was cathartic funnelling anger through music.

He suggests some musicians that are worth following and what it was like working with Tom Peters at Grand Studios and what the mood in camp is right now - and ripe and productive the Manchester music scene is.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey. It’s been awesome.

Putting the finishing touches to our next single.

For those new to your work, can you introduce yourself, please?

We are Manchester-based two-piece (noise bastards), The Hyena Kill.

I’m Steve and play guitar and shout.

Lorna couldn’t do the interview but her job is to basically smash the sh*t out the drums - which she does really well.

RED is the current single from The Hyena Kill. What can you tell me about its origins?

It came out of nowhere, really.

I was in our rehearsal room quite late one night working on another song and just got fed up of not being able to finish it - and just lay on the floor with my guitar. I just came up with the main riff and just kept playing it over. That’s all I had really.

I played it to Lorna the next day and we just jammed it out. It came together really fast.

It sounds like it was a very personal and challenging song to put out. Does it feel quite cathartic now it is released?

Yeah.

Lyrically, it was definitely good to get that down - although it does feel a bit more cryptic when I listen back. I don’t think the subject is that obvious - which I kinda like looking back at.

It was recorded and mixed by Tom Peters at Grand Studios. What was it like working with Tom in Clitheroe?

We did our debut album with Tom as well as a few other recordings. We are really used to how Tom works and he just makes the sessions really relaxed - without losing any work ethic.

He’s always forthcoming with ideas and advice on how the track should sound. We love working with him.

RED is the first new material since your album, Atomised, was released (earlier in the year). Can we expect any more material later this year?

Yeah.

We have just finished another single that we have done at The Nave Studios in Leeds with Andy Hawkins. We are really proud of this one: it sounds amazing.

We feel it’s one of the best things we have ever laid down.

It seems RED signifies a definite turning up of the wick. Do you think this is your most assertive and focused track? Do you feel more together and solid a duo since your earliest work?

Personally, I think RED is just a hint at what we have been working on. Our next album will definitely be a ramp-up from Atomised - I think we have learned a lot more about ourselves as musicians since the last album. 

With such a limited set-up, you really have to push yourself to keep things interesting.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gunnar Mallon

A lot of your songs deal with addiction, self-medication and thrill-seeking. Do you guys have any political anger inside? What has been your reaction to what has happened in London (Grenfell and the terrorist attacks) and Manchester (terrorist attack there)?

The level of corruption and deceit in this country makes me so angry and frustrated. People everywhere are dying just to line pockets. I truly hope we find out the truth about what happened at Grenfell - but I fear there will be a lot of effort going in to covering up the blatant disregard for people’s lives.

This government is a complete shower of sh*t that only work to serve themselves and their rich friends. Fu*king stinks!

What is the music vibe like in Manchester? Is it the perfect place to breed music of all varieties and shapes?

It’s absolutely class!

There is so much quality and variety. It seems to just get better every year. The amount of awesome bands in our rehearsal rooms alone is mind-blowing.

I hear bits of Deftones and Queens of the Stone Age in your music. Are there particular bands you take inspiration from when creating your music?

I, without a doubt, am influenced by Rock and Punk guitarists - I’m a sucker for a filthy riff. 

Warpaint have been on heavy rotation on my stereo for a long time now as well. You can hear bits creeping into our music every now and again.

I know Lorna’s influences range anywhere from cheesy Pop to Hip-Hop. If it has a sweet beat, she’s all over it.

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Do you guys have much time to chill away from music? What do you like getting up to?

We spend a lot of time in the rehearsal room, which, basically eats up all of our spare time.

When I’m not playing music: I like to just get smashed with my friends and let off some steam.

 IN THIS PHOTO: False Advertising

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Our good friends - and fellow Mancs - False Advertising and The Empty Page.

Also, Pearl Harts from London.

We love them bands

If you each had to select the album that means the most to you; which would they be and why?

It has to be White Pony by Deftones.

In my opinion, it’s a masterpiece. I still love it with the same amount of passion now as I did when I was fourteen.

The songs have all aged really well.

What advice would you give to any new artists starting out right now?

Practice and gig as much as possible - and don’t be a d*ck.

Finally, and for being good sports, you can each name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).

God Damn - Dead to Me

(I’ll choose for Lorna - Steve)  Warpaint - Undertow

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Sam Liddicott