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By: Richard Collins
Ten years ago crusty, sludge/doom band A Horse Called War was born, but they split up in 2010 to resurrect this year. In the meantime some of the band members also started playing in William English. Richard Collins caught up with Dave from A Horse Called War to find out more.
(((o))): You guys were around seemingly fucking ages ago, how come you are giving it another shot?
Dave: Yes mate, ten years ago now since we formed, five years since we split up! It’s funny when you look back and think about how long ago that was. I don’t think Shane was even old enough to legally drink when we started out, haha. I’m not really sure if there is one reason why we’re giving it another shot to be honest. I was at Coopers house one night and we were talking about “the good old days” and he asked if I’d be up for doing it again. Which I was. I got in touch with all the other lads and they were all up for it! It was as simple as that. I wouldn’t want have done it if there had to be any line-up changes. This bunch of cunts are the best I know. For me personally, I quite fancied it just because how great the whole sludge/doom/stoner/whatever you want to call it scene is right now. We did alright for ourselves in years gone by, but everything was a fucking struggle. There are so many decent bands out right now making good music, so many people putting on good shows, writing good blogs/zines etc… I think just want to be part of it again. I’m pretty sure it’s much the same for all the other boys.
(((o))): Is there a new album on the way?
Dave: Nah not yet. I don’t really have enough of an attention span to listen to a full album these days, let alone write one. We’re recording a couple of new tracks in June for a split that should be out at the end of November. We’ll also be doing a little tour in support of it at the time. I can’t say much more about it at the moment because there’s a few things still to sort out. The other band kicks arse and the label that should be putting it out is releasing some of the best stuff in the UK at the moment. It’s all very exciting! I think we’ll do an EP next year too. Little and often.
(((o))): Some of you guys are in William English, what are the key musical differences between the bands?
Dave: That’s a tough one. The bands are quite similar but I’d definitely say that William English have a metal edge to it. I think there’s a bit more room to experiment in William English. Both bands cover a range of styles, but I think William English even more so. I don’t think there’s any territory William English wouldn’t feel uncomfortable covering. Anything goes in that band. The Horse is a bit more straight up and focused. Everybody sees things differently though. It seems like a lot of reviews that have been coming through for the new William English album say that the band has hardcore elements. I don’t really hear that myself, but the people have spoken. Three of us are now in William English. It’s a bit of a long story. William English has been going for about ten years now in one form or another. When the Horse split up, Carter joined William English when their bass player left. I think a guitarist then left and Carter moved from bass to guitar. Shane then joined when their vocalist left. I then joined when the other guitarist left. We’ve all know each other and been mates for years so it was just a natural progression. I think William English and Horse will always be different. Carter writes the majority of the riffs in William English, I write the majority of the riffs in Horse and that’s how were gonna keep things. We are definitely conscious of keeping the two different.
(((o))): You have some exciting shows lined up, how did the gigs with Raging Speedhorn come about? Are you fucking excited?
Dave: Yeah, we’ve been really, really lucky! I can’t explain how excited we are about some of these gigs that are coming up. I’ve just got to say thanks to anyone who has helped us out and offered to put us on. It was a combination of me hassling people and said people being nice enough to give us a punt. A little bit of hard work and a lot of luck. I know this will sound cheesy as fuck but when Speedhorn came out I was probably about 15 years old, and it was always the dream to share the stage with them. Without Speedhorn I probably wouldn’t have started listening to all this nasty shit or be in this band. They were like a gateway drug. Buzzing is an understatement. I’ll try to act cool about it now though that I’m older.
(((o))): How has the scene changed in Norwich from when you were first around? Any new exciting bands to keep an eye on?
Dave: Our first gig since returning was in Norwich. Us, Three Thrones, Jøtnarr and Art of Burning Water. That says it all really. But other than that I’m not sure if we really qualify to answer that question. None of us are actually from or living in Norwich. It’s just the closet city to most of us that people of heard of. The nearest one of us is still probably a good 30 minutes drive away. There are a lot of good gigs going on in Norwich right now though. The Owl Sanctuary is relatively new and a brilliant little venue that’s constantly putting great gigs on. I really do think that place is brilliant, they are doing good things there. As for Norwich bands I don’t really know… Jackals are killing it with the straight up crust shit, they are decent. I think one of the lads in Isolation Tank is from Norwich. We need to get out more.
(((o))): You guys played with Weedeater at the Underworld, what was that like?
Dave: That was the best gig ever. We got to hang out with Weedeater all night. We thought they were badass. They probably thought we were dicks. It was a cool show, I think it was an alldayer. Old Chrone (RIP) played and we used to get on really well with them, we used to have a right laugh with Dickey who is now in Trippy Wicked. Martyn form Orange Goblin was backstage too. I chewed his ear off for ages. Good times.
(((o))): Are they the best band you have ever shared the stage with?
Dave: That’s hard to say for sure. We played with a lot of good bands. They were definitely the “biggest”, but the best? I don’t know. I can’t really remember!
(((o))): Name 3 bands all members of A Horse Called War think fucking rock!
Dave: That’s a tougher question than you might think! We all like such a massive range of genres! I’m not sure there are three bands that we could all agree on. We could argue about this for ages. Fuck it, I’ll answer these and get stick for it later. Art Of Burning Water, Telepathy and Burden Of The Noose.
(((o))): If A Horse Called War was an animal what would it be? Don’t say ‘A Horse Called War’.
Dave: Haha, more interviews need to have questions like this. I think you should make a new feature of it at Echoes and Dust. Interview bands, but ask them about anything but music! Cooper would probably be able to answer his better than me. He’s got the mind for it. A rabid dog maybe. A big fucking ugly, scary pissed off one!
(((o))): Anything else you would like Echoes and Dust readers to know?
Dave: That you Sir are a true gentleman for sorting this interview out. Other than that, there’s nothing that I can think of right now. Check out our old shit on Bandcamp, give us a like on the Facebook or a follow on Twitter so that you can keep up to date with future release and shows. Thanks to anyone who has helped us out. We’re back, we’re gonna kick some arse and get fucked up along the way! See ya soon!!!
