“Everyone thinks I’m a tough guy, but I’m a big softie really”: 13 Questions with Malevolence’s Alex Taylor

2022 has been quite the year for Malevolence. Not only has the release of their superb third album Malicious Intent sent them on a stratospheric trajectory, they laid waste to huge crowds at Download, Outbreak and Bloodstock this summer, and have bagged tours around the world with Jinjer, Thy Art Is Murder, Lamb Of God and more.

But we're not here to talk about Malev's successes, we're catching up with frontman Alex Taylor to talk about rotten fish, drinking too much and the joys of doner kebabs.

“A couple of weeks ago I had a virus or something, nothing too heavy, no alcohol or anything – I was just ill. Before that, it was when the football was on, I went out and had a few too many shandies and got way too lit. I’m a fan of the tactical chunder – if I don’t then it’s bath and bedtime. If I don’t take my chance to throw up there and then, then I’m out.”

“I don’t know if it’s a rumour but everyone thinks I’m a bit too much of a tough guy, I guess. But I’m a big softie, really. I’m a nice guy until I’m not (laughs).”

“I fucking hate spiders. And enclosed drops like lift shafts, I don’t know what it is about them but it makes my stomach go. Spiders is number one, though. I’ve got to the point where I can get rid of a spider, but if there’s one in the room when I’m going to bed, I can’t sleep until I know it’s dead. My girlfriend’s the same so if there’s a spider in the house then we’re a nightmare, so I have to go in with a big piece of paper and get it. It’s not very insect-friendly.”

“Being able to shout louder than anyone else at a party. That’s basically been my career for the past 12 years. I can also do that thing where you make your eyes move in different directions at the same time (laughs).”

“Junk food – I’m terrible with it. I’ve got much better over the past six months, I cook most meals fresh, but I’m terrible for being lazy and going, ‘Fuck it, we’ll get a Chinese tonight.’ There’s a really good one opposite my house, so it’s either that or a good doner kebab.”

“Asia was one my favourites, it’s such a culture shock. I’ve always wanted to go, so to be able to play shows there just blew my mind. I’m such a big fan of their way of life and the food; I love Asian cuisine, so to be able to go to places like the Philippines, Japan, south-east Asia, all that part of the world was a dream come true. The people out there are so welcoming and into listening to bands they don’t even know. They made us feel really welcome, and even though most didn’t know who we were, they gave us the time of day and were really keen to show us their culture – they took us around the best beauty spots, the best swimming spots, the best places to eat. I can’t wait to go back.”

“Because we’re fucking sick. I’m not messing about. We’ve got something for everyone, we put on a good show every time. Whether you like metal or not, come and watch us because you’ll have a good time – even if it’s just laughing at all the people running in a circle.”

“This is bait (laughs). I don’t know about most illegal, but recently we’ve skipped a few customs obligations, shall we say. Just swerved them. I won’t say too much more.”

“Good set, dude.”

“I ate this fish when we were in Japan. We were in a sushi bar and I just picked it off one of the belts and it tasted like what I imagine a dead, rotting fish tastes like. It was awful. To be honest, when it comes to food I’m not that picky, so to find something I really don’t like is a big thing.”

“Probably working on a bar. Late nights and dealing with pissed-up customers all night long wasn’t really for me.”

“The last time I got kicked out was at The Cathouse in Glasgow. I was in the smoking area, had a few too many drinks, and I thought it would be a funny idea to throw my pint in the air… but little did I realise there’s a balcony that runs round the smoking area where all the security stand, and it twatted a bouncer straight in the face. I heard him coming downstairs and he just grabbed me, I got in the brace position, and he chucked he headfirst downstairs. Landed in a pile at the bottom and that was it. I expected it, I knew it was coming. I was being a dickhead.”

“Sweets, magazines, drinks, hearts… Nothing major. Just petty stuff when you’re a kid being a little knobhead and stealing from the corner shop.”

Malicious Intent is out now via Nuclear Blast

Read this next:

• Malevolence: “I speak from the heart. As a community, that’s something we should all try to do”
• Malevolence’s Alex Taylor: The 10 songs that changed my life
  
• 14 of the wildest moments from Outbreak Fest 2022