(Translated from Spanish)
We interviewed the band Wecandividedbyzero who will perform next June 22 at the Sala Orpheus Rock (Mairena del Aljarafe, Seville).
- With metalcore as the main style and bordering on other styles such as progressive: Leaving the metalcore that identifies you aside, what style do you feel most comfortable with?
Stylistically we are influenced by many genres! We have some metalcore characteristics but we don’t really know what we are in general, I guess it’s up to the listener to decide. We tend to lean towards the progressive metal side as we try to push ourselves into using unorthodox structures and strange time signatures. Some of our other tracks that haven’t been released yet, like ‘End of Days’ and ‘PIG’, lean towards more progressive elements. Chris tried experimenting with trap beats at one point, but Sam wasn’t too interested… hahahaha
- Wecandividebyzero is a curious name to say the least; Where did the idea of calling you that come from?
Erm… in all honesty, we don’t know where it came from. We used to listen to bands with names like ‘iwrestledabearonce’ and maybe we thought about naming our band in the same style…
We might as well have been really drunk and thought that was the way to go!
- You meet after a break of 8 years and in a new stage of creating and composing songs. How has the band evolved since its beginnings?
In the past we used to get together and play songs in the rehearsal room. We have all matured since then and adopted a more serious and agile approach to rehearsing and writing music. Everything we write is transcribed and solidified as we go.
- What made the band get back together after so long? What was that moment like?
Originally our band consisted of five members. Our vocalist/bassist Tristan Howes was initially just vocalist while our former bassist Juilian Chichon was in the band. Unfortunately Julian moved to the UK and we were left without a bassist. In 2021, a friend of the band (fiti) passed away. We were asked to do a tribute concert for him with all members of the music community. Tristan thought he could play bass and sing, at least for this gig and wecandividebyzero got together as Sam, Chris and Tristan. It was at that moment that we realized that maybe we could still do this with all three members and we went back to the rehearsal room to see how far we could go. We realized that most of our songs were playable and continued as a trio until 2023. Shortly after, our last member, Alex Vallejo, joined the band and we haven’t looked back since!
- With the restructuring of the group’s members and that stage of rest in rehearsals and performances. What are the expectations and objectives that you set for yourself in 2024?
We have some exciting plans for the rest of the year! We have ‘Artificial Soul’ coming out on the 17th of this month along with a music video and guitar performance! We also have another couple of singles coming out in the fall! We are also planning to play in a few more cities in Spain and expand from Gibraltar! Each of our releases will have a music video and guitar pieces, plus some fun merchandise…cough, underwear, cough.
- With party treats you have been your letter of introduction to the musical world since your beginnings. What can we expect from the new songs you are composing?
Our next releases will be even more brutal and have more progressive elements! We tend to be fans of djent, deathcore and metal/progressive rock, so our new tracks will follow a line of mixing these styles. Tristan, our singer will continue with brutal growls and catchy melodies while telling you a story.
- Speaking of new songs, how do you approach creating them as a band? What is the creative process of wecandividebyzero?
Usually one of our members, mainly Sam or Alex, comes to the band with an idea, sometimes a fully developed song, and then Tristan writes the melody and lyrics with Sam. Chris then adds and adjusts drums as we go. We all tend to decide the final versions of the song in the rehearsal room but then when it comes to recording and producing some things can change.
- As a group you already have your own defined style, but as individual musicians, what are the styles that define you and drive you to continue in music?
Sam Cottam, our guitarist, is very inspired by Deathcore and Djent. One of his main influences, especially when it comes to playing the guitar, is the band Fear Factory. Alex, our other guitarist, is inspired by progressive guitar music like Plini, Intervals and Animals as Leaders. Our drummer Chris Osbourne listens to many styles of music but his main preferences are Djent and death metal and he currently listens to Lorna Shore, he also listens to synth pop like the band The Midnight. Our singer Tristan likes bands like Bullet for my Valentine, Lamb of God and Slaughter to Prevail! In general, we all like heavy music, but we all appreciate a catchy melody like we would appreciate a disgustingly heavy riff!
- With the next tour already prepared, and according to everyone being the band’s strong point, how would you define the show you offer on stage?
Our live shows are energetic and we are sure to make you jump, move and sing! We also have our own light show that we bring with us that is directed by our secret fifth band member, Colin Hosken. Colin is our lighting engineer, merchandising designer, illustrator and does pretty much everything in that regard. Without him we wouldn’t be wecandevidebyzero.
- Soon you will make yourself known even more with a video clip, but for those who have not had the option to meet you. What would you say to them personally about wecandividebyzero?
We are normal guys who like to play heavy songs, laugh and we hope you enjoy our music and laugh with us. We always encourage our audiences to talk to us after playing and they are always welcome! We usually talk about anything, but we have a message for those who will come to our concerts… you should bring spare underwear… because you might shit yourself! But in case you don’t, we will sell our own underwear from wecandividebyzero! hahaha
Thank you very much for serving us and good luck with the new stage and the tour!
