Interview with Angelo Munro of Wolves and bleeders

Please introduce yourself, what bands you have been a part of, and your introduction to hc and punk music?

Hi, I'm Angelo, I currently play in Wolves and the Bleeders, I have also been in Leeches and Act of Vengeance. My introduction to punk music was through my older sister who played me sex pistols, the clash and dead Kennedy's as young as 9 or 10. Things really took off in my teens when bands like Rancid and Green Day blew up. I found hardcore in 1996, and started going to shows towards the end of that year.

Act of vengeance was one of New Zealand's first vegan straight edge bands, when was the band formed, who was in the band, how would you describe the sound, what bands were a part of wsse, and how would you describe the influence straight edge had in New Zealand hardcore back then?

Act of vengeance formed in 1998, we were only around a year, did a demo tape and a split CD (and some unreleased songs lol) the band was myself, Pepe (Evil priest /DSM and many more) Ross who had been in another vegan edge band - the creed, and messiah, as well as Maddog- Alex who left NZ shortly after we broke up and played in some rad Melbourne bands such as hitlist and more.

I think Straightedge as an influence in NZ hardcore comes down to one’s own personal experience and era, but for me and my friends from West Auckland we were all straightedge, we had grown up in a pretty crazy toxic culture out west and it resonated with us. I am still straight edge but not many of us guys from that time remain straight edge. And that’s ok, as long as everyone is happy.

Jailbait records will go down in history for releasing some of New Zealand's best hardcore albums of all time, can you name some of the bands that were a part of jailbait, how did it evolve into Deadboy records, and for the young up and coming bands how hard was it forming your own label?

Yeah, Jailbait was just a good chance to release my own music and that of my friends. I thank Bubba from 1157 for showing me the way. We did Evil priest first 2 records, Promise of Bloodshed, Kill me quickly,21 guns and loads more. The label eventually evolved into Deadboy records for 2 reasons, First of all, I got offered a distribution deal through Universal Records who Bleeders were signed with and I felt that was a good opportunity to take away my financial risk and also help promote bands better, but I had a distribution deal signed to someone else so

Had to figure that side out. Secondly the name Jailbait sounded a bit rapey really. The label was named after a Motörhead song but in reflection, it was a bit of a dodgy name so it was time for a change.

Can you talk about your new nzhc band WOLVES, how the band formed, background on the members etc and will we see any future releases?

Yeah, we formed like a year ago but only played a couple of shows so far thanks to all these lockdowns! I’ve been a close friend of Wadsey for some time and wanted to do something heavy again, and as he had started writing guitar again so the timing was perfect. Gareth plays in Bleeders with me and is an amazing bass player and even better dude. As for Corey wow what a drummer, so I’m stoked to be going this.

The Bleeders have achieved some big things over the years, from doing songs with NYHC legend Danny Diablo to recording with such legends as Sal Villanueva, from supporting such bands as Motörhead, Avenged Sevenfold, to winning awards at the NZMA’s, as well as things like achieving ‘’gold’’ status in sales, achieving major label deals, and international travel. What are some of the trials and tribulations you have faced over the years? And is there any favourite memories you would like to share?

Man I could write a book about Bleeders. All I’ll say is it’s nice to be back together again, independent and being back grassroots. Everything we did, we did for ourselves, our hearts were in it. We were never a hardcore band that was never something we claimed. We just wanted to do something more melodic with this group, we got offered a once in a lifetime opportunity with the label, the management, the tours we went on and wouldn’t change it for the world! But now… I also love where it is back on 1157 where it all started, playing smaller bars again.

in 2019 Bleeders graced us with new music with the release of “Delusions’’ can you talk a bit about the release, the cover art, the feature with nzhc legend Kylie Johnson, sold out vinyl sales and up and coming shows for 2022?

We decided in 2019 to get back together properly, not a reunion but making music again, so we got together one weekend and wrote the new EP. It felt right to release it on vinyl with the 1st ep as B side as like I said we have come full circle. Kylie is an old friend and an awesome singer so it made sense to get her on a track. As far as the art it's done by Matt Parry, a tattooist from Napier who runs Deathless or die. We just love his zombie style art.

Who is your all time nzhc band, what stood out from the rest, and why?

Balance, the shows made a huge impact on me and such a great message about unity.

Top 5 bands or albums that influenced you the most over the years and why?

Bad Brains- I Against I, the early stuff is incredible but I love the progressive nature of this and quickness

Earth Crisis -All albums made a massive impact on me, just so true and genuine

AFI- re-instilled my love for punk rock in a time I was full blown hardcore boy! But they also have that dark goth crossover which then got me onto that stuff

The Sisters of mercy - first last and always, first gothic band I really got into and from there it was all on

Madball - so perfect in so many ways, first 4 records are perfect.

With 20 plus years of involvement in NZ music and still going strong, what are some words of advice you can give the up and coming bands in nz?

Honestly, I don't have any, it's a different time, things are viewed differently to when I was young and that's cool as change is good. But my advice would be...there was something that introduced you to hardcore in the first place so don't let hardcore be the be all and end all, there is plenty of other great forms of music out there so be you, don't just impress people, think for yourself, hardcore is a mindset, not a uniform or an elitist boys club.

Thanks for your time, would you like to give some final words and shoutouts to end the interview?

Just a big thanks to you Gareth and bones for doing this stuff, it’s great to still be involved I’m My own little way, and shout-out to all the current newer bands that are keeping this thing alive.

Just a big thanks to Garreth, Bones and CamCam for doing this stuff, it's great to still be involved in my own little way. Shout out to all the current newer bands that are keeping this thing alive.