A song that made you want to make music?
Haha, ‘The Rock Show’ by Blink-182.
Best rider you’ve had?
Beer in an ice bucket. Simple, effective.
Craziest moment you’ve experienced in a band?
Opening for The Early November, probably. We’re not the wildest bunch. We’re really good at booking insane gigs that then don’t happen. Xcerts cancelled a few shows to go support Guns n Roses, I believe. A My Vitriol gig got cancelled thanks to a gas leak-related evacuation during sound check,.. Maybe they’re trying to tell us something…
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
“This barren temple has a trail and you can’t help but walk all over it” is a reference to patterns that different types of cancer spread throughout the body.
Easiest song you wrote?
One of the newer ‘album’ songs currently called ‘Less on the Mill’ came together so easily. It felt like a pretty simple song early on so we decided to not overthink for a change and it came out great.
Favourite song in your set?
For me it’d have to be ‘All It Is’ because the mid-8 is so great to go crazy to.
Guest you’d most like to have on your record?
Scroobius Pip
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Having enough time to do everything we’d like to together.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Will runs marathons.
Jokes you have in the band?
We often find an excuse to ask Richie, “Why are you even here!?” It’s something our former bassist Leo started and it’s just stuck. Not that funny.
Key to writing a song?
I have two; write profusely without putting pressure on myself to achieve a specific thing and see what happens, and if Richie says, “double the tempo and make the verse the chorus”, f*cking listen!
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Ben and I once played an acoustic set in The Philippines.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
I really can’t think right now of one specific answer. I can think of a whole bunch of shows I’ve been to where I’ve been moved close to tears or just super motivated to get our band to where that band is in terms of ability and stature. Sorry.
New band you’d recommend?
We’re really digging the new EP from fellow Bristolians Better Than Mending.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Manchester Orchestra, obvs.
Place you’d most like to travel?
Germany. And Costa Rica.
Quote you’d like to give to our readers?
Use the slow lane. Seriously, that’s not a metaphor, please move over.
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
The EP title is a nod toward the circumstances around it’s recording, of having something inescapable forever looming overhead.
See us live at?
The Louisiana, Bristol on 28th Feb and The Railway, Winchester on 1st March, more to come…
The old days were better than the current, do you agree?
Yes because I’m old and music peaked somewhere between ‘The Shape of Punk…’ and ‘Devil & God’. But also no because despite fears over saturation, greatness in art still shines bright and I’m finding great new music all the time.
Unusual merchandise?
T-shirts with my face on.
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
We already changed how we play the last song of the EP live; it has a very different opening third.
What do your fans mean to you?
True friends.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
No. We’ve all come really close to splitting our heads open on each other’s instruments, though. I can’t believe it hasn’t happened yet, actually.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Richie’s. He forgot and made plans to cuddle his cats.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Godzilla