Hadouken! Interview

Hadouken have already got a huge fanbase due to their riotous gigs and mix of grime and heavier rock. Theyve been chucked in with New-Rave due to their fans love of glowsticks and neon colours.

The five piece, variously from Essex, Watford and Surrey, have already remixed Bloc Party and Plan B and are currently in the studio working on their debut album.

We talked to 22 year old founder James Smith.

Hi James, How did the band get together?

James: It all came about when me and Dan went to a rave in east London last year and I wrote a song about it- (first single) That Boy That Girl. Then we chose Nick to get on drums, Alice on synths and Chris on bass.

Who are your influences?

James: I do all the production thats really important part of it if youve got a digital element. Ive been influenced by British producers. Jungle, garage and drum and bass people but by post-hardcore and indie too. In the studio we mix that up.

I like Liam Howletts ideology of switching after every album. We are one single old though.

What are you live shows like?

James: I think first of all people should check us out and make up their own minds. We smash it up. Theres the digital element that we incorporate into our sound with lots of synths.

I try and get quiet angry and aggressive on stage theres no slow songs. Its all angry and aggressive. As a frontman I look up to John Lydon and Keith Flint as well as the grime MCs.

That Boy, That Girl is about posing scenesters, are there many at your gigs?

James: Im a lot more cynical now than when I wrote that track. The majority of people who come to our gigs make a lot of effort and dress up. But the most important thing is that they are having a great time.

Is it true youve given away freeglowsticks at your show?

James: No- we f***ing hate them. They are wasteful. But when we go to gigs and the promoter goes You are gonna love this weve bought 2000 glowsticks.

Whats the new single Liquid Lives about?

James: Its about binge drinking in the UK. Its about how it affects different people. Theres a story about a girl who gets date raped and a drink driver. A lot of it is social observation and a bit of satire.

Tell us about the video?

James: It was a lot of fun. We shot it in a squat in Shoreditch. We went over the place in UV paint. Ive got a problem with putting my face in videos though. Our next one is going to be a fully fledged animation.

What can we expect from your album?

James: We should be looking to go into the studio soon for a month and working for an October release date. Weve wrote about 10 songs and there will be other stuff on there that you wont recognise as us.

There will be a lot more singing- we are going to move away from grindie.

Who else are you into at the moment?

James: I admire Enter Shikari, Example, Klaxons and anyone who has that DIY ethic.

Liquid Lives is out now

Tom Thorogood