Recently Strength Records released the debut album by Coldside, a hardcore band who seems strongly influenced by a band such as Blood For Blood and the NYHC scene. I loved what I heard so I decided to drop the band a few questions by e-mail. Bassist Alan replied and like a lot of interviews I did in the past with hardcore bands I got a lot of short answers back so it’s a pretty fast read. 1, 2, 3, GO!!!
With newer bands I always kick off with a few basic questions… Please introduce yourself and the rest of Coldside to our readers.
I am Alan Merrick (Bass), Alfred “Opie” Dufour (Vocals), Tony “Chewface” Ogle (Vocals), Rob Polak (Guitars) and Wayne Wheeler (Drums).
When and how did the band got formed? Can you give us a brief history?
Tony Rob and Alan started in 1998 with a project named Wardogs then Alan and Rob joined the band Vietnom to release and tour 2 albums. Then after Vietnom Alan and Rob reconviened wih Tony to form Coldside. Adding Opie and Wayne to the lineup to form the strongest we have ever been.
Recently your debut album ‘We’ve Had Enough’ got released through Strength Records. How have the reactions been so far?
Excellent in all ways.
How did you guys got in touch with Strength Records? Did you got in contact with Roger or Onno (RIP)?
Onno (RIP) noticed us through our youtube video of Hooligans. Roger and Wouter have been our avenue since the passing of our brother Onno. Thanks to them and everyone involved.
The CD version got released a few months ago, the vinyl release is on it’s way and as pictured those blue versions look pretty sick! Excited?
Super stoked to put out vinyl with these guys at Strength.
When I reviewed ‘We’ve Had Enough’ I described your sound as Blood For Blood meets NYHC, what’s your opinion on this comparison and what bands have influenced your sound?
Exactly- Agnostic Front, Madball, Blood for Blood, Sick of it All and the list goes on and on.................
Next month you’ll be sharing the stage with Agnostic Front across Europe. Looking forward to it?
We couldnt be more excited to be sharing the stage with the legends.
I believe this is Coldside’s first time over in Europe. Members have been in bands prior to Coldside. Is this the first time you cross the ocean? What are your expecations from both the countries you’ll be playing in and from the crowd that will attend the shows?
COLDSIDE’s first chance at Europe and yes it seems we are being hyped up alot by our response on all social networks.
Our page / site is simply called ‘American Oi!’ though Coldside is obviously a hardcore band (to who you can sing-a-long just fine by the way! Haha), you guys into Oi! music? I noticed one of you guys wearing a ‘Booze & Glory’ shirt in one of the pictures.
Totally influenced by all Punk and Hardcore. Rob (booze and glory shirt) has definitely been into the punk and Oi! scene for a couple decades. His vinyl collection is INTENSE to say the least.
Okay that’s it, thanks! If there’s anything you’d like to add to the interview, feel free to do so!
Thanks so much for the oppurtunity and WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE PIT!!!! COLDSIDE!!!
