Getting to Know… Negative Frame

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In the 372^nd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from London hardcore / metal band, Negative Frame.

“We mix hard groove riffs with violent breakdowns and bouncy choruses.” WOO, 🎙 Negative Frame! In response to our first burning question, the London band adds, “We’re a part of the thriving UK hardcore/metal scene, playing shows up and down the country every weekend and pushing through Europe.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the collective’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Negative Frame: Interview No. 372!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Negative Frame distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

We’re Negative Frame from London, known for fire breathing and going viral with Street Soldier. We mix hard groove riffs with violent breakdowns and bouncy choruses. We rock hard and have a ton of fun playing shows around the world. The crowd however goes just as hard as we do, spin kicking, stage diving and throwing fists! We’re a part of the thriving UK Hardcore/Metal scene, playing shows up and down the country every weekend and pushing through Europe. Our old bass player was the kid who got kicked in the head by Scotty Street Soldier accidentally when stage diving. It was a viral sensation! We just came back from our release tour of 8-days with them, it was insane! Check out the 💿 Mercy Killing (EP) now! The Coming Strife Records UK / Death Farm Records EU.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Negative Frame form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

We formed during college in 2017 when we were 16, we met through skating around London. This band has always been about the live show, we live for it! We always wanted to play The Underworld as we grew up going there, last July we rocked it sold out with Kublai Khan! People were crowd surfing over this barrier shouting the lyrics back, it was insane.

We joined Avocado Booking after selling out shows, working closely with Matt from Funeral For A Friend. We performed with Thy Art Is Murder, our biggest show yet! We also went to Portugal for the first time, stoked to announce that we will be returning alongside a show in Spain.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Lamb of God, in particular, Burn The Priest, was the forefront inspiration for the groovy but crushingly violent mix within metal/hardcore. Acid Bath and Bad Brains bring the chaotic but memorable vibe to the madness. For me, Gary Holt from Exodus is my biggest shred hero, an unbelievably screaming lead player.

Ah, the fun stuff. What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance? Feel free to be creative.

Well, our first overseas shows were in Portugal this year! What chaos. We headlined a day fest at this art studio in Porto, the walls were built of drywall. The pit was so crazy people were flying into these walls which were collapsing during our show. People were being thrown into the walls causing huge holes and massive bits of dry wall falling to the floor. It was so gnarly! The venue was in pieces by the end of our set!

We also played a show in Lisbon in this pet shop that had been converted into a dingy punk venue. It was a crusty sold-out basement full of insane punk legends going mental! We can’t wait to return.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Apart from our new material, which is a fresh boost of power, 🎵 “Small World” is one of our anthems that rounds up our sound well. It’s hard and bouncy with a touch of emo-beatdown and rock n roll character. It always goes off and everyone joins in on the chorus. Sometimes people jump on stage and grab the mic for the entire song which is always fun.

“Small World” was one of the best writing experiences ever. I came to practice with the opening riff written in my room, we jammed it together and the rest of the song literally flowed from start to end!

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

All of us skate and love meeting new people on the road. It’s sick having friends across the country and in Europe. Come to your local show, start your own band or join in however you like! Hardcore and metal is flourishing right now and it’s amazing to be a part of.

Closing out, what is Negative Frame currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

We’re stoked to be coming back to Portugal this Halloween alongside a show in Spain. We’re gonna be playing fests across Europe in 2024 alongside our biggest tour yet, which is gonna be awesome!

The 💿 Mercy Killing (EP) is available now – Vinyl thanks to The Coming Strife Records and CDs from Death Farm Records EU. Limited tour merch is available on our band camp. Thanks for having us.