Please list all your band members and their roles in the band.

Nick J Townsend: I'm the singer and guitarist for WEAK13; my name is Nick J Townsend and I'm joined by musicians Neel Parmar and Wesley Smith, it's a three piece band. Neel Parmar is the drummer, he's quite experimental; not many people are aware of this but he's actually travelled the world studying and learning drum techniques from different countries - proper serious about his drumming. Wesley Smith is the bass player and he's one of the most skilled bassists there is; he's a genius. I enjoy working with them because they are just total professionals when it comes to their playing. We're currently located in the home of heavy metal, the Black Country; have been since 2010. This is more than just another rock band; we write songs that reflect modern society without losing the rock and roll. 

Since the creation of the debut studio album 'They Live' we've shown critics that we're professional and that we're not afraid to tackle dark or difficult subjects. We're independent and we do things on our own terms; that might be intimidating to some but it wasn't through choice. There are a lot of snobs out there in the music industry in positions of power that have turned a blind eye to us for years; now we're majorly pissing them off because we're still out there making a name for ourselves and getting bigger each year whilst a lot of the artists they focused on don't exist anymore. They can't take any credit for WEAK13's rise in popularity and they continue the pretence that we don't exist with their constant silence. They aren't so silent when they attempt to steal a lot of WEAK13's ideas and concepts though. Our roles in the band are to show those musicians who are out there on the starting line that even if the mainstream music industry is totally ignoring them that they can progress without its alleged valuable support. Its hard work but we all work hard and that's why we're achieving a lot. 

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to WEAK13?

Nick J Townsend: I'm only speaking for myself; the first musicians I ever jammed with were in my highschool and their names are Justin Bodley and Simon Hughes; eventually we formed a band - that wasn't called WEAK13. Before that I had not long started playing guitar; I borrowed one from my neighbour who wasn't interested in guitar and he borrowed it from a girl he knew called Sonia who I'm speculating at the time wasn't as interested in it either. I learned a lot about rhythm and time signatures thanks to a drummer I spent years jamming with called Adam Mancrief. As for the other two members of WEAK13 you're better off talking directly to them about their personal memories.

What's the origin of that name and have you changed the band's name before?

Nick J Townsend: I've never had any interest at all in changing the name of the band. The origin is a long complex story; I'd be happier to discuss that in another interview. 

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think those topics will change over time?

Nick J Townsend: I write a large chunk of the music and lyrics but the songwriting is a natural and shared art between the three of us. As for main themes and topics; if there is any way at all that I can stimulate the brain activity of the population made up of people who are brainwashed by the harmful propaganda of mainstream media then I will write about harsh truths using proper research and raise relevant issues that will more than likely differ to your existing perception of human life. Those topics will not change over time unless all the people on this planet wake up to reality. Some bands and artists are busy writing songs about the complex issues involved with girls possessing a big bottom but we feel there are more crucial subjects to write about that require our attention. 'Obey The Slave' from the 'They Live album is very serious as a song topic; I'm basically listing as best as I can some of the main examples of corruption in our society and suggesting that people share the knowledge rather than just get mad about it. “Don't start a revolution; have a revelation and share”. 

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you're making?

Nick J Townsend: I get inspired by a lot of independent musicians and songwriters; we're in the same boat really; it's good to see who's having the same issues and observe how they are overcoming the hurdles created by the elitists in control of the mainstream music industry who are hellbent in trying to dumb down the population by only giving a platform to artists who write, or who have written for them, utter rubbish and use unintelligent lyrics that might as well be written by hungover dyslexic throwbacks. No offence to anyone who is diagnosed with dyslexia of course. Critical thinkers are more inspiring to me these days. How WEAK13 defines success is notably different to many other bands who appear to be just motivated purely by money; having music that can make people smile or make them feel that they're not on their own is a form of success to us.

We have the freedom to write and record songs about anything we want without anyone interfering in the creative process; WEAK13 songs have great subject weight without having to rely on vulgar colourful metaphors to get a message out; unlike many bands who just curse and curse on a record because they feel that will help in some way - it doesn't. It mainly just tells the majority of radio stations that you can't be played due to profanities so then their message often becomes lost. We can write about subjects such as population control or government corruption in a clever or satirical way without boring the tits off people and make it just as controversial, informative or stimulating by using our brains. A lot of bands and artists out there don't inspire me because they have nothing intelligent to say.

Was there a particular band, artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Nick J Townsend: Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and Freddy Mercury were the main three who made me consider getting into music. My uncle inspired me to take guitar more seriously; the first band I ever saw in concert was Love/Hate and that was a major reason for wanting to get on stage. I never had any inclination to be in a rock band till my mid teens but I did ask my father to buy me the Adam And The Ants album when I was about 5 years old and that may have been the start of it; there was something about his music and his attitude that attracted me; that great showmanship he displays has always been a great inspiration.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

Nick J Townsend: I just mainly talk to the other bands on the bill and attempt to get to know them better; it's an opportunity to make friends. It doesn't always work out that way; for example, we've had headline shows where the support band has totally blanked us and just locked themselves backstage acting like pampered rockstars until they get a call to go on stage whereas I've been more interested in hanging around the public areas chatting to the sound guy or the show promoters or the people at the bar serving drinks.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band's career so far?

Nick J Townsend: Well the band's debut studio album 'They Live' is now out and only available from our website weak13official.com and what with all the great reviews it's getting, that to me for sure is a highlight. A lot of bands didn't make it; they didn't even get to the recording stage so the fact that we're still here writing music that's getting popular is a wonderful feeling. Working on the next album is even more incredible because it's a reality now. Many bands have never recorded a professional studio album so now we're writing songs for the second one is really mind blowing and humbling at the same time.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Nick J Townsend: I'm a huge fan of the filmmaker John Carpenter so I'd play with his band without hesitation.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Nick J Townsend: Well we have a new music video out called 'Down On Me' which is a song from the album 'They Live' and it was filmed, directed and produced by me. We take real pleasure creating our own media. A few years ago I bought my own video camera and began learning how to use it; I also now have a degree in film and media even though I disagree with a lot of things connected to the education system. I hope that the music and media created by WEAK13 continues to inspire musicians who are ignored by the mainstream music industry.