MR: Hi guys how you been keeping during these difficult times ?
We've not been doing too bad, considering what everyone is having to go through at the moment. Thankfully we're all safe and well and ready to get back out there playing gigs again when we can!
MR: Lets start at the beginning, how did you guys meet and what was the reasons in becoming a band ?
We formed as Last of the Misfit Heroes in April '19. Well I've (Steve Catt - vocals/guitat) known Anj (Andrew Jackman - bass/backing vocals) since school. We met when we were 5 years old so it's been a while. We grew up together and started getting into music and playing the guitar at the same time. Chris (Chris Catt - drums) is my cousin. I've know him for quite a while as well!
The reason we came together goes back to January '19. Just after Xmas '18 I had a massive issue with my mental health. I had always known something didn't feel right but had know idea what it was. On January 10th my mind gave up on me, that's what it felt like. I had know idea who I was anymore or what was going on. I struggled to even make a cup of tea! I must have made thousands of cups of tea over the years but I just couldn't do it! My mind was a complete mess and I couldn't think straight. I struggled to even look people in the eye. I had to reach out for medical help as I couldn't cope. I was basically dealing with depression, anxiety and stress and I'd let it build up to a point where I couldn't function anymore.
I then went through an even darker period. Blaming myself for letting myself get into this position, hating myself for putting my family and friends through this and not knowing if I was ever going to get out of it!
I decided that I needed to start again. I took everything that was offered to me from CBT, group therapy and meditation. I tried everything and anything to get my head out of the space it was in. I realised it wasn't just one thing that got me to this point but a whole series of issues, life events and decisions that had built up.
One thing that had been a frustration for me was music. I had played in bands growing up but I never felt that I had achieved what I could have out of music. I had given up on music altogether, not even picking up a guitar for enjoyment! So I thought, what is it I want out of music, out of a band? What were the bits I enjoyed and what were the bits I didn't enjoy? Once I had worked out that I wanted to write my own material and perform and just be creative, I then went about putting Last of the Misfit Heroes together. It took me less than 5 minutes to decide to ask Anj and Chris. I had loads of ideas and started putting pen to paper and getting all these ideas down. In April '19 we had our first rehearsal and the rest as they say, is history!
MR: What bands did you grow up listening to ?
I grew up on British rock music. My dad had the Deep Purple 'Burn' album and Led Zepplin IV. I can still remember listening to the opening riff of Burn and thinking this was something special! Anj got me into Iron Maiden, I remember going round his house after school and watching Life After Death. That's when we decided to pick up the guitars, we wanted to be the next Dave Murray and Adrian Smith!
MR: Your music gives me a Killers vibe, How has the response been and do you have any plans for a full album release?
Killers, we'll take that! We've got so many influences in there that it's hard to place us sometimes. There's a definate heavy rock, punk and grunge influence in what we do.
The response has been fantastic to be honest, we've been blown away with the interest the EP 'Misfit, Misplaced' has generated! We will be releasing a full album shortly. As well as the 4 songs on the EP, we went back into the studio in August and recorded another 6 songs, so an album will be available soon!
MR: During this period of lockdown and restrictions how have you been keeping yourselves busy and have you been doing anything for the fans on social media ?
Yeah, we've been trying to keep ourselves busy. As well as recording we've been workling on videos for the 4 songs on the EP. We've been working with a great director, Gareth Benton-Macleod who's worked on all our videos. Again, going back to the whole creative thing. Working with Gareth has given all of us a chance to have an input in the videos as well as the music and it's all been a very positive experience!
We are also working on a documentary at the moment called 'Creating a Misfit'. We've been filming a lot of what we've been up to since we started and this short film will take you up to where we are now, just before we get ready to release the album.
MR: Going into 2021, What touring plans do you have and will we be seeing you over the UK ?
We would love to get out and start playing again! We were just building up a head of steam with the gigs before the lockdown. We don't have any plans at the moment and to be honest who knows where we're going to be next week let alone next year but as soon as we can we'll be out there!
MR: Finally where can my readers find you on social media ?
You can find us on all the social media sites
https://www.facebook.com/lastofthemisfitheroes/
https://twitter.com/last_misfit?s=09
https://www.instagram.com/lot_misfit_heroes/
https://youtu.be/Wlwc8j8cv28
