Frayed Ends BC first introduced themselves to No Echo with the Strive EP back in 2024, marking their arrival in Belfast's hardcore scene. Since then, they've pushed their sound further, toured across the UK and Ireland, and earlier this month, released their debut full-length, Nothing At All. For vocalist Eddie, the album embodies everything the band has worked toward.
"We've been hard at work perfecting Nothing At All," Eddie tells No Echo. "It's a culmination of all the material we had that either didn't make it onto Strive or was written shortly after."
Lineup changes followed the album's completion. The band parted ways with original drummer Deane and brought in Chricky O'Kane, who also plays in Belfast Hardcore mainstays Adrenachrome. "He fit the band like a glove," Eddie says.
Frayed Ends BC has kept moving beyond the studio, playing first shows in Scotland and mainland England before joining RPC for a June tour. This month, they reach another milestone with a slot at Tolminator Festival in Slovenia, sharing the bill with Hatebreed and an international lineup.
Nothing At All also marked the start of a new partnership with Brian Brinkerhoff, publisher at Gokuhi, who contacted them after hearing the band's music. "He reached out because he wanted to help us make an album that would bring attention to Belfast Hardcore," Eddie says. "He was super DIY and in it for the music, and he helped us bring our vision to life." The band sees the record as a stride toward a label partnership for their next release, though writing for new material is already underway.
Nothing At All pushes Frayed Ends BC into heavier territory, drawing from beatdown and Los Angeles Hardcore and featuring several notable guest vocalists. "We've always loved hardcore and metal records full of guest spots," Eddie says. That approach brought in guest spots from Jayway (Bayway), Pelbu (Knuckledust), and local voices like Paddy Scanlon (If It Bleeds), Kalem Clarke (Lost to Life), and former Jenova vocalist Brian J. Harrington.
Live shows have kept the band's momentum strong, including an opening set on the main stage at Siege of Limerick, where Frayed Ends BC played to its largest crowd to date. The band also headlined sold-out shows in both Dublin and Belfast before making its long-awaited English debut with a co-headlining performance at London's The Dev. "It was incredible finally getting to debut the band in England," Eddie says.
Eddie draws inspiration from both established names and newer acts. "Big Boy have been a huge influence on me vocally," he says. "I really want to incorporate some of that into the next record while keeping some of the heavier style from Nothing At All."
Work on the next record is already moving forward. "We've got about six songs down," Eddie reveals. "We're not sure if we'll change our minds and release an EP or two first, but right now the plan is album number two."
Frayed Ends BC addresses tough subjects like Northern Ireland's homelessness crisis, racism, neurodivergence, and Palestine, but the band has always aimed to keep their music from becoming joyless. "We try to have as much fun with it as possible," Eddie says. "Just playing the songs in front of people isn't really enough. You have to engage them in a meaningful way."
For Eddie, that means balancing heavy topics with humor and real connection. "I think we've captured that essence of having a good time against dark topics pretty well on Nothing At All."
And, before anyone asks...
"It definitely wasn't named after a Simpsons reference."
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