We were all in a band before To The Lions, just with an additional singer, when she left, we changed our direction drastically, so we decided we needed a new name. We put our music library on shuffle and waited to see if anything jumped out at us. We had a long list which we all disagreed on, and To The Lions was one of the only ones everyone liked!

Which bands do you draw inspiration from musically?

Machine Head, Meshuggah, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, The Haunted. A lot of metal, but you’ll find a lot more in our songs than just chuggy riffs, some have some quite catchy singalong choruses, and others have bluesy lead parts!

What can people expect from your live show?

A band who always give everything they have, whether it’s in front of 10 people or 100 people! Heavy breakdowns, mosh pits, and most of all, a good time for everyone!

What song would you recommend from your Facebook?

Breathe is the best example of the direction we are headed. We are also giving it away for free (along with ‘Step by Step’) on our official website (www.tothelions.co.uk).

http://www.facebook.com/tothelionsmusic

Rainy Boy Sleep has released his video for the ‘Shopping Centre Song’ – the lead track from his EP released to coincide with his support of James Morrison on his UK tour.

The video is available here:

You can see him on tour with James Morrison at the remaining dates on the tour:

3-Feb-12 Cambridge  Corn Exchange
4-Feb-12 Southampton  Guildhall
6-Feb-12 Leicester De Montford Hall
7-Feb-12 Birmingham  O2 Academy
9-Feb-12 London Hammersmith Apollo
10-Feb-12 London Hammersmith Apollo
12-Feb-12 Southend Cliff Pavillion
13-Feb-12 Bristol Colston Hall
15-Feb-12 Glasgow O2 Academy
17-Feb-12 Leeds  O2 Academy
18-Feb-12 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
19-Feb-12 Newcastle O2 Academy

23 year old Rainy Boy Sleep, aka Stevie Martin, has been hailed as one of Northern Irelands bright new acts. With his unique song writing, haunting voice and production skills, he spent the Summer of 2011 capturing the hearts of many – playing Glastonbury, Hard Rock Calling (Hyde Park London) and the Reading and Leeds Festivals on the BBC introducing stage and many more. He even supported Cyndi Lauper on her UK tour, which gave Stevie the opportunity to sing ‘Time after Time’ onstage at London’s Hammersmith Apollo with Cyndi herself.

A Wolf At Your Door’s POLAR have just finished recording their debut album ‘Iron Lungs’ with Tom Mitchener and Steve Sears from Spy Catcher for a release in May. Before that they’re hitting the road again with Young Guns throughout February and have kindly taken the time out of their busy schedule to answer some questions for Noise Addiction. Find out which member of the band would be best in a one on one with a polar bear!

So you’ve recorded a new album, what can we expect from this latest offering?

Well the band has come a long way since writing This Polar Noise, that was written nearly 2 years ago and in that time we have become individually better musicians and in turn a better band. This has enabled us to write better songs for a start. We’ve explored different tempos and keys to give the album some variety. We really didn’t want to write a longer version of the ep, this album has peaks and more atmospheric aspects. We wanted an album that will have longevity and felt the only way to do that was variety. It’s just as heavy if not heavier and in the most part as upbeat to so rest assured we are very confident with this release.

You’re signed to A Wolf At Your Door records with likes of other sprightly up and comers such as Deaf Havana and Mallory Knox. How well do you get on with your label mates?

Both bands mentioned are good friends of ours. We meet so many bands on the road which makes us naturally spend a lot of time together. What is great is that regardless the styles of music we as people get on and have genuine interests in how eachother are getting on. This is highlighted most of all at festivals, a weekend where there are so many bands in the same place having a laugh together. A wolf at your door have great bands on the roster and great as people.

What promoted the title “Iron Lungs”?

Technically the band is to us what an iron lung is to someone’s whos lungs have collapsed. As an overview an iron lung is metaphorically what’s keeping us going, this album has within it our future as Polar. We’ve put everything into it and pushed our boundaries. This album needed to happen as it has to keep us going forward as Polar.

You guys seem to gig fairly relentlessly, what can someone expect from you if they’ve never been to one of your shows?

Yeah last year we toured a hell of a lot so gave us a chance to really perfect our live show. Our shows are lively and ultra aggressive, we don’t want a moment for anyone to turn their back it’s totally relentless. I think people are too scared to take their eyes off the stage or within the crowd for that matter as certain members like to spend the show in with the kids. It’s a visual show as much as the music in our eyes.

What band or bands will you mostly be looking out for this coming year?

There’s loads to mention and will probably forget some but Heights are definitely one, Feed The Rhino always impress us live also with a new record this year. Mallory Knox and Hildamay will have a big year ahead too. Spycatcher (new album) and Real Adventures who are from our hometown, they’re a great band.

What are you guys most looking forward to in 2012?

Festivals! Had an amazing reception when we played the summer festivals last year and like we said earlier it gives a chance to see all our friends we’ve met on the road on the same weekend. Some of our best shows have been in a festival environment.

What is the hardest part of being on the road for you guys?

There’s nothing bad about being on the road. Being on the road is everything and it should be for every band.

Anything you can’t live without?

Big beats, strong booze, loose morales and bitches.

Who would you most like to tell to “Cowboy the Fuck Up”?

Steve Sears Jnr our producer for Iron Lungs, a solid gentleman and amazing at what he does but quite frankly he’s taken the piss out of me whilst doing this so this is my payback. He needs to Cowboy the fuck up stat!!!

Which one of you would stand the best chance in a one on one with a polar bear?

It’s gotta be Rick (bassist) he’s the biggest of all of us. He’s got hands like a bunch of bananas and judging by his road rage he might last slightly longer than the rest of us. We’d have his back tho, we’ll throw stones and snow and stuff to distract the anger fuelled bear. Polar dominate yo.

The band’s second album, ‘Union City Breath’, was released in October last year. Much like its predecessor, ‘Born To Ruin’, it has been very well received nationwide and throughout mainland Europe by fans and critics alike. Produced and engineered by Peter Miles (The King Blues, The Computers, Sonic Boom Six), the album is a triumph of punk rock energy, alt. country vitality and rabble-rousing honesty.

Not easy to categorise, and all the better for it, Crazy Arm’s sound is an accumulation of decades of influence and inspiration: rooted in hardcore/punk, ‘60s protest folk/country and Springsteen-esque classic rock’n’roll. They combine this with a grass-roots political overview that embraces anti-war, anti-fascist and pro-community activism.

FEBRUARY 2012
29th – White Rabbit, Plymouth (with Austin Lucas + Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)

MARCH 2012
1st – Croft, Bristol (with Austin Lucas + Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
2nd – The Hydrant, Brighton (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
3rd – Firebug, Leicester (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
4th – Fighting Cocks, Kingston (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)
5th – Norwich (with Apologies I Have None + Great Cynics)

www.facebook.com/thecrazyarm