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Bharghest are a death/progressive metal band from Scarborough, recently debuting at Shades in Bridlington and appearing there again for Valkyrian Music Festival this weekend.
Although you have been an official band unit for some time (since at least March 2012, according to your Facebook page!) it’s taken until now for you to play a gig. You’ve evidently been busy and recorded several tracks in that time, but what’s the main reason you’ve chosen to wait until now to play live?
Originally Bharghest was a two piece project consisting of Simon Scott and myself (Paul Maddison). We had been playing guitar together on and off since we were 14 years old and developed a strong passion for our instruments and metal from an early age. With our love for metal it was only natural that we began creating music together as often as we could, when we could fit it in. We then met Dave Marley Worth further down the line. Astounded by his bass playing ability, we quickly took him on as the third head of the Bharghest. We all work in different professions; with Si working on his guitar grades up until diploma level and traveling down south to learn how to build guitars and become a luthier, myself working across the country working with nuclear companies, Dave working full time in a games shop and also 2 of us being part of a couple of cover bands, it was a project for enjoyment and to quench our mutual thirst for metal.
We’ve been concentrating on writing, building up our home studio, developing our skills in guitar playing, recording, production, developing as artists and searching for a vocalist and drummer until now, therefore performing live hadn’t crossed our minds and the opportunity hadn’t arisen. However, inspired by a line of metal bands such as Putrid Pile, Regurgitate Life and Animals As Leaders, as well as encouragement from our fans and other bands and promoters (special thanks to promoter Nico Davidson and our Manager Nicole Natasha Laura Marie Carr) we have taken the leap as a 3 piece instrumental band, and are very excited about taking the opportunity to share what we’ve been working on with people and possibly even finding a new member.
So, you’ve just played your debut gig, supporting Re-Armed and Wretched Soul at Shades. How did that go?
We could not have asked for a better debut gig. It went brilliantly. The headlining bands were amazing and it was a complete honour to play with such cool support bands too. But performance wise, we were all really happy with how we played. Also, the fans went crazy!
Next up is Valkyrian Festival, once again at Shades. You’re playing the Friday, opening the Festival and supporting Ravenage. What have you got planned for your set?
We are going to play a similar set except we are going to be changing a couple of things on our backing tracks which we noticed at our debut gig. Nothing much, but we are all perfectionists and want it to sound the best that it can be.
What are you looking forward to in general about the festival? Have any of you attended it before?
No, it’s a first for all of us. We are all really looking forward to it! There are some really well known local bands playing too. Personally, I’m looking forward to meeting the girls from Severed Heaven. I’ve spoken to the vocalist about putting some shows on in Leeds and they all seem really cool. And they LOVE metal! It is also a huge honour to support Ravenage.
Soon after, friends and supporters will be able to see you in your hometown, with a gig at Vivaz and several other local bands – The Antiquity, who are also playing Valkyrian, plus Sea of Giants and Satanic Malfunctions. Is there anything exciting you can tell us about this event?
I know that all the bands that are playing at Vivaz on the 13th are just as excited as we are about playing in our home town. It has been so long since there has been a decent metal scene in Scarborough. Most of the guys in Bharghest, Satanic Malfunctions and The Antiquity used to go to all the local shows when we were kids so it’s just nice to be ‘Kickstarting’ it again so to speak. We are all going to feel 14 again. We can’t wait!
We will be playing a lot more shows in early 2014 so we would just love to see people come along and support!
Clearly, there’s a lot of local talent along the Yorkshire Coast – which are your favourite other local bands or artists?
Satanic Malfunctions and Radio Silence are definitely two of my favourite local bands. Satanic Malfunctions are just fast punk with no messing about and Radio Silence are the best local covers band by a long shot in my opinion. They are all really talented guys with some brilliantly tweaked covers.
Valkyrian Festival takes place at Shades, Bridlington, over the weekend from 29th November to 1st December.
Organised by Valkyrianmusic.com which covers metal, rock, punk, hardcore, alternative, folk, industrial, pop punk and metalcore, the event will feature 27 bands over the 3 days. A charity event in its 3rd year, funds will go to support Rape Crisis. Weekend ticket £5.
