Stitches are performing at the Music is Dead launch party on 17 January 2015 alongside Fire At Will, Static Era and Dead End Boys. Kerry interviewed Hugh (bass) about their 2014 EP Harder Times and their plans for the future.
What song from the Harder Times EP are you most proud of and why?
I really love the bass line from F* Them, so groovy and grinding, really enjoy playing it live.
How is work on Stitches first full length album going?
Good, Just working on some tracks in the band room at the moment but its sounding massive and super fun.
What can we expect to see from Stitches in 2015?
Hopefully bigger and better things, playing some kick ass shows and releasing some tunes and continuing to love what we are doing.
What albums are you currently listening to?
Lately so many great Kiwi bands have been dropping some awesome things, for example Shihad, I Am Giant, Devilskin, but also I'm always listening to older stuff; in my CD player I have everything from GNR to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Who are some of your favourite bands and musicians right now?
Definitely I Am Giant would be in there and I recently saw The Datsuns play which took me back to my dirty rock n roll roots.
What plans do you have over the Xmas/New Years break?
Spending time with family, surfing and all round chilling out after such a busy year.
What is your favourite holiday spot in NZ?
Mount Maunganui without a doubt, I grew up there so it always feels good getting back down there.
What is your most embarrassing moment on tour or at a show?
Hmmmmm probably being up on stage and wondering why I can't hear my backing vocals, then being told by the sound tech to turn the mic on.....
What can you never leave home without?
A Hat of some sort, plus the standard 3; keys wallet and phone.
Armed In Advance are a heavy rock trio from Auckland with a penchant for ruthlessly efficient, hard hitting post-grunge songs laced with pop sensibilities and thought provoking undertones. Hailing from Auckland, the band is made up of JP Carroll (guitar and vocals), Hugh Hokopaura (bass) and Ryan Thomas (drums).
Since starting out in 2013 under the moniker of Stitches, AIA have released an EP (Stitches EP, 2014) and a full length (Change/Evolve, 2016), and have subsequently had the honor of 5 songs gracing the NZ rock radiowaves over that time. The most recent success of rotation play for single Same Old Story on the country’s biggest rock radio station, the Rock FM, paved the way for a debut full length album described as “refreshing… modern hard rock with a point of difference.” (Muzic.net.nz)
Change/Evolve reached #9 on the NZ album charts, and was accompanied by a sold out Auckland release show. Two tracks from Change/Evolve were deemed worthy of NZ On Air funded music video grants (Same Old Story, Running You Down).