We head to Motionless In White’s sold-out Manchester show to find out what draws people to the band’s gothic brand of metalcore, and what keeps them coming back for more…
This past weekend, metalcore marauders Motionless In White tore through the United Kingdom as part of their Touring The End Of The World Tour, with their pals in Fit For A King and Brand Of Sacrifice. And it's fair to say that in recent years, the Scranton stranglers have been having quite the moment, taking in everything from the main stage at Download to Madison Square Garden.
But who are their fans? To find out why so many are drawn to Chris Motionless' undead wrecking crew, we headed to Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse to join the queue and meet the misfits…
How long have you been a fan of Motionless in White?
“A good few years! I think I found them via one of their big, popular songs – I got hooked and went on from there. I really like Undead Ahead 2: The Tale Of The Midnight Ride; it talks about zombies and I thought that was really cool.”
What's the most goth thing about you?
“I'm not sure if it counts as goth, but I have a taxidermy wall at home. I really like that.”
Will you be moshing tonight?
“If there's a pit near me then I could do… If I get sucked in, I might vanish!”
What other bands are you into at the moment?
“I really like Rob Zombie and Slipknot.”
What are you wearing today?
“I've got a battle vest/jacket at the start of it's journey. A corset and a mesh top. These trousers are meant to be longer, but I'd fall over. And some New Rocks!”
How long have you been a fan of Motionless In White?
“Maybe three or four years; I started listening to them in college. I can't really remember how I got into them – I think I must have just listened to some bands of a similar genre, and then one band leads onto another one! I think the first thing I heard from them was Reincarnate.”
What's the most goth thing about you?
“I'm also into taxidermy, but I guess the music I listen to as well. I love a lot of ’80s dark wave stuff.”
Will you be moshing tonight?
“If I get the chance then maybe.”
What other bands are you into at the moment?
“Ice Nine Kills. There's a band called American Hi-Fi, who I like. Also blink-182 and heavier stuff like Motionless In White!”
What are you wearing today?
“I have some Iron Maiden-themed leather boots, some ripped jeans, a Terrifier shirt and a leather jacket!”
How long have you been fans of Motionless?
Thomas: “I think I'm coming up to a year now.”
Jack: “About a year and a half for me.”
How did you get into them?
Thomas: “Through Jack.”
Jack: “They announced their tour and I checked them out. I knew about them before, but I hadn't listened to much by them. That's when I delved in deeper.”
What was it about them you really like?
Jack: “Their look – and also the song Slaughterhouse.”
Thomas: “The entire discography!”
What's the most goth thing about you?
Jack: “Just wearing black, I guess.”
Thomas: “My room! It's very, very dark.”
Jack: “Mine is covered in posters.”
Thomas: “Mine is covered in old issues of Kerrang! as well.”
What other bands are you listening to at the moment?
Thomas: “I am obsessed with Bring Me The Horizon, I do love Bad Omens too. I'm seeing Knocked Loose next month.”
Jack: “A lot of hardcore music. Speed, for sure, and Sunami. There's obviously Knocked Loose. And Bring Me The Horizon.”
What are you both wearing?
Jack: “Speed jersey, camo cargos, Vans.”
Thomas: “I've got the Motionless tour hoody, I got their shirt off their website, and just some black cargos and Dr. Martens.”
How long have you been a fan of Motionless?
“I'm brand new! About a week.”
What is it about them that you like?
“They cover songs really, really well! They do a great cover of The Killers and I do really like that kind of music – I like the emotions behind it.”
What bands are you listening to at the moment?
“I'm a massive fan of Hollywood Undead, and I have been for years. And NF, I love him. Bring Me The Horizon, State Champs. I love it all, to be honest!“
What would you say is the most goth thing about you?
“I wear a lot of black – I only really dress in black. And I have a lot of piercings and tattoos.“
Are you going in the mosh-pit tonight?
“It would be my first ever mosh-pit so it would be cool if so!“
What are you wearing?
“This Motionless T-shirt I bought today in the centre, and some jeans.“
How long have you both been a fan of Motionless?
“Years and years! I can't remember what song it was that got me into them first. I saw them not last year but the year before at Download, and it was ace. I had my toddler with me so I couldn't get near the stage, it was still fun though!“
What is it about them that you still like now?
“I'm not sure how to answer that, really… it's literally just dependant on what song I'm in the mood for. I really like a lot of their songs, and I flip between them all.“
What other bands are you listening to at the moment?
“Set It Off! I've been obsessed with them for years and I think I've seen them four times live. State Champs are really good too, they're really fun and bonkers. I'm seeing them tomorrow. We thought it was a great plan to do three concerts back-to-back, but I'm dying after each show because I'll go full-on during them.“
What would you say is the most goth thing about you?
“I don't fit into boxes, I'm awkwardly in the middle.“
Are you going in the mosh-pit tonight?
“If we can get near it!“
What are you wearing today?
“A band T-shirt and some cargos, and a shirt I got off Vinted.“
How long have you been a Motionless In White fan?
“Maybe three or four years. I got into them via YouTube. I really liked their presence, their style, and Chris and his make-up.”
What would you say is the most goth thing about you?
“I’m known as Voodoo Princess at a nightclub and I’m the only one allowed to use that hashtag on Instagram. If anyone else uses it, the owner is like, ‘You’re not Voodoo Princess!’”
What other bands are you listening to at the moment?
“Escape The Fate, they are my favourite. Crossfaith – they're awesome and everyone should check them out, they're at Download this year. I kinda like a bit of everyone – if I can have a dance and a boogie then I like it.”
Are you planning on moshing tonight?
“Yes. Will I be easy to find? Yes.”
What are you wearing today?
“I am wearing a Cyberdog jacket, which you have to charge via USB! So far I've found 30 different options of colour, but I'm yet to find the original one. I get excited every time I find a new one. And then a spiky bra, shorts, many chains and knee-high Converse.”
How long have you been a Motionless fan?
“Since I was about 12! My brother probably got me into them, I'll give him some credit. But they're just everything I love, all the years they've been through. From [2010 album] Creatures until now, I just love everything they do.”
Who else are you listening to?
“Probably a bit of Bad Omens, but I love a bit of everything, to be fair.”
What's the most goth thing about you?
“Probably my ears – I've got big holes in them!”
Will you be moshing tonight?
“Probably not, but that's only because I've kinda grown up a bit and you get a bit nervous when you get older. I realised I don't wanna get hurt anymore!”
And what are you wearing?
“A Motionless In White tour T-shirt from a few years ago. And then shorts, mosher belt, Dr. Martens... oh, and my coffin bag! My nails are also Motionless In White-themed.”
How long have you been Motionless fans?
Sheena: “Since I was about 10, so, like, 12 years.”
Lex: ”For me, probably about two years. We've been together for three years and Sheena introduced me.”
Sheena: ”I forced him into it!”
What is it about Motionless that you like so much?
Sheena: “That's such a hard question. It's just the perfect mix of spooky and everything. The heavy-as-fuck vocals with the beautiful voice. There's nothing else like it, it's so good.”
Lex: “Just as she was saying, it's the spookiness. And I love the heavy and pop mix too, his growls are great.”
What other bands are you listening to?
Sheena: “We like everything. Avenged Sevenfold, Billy Talent, Sleep Token, Asking Alexandria. We like punk… everything!”
Lex: “I'm a big Sleep Token fan, and with Download coming up I'm really excited for them. Green Day and Rise Against are huge ones, as well.”
What would you say is the most goth thing about you?
Sheena: “My eyebrows, maybe. My entire face and my hair.”
Lex: “I'm not much of a goth, I'm more of a punk. The most goth thing about me is my girlfriend!”
Will you be moshing tonight?
Sheena: “We might be! But we might not be in the centre.”
Lex: “We'll be on the edge.”
Sheena: “We have our own intimate section where we go wild.”
What are you both wearing today?
Sheena: “I've got my Docs on, some leopard-print trousers from ASOS, my Mary Wyatt top and a second-hand jacket from Dolls Kill.”
Lex: “I've got my Lambretta, some ASOS trousers and my big boots. Oh, and the Download x Mary Wyatt T-shirt.”
