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UK Metallers Black Coast Discuss Influences, Favourite Venues, and New Self-Titled EP

Charlie Hewitt of UK metallers Black Coast chats with us about the band’s influences, favourite venues, and punchy new self-titled EP.

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Black Coast

Hailing from Stoke-On-Trent in the UK, Black Coast dropped their new Self-Titled EP on April 28th, 2023.

Having previously shared the video to their bruising new track, “Chains,” vocalist Charlie Hewitt from the band, who blend metal with elements of grunge, hardcore and nu-metal, took the time to have a chat with us about their influences, favourite venues and being on the road.

However, before you check out what Charlie had to say, get a load of the dramatic video for “Chains.”

How would you describe your own music?

Charlie Hewitt: “A mixture of different influences come from each member but probably new nu-metal, rock, grunge with a sprinkle of metal, done in a modern way.”

How would you describe your creative process?

“Usually, we begin with Scotty and Joe writing riffs together. They then bring them to practice, we jam and sift through what’s good and what’s not; I add my vocals to it or a skeleton of them. Then we go into pre-pro, and it changes a few times. After that, there’s a final product that we’re hopefully all happy with.”

Who are your biggest influences?

“As a band, I’d say Linkin Park, Alice In Chains, and nu-metal big anthem bands as an overview. But, as individuals, our tastes are pretty different. Scott’s more towards synth-wave, Joe more chilled hip-hop, and Birdy’s more towards cowboy music and Lemmy. I like Damien Rice’s sad songs – all the sads going on. So, yeah, there’s a big range of different genre influences between each of us.”

Black Coast

Black Coast

Tell us about your most recent release: what was your experience of making it? What went on behind the scenes? Any notable moments that stand out?

“With this release, it felt a lot more fluent. We knew what we were doing, and we’d got better at piecing songs together from our experiences so far. Scotty got to grips with everything that goes on behind the scenes of a release and learnt a lot to be able to do all the things that can easily go overlooked. We have a good team around us this release, so it feels good. Now it’s just a case of seeing how we can build on the reaction to Mercy and see what we can do to move forwards to bigger and better things.”

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

“Alice In Chains, probably. Or just like-minded musicians who have the drive to make different music and put their own stamp on things.”

Which act would you want to tour with?

“As for current bands, it would be Loathe, Holding Absence, although could be anyone, really. We love to tour and try and get our music in front of as many different people as possible. We’re lucky to be able to fit on quite a few different kinds of lineups with the variation in our music.”

Black Coast ‘Mercy’ EP Artwork

Black Coast ‘Mercy’ EP Artwork

What’s the best criticism you’ve ever received about your music or performance?

“Probably me personally from Bax of Dead Harts about how to get the crowd going. As simple as it sounds, he just said all they need is a little nudge, and they’re yours. That advice definitely rung true and still stands.”

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

“That there not be so many cliques. And that there were more opportunities based on how your music holds up and your live performance, rather than just based off who you know.”

What do you like most about playing music?

“The escape and reaction for sure. Seeing people enjoying themselves to something you’ve made, singing the words and dancing is the best feeling. I think it makes all the hard shit you go through forgotten.”

What’s the best show you’ve ever played?

“There’s a lot since ‘Outworld’; they’ve all been amazing, so it’s hard to pin down just one. Probably a hometown show, seeing the growth of support. And some of the London ones, too – building a fanbase there. Just anywhere people have come and given a shit about us, we appreciate.”

Black Coast

Black Coast

What’s your favourite city or venue to play in?

“I like Black Heart in London, Stoke Underground, Exeter Cavern… there’s a few, but those have always stood out.”

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?

“Recording and playing live, seeing things come together, then putting them into practice and seeing the reaction is the best part.”

What’s the highlight of the tour so far?

“A lot more people coming to the shows and knowing and interacting with the band is amazing. The growth we’ve had since last time around is mad.”

Black Coast released their new EP, Mercy, on April 28th, 2023, and you can order your copy here.

I have an unhealthy obsession with bad horror movies, the song Wanted Dead Or Alive and crap British game shows. I do this not because of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle it affords me but more because it gives me an excuse to listen to bands that sound like hippos mating.

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