Countdown to MPF: Ritual Error Interview
Ritual Error have been a favourite of TNSrecords for a while now and never fail to impress us with their live set. Do yourself a favour and check them out.
How would you introduce yourselves to a punk fan who’s not heard of you yet?
Weirdo punks who venerate 80s hardcore, noise-rock and Drive Like Jehu, Unwound and all the Dischord, Touch & Go and Ebullition bands.
Which of your songs/releases are you most proud of, and why?
The next one’s always going to be the best, right?
Jokes aside, it’s a difficult choice. We’re very attached to our 2022 demo, because Aaron was still singing with us and because that tape opened so many doors. But also our single “Good Conscience in Three Stages” as it’s the first song we released as a trio.
Tell us a secret about your band.
It all started because Okala wrote on a facebook group focused on 90s emocore/posthardcore that he was searching for London based people to start an angular Sarah Kirsch-inspired band. It took months after this before we got together.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Ale: I think it was Iron Maiden in ‘93 or ’94 (I was never a fan though). That said, I remember the first gig that really shocked me, and was a gateway for me…A Minor Forest / 3 Mile Pilot in ‘97.
Okala: it was Limp Bizkit supported by Godflesh at Wembley Arena in like 2000. Godflesh came out on stage in a red Cadillac haha.
David: like most people, the first gig I went to was a Blues Brothers tribute act.
Who would be in your supergroup?
Ale: A band made of my favourite bass players rotating on various instruments and vocals each song – Vern Rumsey (RIP), Fred Erskine, David Wm. Sims, Bob Weston, Tara Jane O’Neal, Bent Saether, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe.
Okala: Ooh good question. Mike Watt on bass, Joe Baiza of Saccharine Trust on guitar, Vin Novara of 1.6 Band on drums, Christine from Gouge Away on vox, with Sonny Rollins freestyling on sax. The band would be fast and weird as shit.
David: I’d bring together hardcore and emo pioneers from Rites of Spring (e.g. Brendan Canty and Guy Picciotto) and Minor Threat (e.g. Ian MacKaye) and a previously unknown but absolutely killer bassist (e.g. Joe Lally)
If you were a biscuit/cookie, what would you be and why?
A Peanut Brittle that’s gone soft. You could say it’s got a post hard core (if you’re a terrible person)
Oasis or Blur?
Ale: Who?…ok, if you ask me with a gun to my head…Blur for the music, Oasis for the background.
Okala: Blur gave birth to a racist farmer so I could never choose them. Growing up I preferred the Manic Street Preachers, which was not a cool choice at the time and still isn’t. Holy Bible rules though!
David: Blur but reluctantly
Too much ska or too little ska?
Too much!
Dogs or Cats?
We won’t engage with such divisive rhetoric.
Who’s your favorite superhero?
Superhero? Ian Mackaye? Mike Watt!
Help us settle the age-old bread debate. What do you call a roll / cob / bap / barm / batch / muffin / other (specify)?
Bap!
Finally, which bands are you most excited to see at MPF2024?
Pissed Jeans rule so we can’t wait to see them. Everyone should go see Migraines, they are sick live! Also Hot Water Music, Scream, Lakes, Shooting Daggers, Martha, incaseyouleave…what a line-up!
There are less than 100 MPF2024 tickets available. Pick one up here.