We catch up with Jack and Marc of Iodynes ahead of Belladrum 2024 and ask them a few questions.
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What would be your FFO list?
We like people to think we are For Fans Of, Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Muse which as anyone who has met us knows, are 3 of our biggest musical influences so being able to merge the energy, style and dynamism of these colossal acts is something we are proud of.
Tell us a little about how the band came to be and a story so far.
At our very core we are just 4 friends making music we enjoy playing live which was the mantra we carried through from our previous moniker “Lucille”, the band has had its fair share of line-up changes, each unique and amazing, with each previous member elevating the band and helping us progress, but with Andy on Keys and Badger on bass we finally feel complete and stable.
As an act, how has 2024 treated you so far?
2024 saw Iodynes take a short hiatus and the introduction of two new members in Andrew Bannerman on Keys and Vocals and Andrew “Badger” Stewart on Bass guitar, with the introduction of a totally new instrument to the bands soundscape we spent the early months meticulously honing our craft before taking the show to the road in mid-March, which has since seen us gigging relentlessly up and down the Country.
You have three original songs to wow the Belladrum audience, which ones would they be and why?
“Know You’re Not Alone” – which is our anthem in support of men’s mental health and challenges the stigma and voices the message “Its okay not to be okay” as well as delivering a powerful message the song has all the elements of a great rock number. Huge chorus’s, sweeping guitar riffs, bass and drums locked tight and harmonies for days.
“Downtown” – A fan favourite and self-claimed pop banger.“Whole Again” – Our soon to be released 2nd single, another song which gets the audience up and dancing with its bass led melody, and with help of the well know idiom “Sticks and Stones” usually gets the biggest reaction live.
Festivals are renowned for horrible clashes, which act on the Belladrum line-up would you least like to clash with and why?
A clash with local acts Lucid Liars and The Chosen Lonely would be a disaster given our shared personnel, but that aside a clash with Ocean Colour Scene, Twin Atlantic and Be Like Pablo would be unfortunate as we are big fans and are hoping to be down front singing and embarrassing ourselves.
What are you favourite memories of Belladrum?
Our first performance at Belladrum on the Free Range Stage back in 2022 will always be a standout memory for us. We were debuting a stripped back “acoustic” version of “My Hero” by Foo Fighters, dedicated to our bassist at the time Gord’s Grandfather who had recently passed anyway. As we started playing the heavens opened and it created this very serene moment eclipsed only when the audience joined in for chorus.
Given the Love theme, if you had to create a love playlist with only five songs, what would be on it?
Foo Fighters – Everlong. “We don’t say goodbye, we say Everlong”
Biffy Clyro – Space
Muse – Endlessly
Paolo Nutini – Last Request
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
If you could travel back in time which Belladrum would you like to revisit?
Jack – 2012 – Frighten Rabbit, a massive regret not getting to see them live before Scott passed.
Marc – 2023 – Punk Rock Factory, I’ve seen some of my favourite acts in the world at Belladrum such as Biffy Clyro, Fatherson and Twin Atlantic but being front and centre for Punk Rock Factory with my youngest Ruben, at his first music concert, screaming our lungs out to “Let it Go” is a moment I would happily relive daily.
In your act’s repertoire, what is the most romantic song you have?
Iodynes aren’t the romantic type with our songs typically being about angst and dystopia. Although our song “You and Me” is an ode to the love a parent feels from there children, so love in a difference sense.
What’s on the horizon for you after Belladrum?
We continue our hectic gigging schedule with trips to Aberdeen, Thurso, Fraserburgh, Nairn and a couple hometown shows before the year is out. We are also working tirelessly on our next two singles “Whole Again” and “Follow Me” and working behind the scenes on what will be our biggest announcement today, which we hope we can share more details before the year is out.
Iodynes perform at Bar Bella Stage on Saturday 27th July at 4.45pm and can keep track of Iodynes here.
