H.D.Q.

H.D.Q.

H.D.Q. are a punk group from Sunderland, United Kingdom. They develop a fast, melodic hardcore sound rooted in American hardcore, with influences that include Dag Nasty, Descendents, ALL, late 7 Seconds, Moving Targets and Government Issue. Their music also draws on R.E.M., Faith No More and Deacon Blue, while the band describes its aim as building its own sound rather than simply copying its influences.

Line-up and development

The band includes Golly, and at one point bassist Rob leaves after deciding he has gone as far as he wants with the group. Terri joins on bass in September 1989 and is described as a close friend and a tighter fit musically. Rob later joins Godzilla, a band said to sound a lot like Hüsker Dü.

Recordings and labels

H.D.Q. release the LP Sinking, which the band regards as its strongest record because of the songs and production. Tracks singled out from it include Towing The Line, Redneck Rap and One World. The band also plans a later album and compact disc for Full Circle Records in the UK and Burnt Out Youth Records in Europe.

Touring and reputation

The group tours Europe five times and says it is treated especially well on the continent, with better support for touring bands and larger crowds than in the UK. It plays many shows it remembers positively, including dates in Belfast, Austria, Zurich, Fulham Greyhound with Verbal Assault, Newport with ALL, Sunderland Poly with Billy Bragg, Dillington, Schwenigen in West Germany, Budapest and Alkmaar in Holland. The band is also known for keeping gigs, records and T-shirts cheap and for avoiding the image of rock-star excess.

Style and ambitions

H.D.Q. describe its sound as hardcore-based but increasingly shaped by its own writing. The band remains active, but not full time, and says it has enough spare time outside the group. It also wants to tour the United States, Australia and, as political conditions allow, the USSR.