Q&A with Frontman from Stevie R. Pearce and the Hooligans

Taking on the global rock and metal scene, Stevie R. Pearce and the Hooligans have just released their new single ‘Out Go The Lights’.

We catch up with frontman, Stevie Pearce, to find out more about the origins of the band and what 2023 holds for them…

Stevie R. Pearce And The Hooligans is quite an unusual moniker! How did it come about?

Many Moons ago, in the first band I was in ( that semi took it seriously), one of the first songs I ever wrote was called “Hooligan”. The first time I ever got around to recording it properly was for my first solo record that came out in 2018. I was Looking for a “and the” to go after my name when I launched, and there it was! Hooligans. It was very fitting at the time, a way of life I guess- particularly where music and Rock and roll is concerned, it’s all or nothing, vicious, powerful. Minus the Violent connotations related to the word, I will never condone that.

How did the band come together?

It’s certainly been a revolving door over the years, I guess each defining a new era. It’s a constant quest to get to the sound I’m looking for, and I think I found it now. I have Christian Kimmett on bass, He and I spent years in Warrior Soul together, and currently Love/Hate. We are very much on the same page when it comes down to it. I have Charles Evans on drums who is phenomenal, he had played with a band called silk road who opened for us a few years back- so I poached him for The Hooligans to fill in back then.

We remained close friends- He Joined Love/Hate also. There was an awesome Chemistry between Christian, Charles and I so I had to get him on board. Ash Tustain Joined on Guitar last year, His Band Dig Lazarus also opened for the Hooligans on past tours. He was top of the List when I needed a new guitar player. His sound is Fat and huge, he’s really helped evolve the sound, and he’s a great singer also.

You have a new single out called ‘Out Go The Lights’ which is about unavoidably losing your cool. Has this ever happened to you for real?

Daily! I joke of course. However, yes. The song is an extreme version of it, but I’ve been around enough bar fights and confrontation.. Which seems to contradict the first question, I’ve never actively sought it but in reality it’s based on a feeling of anger.

Sometimes we take it out on ourselves, it manifests in different ways. Have you ever wanted to tell your boss to F Off?. When your point of view is diminished, ignored or disrespected. I guess what the song does is paint a picture of it tipping over the edge.

Who are your favourite current bands and artists?

Currently I’m listening to a lot of Volbeat, Herman Brood and his wild Romance, and warren Zevon. How’s that for eclectic? Metallica’s new material is phenomenal. My Wonderful woman has gotten me into a lot of great stuff- Black Top Mojo, Jason Isbell- a strange but glorious left turn at “Set It Off”, who I saw in Bristol recently- They had a great, perhaps “next big thing”- great, opener called “Boy Bleach”. Always a shout out to the “Hip Priests”. Bastette, phenomenal Voice.