Interview with Conor Barnes From Pressure
Please introduce yourself, and tell us what bands you have been a part of?
What’s good, I’m Conor, I currently play bass and do vocals in Pressure and previously did vocals in Blind Threats. Cheers for having me on man.
Tell us a bit about the past and present Bridge City Hardcore scene, can you describe your introduction to nzhc, and what bands were around at the time?
My experience with the Hamilton scene has been really good, I started going to shows in 2010 and made friends that were a bit older than me pretty quickly, and we just went to every show we could! I had some great times going to shows outside Hamilton too at venues like Scout Hall in Auckland and wherever we went in palmy (can’t remember) and maybe the odd Zeal Wellington show. The bro Rob actually got me into hardcore in 2011, before that I listened to like Bring Me The Horizon and The Amity Affliction and shit. I’m not quite sure how we met, think it was on the internet.
As a fellow BCHC veteran, you have stood the test of time. People come and go but you still remain a part of the scene. What keeps the fire burning inside, and do you think H.C is something people feel they have to grow out of?
Haha cheers for that bro I’ll take that title. I suppose it’s always been a big part of my life, I love playing in a band and going to shows and I don’t see that ever-changing. I do think people feel that way, I even feel that way sometimes but I think it’s bullshit. I see a lot of people sort of ‘grow out’ of hardcore and just become straight metalheads, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Just people changing ay.
What influences Pressure's style, sound and would you say everyone has similar tastes in music or is it quite varied?
I think we just write stuff we like, Jared writes the riffs so a lot of the influence probably comes from stuff he likes and we write around what he’s written. We all have our own input though. We have a few death metal/black metal-esque bits scattered in there but it’s mostly pretty traditional hardcore I think, with some heavy breakdowns in there of course.
Favourite Nz show you attended, or played at, can you tell us why it stood out from others?
God damn that’s a tough one bro. I managed to catch Merauder and The Burial at a Hamilton show and it was absolutely insane. But also Trapped Under Ice were really good, and can’t forget Terror! Title Fight were also great. If I had to pick one I would probably say that Merauder show though. The energy was mad and both bands absolutely killed it live. It was a Burial reunion show too so people were hyped as.
Describe the Xibalba show you recently attended, in comparison to a show in Aotearoa, what other international bands have you seen live and who would you like to see do a show in New Zealand?
Show was awesome, people were pretty nice too which was cool, people mosh on a whole different level there though. Like the wildest kicks and arm movements and shit, it’s really quite the sight to see. Xibalba absolutely killed it too, love that band. Besides the ones I’ve already mentioned, there are plenty but I’ll just name a few off the top of my head: Turnstile, Blacklisted, The Story So Far, Northlane, Underoath, The Amity Affliction, Stray From The Path. I would really like to see Vein live, they look like they put on a sick show. Same with Sanction, Malevolence, Desolated. Would’ve been good to see Brutality Will Prevail but they are done now I believe.
Top 5 bands or albums that influenced you the most over the years?
This is super tough bro. I don’t know if I could narrow it down to 5, but I will list 5 that have had a big effect on me since I was a young buck.
Terror - One With The Underdogs
Trapped Under Ice - Big Kiss Goodnight
Malevolence - Reign of Suffering
Brutality Will Prevail - Scatter the Ashes
Harms Way - Isolation
What future goals do you have for Pressure in regards to recording, and will we ever see the band do some international shows?
We will have an EP out soon surely, it’s been a while so hopefully, it will be out soon haha. I would like to see us chuck out an album or two, I hope we make it that far anyway. I’d also really like us to have something out on vinyl if that were possible, just cos I’ve always wanted to be in a band that has a vinyl lol.
What are some current international bands you are listening to and are there any New Zealand bands you suggest we should keep an eye out for?
Alright here’s some bands I’ve been cranking: SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Static Dress, Vein, Sanction, No Pressure, Charmer, Varials, Inclination, Wristmeetrazor, Jesus Piece, Bloodbather. As far as NZ bands to keep an eye out for, Drop Off Point have been killing it lately, gotta give a shoutout to my boys in Brainwave as well, they have an EP out and it cranks. Soul Void are awesome too. Also keen to hear the new Brawler stuff. There are a couple bands popping up that I’m keen to hear as well.
Are you looking forward to being a part of the 20th Hamtown smackdown, when was the 1st smakdown you attended and what band stood out to you?
Absolutely man. I believe the first one I went to was 2011, bands I remember playing are The Break In, The Burial, Ricky Bobby, Antagonist AD, Shitripper. I’ve always been an Antag fanboy so it was probably them who stood out to me the most haha.
Any words or advice for the up and coming bands in NZ?
Just enjoy yourself and try not to take it too seriously.
Would you like to give some final shout-outs to end the interview?
Shoutout to all the bridge city hardcore bands, Brainwave, Soul Void and all the homies I guess. Anyone who’s had Blind Threats or Pressure on a show too, I appreciate ya. Thanks, Gareth for sussing this interview! Chur.