Lockdown represents Virginia hardcore scene with a heavy-ass sound which makes you think of bands like Bulldoze or Merauder. They already got pretty cool demo out, Born Guilty, which gives a good showcase of what they're capable of. Combined with some dark, but mean lyrics, you know it is worth checking out. We caught up with Matt, band's guitar player, to let us know the story behind Lockdown, future plans and other stuff typically discussed during hardcore interviews. Enjoy!
Lockdown represents Virginia hardcore scene with a heavy-ass sound which makes you think of bands like Bulldoze or Merauder. They already got pretty cool demo out, Born Guilty, which gives a good showcase of what they're capable of. Combined with some dark, but mean lyrics, you know it is worth checking out. We caught up with Matt, band's guitar player, to let us know the story behind Lockdown, future plans and other stuff typically discussed during hardcore interviews. Enjoy!
Who is who in the band and how has Lockdown came into being?
Lockdown is a 4 piece band. We have Dan doing vocals, Myself(Matt) playing guitar and vocals, Charlie on bass, and Dave on drums. We started in 2010, one of my older bands broke up and we got together and just started jamming some songs together and made a demo, and just been going from there.
Tell us something about Born Guilty? Why kids should check it out?
Born Guilty is the latest thing we recorded. If your into some sort of heavier hardcore its definitely something you want to check out. If you like Merauder, Bulldoze, Dying Breed, bands along those lines you will probably enjoy this.
What do you write your lyrics about?
Our singer Dan writes all the lyrics to the songs, but what I can tell you is that they are something that everyone can relate to. He sings about stuff that has happened in his life. They are all just very powerful, raw, and real.
Born Guilty is easily available for free download, but are there any plans to release it on a physical format?
We recently just put Born Guilty up for download, shortly after we got a couple emails from some people interested in putting it out. We are just waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully in the next couple months we will be able to say that we will have it out on vinyl.
Virginia has been producing some great bands in recent years, just to mention Naysayer, Fire And Ice or Down To Nothing, and the local scene seems to be blooming right now. What do you attribute it to?
Virginia does put out and has been putting out amazing bands. Down to Nothing, Fire and Ice, and Naysayer are all great bands, and doing really big things. I think its awesome to say I'm from Virginia and be part of this scene, I love it. I think what we attribute to it, is simply being from Virginia Beach. A lot of really good bands come out from the Beach, but not many people know about. So any way we can spread the word about them we do. There so many different sub-genres of hardcore that comes out of Virginia that there is something for everyone, which is really cool. We play more of a Hardcore/Metal Beatdown style, so I think thats the other thing we attribute to it.
Has it made it any easier to get their name out for bands like yours? And what are some of the bands who people from outside Virginia might still not know but they should check out?
A lot of really good bands coming out right now. Dead & Dreaming from Woodbridge are something you do not to sleep on, one of my favorites personally. Our friends in Paper Trail from VB just some new stuff out called, "Raw War," if you like heavy straight up hardcore check this out. Tough Luck, Break Away, and Upper Hand from Richmond are all doing really cool things right now. I could keep going cause there are so many good bands here.
What have been the high points and low points of being in hardcore scene?
Being in hardcore I've only had high points really. Meeting and becoming friends from all over the country is easily one of my favorite things about hardcore. Being able to see all my friends at a show in one place is awesome. Just the overall vibe that comes out of hardcore is awesome.
What do all the band members do outside the band and how is living in Virginia Beach like?
Aside from Lockdown, we all work and some of us go to school. We are actually kinda spread through out VA. Some of us live in Williamsburg and some of us live in Newport News. We don't actually live in VB anymore, but its were we go to all our shows and its where we call home.
I’ve heard you’re already working on some new tunes. Care to tell us something about it?
We are working on 2 news songs which we plan on recording in December for a split 7 inch with our friends in Dead & Dreaming. These two songs are easily the best songs we have written yet. They are heavier, faster, and harder. If you enjoy beatdown and heavy hardcore, our new songs are something you will want to check out.
Any last comments or shout outs before we finish?
Just want to say thanks for taking the time to do this interview with us. Check out all the bands coming out of VA, and keep and ear out for our new stuff. Hardcore Lives.
