Showcase: HOLY
If you were to ask the Average Joe what immediately springs to mind when you think about Milan, one could wager that most would be thinking of the football juggernauts that occupy the city’s San Siro, the stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, or perhaps just a holiday in the sun. For those who have an attraction to old school hardcore, or anything that’s loud and in your face, perhaps 2012 will be the year you associate the beautiful city of Milano with HOLY.
HOLY are a four piece old school hardcore band who have, individually, been active in Italy’s hardcore scene for quite some time now. With a lack of funds, but plenty of inspiration, it wasn’t too long ago that the four Italians got together to try and create something collectively while others planned their vacations. “HOLY got together initially as a side-project”, says guitarist Tadzio, “we used our spare time to start rehearsing and create music. The basic idea was to do something different from the other bands we were involved with, something powerful, catchy, noisy, fast and slow, all at the same time.”
They certainly managed to do exactly that with their debut self titled EP. Clocking in at 11 minutes, the 8 track CD batters away creating a colossal noise that dips and turns at such a pace that you’ll find yourself wondering exactly what the fuck just happened. Think modern Converge with a bit of a more punk rock feel to it and you’ll have yourself a good idea of what to expect from HOLY. It only took a few days to knock out the EP that you will eventually be able to buy on 23rd January, but the passion that oozes from the music is the result of issues that have been brewing a lot longer than that.
When it comes to influences, guitarist Tadzio is eager to point that life is the biggest driver: “Almost everything that we do within our everyday life gives some influence to what we produce in the rehearsal room. Many times we are not satisfied by our jobs, by what we read in the newspapers, by what we see on television. We find ourselves discussing these topics quite a lot.”
“There are a lot of bands that have influenced our sound. We all listen to different kinds of music and all are in love with the 80′s classics and the 90′s new school hardcore. We just want fast, angry music, but also strong and communicative lyrics.”
Their city of origin bares the brunt of most of the band’s musical output. Tadizo is quick to discuss the recent bad press the country has been receiving in the media across the globe “Sometimes we feel sorry for what other countries see is happening in Italy. The political situation here is ridiculous and I can’t stand not being able to do something that could change it. Just speaking out about it (even in a song) is doing something, taking a stand.” The band find themselves frustrated at their country of origin in more ways than one. Whilst Italy has produced some well known hardcore bands in recent times (such as the likes of Gold Kids, to name just one), it’s hardly a major player in the genre, such as the likes of the USA and UK. When asked about the Italian hardcore scene, the band are very downbeat about the current state of affairs. “Unfortunately the Italian hardcore scene is not that good” says Tadzio. “We have been doing shows in some squats here in Milano for the past 4-5 years, but in the past few months it seems that this city is dying. Less shows, less bands, less people involved.”
“…sometimes I think that if I was born 10 years before or 1000 miles away from Italy, I could have done so much more.”
- Tadzio (guitarist)
It’s easy to see why Tadzio is extremely pessimistic when talking about the Italian hardcore scene. You’d have to acknowledge that if the band had operated in the States, where hardcore is in its prime, the picture would have been a lot less bleak. Despite the cynicism when talking about Italy, the mood picks up when Tadzio talks about hitting the UK for the first time in 2012. “We are really looking forward to doing UK and European shows soon. We can’t wait to hit the road for the first time! Expect to be hit in the face by an atomic bomb, stabbed in the back by a samurai sword and kicked in the ass by Satan’s son!”
If the picture Tadzio paints doesn’t excite you even a little, then I’m not entirely sure what will. One thing’s for sure. HOLY have the quality, experience, and determination to make huge waves when they arrive on British soil. You won’t want to miss them.
