Newcastle-based alternative rock trio TROJIKA are making their mark with a powerful blend of melody, aggression and emotional honesty. Drawing inspiration from modern rock, grunge, metal and pop-punk, TROJIKA’s music combines personal storytelling with hard-hitting instrumentation. Kayleigh Mattson caught up with the band to discuss their origins, influences and what comes next.
For those not in the know, who are TROJIKA? And what is it that you do?
Shane: We’re a dual-fronted alternative rock band from Newcastle. The line-up consists of myself, Shane Hirst, on guitar and vocals, Liam Carse on bass and vocals, and Gabriel Stanley-Wright on drums. We’ve just released our debut EP, ‘In My Time’, and we’re excited to share it with everyone.
How did you meet?
Shane: Liam and I have been making music together for years, having known each other since middle school. We’ve always shared similar musical tastes and spent ages trying to get a band together. In 2023, we finally got into a rehearsal room with our mate Harry. We performed and wrote songs as a trio, but sadly Harry left the band in 2025. Gabe joined us at the beginning of 2026, and we were ready to hit the ground running.
Gabe: There’s a real energy around this project, and I’m excited to be part of a group with such strong ideas and creative drive.
The EP certainly packs a punch! What’s the story behind this collection?
Shane: The songs were written during a particularly challenging period in my life. Music became a form of escapism from a fairly bleak situation, and the instrumentation channels a lot of that raw anger and frustration. The tracks came together fairly quickly. Lyrically, ‘Dead Tonight’ was written during a 40-minute bus journey to a rehearsal. A lot of our lyrics come from personal experiences, whether that’s mine or Liam’s. I think that’s what makes them relatable. We’re not singing about abstract concepts; we’re singing about everyday life. Releasing ‘In My Time’ feels like a weight off my shoulders. We also wanted to experiment with different sub-genres throughout the EP. ‘Be Enough’ is a pop-punk track with our own heavier twist towards the end. ‘Project 004’ is completely bombastic from start to finish, incorporating metal and doom influences. ‘Scream Your Name’ channels the angst of the 1990s grunge era while introducing modern arrangements. The EP is very much a mixed bag and has a little something for everyone – even the mums and dads.
Who are your influences?
Liam: My biggest influences on this EP were Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, particularly in terms of vocal style and melody. I love the combination of raw power and melodic choruses filled with passion and emotion.
Shane: I’ve always been a huge Biffy Clyro fan, so a lot of my approach to guitar playing and songwriting comes from spending countless hours listening to Simon Neil. He’s brilliant at getting mean, aggressive tones out of a Fender Stratocaster. Biffy Clyro are a major reason why I make music. I think ‘Opposites’ is one of the greatest alternative rock albums ever made and was the record that introduced me to heavier music. Boston Manor are another significant influence, particularly when it comes to sonic textures and song composition. I’m always trying to identify the pedals and effects they’re using. Those sounds have definitely shaped my own style. ‘Scream Your Name’ has a lot of movement and width thanks to chorus and rotary effects, something I’ve picked up from listening to Boston Manor records.
What’s on the horizon for TROJIKA?
Shane: We’re already working on brand-new material. I don’t want to give too much away, but the new songs are really pushing the envelope. With every release, we want to achieve something new and continue experimenting. All I’ll say is one word: heavy.
Gabe: We’re really challenging ourselves with the next record, both in terms of versatility and creativity. We’re exploring new ways of writing, recording and producing our music ourselves, and it’s opening up some exciting possibilities for the future.
You can listen to the new EP now on Spotify.
