Photo credit: Matthew O’Neill
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We thought with this lockdown and no shows (it sucks so much) that we would catch up with a couple of the guys from Pale Flag to see what their up to and how will things change with this lockdown. Also just some random chats!
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Hey guys! I feel like I’ve seen you guys a lot so it’s cool to finally have a chat.
Both: Likewise! Cheers for having us.
How’s the quarantine life treating you all?
Isaac: Keeping everyone nice and bored, haha.
Jack: Going a little bit crazy not being able to go out to see live music or play shows but we’re hanging in there.
You guys released your EP ‘Emergence’ last year which seemed to do well with your fans and there’s no question you guys do well at shows. Does 2020 hold much for Pale Flag? Or did it?
Both: Thank you so much! We had some fairly ambitious plans for this year but the lockdown has put a halt to the majority of them as far as we can tell unfortunately.
I don’t know if you saw that they said when things start calming down it’ll probably just be local shows for a while. Do you think you guys will play some shows or do you have any in the works?
Both: We will be jumping at the opportunity to play any shows possible the moment we get the green light. We do have a couple of potential plans but nothing solid at this stage. Nothing beats homegrown kiwi artists in our opinion so it’ll be great to get local shows back up and running!
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If not mentioned above, can you touch on more how this virus has affected the band, your plans etc?
Both: The virus has halted all our upcoming gigs for obvious reasons, as well as prevented us from getting any time in the studio and practice space. For all of us in Pale Flag this band is our biggest passion so it’s definitely a low point for all of the lads.
Your last show before lockdown was meant to be The Big Korero in Hamilton. However due to numbers etc it wasn’t able to go ahead with our lockdown. This is an event that touches on mental health. I personally hope it happens after this because I think people will need it. In saying all that, I wanted to ask how you guys are all doing with this and what is going around you? What have you noticed in the scene since everything got shut down?
Both: We definitely think that the Big Korero should go ahead once this all blows over, we were all really looking forward to being a part of it and we really care about the cause. There isn’t really a physical scene anymore, everyone has shifted over to social media as a means of utilizing their presence. It’s awesome to see all the extra content that bands are putting out in these strange times.
You guys have done a lot since kicking off in 2018. Where did you guys want to take this band? Like is this something you enjoy but as more of a hobbie or are you trying to take it further and travel etc?
Isaac: Overall I would like to keep playing music we enjoy to people who vibe with it and want to have a good time. With that being said, it would be awesome to play with bands we have looked up to wherever the opportunity takes us.
Jack: We’ve been going pretty hard out since we formed 2 years ago. At this stage it’s more of a hobby but we take it very seriously and spend the majority of our free time writing music, going to band practice, playing shows etc. I’m stoked with how well we’ve done so far and the opportunities we’ve been given have been unreal. Ultimately if we were able to take it further and turn it into a full time job, touring overseas we would in a heartbeat.
Where did the name come from and why that font?
Isaac: We very quickly came up with the band name at band practice (because we didn’t have a name at the time). We chose that logo because yes it is “metal”, but it is also still readable.
Jack: I had a list of random band name ideas that I thought sounded cool, which I’d gathered from all over the place (TV, movies, my daily Spotify playlists etc). “Pale Flag” was a song name by a band I liked, and when I brought the list to band practice it was the name that stood out to everyone. It was a very last minute decision as we were booking our first show and desperately needed a name so we just chose it and rolled with it.
The logo was designed by a very talented artist called Echo Graphic from France, we were beyond stoked with it the moment we saw it. I’d highly recommend checking him out if you need any logo work or album art done.
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What are some of the bands you guys listen to or are inspired by?
Isaac: Whitechapel, Aversions Crown, Chelsea Grin.
Jack: Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God, Slayer.
So obviously people look at you guys and they probably think “metal!” But what is something not particularly metal that people may be surprised to know about you?
Both: Most of us actually listen to a wide range of music generally, not just metal & hardcore. Artists such as King Gizzard, Ocean Alley & Tash Sultana are quite popular among the camp at the moment. Playing heavy music live is truly amazing though as the energy is through the roof and we love to see headbanging, moshing, stagediving, all of it haha.
If you could open for one band/artist, who would it be?
Isaac: To ask for one band is too hard, but for me it’d be Whitechapel or Parkway Drive.
Jack: Again, one band is a tough choice but I’d say either Slayer or Killswitch Engage.
Is there a NZ venue you hope to play one day?
Isaac: Galatos
Jack: Powerstation
What is a festival you would love to play?
Isaac: Summerblast Festival (Germany)
Jack: Unify Gathering (Australia)
What is one band you want to see live?
Isaac: Too many to choose from! I’d say either Despised Icon or Job for a Cowboy.
Jack: Picking two again, haha. For me it’d be Malevolence or Elder.
If you could start a rumour about yourself what would it be and why?
Isaac: The next Pale Flag release will be all clean vocals…
Jack: We originally wanted to call the band “Black Flag” but soon realised it was already taken…
Anything else you want to add or say?
Both: Despite being in lockdown we do have new material in the works, and on the way so keep an eye out.
Thank you for chatting to me! I wish y’all all the best during this lockdown. Look after yourself. Wash your hands. And hopefully I’ll see you in the pit soon.
Both: Thank you very much for having us Shelley. We’ll hopefully see you very soon!
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