First question, and the most obvious for an 'Introducing' piece, tell us a bit about Hands Off Gretel. How did you guys come to form a band?

 

We came together early October last year (2014) after the death of my “Lauren Tate” Solo project. It was the best decision ever. The music, the style, the vision. It was all changing and going elsewhere and i’m just so glad i decided to follow and create the band, “Hands Off Gretel”. Sean had been my guitarist for almost 2 years and Laura had joined The Lauren Tate band just as it ended, all we needed was a bassist and by late October we had Danny on bass and i instantly felt this fuzzy feeling that everything was happening how it should be.

 

Have you done many live shows? How have they gone?

 

So far we’ve only done 4 shows. I was so so nervous before our first show, i slipped a little on Yäger and coke as it was the first show i’d ever played guitar live and once i was up onstage i was looking down at my hands and they where just doing it on their own, like magic. It’s annoying because by the 6th song you're all warmed up and ready and it’s nearly over, we all love preforming. It’s for sure the most fun thing to do as a musician, especially when the room is full of people with smiles and bobbing heads. Its actually quiet hilarious watching people dance to songs I wrote in my room, it’s like.. the best feeling ever. People loved us though, so many people have come up to us after and complimented us over and over in drunk voices. One guy said to me “You guys sound so raw, watching you makes me think of the first time i saw Nirvana play live”. 

 

Why should people be coming to your shows?

 

Right now I feel there aren't many female fronted grunge bands out there, people should come see us because we are just giving it everything. When we play it is so new to us, and fun and the more we play the less I know whats going to happen next. These are the early days for us, and I believe so deeply that we are going to become a successful band in the future, these are the most exciting days for us. Plus we are personal, we connect and we aren’t trying to be rockstars. 

 

Within Temptation are headlining Bloodstock, Halestorm have a new album, Marmozets are just unstoppable, 2015 could well be a massive year for female fronted rock/metal. How do you plan on making the most of it?

 

This year as you say is going to be massive for lady rock. L7, Babes in Toyland, Sleater Kinney, and Jack Off Jill have all reformed and I just can’t believe it! We are going to play lots of gigs, hand out flyers and make it our mission to spread our name, record a new single early autumn and then by the end of the year we are planning on recording our first album. I cant wait! Next year will be ours.

 

Taking things a bit easier for the rest of it, any pre-show rituals?

 

All of us tend to jump around frantically before we get onstage, there's no real ritual as we are always so spread apart doing a million different things and talking to people.  I hide away and hum for about a hour before I sing, while Danny takes it to the extreme and runs laps around the venue shouting loudly like a maniac. 

 

Backstage tipple of choice for the band?

 

Laura is a beer kinda girl, Danny actually just drinks anything in sight, Sean sticks to the cider and I only drink spirits. But if I drink before a show, I cant sing but I’m amazing on guitar. like, really amazing!

 

Last two, where can people pick up your music and get in touch with you?

 

We released free music at our website for people to download at www.handsoffgretel.co.uk

 

We are pretty active on all social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, that kinda thing. 

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/handsoffgretel

 

Twitter:  twitter.com/HandsOffGretel

 

Instagram: instagram.com/handsoffgretel

 

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCJz2vGY4xWeE8im90L7ryAQ

 

Finally, who do you think is the best band in the world?

 

Oh my, that is so hard! My favourite band in the world is probably Hole or Babes in Toyland, but i’d say the best band in the world has to be Nirvana. It just has to be. Nobody does it like they did.

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us. Best of luck for the rest of the year and be sure to forward us a copy of your album when it's done!