Involving Music are pleased to introduce you to Halfcut.

We are a high-energy act that focuses on playing live. We take every gig we can and try to make it our best.

When we formed in Exeter in October 2023, we played our first gig at Time Piece to a massive crowd. We’ve been riding that momentum ever since, playing various venues from the Cavern to 50.7.

Photo Credit: Halfcut
Photo Credit: Halfcut
Photo Credit: Halfcut
Photo Credit: Halfcut

Interview: Halfcut

Who is in the band?

Lucas Shaw (Vocals + guitar)

Ollie March (Drums)

Max Heslop (guitar)

John Pimlott (Bass)

Where are you from? / Where are you based now?

Lucas and Ollie are from near Reading, and Max and John are from Portsmouth, now all based in Exeter.

What are your musical influences?

Anywhere from classic Indie rock with Catfish and the Bottlemen and Arctic Monkeys to Classic Rock with Led Zepplin. Prog heavily influences Ollie’s drumming.

About the latest release:

Our debut single, ‘Glass House,’ starts out quite delicate and light, then really builds tension before the explosion of the chorus.

What inspired the latest release?

Thematically, the song is really about the people in your life projecting their own issues onto you, creating a rift between you.

It’s not an uncommon thing that takes place. Whether it’s someone who used to be a friend, a parent, or a partner, the vicious cycle repeats, and these fragile people lash out in similar ways to how they have been perhaps mistreated in the past.

Musically, the songs I (Lucas) was mainly inspired by while writing was ‘Concorde’, by Black Country New Road and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ by Oasis.

Group shot of Halfcut’s four members standing confidently against a plain wall, all wearing sunglasses and casual vintage-inspired outfits. — Photo Credit: Halfcut

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Quick Fire Just For Fun

The absolute essential item for us on tour is…

Scissors, paper and glue as there’s no better way to relax after a gig than with some arts and crafts.

Our most challenging journey for the least payoff led us to…

Getting John to buy new shoes.

Keeping fit on the road requires…

Running behind the van.

The coolest pit stop worldwide is…

Welcome Break Cardiff Services off the M4.

A must-have in our tour survival kit is…

Custard Creams.

The weirdest gig we’ve ever played happened at…

Old Firehouse at home in Exeter, we decided we’d have three guitars on one song, so our old bassist Matt, brought along his guitar and managed to slice his finger open and bled everywhere. We have not played that song since.

The silliest thing ever said onstage was…

Not allowed to be repeated.

How we prepare for a show…

Rock Paper Scissors to see who plays which instrument.

Since forming in Exeter in October 2023, we’ve focused on high-energy live shows. Our first gig at Time Piece drew a massive crowd, and we’ve kept the momentum, playing venues like the Cavern, always aiming to deliver our best.

– Halfcut

– Darren Branch

Darren Branch’s first love was Heavy Metal, sparked by seeing Iron Maiden live at the Cornwall Coliseum in 1984 at the age of 13. His passion for grassroots music grew after discovering the vibrant local scene around Daylight Recording Studios in Honiton during the late 1980s. Having lived in Honiton and Exeter, Darren now lives in South Somerset and enjoys spending time in South Carolina. He stays deeply connected to the Southwest’s emerging bands—often through families that keep the scene alive. Outside music, he builds websites, reads business books, and participates in English Premier League Fantasy Football.

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