The Folk-Punk sextet shocked many when in June 2018 they announced they would be taking a year off performing in 2019. With shows planned until the end of the year, many wondered if this could be the last they saw of the band who for so long have been an important part of the north west punk scene. “Winging it caught up with us in the end...We’re getting older and need to think about things a bit more” is the bands reason for taking a break says Accordion player Sam Bell when we went to catch up with half of the band in December. “It was a mutual decision in the end to have a rest before we destroy things” agrees Matty Humphries, lead vocalist and Mandolin player which forms such an an integral part of the bands sound. Matt continued: “We were just stuck in a cycle of doing the same gigs, and routine and not getting anywhere. Ryan [Taylor, Bassist] hadn’t told me he was planning on travelling for much of 2019 but had told all the others. But by that point I was trying to tell everyone I needed a break or was going to explode, so worked out nicely.” With a break announced, it immediately lifted the spirits in the camp after signs of being jaded being on the road for so much. Many feared that any hesitation in not exploring opportunities might reflect badly on the others. “I don’t know whether you fear letting the other five down if you say you fancy a break, but the further we were vocal about it, you realise everyone is on the same page and knackered.” Where they had previously drove themselves around, they took the opportunity to hire a van and driver for the remaining dates so there was less responsibility and could enjoy the time together. “You wonder if you’re going to miss it or not and when you start missing it, you’re thankful.” [WAM] MAGazine| 10
Guitarist Chris Green tells us he was always blindly optimistic and could never see a time where they stopped: “even if Matty himself didn’t want to do it anymore, I know for a fact he couldn’t go two years before wanting to play.” So what did they do in their time away from Roughneck Riot? “I went to Blackpool!” says Sam. “I also did a tour a DIY with someone else around France and Germany only using public transport. It’s cheap and it works. It was nice to be able to treat it like a holiday and be more relaxed”. Chris went on to make a few appearances singing for Hardcore Thrash band Jenkem and Matty would be able to settle down as an accomplished Tattoo artist at Bold Street Tattoo. “Ryan is looking forward to coming back” says Matty. “Means we’re technically better than the best time off your life!” Reflecting back on the last few months and a tricky transition to a “normal life” Chris says that the second they stopped it was a relief. “By then I was hating everyone in the band, now I only hate myself and Ryan [Laughs]. It’s massively psychological soon as we finished our last gig, yeah great, but whats happening next weekend? It was so boring. You realise just because you hated it doesn’t mean there’s anything better. Normality is terrifying and nobody ever mentioned that. We skipped all that for 15 years and now my life has shrunk massively. From travelling around Europe in a van, I don’t even walk past work and which is five minutes away from my house.” WArringtonMusic.co.uk
