Miseria Hallows are a 5 piece, Dark Hardcore Punk band from Bournemouth.
Lead vocalist Alexz ‘Deadface’ Allen formed the band after 10 years away from punk or metal bands, having performed on the acoustic circuit in Bournemouth and Southampton. Previous to this, he had been lead guitarist of underground Horror Punk band The Texas Drag Queen Massacre.
Recruiting people who he knew variously through the music scene, friends or oddly enough having taught one member Art at school as a trainee teacher (don’t ask), Alexz found 4 other people with a variety of dark music tastes, Shauny Suicide, Davey Shade, AL1C3 and Damien Maerkous.
Their influences include AFI, Misfits, The Offspring, InMe, Lifelover, Mastadon, Avenged Sevenfold, The Cure, and Gotham Road.
A mutual love for bleakness, black comedy, nihilist philosophy and horror themes brought them together, and a desire to write catchy yet dark music created the band as they are today.
Ten years of songwriting and 6 months of practicing later has created a Punkrock band staring into the abyss, with references to Tim Burton, the corruption of humanity and Buffy the vampire slayer throughout. The band are set to release their upcoming EP Dark Romance Verses this year. Check out Ghosts below!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talk about their upcoming EP and more!
How has the release of Dark Romance Verses gone so far with fans?
Alexz: Well, we are kinda in the middle of releasing atm. We’ve got requests coming in online for copies; we are selling physical copies this way and at show. Although we’ve been practicing for half a year, we recently had our first live show together supporting Energy and Miss Vincent and we sold a bunch there. Also, we have digital distribution lined up that’s being moderated at the moment, with an early September release date.
Can you tell us anything about this EP no one knows?
Alexz: Most of the songs are about 9 years old, songwriting wise. I’ve been working on it all at home for a long time, many songs have been cut out over time. Also two of the songs are about the 1st and 2nd episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Alexz: We’d love to have a guest vocal from Michale Graves or Davey Havoc. Both of their 90s vocals are so amazing, and their influence probably shows.
Al1c3: I second Davey havok, he is such a glorious man. Also I think Brian molko is a genius and his voice is so distinctive. Omg, no wait, Cher. She’s such an icon!
(Alexz facepalms.)
Shauny:
I’d like to work with The Darkness, just because I’m glam. Also their stage show and costumes are amazing. But Davey or Michale Graves would be pretty cool as well.
Damien: I’d probably mix it up and say The Browning. Those guys have such a unique sound.
Alexz, what made you get back into the punk scene again after being an acoustic performer?
I had kinda missed the crunching guitars, and feeling an audience move. I still do acoustic stuff, with big influence from InMe vocalist Dave McPherson.
What’s the alternative scene like in Bournemouth?
Alexz: We’ve got a healthy amount of alternative people in Btown. A lot of people now are into like EVERYTHING with Spotify and downloads and stuff. Its cool, cus you’ll see someone at a death metal show and the next night be at a punk show. Its so different than back in the day.
Al1c3: When I was younger it seemed there was a gig on every week and everybody went just to check out new music, that died away slowly but hopefully is coming back!
Shauny: Alt scene in Bournemouth? I think I’m too young to remember that.
Will there be an EP/Album released this year? Well with Dark Romance Verses E.P. coming out fully over the next few months, we probably won’t have another one this year. We may potentially release a single in December if recording goes well.
Will you be touring at all this year?
We are playing show each month, we have a 4.30-5.00pm slot at Punx Picnic at The Anvil on 23rd September, And a Halloween show supporting my old singer Al B Damned’s solo band, and Joda Cema. We plan to have at least one a month for the foreseeable future.
What do you guys get up to in your spare time?
Davey Shade plays a ton of guitar and Damien literally plays all instruments ever. I like making animations and creating artwork.
Al1c3: I am studying for my degree in graphic design, I also work in a primary school, face paint, child mind and put on events, and they are pretty MySpace ‘retro’!
Shauny: I just play guitar a lot, (I’m also in a glam band called 27 Days) and read in my spare time.
What was the first gig you remember attending?
Alexz: Inme at the BIC on the Overgrown Eden tour.
Shauny: My first gig was Jon Bon Jovi when I was like a month old if that counts? If not then it was Joe Bonamassa at the BIC in like 2009.
Davey: The Used in 2010? Or Stonesour. I’m not totally sure!
Damien: First big band was probably The Browning at The Anvil (rock bar in Bournemouth). Before then I’d been to loads of underground gigs at The Joiners in Southampton.