When and how did Hospitals form?

We formed at the very end of 2010 but didn’t really do anything until the beginning of the next year. We got together for a number of reasons, some of us weren’t playing, some of us weren’t playing stuff we liked, some of us had just lost bands. It basically all lined up to be the perfect time to start something completely new. Jaff and I had spoken about doing something like this on an off for ages and the other guys were into the idea of playing this kind of music so it kind of just worked out really well. 

Who influences Hospitals? How would you describe your sound?

Loads of stuff really. The genesis of the band was definitely a love of bands like American Nightmare, Have Heart and Modern Life Is War. Just super passionate hardcore bands. I know that for a few of us, myself included, our bread and butter musically has always been different factions of punk. I’d be lying if I said that bands like AFI weren’t an influence. But that doesn’t speak for all of us, Archer is a metal head for sure and Jaff is super into a lot of post rock stuff. Honestly though when we’re in the van its usually something either super hard or super poppy that comes on, we like a pretty wide range. 

Lyrically I guess I look elsewhere, I’m a massive Morrissey fan. Also Jeff Mangum, Wes Eisold, Isaac Brock and Jesse Lacey all come in pretty high in that respect.

I guess I’d describe us as melodic hardcore. That term gets thrown around a lot, I certainly see it used to describe those bands that kind of scream and then have a poppy chorus which I think is a shame. But definitely melodic hardcore in the vein of Modern Life or Verse, I do feel like we’ve got our own vibe though.

You released your début E.P last year. Are these your first batch of songs? Do you feel you have progressed much since?

Yeah that was literally a case of us writing enough songs to play some shows and then recording five of the six that we had written. I still like the songs I guess but I’m definitely of the mindset that once they’re out of your system its time to move on. I think we’ve come leaps and bounds since we recorded that EP which is a shame because its only just come out properly. 

What will your next release be? Will you be releasing through Eyes of Sound again?

We’re going to be putting a 7” out sooner rather than later. We’re just sorting the final bits for that with labels and stuff but we’re really excited to get something new out. It won’t be Eyes Of Sound though.  We head into the studio at the end of this month to record three new songs with Lewis Johns from The Long Haul. I really can’t wait.

You’ve recently been playing with bands like Crocus and Veils. Who have been your favourite bands to play with? And who would you like to play with?

Yeah they’re our buds. Such good bands and great to hang out with, our tour with those guys was so short but I definitely felt like we’d known each other for ages. Really messy times and great shows as well. We love playing with those guys, also The Long Haul and Kerouac are great to play and hang out with. 

If we’re talking dream tours it’d be us, Brand New, American Nightmare, Morrissey and someone newer that we like. Title Fight or Balance and Composure! I’ll keep dreaming. 

Realistically it’d be nice to get on the road supporting some bigger bands that we like. Don’t get me wrong we love touring and playing with the bands that I mentioned before but it’d be great to do say a Defeater tour in slightly bigger rooms. 

Do you have any shows/tours planned for 2012 yet?

We have a few shows booked but not loads. There’s a couple coming up with The Long Haul and Veils on their release tour and we’re on the Brighton show of the More Than Life/Daylight tour as well as a few other things that are just getting sorted now. Fingers crossed once the 7” comes out we’ll be doing a whole load more. We’re definitely going to try and hit Europe as well. Its always hard getting things sorted with people having other commitments and stuff.

Any other future plans for Hospitals?

We just want to keep on going. I’d love to think that this year we’ll get the ball rolling some more and maybe spend a greater portion of the year away. The dream is always going to be able to get to a level where we can sustainably tour all the time but at this point its hard enough booking weekenders!

We’re going to keep on writing, I’d imagine we’ll do a split or something after this next 7” and then crack on thinking about an album. I think when we do an album it’ll be pretty different. I want it to be one big cohesive piece of work, hopefully that will get written this year. 

Check out Hospitals here: http://www.facebook.com/wearehospitals