The Punk Archive: So, are you guys pleased to have got your festival season up and running? How was Soundwave?
Josh: Soundwave was maybe the perfect tour. Australia is such a beautiful country and having a touring festival means you get loads of time travelling to get to know all the other bands.
The Punk Archive: Are you looking forward to playing Takedown, too, and beginning your upcoming UK tour?
Josh: Takedown was great last year and we're looking forward to having a slightly better slot this year (plus a big old afterparty). We're always excited to get out on the road in the UK, it'd be nice to have a few more dates and cover more area on this run, but we're having to fit it in around studio time.
The Punk Archive: Are there any bands you're particularly looking forward to seeing at Takedown?
Josh: It usually works out that we never get to see the bands we want to, but I'm hoping to catch Baby Godzilla, Heart In Hand, Jamie Lenman and Feed The Rhino. There are loads of great bands on this year's bill.
Hacktivist in Sydney during their recent Australia tour
The Punk Archive: You've just been announced as support to Korn later this year. How are you feeling about that?
Josh: Getting the Korn support slot is a bit of a dream really! We've all listened to them growing up, and they've had a pretty big influence on the music we make and the bands that we listen to. It's sometimes daunting supporting bands with such a long-established, zealous fanbase, but we'll do or best to get the crowds warmed up and pick up some new fans along the way.
The Punk Archive: As a band you've really started to hit the big time over the past 6-9 months. How do you stay grounded?
Josh: Being skint! Coming off tour to the cold, harsh reality of 'normal' life helps remind us that we're not rockstars yet. We joke with other bands that if you're not skint, you're not working hard enough...
The Punk Archive: Lyrically, a lot of current issues are tackled head on. Is this from personal experience or are you trying to be a generation's voice, if you like?
Hacktivist: A lot of the lyrics stem from our personal experience of living and surviving in this generation. A lot of rappers focus on how talented and successful they are, where as we like to keep it a little more real. I guess overall, we try to encourage unity and awareness through our lyrics.
The Punk Archive: What's next for Hacktivist in 2014? Can you give us any details on a forthcoming album?
Josh: When we're not on the road, we're working hard to pull together our début full length album. There's a producer, demos and studios in place, but no details to announce just yet. Other than that, we're looking forward to a busy festival season: particularly excited about our first main stage appearance at Reading and Leeds this year, which is going to be huge!
Hacktivist play The Punk Archive sponsored Takedown Festival on Saturday 15th March. Head to http://takedown.vticket.co.uk/ for tickets.
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