Interview with Kasper Of Bloodstained Eyes
Please introduce yourself and tell us what bands you have been a part of.
Kia Ora! My name is Kasper, I’m 15, and I’m the vocalist of bloodstainedeyes! I have been a part of a few bands here and there, but nothing as big to me as bloodstainedeyes.
Tell us a bit about the revival of AA shows in Auckland. Who's running them all and what are some bands we should all look out for?
The AA Scene in Auckland is reviving itself but definitely needs some TLC. Some of the people running shows are the wonderful - Stacked, The First Child, and Cootie Cuties to name a few. There is a lot more that needs to be done in terms of safety, inclusivity, and accessibility, but we seem to be on a steady road towards that.
Describe bloodstainedeyes. How did you get the name, how long have you been around for, what are some future goals, and can you please share a link to your music?
So bloodstainedeyes is actually a direct rip off of a SeeYouSpaceCowboy song, haha. I was just drawn to the name and thought I could relate it to the band’s music by thinking about how looking at the world right now makes my eyes want to bleed (so emo I know). We’ve been around officially as a full band since July 2022 with a couple of lineup changes, but the band originally started as my solo project back in about February 2022.
The main goals of the band for me personally are to connect with our audience and inspire people to make positive societal change, and to simply have fun!
Can you tell us about the 20th Hamtown Smakdown? Was it a good turn out, who were your favourite bands of the weekend, and how important is it to do more all ages (AA) shows?
Smakdown had a great turn out and some of my favourite bands were Amanaki and Xile. It’s extremely important to put on AA shows and create a safe environment for misfit kids.
Congratulations on getting on the bill for Full Noise 2023. Who are some of the bands you are looking forward to seeing live and do you have any other gigs coming up soon?
I’m excited to see all the bands on the bill. We are planning a skatepark gig for sometime in April. Details TBC, but it’s gonna be a big one.
Could you describe the current vibe as a youth in the NZHC scene and is there anything we can improve on?
I find the vibe to be relatively nurturing and positive! My experiences as well as some of the band’s experiences with the NZHC scene have been life changing and super inspiring. The
only thing that could be improved is more reassurance and communication to younger bands about shows, and other basics that we need to learn.
Favourite show you have attended or played at? Can you tell us why it stood out from others?
My favourite show I’ve attended has to be the Drop Off Point, Gravel Pit, Fireshark, and VVolves show in about May 2022 at the Underground. It was my first hardcore show and second gig ever! The way that all the bands performed and interacted with the crowd on top of the music made me fall in love with the scene. It stood out because of the way the crowd and bands interacted, the quality of music, and also just because it was my first hardcore show. Shoutout to the boys in D.O.P. for talking to me after the show and lighting a fire in me that led bloodstainedeyes to exist as it is today.
If you could bring any bands over to New Zealand, who would it be and why?
I would definitely bring Knocked Loose, Hatebreed, and My Chemical Romance. The first two because they were the first and most kind of basic hardcore bands I got into, and the latter because I started off as an emo kid, haha!
Top 10 bands or albums that influenced you the most so far?
Top ten albums? Hmmm. Had to think about this one. In no particular order: G.L.O.S.S.’s demo 2015, Delilah Bon’s self-titled EP., Violent Femmes s/t album, Fuck These Fuckin Fascists by The Muslims, Limp Wrist’s s/t, Rage Against The Machine’s s/t, Off The Bone by the Cramps, Chaos Is Me by Orchid, The Romance of Affliction by SeeYouSpaceCowboy and finally Rogue Taxidermy by Days n Daze. A bit of a jumbled mix but these are some of my favourites that influence me in one way or another.
Any words or advice for up-and-coming youth bands in NZ?
Don’t take yourself too seriously. There’s always going to be someone judging, but they’re not important at all. What’s important is that you’re having fun, and spreading a positive message! Also, take advice from the ‘elders’; it’ll save you from learning the hard way.
How would you describe the older generation in NZHC, and how supportive have they been towards your band as well as others in the scene?
I would say they have been super supportive of my band! Always being there for us, giving us advice and providing us with opportunities. The greatest thing I’ve found is the excitement that they have for those carrying the so-called torch of the scene.
Would you like to give some final shout outs to end the interview?
I would like to shout out a couple people. Firstly, Sara, who has been such a positive influence and a great help on our journey by either giving advice or standing up and advocating for us.
Second of all, everyone in Cootie Cuties, we will never forget your kindness, generosity, and willingness to help us out when times got a bit tough. Also, they’re just so fun to play with live!
Last but not least, Garreth Steiner, the author of the interview questions. You have been so lovely to us, always engaging us, putting me on to new music, featuring us in zines and providing us with so many opportunities that we can’t even express how grateful we are for them
Lotsa luv,
Kaz