In today’s A-Z challenge, Fates Messenger’s vocalist Tony Maddocks tells us all about the band through 26 fun questions!
A song that made you want to make music?
“Stand and Deliver” Adam and the Ants– just remember this tune being a youngster with not a clue about music but this grabbed me with its hooky chorus and cool video.
Best rider you’ve had?
Nothing crazy just standard beers and soft drinks – are crazy riders still a thing these days?
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Nothing with Fates so far as its early days but managed to split my head open with my bass players swinging guitar and covering myself in blood in one of my other bands back in the day.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Scars-about the unrelenting cruel world we try to navigate and the horrific bullying that manifests itself online
“Almost nothing, broken-there’s not much left of me. Controlled cruel deception drip fed into me….”
Easiest song you wrote?
Probably our latest single “They Walk Among Us” – just came together very quickly both lyrically and musically.
Favourite song in your set?
Bonechapel– an absolute ripper that’s got a bit of everything-thrash/metal/mosh and evil as fuck.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Vocally- Tim Williams from Vision of Disorder– been a massive inspiration to me personally over the years.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Balancing it with work and family.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Ron’s probably not got any skin left to tattoo.
Jokes you have in the band?
Normally about Will the drummers constant dietary or medical issues. He doesn’t have much luck.
Key to writing a song?
Not being precious and be willing to accept positive criticism and listen to other people opinions.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Not to far as yet but collectively for us to get a band practice together your probably looking about 300 miles combined seeing as we are scattered around the south of the UK.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
I would say seeing Lou Koller and Sick Of it All for the very first time years ago on their 1st European tour– couldn’t believe the chaos and the energy that a band could create.
New band you’d recommend?
Fates Messenger -is that allowed, if not I’d say Zetra, love the gothic moodiness of them.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Malevolence-seeing a UK band doing so well really gave me the urge to me to get back into the idea of forming another band after such a long time out.
Place you’d most like to tour?
The U.S
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
“Nobody cares what you did yesterday-what have you done today to better yourself? David Goggins
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
‘They walk among us’ – inspired by the notion that there are evil forces at work taking pleasure from creating chaos in the world we live in. Just read the news scroll through your phone…….
See us live at?
The Brickmakers, Norwich-Saturday Dec 28th.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
Could argue yes and no, music/bands are so much more accessible now, you can find new genres or scenes at the swipe of a screen but I kind of miss the days of having to read a bands thanks list and which band to check out next.
Unusual merchandise?
None as yet but FM Tattoos could be an option……
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
I love a bit of hard techy drum and bass so would very open to the idea of such a remix.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything-to have someone else appreciate the music you’ve written is the reason we’ve all started doing this again-especially seeing fans feeling the riffs when we play live.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Again not as yet but we’ve only played a handful of shows, plenty of time for me to fall of a stage.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Will Romain the drummer- seems to have unreliable transport.
Zoo animal that next describes the personality of your band?
Lets go with lion – Confident, powerful and commanding. I would say that seems to fit our sound.
Photo credit: Scott Chalmers Photography