Noise Addiction’s own Emma Bowdidge took a trip to Slam Dunk Festival in Hatfield this year and on her travels spoke to a few upcoming bands that were playing on the day. First band Noise Addiction catch up with are alternative/metal 4-piece Acoda who talk to us about their excitement to be playing Download Festival for a 2nd year running as well as talk about their debut album which is in the pipeline. Lead vocal/Guitarist – Damon Tang and Bassist – Stephen Crook answer..

You’re about to hit the stage at Slam Dunk South any time soon – Got anything special planned for your audience?

Stephen: Just the usual heavy tunes and a nice solid set.
Damon: Yeah the usual Acoda show.

But for those who haven’t seen you yet what would the usual Acoda show be?

Damon: A lot of energy.
Stephen: We’re like an alternative/metal sort of music so yeah people are just going to see our band.
Damon: They’re going to see 4 guys on stage sweating.
Stephen: Pulling stupid faces and screaming.
Damon: Being really in to it.

How’d your set go down yesterday with the Slam Dunk North crowd?

Stephen: It was good yesterday. It was a bit quiet when we first went on..
Damon: Then it slowly filled up. Everyone stayed around towards the end.
Stephen: Yeah bit of head banging.
Damon: It was good.

You just announced you’re playing Download Festival for a 2nd year running on the RBBJ stage – How does that feel?

Stephen: Well last year we got to play a load of the summer festivals including Download through the Red Bull Bedroom Jam and that was brilliant. This year it’s cool to get invited back on our own outside of the RBBJ. We love Donnington basically and we’ve been going to Download since it started. It’s a dream to play there and for a 2nd year running, we’re excited for it.

What other festivals will Acoda be hitting up this summer?

Damon: We got some stuff in the pipeline that we can’t announce just yet.
Stephen: Gig wise after Download we’re going to be touring in June and doing our first ever visit to Wales – Long over due visit.
Damon: We’re looking forward to getting up there – Make some new fans.
Stephen: And again Scotland that’ll be cool – We love going up there to see our pals up there and a few shows about the North, Midlands and the South. Get along to one of those gigs.

You released a self titled EP this year in March – How’s it been received by fans and press?

Damon: It’s been well received with the press so far. Seems to be a lot of people impressed by it.
Stephen: Yeah the press side of things is cool – It’s obviously not the be all and end all but it’s nice to know people are thinking your music is standing out from other bands. People are getting in touch with us over Twitter, Facebook and stuff to let us know they’ve brought it.
Damon: Good vibes all round.

Are there plans for a full-length next? And what can we expect from it?

Stephen: Yeah it’s going to be a continuation of the EP. It’s our opportunity to show people what we’re about and what we want to do as a band.
Damon: On a bigger scale as well – More tunes, the EP’s condensed where as the albums going to be a bit more fluid and more dynamic.

Have you finished recording the album? And roughly when can we expect a release?

Damon: We’ve recorded 7 songs for the album. We’re writing the last 4 or 5 to put on it. We’re hoping to get it out by the end of the year.
Stephen: Before the album drops we’ve got another single coming out coming off the EP called ‘This Is Life’.
Damon: We shot a video for it recently. We’re releasing it next month obviously we’ll get more juicy details out there nearer the time!
Stephen: It’s a good song, it’s a real well rounded track.

What bands are you most looking forward to checking out today?

Stephen: Yesterday we watched Don Broco, Funeral For A Friend, While She Sleeps.
Damon: Every Time I Die, Taking Back Sunday as well.
Stephen: Tonight we’re going to be watching Architects.
Damon: Definitely.
Stephen: Watching Golden Tanks who are on before us on the Redbull stage.
Damon: There’s so many good bands at this festival it’s hard to choose.
Stephen: You could name drop everyone!

After you’ve played today how will you be spending the rest of your time at Slam Dunk?

Stephen: I think we’ve got a couple more press bits to do and then we’re going to be out watching bands. Tonight we’re going to catch up with the bands that clashed last night.

Thanks for your time – Any last words?

Stephen: Check out all our social networks.. @acodauk on Twitter and Facebook.com/acodauk. And if you’re in to Tumblr and all that stuff..
Damon: We’re on YouTube.
Stephen: Actually sack all that off and just go and watch us!

Acoda will be back on the road in June after Download Festival with ‘I’ll Stay In Memphis’ – For more information and tour dates visit their FACEBOOK.