The eagerly anticipated second album from System Of Hate will be released on Digipack CD and as a limited-edition vinyl LP (with DL code) via John Robb’s Louder Than War Records label on Friday 3rd August 2018. Barnsley (UK) based five piece have gained a cult-like following thanks to their blackened post punk sound, drawing upon on influences from the likes of Killing Joke, and Theatre of Hate, but then applying their own ominous vibe.
There Is No Madness Here is a densely packed, delusional, psychotic joyride through the land that is System Of Hate, devoid of hope, full of despair and always with a brutal truth!The album covers the usual System Of Hate obsessions; one’s sanity, war, treachery, the death of mankind, blind faith, resurrection, crucifixion, love and much more.
We managed to catch up with Pat and Carl as they talked about the band’s upcoming release and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of There is no Madness Here?
Pat (Guitar)
We can’t wait to get it out, it’s like sitting on a time-bomb, so many people wanting to hear it and we want their reactions. So yes we are excited.
Carl (Drums)
I am very excited for the release of There Is No Madness Here Album we have all worked so hard to try and produce a excellent follow album to succeed our debut ‘unhallowed ground’ album, especially on vinyl we are well pleased with the results and the production by Matt Ellis, so yes let the ship sail come August.
How have the people at Louder Than War helped you with this release?
Pat
Massively, we sorted the music and artwork, they are making it into the actual product (or sound in MP3s case). We need more help to reach further afield and we believe these are the guys to take us there.
Carl
We are very Happy that LTW have taken us on board with the album to be on vinyl is our dream and I’m sure they will meet the release date as stated on 3rd August this is a crucial point for the band been the best punk festival in The world (Rebellion) LTW can give us that extra push with the album I’m sure so yes ! we are all very grateful to be part of the LTW label.
Can you tell us something about the upcoming release that no one else knows?
Pat
It nearly cost us our health and sanity, writing and recording it, ha ha. We pushed ourselves to the limit on this one, the very difficult 2nd album as they say. It’s on vinyl which is a biggy for all of us!
Carl
Regarding little secrets of The upcoming release here’s a little bit of gossip as such! Due to studio time availability and band members work commitments the album had to be recorded in two segments 6 tracks were recorded first then we returned to the studio months later to record the final 4 tracks …. so the cake was baked slowly to give it the right ingredients …
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Pat
Probably the Pogues, I’d love to do a Pogues and Dubliners ‘Irish Rover’ type duet, loads of drinking, loads of heavy lyrics about the end of civilisation. Or the Stooges if that was possible.
Carl
Regarding a Dream Band to work with on a new song, There are quite a few! But I would say killing joke from a personal point of view, as our political views and music are very similar it has been suggested in the past which is a good thing as we all love killing joke obviously are lyrics reflect how we feel regarding corporate corruption etc within the world today but our songs are written in a more biblical aspect but with the same impact hopefully
What was the first ever gig you went to?
Billy Joel, it was a great concert, not the coolest act but he’s not all about ‘uptown girl’, he’s written some amazing songs.
Carl
I remember freezing and being very drunk as a young punk with long Black Hair ??? (yes Real Hair) and painted leather the usual punk look in the late 70s/early 80s at Leeds Queens Hall RIP.. it was a all day event featuring The Damned /English dogs etc I think this was the gig that introduced me into the punk family then there was Nostell priory Near Wakefield it was a large outside event like a mini Glastonbury with The Damned and van Morrison and 1000s of Hells Angels in Tents ! It was very daunting for a teenager at the time to be in those unfamiliar territories but enjoyable regardless, I remember getting hit around the side of the head with a large plastic cider bottle of what I believe to be full of piss as I was stage side enjoying The Damned it was quite heavy Ha Ha.. -Crazy Times Indeed.
So you have a few gig dates coming up, which one are you most looking forward to?
Pat
It’s Rebellion Festival, to catch up with friends and see amazing bands, have a good drink and spend some quality time with the System lads and my girlfriend.
Carl
The Gig we all strive to be a part of is of course The Rebellion festival at Blackpool The punk family atmosphere is flowing out of the walls, its always a great weekend and we are so grateful to Daz & Jenny and all involved for inviting us to play for 6 years consecutive we feel very lucky , So yes this is always the Baby of Gigs !!! although we enjoy all our gigs and give it 100% whether we are playing to 10 or 1000 people.
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
Pat
Usually thinking about the band, admin for the band, watching other bands, walking and drinking. Trying to see my daughter as much as I can, it’s never enough.
Carl
In my spare time when I get any? I like to focus on family time with my wife and 5 Daughters and try and do The Dad thing I like to listen to different musical genres and get new ideas for new songs Drum Wise…although most of the time I subject my family to rehearsal recordings of System of Hate when they don’t behave ha ha,!!!!! I like to try my Hand at Gardening and DIY but this has now settled down has I have had a 10x16ft mancave erected at the bottom of my garden complete with TV & BAR This is my Retreat to Sanity …There is No Madness Here !!! .
What got you into music in the first place?
Pat
Just wanting to express myself, write something and record it, play it live. Watching mates in bands and fancying the buzz. I had a break from being in a band for a little while and did band management and eventually that got me wanting to play live again, which it did. Whatever crap is going on, coming off after a gig makes everything okay in the world.
Carl
What Got Me into music ?? Well I used to watch some of my old mates jamming a terrible noise at a local youth club building and I thought this is ok so me and a few other friends got our shed band together called High School Hookers, we did covers of The Ramones /STD and all the usual pistols stuff etc very badly as I was the singer we all had budget instruments so we could capture that real punk sound as it were ha!!! we got £40 for our first gig a year later in a snooker bar in Pontefract called the green baize its now a shop I believe, so I guess this is my First taster to be part of a band, ? I was then offered my first drumkit for £100 and decided I wanted to be a Drummer ( Why !!!!) I remember the rest of the lads arguing with me in the local chip shop not wanting me to be the Drummer Why Didn’t They Talk Me out of it Ha Ha.. I’m only joking I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What’s the alternative scene like in Barnsley?
Pat
It’s not great, we have a lack of suitable venues, we have some great bands though. Barnsley has a big pull for cover and tribute bands, must be something in the water, it’s killing music as far as I’m concerned.
Carl
The Alternative scene in Barnsley used to be The place to be at one time or so I hear !!! as I’m more Wakefield side of the border so Leeds was my usual gig Hangout,
it has lots of musical history such as The Danse Society who were Barnsley’s version of simple minds as such with a 250k recording advance at the time but they were more of the goth scene they did TV appearances etc at the time, and are still going strong as we are supporting them at a venue in Barnsley this weekend Paul Gilmartin the Drummer stood in for me for a while when I had a serious car accident in 2013, but like a lot of old venues as the local crowds diminish so does the scene unfortunately but on the positive side we still manage to pull a crowd in Barnsley The old punks are still there… we will always strive as a original band to keep music and venues alive…
Nice. Looking forward to hear their next release.