THE HOT ONE TWO – A COOL CONVERSATION WITH THE BAND
By Ralph Beauchamp
The Hot One Two is a four piece rock & roll dynamo based out of the UK. Their music is a bold alloy of brazen classic rock and modern day inflections. The Hot One Two’s groove is freaking additive. All their songs deliver sonic explosions and forceful soundscapes. Their riffs are ferocious and the songwriting is full of crushing arrangements. The Hot One Two is a fireball ready to set the world aflame.
The Hot One Two was founded in 2017 by Nick Blackburn (Bass), Nick Manners (Lead Guitar) and Joe Chivers (Drums). In 2018, they added propulsive lead singer Simon West. From there, the band continued to make a significant mark on the contemporary music scene. The Hot One Two have two EPs (Come Whatever May and Unrestrained) under their belt. They also have an album, Superbia (2013).
Recently, The Hot One Two have released a couple of riff driven singles from their upcoming sophomore full length entitled Virtues dropping 10/10. “The Reaper” is a ruthless banger with monstrous guitars and an insatiable vibe. “Alive Again” maintains the ferocity while coupled with cinematic vocals and an elevated backbeat. The Hot One Two will definitely be on your 2026 “Top Ten” list.
The Hot One Two were kind enough to sit with AMP for this cool conversation.
AMP: Can you give our readers a brief history of the band?
THOT: The Hot One Two was founded in Cambridge, England, in 2017 by bassist Nick Blackburn, lead guitarist Nick Manners, and drummer Joe Chivers. The lineup really solidified in 2018 with the addition of our charismatic frontman, Simon West. We quickly gained traction in the UK’s New Wave of Classic Rock (NWOCR) scene and started playing bigger stages. We released two successful EPs, Come Whatever May and Unrestrained, before dropping our critically acclaimed debut album, Superbia, in November 2023, which explored the seven deadly sins. Following on from a successful year of touring the UK we’re now on the cusp of releasing our second album, Virtues.
AMP: Your sound captures the swagger of the 80’s with modern twists. How would you describe your music?
THOT: We describe our sound as hard-hitting hard rock with a classic rock edge. The essence is definitely capturing the swagger and huge hooks of 80s rock legends. We try to infuse it with the punchier, tighter production and riffs of modern metal. It’s a relentless, no-frills rock assault that’s meant to be loud, energetic, and fun, both in the studio and, especially, live.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
THOT: Our creative process is a collaborative one, built on our friendship and a desire to constantly push out new material. For our debut album, Superbia, we had a running theme—the seven deadly sins—which gave us a powerful framework for the songwriting and artwork. It’s all about hard work, getting material out there, and most importantly, enjoying the process. We are very hands-on, producing some of our own content, like music videos, because we love the entire journey from the initial idea to the final release.
AMP: Your new album, Virtues, drops on 10/10. Can you give us a little insight into the release? In addition, do you feel there is a track that will blow your fans’ minds?
THOT: Virtues is our highly anticipated second album, set for release on October 10th. Where Superbia explored the shadows of the seven deadly sins, Virtues illuminates the path toward redemption and moral excellence. It’s a natural evolution of our sound—it’s high-octane, raw, and energetic, but also more thoughtful and introspective in its themes. We think it’s our most powerful statement yet.
As for a track that will blow minds… yes – our track ‘Blow Your Mind’ hit’s the nail on the head pretty well. We’ve also got ‘Alive Again’, our second single from the album, it’s a complete shift in pace and emotion, a track that really showcases Simon’s vocal range and the band’s dynamic ability. It’s a massive, anthemic song that we feel will be a huge moment for our fans, hitting them right in the heart while still rocking hard.
AMP: What is the band’s internal energy like?
THOT: The internal energy of The Hot One Two is high-octane and built on a solid foundation of genuine friendship. We’re mates first and band members second, which means we all get on well and genuinely enjoy the process of writing, recording, and touring. That tightness and enjoyment translates directly into our music and our live performances—it’s a shared, relentless energy that we bring to every stage, turning it into a full-blown party.
AMP: The band is signed to TowerRok Management. Has that been a beneficial relationship?
THOT: Signing with TowerRok Band Management in 2022 was a huge step for us. It has absolutely been a beneficial relationship. They’ve been instrumental in propelling us to bigger stages, securing festival appearances, and generally expanding our reach. The support has allowed us to focus more on the creative side of the band while they handle the management and logistical heavy lifting, which has been crucial to our success and momentum.
AMP: The Hot One Two has toured extensively. Is there a gig or tour that stands out?
THOT: We’ve had so many amazing gigs, but the whole experience of touring Superbia stands out. The fan reaction to the new material was electrifying. If I had to pick a specific gig, I’d go The Portland Arms. any time we play our home City of Cambridge, it’s just nuts—the audience energy there is absolutely insane. It’s those venues where the crowd is right up against the stage, singing every word, that really cement why we do this.
AMP: In the same vein, what is your favorite song to play live and are there any plans for a forthcoming tour of the US?
THOT: It’s tough to pick just one, but “The Fray,” which was the lead single from Superbia, is always an absolute blast to play live. It’s pure, raw energy from start to finish and the crowd always enjoys it.
As for the US, right now we are fully focused on our upcoming UK tour to celebrate the release of Virtues this autumn/winter. However, a US tour is absolutely on our long-term roadmap. We have a growing fanbase across the pond and we can’t wait to bring The Hot One Two show to the States when the time is right. Keep an eye out!
AMP: How do you approach collaborations with other artists and is there an artist you would love to work with?
THOT: We approach collaborations with an open mind, focusing on artists whose work we genuinely respect and feel could bring a unique dimension to our music. Our collaboration on the Superbia album art with Freddie McKie (Massive Wagons) was fantastic, as he captured the theme perfectly.
If we could work with any artist, the dream collaboration would be with someone like Slash. His riff mastery and tone, combined with his legacy, would be an incredible force alongside our modern hard rock sound.
AMP: What’s next for The Hot One Two?
THOT: The immediate future is all about Virtues! The album drops on October 10th, and then we embark on an extensive UK-wide tour spanning October, November, and December to celebrate the release. Beyond that, we’re constantly writing and planning. We have no plans of slowing down—we’ll be hitting more festivals, releasing more videos, and continuing to work hard to push our music to new territories and bigger stages. This is just the beginning!
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