Having just signed to the record label UNFD – joining acts such as Northlane, Dead Letter Circus, and Buried In Verona (to name a few) – experimental outfit Hacktivist from Milton Keynes are taking the world by storm with their immensely unique musical style that fuses progressive djent with hip-hop elements.
Guitarist and one of three vocalists Timfy James tells the story of the band’s organic formation. “I was in a metalcore band [Heart Of A Coward], but it was somewhat generic, and I wanted to do something that other people are not necessarily doing and be a bit more original,” he divulges.
“I started writing some things of my own and at around the same time I met J (Hurley), one of our vocalists, and he was working with me in my studio.”
Hurley was recording solo hip-hop material before asking James to show him what he was working on with Hacktivist.
“I showed him our unfinished self-titled track and he was really into it. He had never listened to anything metal, djent, or anything remotely heavy in his entire life, but he just felt the vibe and insisted to put some of his own moves down.”
James thought nothing of the gesture and was open to improvisation.
“I think he must have recorded the vocals that day. I just thought that this is what has been missing the whole time for this new project.”
James, feeling stoked, uploaded it on their personal SoundCloud music page. Not long after, someone put it on YouTube. From there, it all accelerated.
“We have a lot of people who really hate us, but in my eyes there’s no such thing as bad publicity. The reason our music got so famous was because it created such a stir.”
Of course, this also led to the finalisation of the Hacktivist team. “We had Ben (Marvin, another vocalist), an old friend of mine who had been with me in the original band before, and we found the drummer Richard (Hawking), as well as Josh (Gurner), the bassist who I’ve known for a long time.”
Hacktivist was suddenly a strong entity, all from a series of events that James describes as destiny.
“I could just say that I thought of it all in my head and just went for it, but it wasn’t like that. It was about being at the right place at the right time and if I hadn’t done that recording with J, I don’t think this would have happened.”
“It really was just fate and after taking a chance we now have a career doing what we love, and it’s something I will never forget.
The few tracks the Brits have released contain some powerful lyrical themes. “I think we have a very positive message and despite whatever it is that we talk about, it’s really just about loving yourself and making sure you’re positive with everything you do in life.”
James emphasises the musical spirituality moving through the five-piece band.
“We’re not producing this music because someone told us to and we’re not copying another band,” the guitarist states.
“We’re doing it because we genuinely feel the music and every time we go on that stage, the musical channels flow and we want people to watch that and feel exactly the same way.”
Like many artists in the heavy music scene, Hacktivist are parasites to people who hate their music just as much as people who love it.
“We have a lot of people who really hate us, but in my eyes there’s no such thing as bad publicity. The reason our music got so famous was because it created such a stir.”
“Even having people who hate us beyond belief is much better than having people being indifferent to us.”
Upon reflection, James is infinitely appreciative of the support the band has received from the first chapter of their musical career.
“This big hurricane of pluses and minuses has just really pushed us along in the last year. We can’t thank people enough. We thank those that hate us and those that like us.”
Part of Hacktivist’s success story is having recently signed to Australia’s UNFD record label.
“I think our management were in contact with them, which has a lot to do with Northlane. A big shout-out to those guys who have really helped us a lot.”
“This big hurricane of pluses and minuses has just really pushed us along in the last year. We can’t thank people enough. We thank those that hate us and those that like us.”
Both bands are mutual fans with co-existing levels of respect.
“We had a chance to meet them when they were here last month as well as the Sydney guys from the label which was really exciting.”
The musicians are ecstatic to know that Australians can pick up their EP. “A CD that has been burned, handled, and mechanically made opposed to just being downloaded off the Internet is really important to us.”
Besides all the perks of being signed to a record label, in particular UNFD, James rhetorically asks, “Who doesn’t want to be on the same label as Dead Letter Circus?”
With so much love for Australia, Hacktivist have just been added to the 2014 Soundwave line-up. “It’s all 100% confirmed and we’re very excited. Not only are we coming over for Soundwave but we’re leaving our freezing cold country to come to a boiling hot summer.”
“The heat is going to be a massive culture shock (James laughs), but just to meet people that listen to us and seeing how you guys live will be incredible,” James admits.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Australia and I’ve always been worried about how I am going to get there because it’s just so expensive.”
Hacktivist are keen to check out the country that represents some big names in heavy music.
“I’ve seen the Parkway Drive DVDs and all of the guys are crazy, so we’re proper pumped to come over,” the Brit announces.
Whether or not you’ve heard of Hacktivist before, and if you’re looking for something different at Soundwave, this is what James suggests you will see:
“Something you have never seen before. It’s very difficult not to head-bang to us or to even stand still when you’re watching us because we can’t even stand still when we’re playing on stage; the amount of energy is incredible.”
The self-titled EP from Hacktivist is out now via UNFD.
Soundwave 2014 Dates & Tickets
Tickets on sale Thrusday 9th September at 9am
via: soundwavefestival.com, oztix.com.au & other outlets
Saturday 22nd February – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Sunday 23rd February – Sydney, Olympic Park
Friday 28th February – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Saturday 1st March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3rd March – Perth, Claremont Showgrounds
