The MetalTalk Lowdown. Luke Weston and Nick Sharman are two-thirds of the impressive Birmingham-based blues-rock outfit Blue Nation. The band play a special acoustic set at Gibson Garage London on Tuesday 21 July ahead of their EP release on Friday. There will also be a special Q&A with Leona ‘The Queen Of Rock’ Graham of Absolute Radio.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage?
Nick: Cauterised a knife cut on my finger using a blue flame whilst I was working because I was too busy to bleed.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Nick: On my 18th birthday, in a club in Tamworth, with my first-ever band. All our guitars were out of tune, the singer sadly couldn’t keep in time, a dying cat orchestra would have sounded better than us that day.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Nick: That’s a tough question. I would say Maid Of Stone, because the energy was just completely electric, and although it was only half an hour, it felt like longer, in an amazing way.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show?
Nick: Definitely a perfect, legendary show. Would create memories for so many people.
What’s your greatest fear?
Nick: Needing a wee whilst on stage. OK. No, I’m joking. I definitely have a fear of falling from a great height. Oh, and deep oceans!
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Nick: To just be myself. I think it’s so important once you’ve found yourself to fully embrace who you are, and don’t let anyone tell you different.
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians?
Luke: Thinking you’re the main character. Nobody cares about your sunglasses indoors, your sleeveless denim vest, or the spandex you squeezed yourself into. It’s 2026, not 1987. Turn up on time, don’t overrun your set, be decent to the sound engineer, and don’t be a dick to the support bands. Looking like you got lost on the way to a Mötley Crüe tribute night doesn’t make you a rock star.
Describe yourself in three words?
Luke: Loud, Barefoot, Bassist
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Luke: A Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle at 1 am after a show. Anyone who says they’ve never demolished one after loading out is either lying… or they’ve got a tour bus.
What does a great riff feel like to write?
Luke: Like a golden donkey has just kicked you square in the brain. After it’s had a shower with ridiculously strong mint shower gel. It’s weird, it’s impossible to explain, and for about five seconds you genuinely think you’re the greatest songwriter who’s ever lived.
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you?
Luke: “Would you like to lick my bumhole?” I didn’t, for the record.
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you?
Neil: That we were “too blues for rock audiences and too rock for blues audiences.” I read it, laughed, and carried on. If nobody knows where to file us, that’s probably because we’re not trying to sound like anyone else. I would rather confuse critics than bore people.
If you weren’t in music, what would you be doing?
Neil: I wanted to be a deep-sea diver as a kid. Then I learnt about sharks and thought, nah, band life for me.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love?
Neil: Portishead Dummy
What keeps you awake at night?
Neil: Nothing, to be honest. I’m a light sleeper, so let’s say the dog.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose?
Neil: Easy one this, RIFFS! Anything that makes you screw up your face and bob your head is good for me.
How do you want to be remembered?
Neil: As someone people could count on, someone who showed up, did the right thing, and hopefully left things better than they found them.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
Neil: Make sure you give yourself and your mind time to rest.