"It doesn't neatly fit into a single pigeonhole but it's still firmly Hardcore with a capital H," says Rob, guitarist for UK band Mother Nature. We're chatting as the group gears up to release a new record and I want to get some insight on their formation story. "Mother Nature started out of a need to scratch an itch to play hardcore in a style that isn't too overdone where we're from (Leeds, UK).
"Three quarters of us have been in other bands (Perspex Flesh, The Flex, Mob Rules, etc.) and sometimes together, so we knew the dynamics would work. This is Zoe's first band, though, and she's killing it. We also had to clock-in more hours at our favourite practice space before it’s condemned as unsafe - the electric sockets are pretty much hanging off the wall." Yep, pretty hardcore if you ask me!
As far as musical direction, Rob says he's heard some interesting takes from listeners so far:
"We've had bizarre wide-ranging comparisons. The one I like best is 'SS Decontrol meets Killing Joke,' which isn't a million miles off. We all love serious gear and lean towards the 'weirder' end of '80s USHC (Die Kreuzen, United Mutation, Void, Spike In Vain, YDI, etc.) but also Discharge, Rudimentary Peni, Stooges — all obvious stuff."
The guitarist continues: "Black Flag are my personal Godhead but unlike some of our previous bands (Mob Rules, Whipping Post), the influence is less obviously pronounced. We also like playing on mixed bills to crowds who might not normally intentionally watch a hardcore band."
Anyway, that new Mother Nature music I mentioned earlier... Loving, Joyful and Free will serve as the band's debut 12" and it arrives in stores this spring. A track from the record called "An Infinite Sphere" is streaming below in all its glory:
Loving, Joyful and Free will be released by Static Shock Records, a London-based label also behind releases by such No Echo favorites as Golpe, White Collar, and Bootlicker. "We're so happy Tom at Static Shock wanted to put it out and we can't wait to get on the road even more once it's here.
"The 12" recorded last summer at Damaged Goods in Leeds by our friend Paddy Carley, who helps run the space and also plays in incredible bands Tramadol and Self Immolation Music. We’re doing a weekender with Diall in April to support the release and also planning a release gig in Leeds on Saturday 26 April 2025."
From where Rob is sitting, it sounds like his scene is in fighting shape. "The North of England is really great right now. I've already mentioned Tramadol and Self Immolation Music. There's also Pleasure, Diall, Video Evidence, Tormented Imp, Louse, The Social, Narkotyk, Ruined Virture, Total Con, The Apparition, and loads more.
"There’s also great labels like Donor Records who issued our demo, and great venues like Damaged Goods in Leeds, The Lughole in Newcastle, and Lubber Fiend in Newcastle. Absolutely spoilt for choice."
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Loving, Joyful and Free will be out this spring via Static Shock Records.
Mother Nature on social media: Instagram
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