Preston punk band, Fighting, are the latest crew to have a crack at our 13 Questions. Here’s how it went.
Fighting came across our radar last year as they had the unenviable task of opening a six band mini fest at Preston’s Guildhall.
Supporting the likes of Strange Bones, Part Chimp, Pigs x 7 and the notorious Evil Blizzard saw them play their biggest stage to date.
Undaunted, they pulled off their slot with style, aggression and some damn fine music. They set the bar pretty high for what turned out to be one of the highlight gigs of 2019.
Equally impressive was the tray of Fighting branded pork pies they had on the merch stand (bassist, Luke, runs a pie shop) that sold out about half way through the gig. More bands should sell pies at gigs.
If you’re keen to find out more, and we think you should, then head over to the band’s Bandcamp page, where all their music is set as a free download.
We were keen to find out a bit more, so the 13 Questions seemed like a good place to start. Lead singer / guitarist, James Hodgson has the answers.
1. Where are you and what are you doing?
I’m currently at work! Which in this brave new world means at home. Which is still taking some getting used to!
2. What is your favourite view?
Band answer: The best view we’ve had is when we played Preston Guild Hall supporting Evil Blizzard. Looking out across hundreds of people, in the biggest venue in our city, was just incredible. A proper privilege.
Personal answer: I got married in the Lake District, in a Hotel that overlooks Lake Windermere. So whenever I’m there and can see a good vista of the lake I’m pretty happy and relaxed. Reminds me of my wife and is probably the most beautiful place in the world I think.
3. What’s your favourite swear word, and why?
Bollock. Singular. Calling someone ‘an absolute bollock’ just shuts them down in an instant. Such vulgarity to it. Poetry.
4. What was the first record / cd you bought with your own money?
First record I ever bought was ‘Cypress Hill IV‘, the one with the Green Skulls on the cover. HMV Lancaster. A lot of my mates were getting into Rap and I was posturing and trying to look tough, and this record looked scary as hell.
When I got home my Mum found it and waltzed me back to the shop the next day and got a refund and made me stand there whilst it happened. That was fun! I still haven’t listened to that album, I might ask my mum permission to see if I’m allowed yet.
5. How do you like your eggs?
Mate, I didn’t like eggs for the longest time you know! I’m in my 30’s, and I swear I didn’t start getting into them until at least my mid-20’s! Weird eh! I like Scrambled. Feels like it goes with anything, and is the best breakfast accompaniment. Scrambled Eggs and Bacon with a bit of toast. Champion Sunday Breakfast!
6. If you could go to a gig right now, anywhere in the world, which band would you see? And in which venue?
Going to any gig right now would be a pleasure wouldn’t it?! What are the rules here? Does the band still have to be going? Can I bring people back from the dead? Old Venues?
If it’s fantasy, Gang of Four. Original line-up. When they were younger. At the Roadhouse in Manchester. Imagine that. If it’s real, I’d take Death From Above 1979. In some shitty Canadian Dive-Bar with great sound and cheap beer.
7. Marmite. Yes or no?
No, but I’m cool with it. My wife eats Marmite. I don’t like it, but I don’t hate it. I like Twiglets though. Twiglets are Marmite right? I find Marmite marketing stressful as I’m ambivalent and feel I don’t belong in society.
8. What’s your favourite season and why?
I think it’s Spring you know. Just before it gets too hot to sleep. And it’s light when you have a shower in the morning. And it stops becoming oppressively cold. And band practice when it’s cold is a miserable affair. Spring feels positive, like good things are coming. Like a reward for surviving the Winter.
9. Tell us a secret.
We were all booked in to record our 5th EP this year! We’ve written half of it, and were in the process of finishing writing the other half and had a date booked in for Summer to record it with our Producer. But that obviously went by the wayside, and it completely sucks.
I haven’t written anything since, for fear of writing some covid-inspired nonsense. I didn’t miss practising until about a month or two ago, and now I’m really pining. We’re best mates as a band, so we all still meet up/Zoom call every week and have some beers, but not being in a room together and making music is rough, man.
10. Which city do you recommend we visit – and why?
At the moment, absolutely nowhere. God I miss travel. I think it’s one of the best things you can do. The memories and experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have whilst visiting different places are probably some of the best moments in my life. When you can, go to Dublin, Krakow and Marrakech. All for different reasons. All uniquely themselves.
11. What’s your drink of choice?
If we’re talking booze, it depends! I’m a big believer in the drink fitting the occasion, so where I am / who I’m with / what season it is. It all makes a difference.
I’m a bit of a cocktail nerd so at home as the nights are getting colder, I’ll enjoy a Manhattan on a weekend. Or maybe an Old-Fashioned. I’ve got this awesome bottle of Coconut Irish Whiskey I made by fat-washing some Jamesons with Coconut Oil. I use that and instead of Sugar Syrup. I’ve got some Banana Liqueur that I use as the sweetener. It’s called an Island Old-Fashioned, and made by a Bartender in San Francisco called Erick Castro. He’s a genius. It tastes like Winter and Summer all mixed together!
But if I’m out with the band, I’m just gonna order a decent pint. Because at that time, that’s the best drink for the occasion. I miss going out for a beer. It’s different to staying in, isn’t it?
12. What would be your final meal if you were on Death Row?
The biggest Cheese Pizza they do from Best Pizza in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Go out eating the best. Pint of Geipel Lager from Bala, Wales. I’d be too full for dessert. I’d go to the chair a happy man after that.
13. Do you have anything else to declare?
Not really! Other that all of us are missing playing gigs, and missing making music. Also solidarity to all our friends and family in the music industry who are really struggling right now. We’ll stand by you and help in any way we can.
We’re lucky enough as a band to do this as a labour of love, but for some people it’s their living. And I can’t even imagine the stress and anxiety they must be going through as they try to keep going. But we’ll get through it. And right now your sacrifice is keeping the country safer, so we appreciate you loads.
https://www.facebook.com/WeLikeFighting/
https://www.youtube.com/c/Welikefightingband/videos
P3DRO 