We’ve been lucky enough to be asked back to sponsor Hella Rock Festival in Coventry for its third year! Once again, we’re getting to know the bands on the bill in the run up to the big day. Brummie lot Wälker are tackling the questions this time around as the (sort of) locals on the bill!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Collectively we’re based in Birmingham city centre; raised on loud riffs, late nights, and questionable life choices. The local scenes shaped us, but we’ve always had our eyes on something bigger and louder.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
This line-up’s been locked in for about two years, and we’ve only been playing live for about eight months, but it honestly feels like we’ve been causing chaos together forever. Once the chemistry clicked, there was no turning back.
Where does the name of the band come from?
The name is literally our guitarist’s surname, with an umlaut added on the A to give it a slight twist. It just hit the right nerve — dark, loud, memorable, and ballsy… pretty much sums us up.
If you like what we do, consider joining us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Imagine Skid Row getting into a bar fight with Firehouse while Cinderella blasts through the speakers with Pantera sat in the corner watching the whole thing just itching to get involved! Heavy riffs, massive hooks, and enough energy to shake the walls loose. We don’t just want people to hear the music — we want them to feel like they survived something afterwards.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you rather than hanging at the bar or grabbing some merch?
Because standing still isn’t really an option when we hit the stage. Our shows are loud, sweaty, unpredictable, and completely all-in. We treat every gig like it could be the last one we ever play — no backing tracks, no fake hype, just pure volume and chaos. You can grab merch later. You might miss the moment if you don’t get down the front.
Have you been to Hella Rock? What have you heard about it?
This will be our first time and we haven’t played it before, so we’re buzzing to finally get thrown into the madness. Everyone we know says the crowd goes hard, the atmosphere’s unreal, and it’s one of those festivals where people genuinely come for the music.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
No filler. Just the heaviest riffs, the biggest singalongs, and a couple of surprises to keep people on their toes. We’re bringing the songs that hit hardest live.
Which other band on the bill are you most looking forward to catching?
Honestly, the whole line-up looks absolutely stacked, but we’re especially hyped to catch Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons to see them do the late Phil Campbell proud! RIP, brother!
What are you working on at the moment?
We’re deep into writing and recording new material for the EP right now. Everything’s getting heavier, sharper, and more aggressive. We’re pushing ourselves harder than ever and can’t wait to unleash it.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
We’ve seen mass crowdsurfing, performers joining in mosh pits, mic stands get launched into orbit, broken bones with a smile still on their face! We’ve seen it all! As for us… if nobody’s nearly falling off the stage by the last song, we probably weren’t doing our job properly.
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
Depends on the night — usually something strong, cold, and probably a terrible idea in hindsight. That pre-show shot hits different when the backdrop is up and ready!
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Hella Rock Festival 2026 will take place at HMV Empire in Coventry on 5th September. Tickets are available here.
Header image by RichardLardner
Wälker: facebook | instagram | youtube
Related
Published by