The hardcore game is strong across our county, and it doesn’t come any less intense than Corby quartet Sharkteeth 
Grinder. They – Bobbo Haldane on vocals, Jonny Lewis on guitar, Ross Davison on bass, and David Hoile on drums – begin the year by releasing the feral and furious Volume II EP. Mixed and mastered by Jay Russell at Parlour Studios, it contains four songs of righteous rage to split your speakers apart. New Boots spoke to Haldane for the lowdown on the daily Grind.
How/why did you guys get together to do Sharkteeth Grinder?
Sharkteeth Grinder started out of pure boredom and a passion for touring. Myself, David, and Ross decided we wanted to start a band, so we got a couple of riffs together, found Jonny and Sharkteeth was born. We aren’t in this to try and make it big or to fake our way through the industry, we like to do things real and our way. We enjoy playing shows and we enjoy touring, that’s why we do it really and we won’t stop.
How would you describe your sound for the hard of attention?
Aggressive and mental.
How has the ride been so far: smooth and mercurial, chaotic and hellish…?
It’s never been hellish. That’s one thing with us, we’re all pretty close mates. Don’t get me wrong there has been ups and downs, but only when we’re skint and starving, sat somewhere waiting for load in. It’s been smooth and chaotic.
Why this EP? Do they represent where you’re at right now in any way?
Yes they do represent where we are at right now and we believe we’re a hard working touring band who do literally live on the breadline. Money has been a struggle, meaning we weren’t able to release Volume II last year. The hunger for touring cost us quite a bit of money so it’s been tough, but we have achieved a lot in the past year and have played a lot of shows. We believe releasing Volume II sets us up perfectly for a busy year a head.
What influences what you sing about? Is ‘Scandal’ really about the BBC and the Tories?
Society is fucked up and we like to highlight that through our music. ‘Scandal’ is a prime example of how fucked up this world is. The song is pretty much based on the BBC’s cover ups with Jimmy Saville and other sex scandals that have came out of that hell. The only good thing about the BBC is music, everything else is just bullshit. All of our tracks are based on how shit the Tories have made our lives, because they really don’t care about the common people like you and me. Any establishment/government that puts rich people ahead of the poor and in need should be slung out.
The Great Dictator: black comedy genius from Chaplin with a big message. Why has it particularly struck a chord with you?
Charlie Chaplin was a genius and the message he gives in that speech is pretty much everything we stand for. Also we’re massive fans of a band called The Chariot they’re pretty much our idols and it’s a thank you to their art. They released a track called ‘Cheek’ from the album One Wing which features the whole speech so we just thought stuff it and asked our good friend Jay Russell to make the intro for us.
Give us a quick synopsis of this Corby scene that makes you tick.
For our style of music there isn’t really a scene for it and it has been a struggle getting locals who aren’t friends on our side. But Corby is a thriving scene for other genres and is leading the way compared to some city’s and town’s across the country. Everything Marc Collins has done for Corby’s music scene has been from the heart and he’s got it to where it is today.
What is the best thing about being in this band?
I speak for the whole band when I say this, but touring is the best thing about being in a band. Honestly it’s the best days of your life no matter what anyone says, waking up with your best mates everyday travelling from place to place getting stoned and steaming then playing a gig. My advice to all the local bands that haven’t gone and done it yet is, get off your arse and get out there! You will not regret it, trust me.
Can we have an album please?
Yes, over the next 3/4 months we will be writing our debut 10 track LP.
What’s coming up on the horizon?
We will be touring pretty much every month other than February and October by the looks of things. Also we will be crossing over to Europe for two tours this year in April and then November, so please keep an eye out on all our social media’s to see when we’re close to you and if we are, get to a show.
Volume II is out Monday through the band’s own label/distro Grinder Records on all streaming platforms, 7” vinyl and CD [Haldane: “also if anyone wants to start their own record label, we encourage that idea and will give you the masters of Volume I and Volume II to help get you on your feet”].
[Headline photo by JazzaJewelz, EP artwork by Jordan Cameron]
