Honeyblood

History and formation

Shona McVicar from Cumbernauld (drums/vocals) and Edinburgh-born Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale met when the bands they were playing in (Partwindpartwolf and Boycotts, respectively) were playing the same concert. Tweeddale, who wanted to write and play her own music, approached McVicar about playing together. They formed Honeyblood in 2012. Originally, they intended to add other band members to fill out their sound, but they were asked to play gigs as a duo. It was here they realised they “weren’t missing anything musically.”

After just their second concert at Wide Days music conference in Edinburgh, Honeyblood drew the attention of FatCat Records, who eventually signed them.

Early on the band’s career McVicar was forced to take a break in order to complete her Dentistry degree. During this time, replacement drummer Rah Morriss worked to sustain the band’s growing career.

In November 2013 the band travelled to Connecticut, USA to work with producer Peter Katis on their self-titled album. The album was recorded in just ten days

In September 2014 McVicar left the band to pursue other endeavours and was replaced by Cat Myers.

They have supported several acts including: Foo Fighters, Palma Violets, Sleigh Bells, Deap Vally, Courtney Barnett, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Superfood. They have played showcases for the likes of The Skinny and Vice and festivals including the Great Escape, Wide Days in Edinburgh, and T in The Park, SXSW.

Speaking about the band’s lo-fi style on Thrift Shop, Paul Lester of The Guardian wrote that “The lead track, 'No Spare Key', sounds like Taylor Swift's 'We're Never Getting Back Together' performed by two Scottish goth-girls doing an impression of the Jesus and Mary Chain in a tomb, or an enervated, dejected Haim in need of a square meal.”

In the winter of 2015, Stina and Cat were joined by acclaimed producer James Dring, who had previously worked with the likes of Jamie T and Gorillaz, at London’s Fish Factory studio to work on their second album Babes Never Die. The album was released by Fat Cat records on the 4th November in the UK/EU and 28th October in the US.

Origin of name

The name comes from a Halloween concert that Tweeddale played. She states: “Honeyblood is actually a mixture of water, honey, cornflour and red food dye.” She continues: “It comes from a lazy Hallowe’en costume I once made for a gig. I swirled it round in my mouth on-stage. And then I spat it over the audience.”

Singles