interview by andy capper
Fabric live in Belgium and (inset) singer Andrew Hartwell. Tony Sylvester is the guy in the white shirt playing the bass. Photos by Vique Martin
The British hardcore scene is so exciting at the moment… and weird. A few years ago, the concept of major label A&Rs at hardcore shows was unthinkable, but now, probably thanks to things like Nirvana and Green Day getting signed, bands with their roots in DIY culture are being taken out to fancy pizza restaurants by people who work for huge labels.
Southend band Understand, who are managed by Happy Mondays guy Nathan McGough, are rumoured to be signing a massive deal with a major. A band from Southport called Dead Wrong (named after a song off the first Integrity seven-inch: classic) are being courted by a guy called Miles Leonard from Roadrunner, and Nottingham emo kings Bob Tilton are rumoured to be being chased by everybody from Rick Rubin to the guy who signed Blondie and Madonna, Seymour Stein.
It’s getting totally out of hand, but the main thing is that all these bands totally rule. In London, the main group is Fabric. They play a lot of shows with Riot Grrrl bands like Huggy Bear and have records put out by Wiiija boss Gary Walker (Cornershop, Bikini Kill, Comet Gain). We recently spoke to Fabric bassist Tony Sylvester to find out just what makes them tick. Vice: Hey, so how did you guys get together?
Tony Sylvester: What are your influences, both musically and in terms of other shit?
Dead Wrong live at the 1 In 12 Club, Bradford and (inset) Bob Tilton’s Simon Feirn. Photos courtesy of Neil Johnson What do you think about these hardline straightedge bands?
Does Revelation suck cock now or can you actually listen to Into Another without wanting to shoot yourself?
What’s the scene like in London these days?
What’s this British Riot Grrrl thing all about?
Have you guys got any tours planned?
What about releases?
Body of Water Who does your artwork?
Who writes the lyrics?
What does the word “emo” mean to you?
Anything else I forgot?
Videos by VICE
Southend band Understand, who are managed by Happy Mondays guy Nathan McGough, are rumoured to be signing a massive deal with a major. A band from Southport called Dead Wrong (named after a song off the first Integrity seven-inch: classic) are being courted by a guy called Miles Leonard from Roadrunner, and Nottingham emo kings Bob Tilton are rumoured to be being chased by everybody from Rick Rubin to the guy who signed Blondie and Madonna, Seymour Stein.
It’s getting totally out of hand, but the main thing is that all these bands totally rule. In London, the main group is Fabric. They play a lot of shows with Riot Grrrl bands like Huggy Bear and have records put out by Wiiija boss Gary Walker (Cornershop, Bikini Kill, Comet Gain). We recently spoke to Fabric bassist Tony Sylvester to find out just what makes them tick. Vice: Hey, so how did you guys get together?
Tony Sylvester: What are your influences, both musically and in terms of other shit?
Dead Wrong live at the 1 In 12 Club, Bradford and (inset) Bob Tilton’s Simon Feirn. Photos courtesy of Neil Johnson What do you think about these hardline straightedge bands?
Does Revelation suck cock now or can you actually listen to Into Another without wanting to shoot yourself?
What’s the scene like in London these days?
What’s this British Riot Grrrl thing all about?
Have you guys got any tours planned?
What about releases?
Body of Water Who does your artwork?
Who writes the lyrics?
What does the word “emo” mean to you?
Anything else I forgot?
Mere
fra VICE
-
Photo: Beach Academy CIC / Facebook -
AEW -
Illustration by Reesa -
AEW
