RM: Welcome back to Hard Rock Hell, how’s it going guys?
H: Very well, very well.

RM: You were here at Hammerfest a couple of years ago, how does it feel to be back in Prestatyn?
H: It’s very good.

RM: I’ve gotta ask about your name... when I was online looking for a photo of your band to use on the website, all I could find was references to North American tribes..? What made you choose that?
H: Huron is a Canadian or North American Indian tribe. We were looking for a name that had a bit of power; they were a vicious tribe y’kno? They’d scalp people!
RM: Do you scalp people?
H: (laughs) Only on a bad day! No seriously, we were looking for a name that was interesting but not a typical metal name with lightning bolts and fire and that kinda thing.

RM: It’s a really good line up at Hard Rock Hell this year as usual; what are your thoughts on it?
H: I think Stage 2 is going to be the pick of the bunch. Not just because Huron are playing it, but it’s a fantastic line-up, better than any other they’ve put on in the past. There’s a lot of really good talent here this year.

RM: Who do you think are the ones to watch?
H: I really wanted to see Little Caesar, but they’ve pulled out. Black Stone Cherry, SSS... for us, any of the old school thrash bands are worth watching... Warbringer will bring the house down.

RM: You’ve recently released a new album ‘Mary Celeste’... how does that compare with your first album ‘Cheyne Stoking’?
H: It’s completely different songwriting, to be honest. We’re really pleased with the outcome and reviews have all been positive.

RM: Nice one! I’ve gotta say, you guys surprise me with how diverse your music is. It seems to reach from the really dark, heavy metal to quite tender, emotional songs... where do your musical influences lie?
H: The songs we write, they have a lot to do with what’s happening at the time. The music reflects, so if something feels right as melodic we make it melodic. It doesn’t please everybody but it pleases other. We’ve got heavy stuff, we’ve got melodic... we do what feels right.

RM: You’ve had a cracking year, playing alongside the likes of Saxon... what’s 2012 got in store for Huron?
H:We’ve only got one festival confirmation so far; that’s in Glasgow... some fantastic bands on the line-up! We’ve been shortlisted for Download Festival which we’re really excited about... wait and see, I guess but you will see a lot more of Huron next year.

RM: Thanks for the chat guys and best of luck for tonight.
H: Thank you.

Written by Sian Jennifer Smith