EXCLUSIVE: Smash Up: The first Interview"The last time we were all truly happy is when we were in this band, and there was only one way to fix that."
Smash Up in 2013, pictured Left to right: James, Jake, Dan, Ollie, Chris In November 25th 2013, a band that have been called one of the most important in the hardcore genre in the last 10 years (which they quickly dismiss as nonsense) by fans and artists alike returned completely out of the blue and we had the chance to give you the bands first interview since 2011, however we still couldn't get them to tell us what happened on that infamous night in Southampton in 2008! The answers to a lot of your questions lie below:First of all, to three of you, welcome back! And to the two new guys, well, welcome! How does it feel to be reunited?Jake: Thank you! It feels great, really, we've had this in the works for a few months now so to finally have it out in public feels absolutely fantastic! We're all really excited to start the new chapter of the band.
Chris: I think I speak for both James & I when I say that we're overwhelmed by how welcome we are as members of the band, because as most of you would have read, we've been with the band in some way, shape, or form for quite a while now, even though unfortunate circumstances have meant that we're now members, they've all made us feel welcome.
James: I must admit, I couldn't sleep for a few days before we broke the news that we were the new members just because of the potential reaction of fans, but like Chris said, we've been welcomed with open arms and it feels amazing!
We all know that you're back together, but something that's shocked is the name change, back to the original name of Smash Up! Is there any reason behind it?Dan: Let's be honest, I don't think many people considered us as Chimera, we'll always be Smash Up! We just thought that the new era should start similar to our old one, we're back living in our hometown and under the original name ready to start a new journey.
You said that you're back living in your hometown of Cardiff, so where have you been previous to this?Dan: Well after the last show in 2011 I first moved to London to start my solo project & began to self-produce my album, but some old friends from bands such as Fathom and Dead Roses got in touch with me and wanted some demos recorded, they put me in touch with a few bands which I continued to work with and I found myself as a producer six months later, so the solo project never really worked out!
Ollie: I went travelling, because I'll be honest, I found myself in a really low place for a long time after Luke passed away, I saw a bit of the world and as self-indulgent as it sounds, I think I really found myself again, I came back home and found myself working in the background of Broken Dolls Entertainment - the promoters of Aftermath Festival and all that, I got in touch with the guys [from the band] after I was settled.
You all seemed quite busy, so what was it that sparked the reunion?Dan: It was actually after Ollie, as he just said, contacted us all, we met up a few times in different spots of the country, him and Jake came to visit me in the studio and after about an hour we were tracking guitars and couldn't stop talking about the idea.
Jake: I think it was sort of inevitable once the three of us were in the studio together! We felt the same vibes as we used to, however Ben wouldn't join us, he's happy working in LA as promoter, he's doing well for himself and he said he's happy, but as for the three of us, I think I can safely say the last time we were all truly happy was when we were in this band, and there was only one way to fix that.
James: And that's when they got in contact with me! As many of you know I went behind the kit for them to attempt to fill my good friends shoes, a task that is still daunting to this day! I was sceptical about the idea but after a few practices with Chris, we realised that this was working.
Was it hard to adapt without Luke being there? After all, he was one of the founding members of the band and was a very popular character in the music world?Ollie: It was always going to be and to a certain extend still is, like I said it hit me really hard when he passed, not that it didn't to everybody but yes, I've come to accept it but the next challenge is life on the road.
Jake: I still expect to see him some days, it's been over two years but I guess the brain can do that to you, we're all settled but you have those moments where you sort of, forget he's gone, when someone dies at the age of 22 it just doesn't feel real.
James: Even though I'm sat where he should be it's still surreal for me because he was my friend for most of my life, I remember when he got his first drum kit and he instantly fell in love! I still miss him and as Ollie said, life on the road is going to be something difficult, I was his drum tech so spent as much time as most of the boys did with him!
You've confirmed that a new album will be released in 2014, is there any release date in the works or even a time frame?Dan: Quite simply, no, we're taking our time with this one, even though it's coming together pretty quickly we're in no rush to release new material, the last thing we want to do is rush this album, so please be patient with us! We're not going to make you wait until 2015 or 2016 or whatever, but we are taking our time.
Ollie: We haven't even made a decision on the name yet!
As far as touring goes, is it the same situation?
Dan: Yes, but we're hoping to get on the road fairly soon after we get out of the studio, we've had some of the craziest, most mind-blowing and simply incredible experiences on tour, we hope to get back to that soon!
Speaking of crazy experiences, can you tell us what exactly happened on that night five years ago in Southampton?! You had one member arrested and one put in hospital which ended your UK tour pretty early, you've never told the story though!Dan: (laughing) And we never intend to!
Jake: Like you said, it's been five years and I'm still not ready to tell that story! Maybe we'll let you know one day but I think we're still recovering from it slightly, all I can say is that not one of us touched a drop of alcohol on the following two tours after that!
I think that says it all! I'm not sure I need to ask anymore questions after that! Thank you very much for talking to us.Smash Up return in 2014
Their first live show takes place on February 1st in London
The bands sixth studio album will be released in 2014