BOLT ACTION - Nobody's Free Until Everybody's Free ! (UK - GrindCore - Interview with Bolt).

Hello ! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how it all began for you - your encounter with this musical universe, what appealed to you, what fascinated you and what made you want to get into music? 
Hi, I'm Andrew Bolton, most call me Bolton or Bolt. I took up drums as a hobby at about 13 and studied the traditional way taking grades etc. 
Around the age of 15 I realised it was way more fun to play music with others and extreme music found me. The intensity grabbed hold of me instantly and I wanted to play faster and harder all the time. To this day I get such a kick out of playing extreme music, especially when performing to others. 

Tell me about the band... How you met - the current line-up - past experiences - and above all - WHY the need to form THIS band?
Bolt Action started as a solo project by Myself - Bolton (Decimation, Human Mycosis). A bit of fun, and a personal challenge to see if I could make music on my own. 
After completing the first release I knew I wanted to take things to the stage and to achieve that I'd need members. With that in mind I started on the 2nd album "Animalian Retribution" and at this point Grandfather Nebulous or Neb (Wisdom Without Worship, Roastdead) joined as lead vocalist. After releasing the 2nd album Neb and Bolt immediately started on a third which is recorded in demo form. The plan was to develop the next release as a band so they needed guitar and bass. 
At this point Mike Stennett (Decimation, Septic Trauma, King Creature) joined on guitar, and Steve Moyle (Hinnom, Credit To Dementia , Hairy Dog Shit, Human Mycosis) on bass and backing vocals. 
We've all known each other for many years, we live in Cornwall where everyone knows each other so we know most people into extreme music. 
This band started off as one man having fun but has evolved into a full band with intense live sets at full speed with little room to breath between songs. 

Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
Our sound is full send Grindcore with big thrash and punk influences, nothing technical just riffs, blasts and brutal vocals. (Straight-to-the point description ha ! Ed.)

Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences ? How important are the lyrics for you ? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics ? 
The first album was silly fun and everything was about the film Full Metal Jacket. 
Since then there is passion and messages.. "Animalian Retributio"n is all based on Animal cruelty, it's an attack on all the unnecessary cruelty that happens to animals throughout the world, from the dog meat trade to seal pup hunting and taking fins from sharks. It's horrendous what some humans do to these animals and we stand against it. (Thank YOU ! Ed.) 
The next album has another big subject which has inspired the lyrics for the whole album, that will be revealed during the release process. Hopefully 2027. 

About your latest release ? 
"Animalian Retribution" was recorded DIY by Neb and myself in 2021, it is 18 tracks and 23 minutes in total. 
Drums were tracked in our friends barn venue, guitar and bass in my utility room at home, vocals in Nebs home at the time... Our vocal booth was a cupboard in his caravan. 
We sent it to Ben Jones to be mixed and mastered, who was so easy to work with and made it sound bigger than we thought possible, please check out some of the other releases he has worked on... 
The cover art is by Aran Ross Timbrell, a Cornish artist with a unique style. He was happy to get on board after I had explained the concept of the album of which he shares our passion. We have physical copies in digipack form available on bandcamp, and it is also available on all major streaming sites. 

Future plans ?
We are going to enjoy the remaining shows we have booked this year and then we will knuckle down and get into recording this third album. 

Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
To perform at Obscene Extreme festival. The music for "Animalian Retribution" was put together as one big pile of songs all rolling into each other. 
Our live set is in the same vein a constant attack of grindcore, this has to happen on the OEF stage some day. 

Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ?
It's hard to rate any of our shows so far, they have all been so different but so good and extremely well received. 
A highlight is definitely supporting Exhumed and Gruesome at the Exchange in Bristol. The chance to open up for such huge bands had to be taken (thanks Steph from Ascendancy Productions) and we played as close to perfect as possible... At the start of the set i'd say the room was half full but by the end it was jammed front to back, incredible feeling. 
As of yet I can't name a bad show. 

Next live-appearance(s) ?
Plymouth July 10th with local lads in Atom Smasher.
August 22nd in Bristol for the DLH fun day skateboarding event.
And September 11th in the Midlands for Scrumbag Fest. 

Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ? 
Our pals in Thoughtseize sorted us out our first show, it was in Falmouth, Cornwall. The venue was the Cornish bank and I'm sure it was at full capacity which was great to see. 
I feel like the scene is building down here, there has been some metal happening in Newquay lately, also there is rumours of a day festival in our Capital Truro next year which would be packed I'm sure. 
We're not that far from Plymouth which has a killer metal scene, our old friends in Warcrab always bare us in mind and it's always a good night hanging out with those guys. 

Last words are yours.. 
Huge thanks to our supportive families and friends, everyone that's watched us play or checked out the music and a big "thanks" to you Fabien for an interview.  We grind on. (You're very welcome Bolt ! Ed.)