As ever, we’re going to try and cover every single Jäger, New Blood and SOPHIE stage band before Bloodstock kicks off on August 10th. Your chance to check them out and start planning which bands to get there early for!
Trust us when we tell you that this is bound to result in some frustrating clashes because, as ever, there are some great bands on these three stages.
Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!
hoofKnuckle – New Blood Stage, Saturday
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from Selby, North Yorkshire
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We have been playing together just under a year as a four piece. However Nic stepped down from guitar duties to concentrate on vocals and Wayne picked up the six-string just two weeks ago and we’ve been so much tighter as a band since…
Where does the name of the band come from?
Nic and John we in another band previous to hoofKuckle and it was going to be the title of one of their songs. It never got written. But hoofKnuckle the band was created.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We take a slosh of sludge. Add a sprig of doom. Stir in some hardcore. Spill some groove and a little hint of thrash… hoofKunckle
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Our live show is like turning up at the in-laws expecting dry chicken for dinner, and then being served smoked brisket and pit beans, totally not what you expected but exactly what you needed. Riffs that you can really get your teeth into.
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
Most of us have been to Bloodstock before. It really is the best metal festival in the UK (Tom: ” I came in 2014 and Down fuckin’ slayed! I also downed half a bottle of Frosty Jack’s and lost my shit to Amon Amarth haha!!!”) Awesome festival, heavy as fuck bands and great atmosphere!
Did you enter M2TM thinking you could win it? Which region did you win?
We won the Selby M2TM. We really didn’t expect to win. It certainly took us a long time to pick up our jaws from the venue floor.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
Heavy balls out metal with plenty of groove and chuggy breakdowns. We are gonna be the heaviest thirty minutes you have ever witnessed.
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not squished up next to so you can see them play?
Nic loves Hatebreed, Jamey Jasta is a huge influence of his. No doubt he’ll be in the pit for them. John is really looking forward to seeing Kreator and Testament. Amon Armarth for Donk, he wants that viking fucking metal! For Wayne it’s Megadeth, because he has been a fan for years and years and never had chance to see them live before. Tom definitely does not want to miss Municipal Waste! He would love to see them. But we’re all hoping to see our Yorkshire brothers from Bradford, Ironrat open up the SOPHIE Stage on Friday…
What are you working on at the moment?
We are currently working our new EP. Hopefully it will be finished in time for Bloodstock…
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
We played a show at The Blossoms in Stockport. Nic asked for a circle pit during the middle of one of our songs, “Tomb of Daedalus”, when a bouncy thrash riff plays. But we got a headbanging human pyramid instead…
Jager, Hobgoblin Ale, Kraken, Kingstone Press Cider, Kaltenberg Beer or Bulleit Bourbon? And, yes, we’ll be counting all the votes!
All of them! Hahahahah! Give us all the booze…
