Doomed Confessionary: Mickey, Dave, Steve & Stafford (Pilot The Dune)
Photo credit: Al Pulford Photography
Hailing from the city of Norwich, UK, come the explosive stoner rock quartet Pilot The Dune. Formed in 2020 and later going on to release their debut album in 2023, the bands unique sound blends the best elements of classic and modern stoner rock with a sprinkling of heavy psych and 70s hard rock thrown into the mix. Expect raw power, fuzzed out riffs and melodic grooves!
Pilot The Dune consists of Mickey on vocals, Dave on drums, Steve on guitar and Stafford on bass.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are a 4-piece stoner rock band from Norwich, UK.
Steve: Myself and Stafford formed the beginnings of the band in 2020, quiet soon after Dave joined us then a bit later on Mickey.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Finding the right singer was a big challange.
Stafford: Everyone that turned up for auditiones were just not right, we started to think that wed have to make it as an instrumental band then Mickey walked into our lives 🙂
Mickey: I’d gone to the rehersal studios on the off-chance that someone was looking for a singer and found these guys.
Dave: Then we had Covid lockdowns in amongst all of that too, so a challenging time to start a band.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Along with releasing our debut album, we made our first video music this year for our newest track »Judas« which we filmed in a 8th century underground crypt which was fun.
What was your biggest regret?
Mickey: I can answear this one. We had a show in the south of England which is a 5 hour drive away and somehow i got the dates mixed up and drove down there myself a week early. It was long night.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We were lucky enough to support desert rockers Slomosa in our hometown to a sold out show in February of this year. That is definitely the highlight so far and will be hard to top.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Stafford: Surprises, I’d say just how friendly the stoner scene is say compared to the more competitive metal scene.
Also how much is easier it is to set up shows and connect with people thanks to social media.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Sergent Thunderhoof, Hippie Death Cult, Master Charger, Acid Mammoth, Sons Of Arrakis, Valley Of The Sun to name a few of our favourites at the moment.
Steve: And of course the old classic 90s stuff, Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Karma To Burn, etc. are always on rotation.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
When we had a set ready to play our first shows we were emailing promoters all round the country and one of them messaged back and basically said “you’ve got 100 followers, no one has fucking heard of you, get well known in your home town/city first and branch out from there”. Which was good advice although quite blunt.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Having breakfast for dinner, murder, weed and listening to 2000s female power metal band Kittie.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Norwich / UK?
Dave: The UK stoner scene is probably in the best shape its ever been in, musically anyway. Our local scene has some great bands including: Acid Throne, Red Eyed Cult, Kulk and Commoner which obviously helps in bringing great bands to Norwich and grow the scene here.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
No tour this year but You can catch us at the Blackheart in Camden, London on the 13th Sept. And Norwich on the 5th Sept, 22nd Nov.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Well be releasing our 2nd album later on this year aswell as another music video. But our ultimate aim is to play Desertfest one day.
How can people best support your band?
Stafford: Likes and follows are always great in a world where follow counts and interactions is how most people gage the quality and popularity of a band. Basically Instagram and Spotify are our masters now. We have merch on Bandcamp of course aswell.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Mickey: Its no secret that venues/promoters are finding it harder to shift tickets so please keep buying tickets to shows if you want this scene to continue and grow.
Big thanks to all that do come to our shows and bought merch and support us continually.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well