Hell’s Ditch

The Alleycat and the West End Tap (RIP!)

The past year has been one that so many people might want to forget when it comes to the music scene. With music venues not being allowed to operate, recording studios facing restrictions and artists finding it so hard to release new music due to the hurdles a global pandemic throws their way. It is no surprise that so many artists have lost the way on their musical journey.

One band that have soaked up all that pressure and overcome those obstacles is Lincoln Punk Rock band ‘Hells Ditch’. Not only have they kept momentum high, but they have set the tone for what is going to be a stella future for the band.

Hailing from Lincoln, Hell’s Ditch formed in 2019 having met each other while touring the UK and Europe in previous bands Bad Ideas, River Jumpers, Dearest, Knock Our Kaine and more. Previously sharing the stage with the likes of Anti-Flag, H20, Reel Big Fish, Mad Caddies and gracing the stages at Download, Groezrock and Rebellion Festivals. It is clear that the members of Hell’s Ditch 10 are experienced enough to overcome anything that might get in their way. They have truly earnt the success that is set for them.

Photo: Steven Haddock

The band formed with intentions to make Hell’s Ditch their most ambitious and defining work to date. As we sit here one week on after the release of their brand new single ‘The Scrape’, we look back at what has been a short but definitive period for the band. Since announcing the band in December 2019 fans have feasted on three killer singles, The Likes of Us, Hope Is Hope and Vacant hearts. After launching it was evident that there was something special about Hell’s Ditch. Having turned heads of key industry figures and picking up an illusive radio play from the king of rock radio himself Daniel P Carter, of the BBC Radio 1’s ‘Rock Show’. Not only was Hell’s Ditch proving that they were capable of joining others that have reigned the local scene for a few years but also holding their own on a national and international scale. Since then we’ve seen the band supported by the likes Kerrang Magazine, Idiot EQ, BBC Music Introducing in Lincolnshire and many more respectable publications. Now here we are in March 2021 with the potential thought of normal life slowly being re-introduced again. It seems fitting that Hell’s Ditch have made their biggest Words: Jordan Bell move yet and signed to Berlin based punk rock label ‘Krod Records’ to release their new single ‘The Scrape’. Hell’s Ditch join an impressive roster that features the likes of Bloodsport, Cold Reading, Colour Me Wednesday, Hightower and many more. It is well worked from both parties and this seems like the perfect time for the band and label to be joining forces.

Jordan Bell of Rock Lynx Magazine sat down to talk to band about their journey to this point and what we can expect to see from them in the upcoming future.

Congrats on joining forces with Krod Records! What’s the journey been like building up to announcing that you’re now working with them?

It’s been great! Jordan and the team at Krod were recommended to us by our friends in Bloodsport from Hull (check them out!) and after speaking to them it seemed like things could work out. One of our main goals in the short term is to get back to Europe. All our old outfits have experience playing on the mainland and it’s always a delight. Having a German-based label on-side, as well as an agent out there, should make that prospect a little more realistic - despite the hurdles of Brexit.

What’s the response been like off the back of the first 3 singles?

Really cool! We came into this with zero expectations, and the response to the first single was mad. We booked a bunch of shows and festival slots, before Corona put the brakes on all the fun. It would have been easy to sit back and do nothing, but we carried on putting out music regardless and luckily it bore some fruit. BBC Radio 1 airtime, Kerrang magazine coverage, and a shout out from Frank Turner was a triple whammy that we couldn’t have foreseen.

From a song-writing aspect, what were the main influences behind the new single ‘The Scrape’

We have a blueprint for the band that arches over everything we do, and we try to stick to that as much as possible in the development of songs. We listen to a really varied bunch of music, but as a bunch of guys that grew up on Epitaph and Fat Wreck releases, that’s always going to bleed through into our music. But we do try and mix things up, and make our music more nuanced. Lyrically, the song is a reflection on the struggle of making ends meet, and how the cards often seem stacked against normal people from the off. Something highlighted with the insulting NHS pay rises offered by the government last week.

The band seemed to have achieved a lot since the release of the first single ‘Vacant Hearts’, but what’s been the biggest achievement so far?

For us it was definitely hearing our music on BBC Radio 1’s The Rock Show. We’re regular listeners and to hear our own song was a total ‘fist pump the air’ moment.

Photo: Steven Haddock

How has the band managed with the global pandemic? Did this have an effect on building up to this release?

It’s been strange. We started last year with some grand plans. We put out one single, played two shows and then everything quickly fell apart. We’d been planning everything in meticulous detail for just shy of two years, so it was a bit of a sucker punch when cancellations started filling up our inbox, and we had to cancel our hometown release. We had boxes of vinyl in storage, t-shirts printed, and all of a sudden no gigs and total uncertainty. I think we’re grown up enough though to realise that it wasn’t the end of the world, and the priority at the time was everyone’s health and well being. We ploughed on doing as much as we could from home. We filmed a music video in isolation which our talented pal / videographer, Steve Haddock pieced together, and kept releasing music periodically. Things have built well, and we’re really grateful to (fingers crossed) be coming out the otherside in a stronger position than before.

Favourite Lincoln venue to play and why?

It’s really hard to choose! Two of the band are active promoters in the city involved with Call of the Wild Festival and Badlands Punk Festival, and we’ve used a lot of different venues that we love. We’re big fans of The Scene, and The Jolly Brewer, and previously The Alleycat and the West End Tap (RIP!).

What can we expect to see from Hell Ditch in 2021?

Well, our latest single, ‘The Scrape’ is out now, which makes four singles in total for people to hear, and we’ll be back in the studio as soon as we physically can. First chance for Lincoln folk to catch us will be at The Scene on Wednesday December 1st with Kali Masi from Chicago, and we’ll be joining them for a UK tour that month. We also have some cool one-off shows lined up and some other bits and pieces in the works to keep an eye out for.

Could you give us 3 Lincolnshire based artists that people should watch out for?

We’re huge fans of GUTS. Sam is a killer songwriter, and their music just gets better and better with each release. Northern Captives are bloody brilliant, and we can’t not mention our friends in Amateur Ghost too - we played with them in Hull last year and they’re a great bunch.