Backstage with Hesters Way

Gloucestershire alternative rock band Hesters Way has, in despite of the prejudices that come with the name, become a local music scene institution. But as SoGlos.com discovers, it’s onwards and upwards for these Cheltenham boys.

So tell us about Hesters Way
Well, Chris Taylor plays guitar and vocals, Stevie Roberts bass and vocals and Olly Roylance drums. We’ve been together for about two years, playing heavy rock and alternative music.

How did the band form?
Chris and Stevie had been mates for a while – they played in different bands and we all found ourselves wanting to start something new at the same time. As every man and his dog was starting a hardcore band – and we’d already been there and experienced that – we were still looking for more. So we started work on the songs that would become our first EP and, within weeks, found our new drummer Olly through MySpace.

Are you all Gloucestershire lads?
Chris and Olly are Cheltenham boys; Chris from Hesters Way and Olly from Charlton Kings. Steve was originally from Jersey – moving here for uni and never moving back.

And the name comes from the eponymous area in Cheltenham?
Chris says: Growing up in Hesters Way there was a stigma which came from living and going to schools where I did. It was like the elephant in the room everytime I’d tell a girl I had met or an employer where I was from. It was like they expected you to be a criminal or thug. People don’t realise that an area doesn’t determine who you are, and they’re quick to forget that every headline in the local newspapers seems to forget that as an area, its made up of families, and good working class people too. That was definitely something I could relate to the band, and the name has a really strong sound. We kind of have to explain ourselves when we play locally, like people expect us to be taking the mick, or for the name to be ironic, but that’s not it at all.

What stage is Hesters Way at?
Since recording our first EP ‘Cold Blooded’ with Johnny Renshaw – known for his work with Devil Sold His Soul, Fireapple Red and Sleepshow – at Bandit Studios in Tetbury in 2006, we have been all about playing shows which has seen us share stages with Frank Turner, InMe, Brigade, Devil Sold His Soul, Skindred, Dopamine, Miss Conduct, Instill and others. We’re about to go into the demo-ing stage of what will be our second EP, and are about to be featured on Scylla Records ‘40,000 Leagues Under The Scene’ compilation. So things are really moving along.

Which artists would you say influence the band?
Silverchair, Reuben, Clutch and Soundgarden to name just a few.

And who do you get compared to?
Golden Gods haha! We get the Helmet thing quite often, which is always great. We’ve had people compare us to Muse, Monster Magnet, Trail Of Dead and other awesome bands that aren’t direct influences, but I guess have filtered into our style by osmosis or some other wacky science.

Who goes to your gigs?
We’re lucky to have a good group of friends and fans that come to our local shows, but we do a lot of work to get our music out there so that we’re always playing to new people.

What’s your favourite county venue?
The 2 Pigs in Cheltenham, for the legend that is Chip. That place is like a second home for us. We played our first show there, our first headline shows there, and Olly works there as a DJ. Best Saturday night in the county, everyone should come check it out.

Is there anywhere else you’d like to play locally?
We’ve been lucky to play around the county a bit already, but we’re looking forward to playing some bigger supports in London especially.

Which other county bands do you rate?
We’re big fans of Jim Lockey, Crisis Blessed, Tubelord, Scene Of My Demise, Snog The Dog, Mafiosi, Che and loads more. Cheltenham seems to be producing loads of ace bands just now – it’s a really exciting time.

Who would you most like to support?
Chris says: Silverchair or Pearl Jam would be like a childhood dream come true.
Steve says: Being able to watch Black Sabbath from side stage would make my dad pretty jealous!
Olly says: Clutch and Biffy Clyro are pretty much my favourite bands on the planet at the moment, so to play a show with either of those guys would be amazing. I’d love to open up for Iron Maiden one day too.

What do you do when you’re not making music?
Work, and hang around with friends. We’re pretty musically-minded, so we’re always at shows even if we’re not playing.

Have you ever thrown a TV out of a hotel window? Would you like to?
The whole TV thing’s a little cliché now – but I bet it’s fun, so yeah we’ll get round to it I’m sure. We’re too busy throwing refrigerators off skyscrapers and riding packs of dogs!

Have you ever had a groupie stalk you?
No stalking yet, there’s just not the work ethic any more.

Recommend one album to our readers you don’t think they will have discovered.
Chris says: Idiot Pilot Wolves.
Steve says: Aereogramme Story In White.
Olly says: Arnocorps The Greatest Band Of All Time.

Number one ambition?
Just make some incredible music. To see our records on the shelves in HMV and some cool independents. To play at the Download and Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Any claims to fame?
Chris says: I once beat Chuck Liddell in the octagon.
Olly says: I punched Joey Jordison in the gut once. That actually did happen though, not like Chris’ claim to fame. He’s a big fibber.

What advice would you give to Gloucestershire bands trying to make it in the industry?
Write the best songs you can, play them to as many people as you can and get shows out of town as well as playing locally. Make friends with other people in bands too – not only are they going to be some of the coolest people you’ve ever met, but they’ll be able to help you get shows too.

Where can SoGlos.com readers expect to see you in a year’s time?
Chris says: In their houses with swords if they don’t buy our records.
Olly says: And if they don’t buy our records they’ll probably find us sleeping rough by Phones4u or something.

SoGlos.com
7 March 2008