One band I really wanted to interview, purely because they’re a breath of fresh air on the live scene right now. People I bring you DEAD DEMONS. Unedited and unapologetic, the rock and rollers from South Yorkshire answered a few questions to enlighten us, about their past, present and future.
Dead Demons are – Mark Hale/Vocals, Chris Weatherall/Guitar, Pete Harriman/Bass & Jon Booth/ Drums.
You tell us Dead Demons were assembled in late 2019 , so where have you all been up till now ?
JB – I’ve played in numerous bands (and still do!….. well, 2) I had a 10 year stint in a Led Zep tribute band, but also still play in a covers band with guys I was at school with. I met the Dead Demons by chance, I was supposed to be watching Wayward Sons in Leeds one night late in 2021 and it was cancelled. As we had a hotel booked we (me and Shelly Merch) decided we’d find another band to see in Leeds. We noticed Resurrection (Dead Demons alter ego covers band, who we’d seen some time before) were playing a pub in Leeds so we turned up. The drummer announced that night he was leaving. I got talking to Chris and Mark outside after the gig, gave them my number, auditioned and started rehearsing with first gig in Jan 22.
CW – We all met via Resurrection our covers band really, I’ve played guitar since I was 16 but only played in two bands.
PH – I spent the best part of 30 years (I am the oldest member of the band) playing Classic Rock covers, culminating in 3 years with Whitesnake tribute band, Lovehunter; up until ill health forced the singer to retire and those bands dissolved.
As the Covid Lockdown was finally loosening its grip, I was looking for another project and my search coincided with Dead Demons/Resurrection looking to replace their departing bass player. At this juncture, two mutual friends assisted in making the connection… one recommending me to the band and the other recommending the band to me! Anyway, the guys pretended to be impressed with my Rock ‘n’ Roll CV; but really they just didn’t have any other applicants!
MH – So, I was already in a band with Chris called Resurrection doing rock covers, which I joined in 2018. The idea of Dead Demons came late 2019, but the band itself wasn’t officially formed until Jan 2020, in deepest, darkest Doncaster, before a gig at the Social! Before this, I started out in a couple of projects, including an Iron Maiden tribute! But those never really left the rehearsal studio. I was actually recruited by Chris’ wife, who had seen me do a cover of ‘Holy Diver’ on social media, who insisted I join! Since then, well, you know the rest!
You’re getting heads turning from both punters and media, do you think an even newer NWOBHM is due?
CW – I think there is NWOTHM new wave of traditional heavy metal already, which is cool with young bands such as ‘Tailgunner’ bringing back the vibe.
MH – To paraphrase Bruce Dickinson “You can’t have a new wave if the old one never left!”
It’s great to see a resurgence of new bands with that classic sound, especially with the legends themselves retiring!
JB – BSNWOBHM (Brand spanking new wave of British heavy metal)
The Dead Demons sound is one that’s embedded in most of our hearts, ie Biker/British metal, how do you make it bite in the 21st Century?
MH – For me, I think it’s about our sound. The songs we write and release, whether it be about loss of loved ones, war or simply about getting drunk, its about making sure you hear it and can hear the feeling we’ve put into the songs too. Too many bands simply write to make music, to try and make it big. We’re here to write music because we want to, and cos it’s fucking amazing!
JB – Give it teeth….. for me it’s adding in different influences other than the obvious (AC/DC for me with straight, simple but rock steady beats).
CW – I think the sound as a whole could be described as old skool in the genre, but as for a recorded sound we are constantly looking for better production and live we just blast it so you can’t escape (haha!) it definitely bites.
The new EP ‘Trial By Fire’ has been well received by those privileged to hear it, how do you go about writing new material and where do the ideas come from ?
CW – Song ideas are a mixture of fact, real life experience and a bit of fiction, mainly a riff or melody, a verse or a chorus and then just build on that in the rehearsal studio.
MH – So, usually, Chris comes forward with a riff and a few words scribbled on a bit of paper. From there the song is built, together (Dream Theater style!). Chris seems to have a lot of riffs stored in that noggin, god help us when he runs out!
What has been the highlight for the band and you personally up to now?
CW – For me every gig we play supporting someone I’ve either grown up listening to, or a new band that I go and support. For example the recent gig with The Treatment and Mansworth they were special and I’m very grateful.
MH – There are a ton of milestones we have reached, I could be here for ages! To keep it short and sweet (ish), the ones that jump to mind are Savfest and the recent support at Nuneaton ( for The Treatment & Mansworth). The crowds were amazing, to sing the songs back, to cheer and bounce was great. The crowds are slowly getting bigger and noisier, which is what it’s all for in my mind.
JB – For me I’d say the support gig with Wolfsbane, it was just an awesome crowd who were into it from the first chord until the last.
When you dream, what stage are you on and who are you sharing it with? ( past or present )
MH – Again, so many choices here as my influence list is massive! People that know me would guess I’d say Iron Maiden and I don’t think I’d turn them down for the opportunity!
JB – From a very early age it was always Queen, I started playing at 15 and had just been to see Queen on the Magic Tour, I was in awe.
CW – Its no secret I’m a big Zakk Wylde fan so for me I’d love to be Zakks second fiddle!
I saw you at Savfest 2023 and followed you down to The Queens Hall Nuneaton the following night, to see you support The Treatment, but you have supported so many bands in your short time together, the hard work is paying off now, so is a headline tour on the cards?
JB – Errrrrrrr
CW – We’re still working hard to build up a faithful following and obviously realise you have to have been around a while in lots of areas of the country to do that , so it may be a while yet , which is cool. We lost traction with covid like everyone but we’d only really just got going so it’s been hard to get everything rolling but we’re getting there .
MH – I’m definitely not ruling it out! Whilst I do think you need try and build up a decent following before taking off out on tour, I think sometimes you’ve gotta take the plunge into the unknown!
We are actually at the time of this interview, preparing for our first ever show in London, so it shows we are always growing, so you never know.
Photo Credit – Kevin Hargrave Photography
You and Resurrection are playing a Xmas show, will this be a chance to let off some steam with a few covers ? Are we all invited?
CW – yeah it’s our covers band, so we can have a good time and let our hair down, apart from me as I haven’t got any ha ha and definitely, everyone is welcome.
JB – Anyone and everyone is welcome There will no doubt be a few gems in there (and no doubt more Iron Maiden requests from Mark)
MH – It’s actually us as Resurrection ! The Xmas show will be mainly covers, with maybe a couple of Demons songs thrown in.
We are launching our new EP on 7th October at the same venue as Dead Demons with some friends of ours! Both gigs are free entry, so of course everyone is welcome! It is very strange to think what we’ve built over the last 3 years with Dead Demons, so the chance to play strictly covers every so often is quite uplifting.
Anything you would like to add ?
JB – Thanks to those that have come to see us, shouted, danced, clapped and generally had a good time at one of our gigs. And also pre ordered the EP, it gives us confidence when people put confidence in us.
CW – Thank you so much to everyone out there that supports us in any way, it’s very much appreciated, hope you enjoy the new EP ‘Trial By Fire’.
MH – A massive thanks to everyone who has supported us, bought merch, hated us, criticised us, sang for us, heckled us and so much more. Without every single one of you, whether you like it or not, none of this would have been possible. Who knows where we’ll be in 5 years time, or even 10? This is where it all started and I don’t know about you, but I’m a little bit excited to see where this takes us……….
Cheers Guys, thank you for taking time to answer all these questions and good luck with everything coming up for DEAD DEMONS .
Link to Diane’s review of the new ‘Trial By Fire’ EP – HERE
EP Artwork by –
