InMe

With three decades into a career that has defied genres and outlasted trends, UK rock veterans InMe are back with a renewed sense of purpose, bridging the legacy of their iconic past with the raw, fresh energy of their latest chapter. In this convo with frontman Dave McPherson, he opens up about the band’s enduring, their DNA and how his personal journey with sobriety has breathed new life and clarity into the music.

From reflecting on their teenage roots in 1996 to teasing massive upcoming collaborations and sharing essential wisdom for the next generation of artists, this is an intimate look at a band completely revitalized and operating at the peak of their powers.

Hi guys, thank you so much for taking the time to have a chat with us. Let’s jump right into it. Looking at the band in 2026, you’re currently bridging the gap between the legacy of White Butterfly and the fresh energy of Demons. In your own words, how would you describe the 'InMe DNA' that has stayed exactly the same and what’s the biggest thing that has completely transformed?

Hello! Amazing question off the bat! The essence of InMe’s DNA is an open world, but I’d say melody, emotion, energy and feeling are a pretty consistent through-line. Refining and evolving musically is a constant too, song structure, exciting fun interesting elements across the board (we call it the “spice”), freedom of sound! It’s strange because you want to create something totally fresh, but it also feels quite earned to have developed a sound that’s also a big part of how we make music today. 

The biggest transformation for me is easily my sobriety. Overcoming my biggest demon three years ago has enabled me to become a completely new person. Like I’m living for the first time, and I feel really good. My entire life has changed and music & InMe have become more important to me than could ever be possible before. So everything has come alive now that I’m present and full of clarity. Music is now pure therapy, healing and has helped me so much with my recovery. And that’s clear in our new music!

InMe has survived everything from the nu-metal tail-end to the emo explosion and the modern prog-metal scene. Do you feel like misfits in the UK rock scene because you’ve never stayed in one lane for too long, or is that versatility exactly why you’re still here 20+ years later?

I think if we were not musically misfits then we wouldn’t have such an amazing fan base. It’s nice to be considered different or unique! We’ve never tried to fit in, I wouldn’t know where to begin! We make music we want to make and that creates versatility. Trying to sound like something else just ain’t our thing and never has been. It’s not for me to say why listeners are still listening, we’re just InMe! We love making wild music, crazy fun riffs, connecting through shared emotion and between us we draw from so many influences. Feels good when people say we sound like no other band!

You’ve spent a massive portion of your lives on the road. What is the one tour luxury or creature comfort that you absolutely couldn't live without in 2026, which your 18-year-old selves would have laughed at?

Haha, I’d be in trouble without my daily meds! The boring answer would be my phone as I do most things on it on the road like being connected with my amazing girlfriend, socials, lyric ideas, emails, movies, interviews (like this) etc, you name it! The deeper answer would be that I can’t live without mental health maintenance, and that includes physical and emotional health too. Feels good to feel good and that takes discipline and self work. Eighteen year old me wouldn’t have laughed at that, but would’ve thought that was out of his capability.

Is there one bucket list item that you guys haven't checked off yet? A specific country you’ve never played, a festival slot you’re still chasing, or perhaps a dream collaboration?

I’ll keep this one sort and sweet (ish): Australia, Download (again please!) and I’d love to collaborate with LANDMVRKS, Bring Me The Horizon, Muse, Bon Jovi, Queen, David Gilmour, Counting Crows, Iron Maiden, Born of Osiris and so many more! Watch this space regarding collaborations.

Looking back at the "Drowned" days, if you could take one piece of advice from 2026 back to your teenage selves in 1996, what would it be?

For me it’d be, stop drinking right now and forevermore. Remember to enjoy yourself in the moment. Explore therapy!

You've toured with everyone from Deftones to Biffy Clyro. Who is a newer UK band you've shared a stage with recently that makes you think, "Okay, the future of the scene is in good hands"?

There’s so many amazing interesting bands around, we’re currently on the road with Saint Agnes who are fantastic. We had Grumble Bee open for us last year who I’m a massive fan of. I mentioned LANDMVRKS before, they’re from France (close enough) and they set a whole new standard for me. Flo on vocals is a monster and a machine. He can do all manner of screams, rapping and beautiful singing, it’s frankly insane what he can do. They are ridiculously tight live and their sound is so fresh and broad! 

To keep going for so many years as a band, I can imagine it demands more as passion and just love for the music. What are your key points and advice for up and coming bands to keep going when the motivation and drive starts to wear off?  

Be true to yourselves. Do it for those moments on stage. Be kind and humble. Learn and grow constantly. Work through your problems transparently as true friends. Follow the light. 

Website - https://www.inmeofficial.co.uk/