End Reign
From: The North, UK
Lazy equation: (Cursed x Haust) + a tiny little bit of Lavotchkin (quite literally)
URL: Facebook // Bandcamp // Soundcloud

Thrash Hits Verdict:
End Reign are one of those bands that have been buzzing around on the edge of our awareness for some time now. Not only can they boast of a member of Lavotchkin in their number, but they’ve also just finished a tour with Bastions – two bands that we’ve previously sponsored tours by. They’re definitely overdue a Future Hits grilling.

Describe your sound in 3 words.
Geoff Cairns [vocals]: Loud as fuck!

How did you meet?
Matt Phillips [guitar]: Me and Dave [Youll, bass] were at school together, Jacque [Read, drums] and Geoff were at school together. We all met Martin [Downing, guitar] through playing shows with Lavotchkin i suppose.

What made you want to start a band?
Geoff: I always wanted to do vocals in a band. I played guitar and drums in previous bands but I always wanted to be the main rockstar!
Dave: I only joined the band cause I was forced to play bass. I am actually a guitarist, but Matt is a dick.

Release The Wolves by End Reign

Where did the name come from?
Dave: It weirdly came from the night we went to the premier of the Star Trek remake – it was a bit of an ‘in-joke from that day. I can’t remember exactly what it was said about though, probably something completely insignificant haha!

Where did you grow up? How do you think it’s affected your music?
Geoff: Most of us grew up in the suburbs of Durham. Where I grew up there were literally no alternative kids apart from me and one friend that I knew. I guess I just wanted to be different from what was normal in the area and listen to decent music.
Matt: Bowburn is a dark, dark place.

What are your non-musical influences?
Geoff: As much as i’d like to say something dark, we just always go to the cinema and hammer the dodgems in the Metro.
Jacque: Orcs and goblins.
Matt: Football. I am also partial to the odd dodgems session i can’t lie.
Dave: I won’t lie either, i just stay in the house and watch the documentary channels or watch Rome in the bath haha
Martin: Intoxication.

Watch End Reign’s tour video from the start of the year:

So far, what has been the best thing about being in a band?
Geoff: Playing shows outside the local area is always exciting. Just travelling to places we’ve never been before and playing to people we don’t know. Can’t forget the girls either!
Dave: What girls? Writing and recording is probably my favourite part.

With which band would your dream support slot/tour be?
Matt: I’ve gotta say someone like Rise and Fall, or Trap Them.
Jacque: Pg.99 everytime!

What bands do you consider as part of your scene or as your peers?
Matt: I guess we’d have to say bands like Bastions, Brutality Will Prevail, Alaska, and Hang the Bastard. Bands who are in the same vein as us.

What marks you out as different to other bands around at the moment?
Martin: Not giving a northern fuck!

What’s the best – and the funniest – shows you’ve played?
Geoff: The funniest show I have played personally was our last date of tour with Bastions in Birmingham. We had technical difficulties from start to finish so I basically just did a spoken word set about my piles I thought I had. I was very drunk.
Matt: Aye, i’d have to agree with Geoff on that one….after snapping a string in the first song of the set, hearing Geoff say, ”My name’s Geoff and i’ve got piles” definitely saved it! As for best shows i’d have to say the Amenra show or something. There were three or four bands playing that we were all into, which is rare these days.

Horror by End Reign

What have you got planned for your the future?
Matt: Well we’ve just finished writing for another split 7″ and we’re recording in January. We have actually started writing for the album though, which is hopefully next up after the split but its definitely a while off yet.
Martin: Big riffs and maybe one of my cheeky solos – ha ha!
Jacque: Slack drumming!

What other band should everyone find out about?
Matt: Obviously we’ve gotta say our mates in Heksed, Alaska, Bastions, as well as Martin’s other band Lavotchkin, and Geoff’s other band Hades.

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End Reign’s most recent release, their self-titled EP, is available now from Fist In The Air records – you can buy one from the label’s site now for under a fiver.