Denim + Leather Issue No.5 by Denim + Leather

ISSUE NO.5

content

wolf alice false heads cassia veda the brookes part time miserable breed the televangelists naked six lumer hello operator little blue thula judas emily, ianthe + holly

talk about new album on the underground all things sunny interview interview + review interview gimme more happy now canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust the news homicide oosh ep review ceasfire photography

a note from the editor thank you for readng denim and leather magazine a lot of hard work goes into each issue and we do it as a labour of love as we make 0 money from producing the magazine or blog however things will be changing soon unfortunately it is becoming too much to continue pouring all my spare time into running denim and leather its almost a full time job like anything producing an artform for free eventually becomes impossible so to keep D and L going we are going to have to change things a little the next couple of issues will continue as normal but in 2018 we will be transforming into a printed magazine meaning there will be a small cost to read our words on the UKs music scene this was something I wanted to do in the begininng anyway but was not sure how I think turning denim and deather into print will make it more sentimental for both the readers and writers it will be a special keepsake for us all to look back on I hope you understand and continue to support us my love and thanks Holly Elizabeth Beson Tams

the people bringing you denim and leather

holly beson-tams creator of denim + lether. photographer and lit/creative writing graduate @hollyelizabethbt

ianthe warlow photographer and music journalist - @ianthe.w

georgia chapman literature graduate and music journalist @geejclaire

ben kitching music journalist, music performance student, drummer in young bulls @alexanderkitch

issue no 5

emily richardson photographer and music journalist - @e.richopics

abby hardy music journlaist and photographer @ahgalleryphotography

bronte mitchell fashion and music journalist @bronte.clare

james brown music journalist, music student, drummer in borderline @j_border_brown

An Interview With: False Heads by Holly Beson-Tams

What’s the False Heads

a half years ago. Me and

How’s it been so far?

origin story, how and

Jake always jammed

Do you have a

when did you guys first

though, Barney

favourite show so far?

form?

recorded my first demos when I was 17/18 and

Manchester was

I had the name knock-

Barney and Jake were in

incredible, they’re just

ing about since I was

a band called the

a great crowd. By the

about 15, just thought it

Fiftyfours together, so it

second song, they’re

sounded nice and

was all a bit incestuous

jumping and moshing

misread False Hood on a

before it finally became

and shit. It’s just great

bit of paper. We were all

a thing anyway.

fun. London was incred-

mates from school, we

ible though. Absolutely

went off to uni. I tried

By the time this inter-

rammed and just a nutty

to get a band going, it

view is released you’ll

crowd and our bessies

didn’t happen. I came

have finished your tour.

from Breed and Brain

back from uni and it fell

But you’ve almost fin-

Ape and fans just get-

into place about 2 and

ished your tour with

ting on the stage at the

This Feeling.

end. Amazing show.

This Feeling are the promotional heros

You seem to have had a busy summer

of the underground music scene, how

with gigs and festivals, have you got a

did you guys first get involved with

summer highlight or any funny stories?

them? Summer highlight was Isle of Wight Yup, they are indeed. It proper fucked

Festival. We walked out to a packed tent

me off in the Guardian the other day

and played one of our best shows ever.

when they said where is the underground

Came, saw and conquered. And getting

movement? It’s just so fucking lazy, there’s

fucking battered was great fun too. Funny

so many good underground bands (The

stories? errmmmm, just Jake’s face in g

Blinders, Strange Bones, Breed, Calva

eneral is pretty funny.

Lousie to name a few) that are making great tunes and playing sick shows (This

Have False Heads got any traditions or

Feeling have put all of them on haha). I’m

habbits when touring? What goes on

a cynical cunt who hates a lot of music

when you’re not on stage?

and those bands I’ve just listed and others are genuinely great bands AND there’s

Erm not really, we don’t have any rituals or

a fanbase there. There’s bands that are

anything like that really, we just have a few

good enough and ready to murder this

drinks and I normally get really nervous and

boring, cbbc indiepop dribbling shit we’re

don’t like talking that much before we go

being offered as an alternative to pop

on hahaha but na, we don’t have anything

music in the charts yet a lot of lazy main-

like that really.

stream journos just ignore it. A lot of the industry do. It’s bizarre. Anyway haha, This

How would you describe one of your

Feeling picked up on our first single ‘Steal

shows to someone who hasn’t seen you

and Cheat’ and it went from there really,

live before?

we owe some of our best shows and festivals to them. Like a lot of

Visual and audible meth.

underground bands I imagine.

Your EP Gutter Press is awesome, what were your inspirations when writing it? Well there is a dig at the tabloids but just the state of politics and social media really. It’s all a bit fucking melting pot of horribleness. I (even though at times I fall prey to it and get involved and have to take a shower after) cannot stand social media politics, people fucking writing a status or a comment or an essay and feeling good about themselves. The left and right have become one and the same in many ways which is odd. We have actual neo-nazis knocking about again and borderline intertwining with the altright (a mainstream political movement) and the regressive left who berate, insult, humiliate and censor anyone they disagree with or ‘they’ find offensive (offence, what a bullshit word).

The left and right both seem to use censorship, authoritarianism, aggression and suppression of freedom of speech but just for different political gains. That is terrifying to me. When the left can get away with calling a man like Maajid Nawaz ‘Islamophobic’ then we really are all fucked. I think true liberalism and leftism is dying out, or at least being shouted down by these horrible cunts that seem to be speaking for us lefties, which is bad because I don’t think attacking celebrities for what they are wearing or what they say on twitter about other dead celebrities is going to be able to deal with the very real threat of the rising right wing in America and Europe… We’re all in the gutter press. From Facebook to the BBC to Buzzfeed, it’s all part of this bullshit. Have you got a favourite track off the EP? If so why?

Twentynothing. I just think it encapsulates everything about the band. It’s fast, it’s punky, it’s loud and quiet and it’s melodic and soft at times. And it’s got my favourite lyrics. That will definitely be one of the oldies that gets re-recorded for the debut album. Are you guys working on or planning anything at the moment? Lots, we’ve got two new tunes and a video and planning a lot of shows, and talking to a few labels to the perfect home for all of that… What music are you listening to a lot at the moment? I’ve been listening to a lot of Soundgarden lately since Chris Cornell died. Revisited his solo stuff too. Some great stuff on there. ‘Seasons’ is a banging tune.

Do you have a childhood/teenage memory that stands out from when you first realised you wanted to be a musician? Wanting to be a rapper when listening to Eminem (fairly glad that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t was pursued) and listening to Nevermind for the first time made me pick up a guitar and write songs and then OK Computer just confirmed I was doing the right thing.

Finally, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve achieved so much over 2017, what are your plans for 2018? A lot of touring, festivals, some big shows with some of our favourite bands and finally settling with a label to put these new tracks (maybe even by the time this is out, we will have announced something haha) and by the end of next year our debut album.

NAKED SIX, CAN’T TRUST THE NEWS Naked Six are back again with another killer single, this time they’ve made their new song available on more accessible platforms such as Spotify and iTunes, something I’m sure fans are rejoicing overafter only being able to get their songs on Soundcloud. The two piece embarked on tour as main support for The Temperence Movement on the 6th, this is a huge opportunity where I’m sure they will pick up a new and gigantic following. Their new single Can’t Trust The News, is one I’ve seen them perform a couple of times before. The recording of this song however doesn’t quite pack the same energetic punch as songs they’ve previously released onto their soundcloud. It’s not got the same raw, real loudness as recordings such as Heartbreak and What I’m Told. This isn’t to say the song itself isn’t amazing. It’s full of heavy in your face guitar riffs, loud rock and roll. Frontman Seb Byford is among the most talented song writers in the underground music scene. Every song he writes has lyrics you could almost describe as poetic. But the songs have this modern rock and roll feel to them, you couldn’t describe Naked Six as having a classic rock sound about them, nor could you say they were indie rock.

Review by Holly Beson-Tams

BREED

A Review of Their New Single - Get With It.

Gimme More, the latest single by Breed, reminds me of the opening to the album “Songs for the Deaf” by Queens of The Stone Age, for those like me who can’t get enough of this kind of thick, desert rock kind of sound however, such a statement is not a bad thing. Though it is something the band should be aware of, for better or worse. Blues influences are clear in the shuffling rhythms and lyrics speaking of guilty conscience, elements which, along with snarling “la la” background vocals, give Breed’s song an enjoyable character and atmosphere. The song is packed with the raucous energy that Breed deliver live, along with their past release, this track is one to fuel your wildest emotions, the recording is controlled madness, something that can’t be said for their live performance. (Which is simply madness, in the best of ways)The big, Alice in Chains-esque tones make this a song, along with their other single “Get With It” a suitable song for a stadium, boxing match, dirt bike show, or a combination of all three. For fans of Cage the Elephant, The White Stripes, and Black rebel motorcycle club, I would recommend Breed, you won’t regret it.

Written by Lawrence Peattie

holly elizabeth

Interview with: Cassia

To start off, how is your Movers and Shapers tour going so far? So far it’s been awesome. Had a well fun show in Leicester. All of the dates bar 2 have sold out and there are only a couple tickets remaining for those two! Heading to London as we speak now and that’ll just be nuts! What’s the story behind Cassia, when did you first form as a band? Well I started writing on my own when i was in school, then Lou just started jamming with me and we were writing loads of stuff together. Then Leff joined in a wetherspoons and we started finding what we’re doing now. Has been really natural and cool, strange looking back as there have been so many little instances that have shaped what we’re doing now. You’ve got a such a unique sound, when you first started the band who were your musical influences? Thanks very much! To be honest when we started (and still now really) we had such differing influences. I think that really helped us find something different as we were all drawing ideas from different places. I know Leff hardly listened to bands when he joined the band he was actually into like jazz and R&B and all that stuff. I was listening to loads of bands but also old african guitar music too. Lou was really into Pink Floyd at the time I think! It all comes together in a weird way!

Your music radiates happiness and good vibes, is this something you set out to do? Yeah kind of, I was a bit tired of listening to a lot sad sounding music. I wanted to write stuff that takes all that bad stuff and actually makes you feel good/better about things. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evolved kind of naturally over time but it was an intention! By the time this interview is published â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Out of Her Mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will have been released but what can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song? The inspiration behind Out of her Mind, was pretty much girl related. Telling people you thought you knew and trusted things and then hearing it spread all over the place. That kind of thing! When are you planning on releasing the Movers and Shapers EP? How many unheard tracks do your fans have to look forward to? I think the final track of the EP will be in January. So two more including out of her mind. Weekender will be on the physical copies too!

Your social media pages are full of sun and beach vibes which perfectly goes with your music, what made you want to give off such an exotic image? It kind of just happened in reflection to the music. We’re really careful to make sure that the image that is presented is true and honest and something is reflective of us as people. We love spending time in nature when we can, chilling, having BBQs with close friends on empty beaches and stuff. So it kinda just happened organically.

I know a few people that have been wondering if your song Moana has anything to do with the Disney film, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to ask? Aha yeah we get asked that sometimes.. Very odd really as we had no idea there was a disney film coming out when we were writing it. It’s even weirder because if you read the lyrics, it seems to match the general vibe what the film is about. I haven’t seen it but it seems that way! So yeah the answer is nope. We’re not that forward-thinking ahah!

You’ve achieved some pretty big things this year, playing at Reading and Leeds Festival and selling out most of your tour. What’s been your biggest achievement/made you most proud so far? Yeah well the tour selling out is kind of cool, that’s happening just as we’re doing this interview so it feels awesome! Reading & Leeds probably was the pinnacle this year. That, alongside our Track of the Week playlist on radio 1 really. We don’t think about it too much but when we do it’s a bit nuts. Can’t really believe that it’s happened. A real dream come true for all of us!

What’s in the works for 2018? Got absolutely tons planned for next year! not allowed to say anything in detail but a lot more touring and festivals. New music, loads of stuff! We’re just enjoying being able to be a band full time right now.. it’s a blessing to be able to travel and have people connecting with songs we’ve written in a small room in Macclesfield!

JUDAS ‘Ceasfire’

Written by Bronte Mitchell

After their crowd filled immersion at Reading and Leeds Fest it was only right that the 4 piece London based indie rock band, JUDAS, accompanied their newly released single ‘Ceasefire’ with that festival set video. And they did just that. ‘Ceasefire’s video not only mirrors their rock ‘n’ roll vibe but, it captures the atmosphere of a typical gig from JUDAS. The classic black and white filter over the duration of the video not only creates a timeless setting but accompanies ‘Ceasefire’s timeless melody. The tune certainly builds tension in tempo but also in the music video’s footage. The transition, leading into the song, from their composed slow motion walk to the stage is built up to an array of rapid strobe shots. 25

The chorus, strengthened by drummer Sam’s hard hitting beat and singer John Clancy’s locks flying in head banging motion, is proof that JUDAS are the embodiment of true music vitality. With the whole video filmed live on main stage during this years Leeds Fest, it captured the real eccentric vibe of a JUDAS gig - a full crowd of followers all eager to be close to main stage thirsty for more of their sound. I was one of many immersed in the crowd wave at Braham Park in ore of their set but, it was ‘Ceasefire’ that certainly got people, as shown in the video, keen to be on each others shoulders - it was clear they vibed off their audience well and that reflected in their raw power stage presence.

With the many shots of the band, frontman John Clancy seems to dominate and be the running force behind the voice of the video and with his long hair and Saint Laurent tee his eyes look directly out at the sea of jumping audience as the band rightfully held their deserved spot on the main stage, maintaining their increasing popularity. For me the highlight of the video is the end. As the band exit the stage the slow motion footage returns of them;

grins smacked upon their faces, patting one another on the back and with Sam’s gesture of the gun shot as the screen goes to black out it rounds off a liberating video but, also an exhilarating gig. Although the festival season is over, these lads have a winter tour playing playing some dates down South in December so, if you’re in the area I highly recommend getting down to a venue and witnessing the ore of ‘Ceasefires’ music video live.

ianthe warlow

interview with

wolf alice

By Holly Beson Tams

Wolf Alice released their second album ‘Visions Of A Life’ on 29th September, since releasing their debut album ‘My Love Is Cool’ in 2015 the band have constantly been on the road and working hard. They’ve build up a huge fan base worldwide and have become an inspiration for young musicians everywhere. We spoke to guitarist Joff Oddie following the release of Visions Of A Life and got his thoughts on the album and other things. Q: I’ll start off with an easy one, do you have a favourite track off the new album? A: It kind of changes every time I listen to it, theres always a track where im like ‘oh I like that one’ or ‘actually I like this one more’. When we finished the mix and the mastering for it, I kind of put it away and said I’m not going to listen to it until it comes out. Because you’re so invested in it you kind of have no level of objectivities, and so the only way you can favour and find objectivities is by giving yourself some distance. I think. wolf alice

But when Heavenward came out, I listened to it quite a bit and I love it, there’s a bit of me in that track, if you know what I mean? Q: Have you noticed a song you enjoy to perform the most, so far?

Q: You’ve been touring pretty much none stop since releasing My Love Is Cool, did most of the writing for the second album happen whilst on the road? A: A lot of it yeah

Q: Do you think that this was A: Visions Of A Life is just fun. a big impact on the way it has It’s ridiculous for me. Eight come out? minute rock song is just a laugh. It’s a little bit silly it A: I’d like to think it doesn’t doesn’t take itself too sound like that but maybe it seriously, it’s just a laugh to does… play. Q: Not the quality (laughs) In terms of what the songs have Q: When you were writing the album were there any themes A: Oh like the themes, like in place that you wanted to the song in the airport. I don’t explore intentionally? think it’s to heavily weighted in that respect. A lot of the A: They’re all kind of snipsongs maybe, sixty percent, pets of individual events or maybe more. Were kind of thoughts and feelings and written, sketched on tour. things from over a three year Because it’s really hard to period. So any themes would imagine an idea be fairly subliminal, theres completely from start to finish no kind of over intentional when you’re away, but yeah themes that we wanted to there was kind of little explore. We weren’t like ‘well snippets of music and then that’s put that in that song we kind of built on them because…’ that didn’t really when we finished touring. happen.

“someone would catch you posing infront of the mirror with a guitar”

Q: Instrumentally, Visions of a Life is even more varied in genre than My Love Is Cool, critics have said you’ve got some prog rock, psychedelic and a bit of choir… what made you delve into these kinds of genres? Was it through things you were listening to when you were touring or? Or do you just not think any of that (laughs)? A: We don’t tend to make any musical references when we are making music to be honest. What we kind of think of is what the song means. We don’t write songs that come from the same emotional place every time. So therefore our justification is that, our music has to be a reflection of that song writing and has to support it in the best way that we can. So we kind of go, well how do we do that? And a lot of the time that means that things sound a little bit different. But that’s part of the song for us. Q: So do the lyrics tend to come first? Or is just always different when you’re writing a song?

A: It is always different, there’s no right order. Sometimes it will start as a riff, sometimes a song. In fact it’s probably rarely even lyrics first. Q: What inspired the idea to send your fans the mysterious postcards with lyrics from each song on? A: We thought it would be nice… instead of like an online magazine getting the news that we’re back and them getting the exclusive. We thought it was nice that the fans started announcing the album. And that was the first point of ‘oh something’s coming’. Why wouldn’t we give that to the fans? Because they’re the people that made it happen. Q: How does it feel to know Wolf Alice is one of the bands that’s defining a generation and inspiring people in their own song writing or even just to pick up and instrument and learn? A: I don’t know! I don’t know is it? (sounding shocked to hear this) Q: I would say so! (laughs)

A: That’s kind of terrifying and flattering in one at the same time. I don’t yeah, it’s not the kind of thing that I could say to myself. But if that really is the case, then that’s wonderful. Q: Do you ever have fans telling you that you’ve inspired them to learn guitar, or as a band, or just something like that? A: Yeah! That’s always great, I always get lads coming up to me saying they bought the same guitar as me which is nice! Q: What music did you grow up listening to, and do you have a memory that stands out where you realised you wanted to be a musician? A: Erm I don’t know! I mean I grew up listening to all the obvious kind of indie stuff, indie music of that time. You know a lot of the New York scene. Like the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, The Strokes, King’s Of Leon… I like Jeffrey Lewis and Patrick Wolf, just a kind of lot of main stage alternative indie stuff that was going on at the time really. They were my first kind of contact into indie

stuff really, and an understanding that that was exciting and it felt like it was for you which was pretty cool. And the second…sorry what was the second part of the question?

whatever. But I don’t know, I don’t think there is a specific moment that stands out, but being in a band is something I always thought would be a cool thing to do I suppose.

Q: Do you have a memory that stands out where you wanted to be a musician?

Q: A lot of our readers are in bands, if you had to pick, what would be your top piece of advice to all the bands aiming for similar success across the country?

A: Not particularly. I mean I’ve been playing guitar since I was ten I think. It’s like that embarrassing thing where someone would catch you posing in front of the mirror with a guitar and doing the cool dude look or 36

A: I would say spend time on the right stuff, doing the right things. Rehersing and playing, spend less time on the unimportant stuff.

Rather than worrying about the less important stuff. And just enjoy it! If you enjoy doing those three things then you enjoy being in a band, but if you don’t enjoy those three things then you’re probably doing it for the wrong reasons. Q: On your smaller venue/ intimate tour you’ve just finished, were the bands supporting smaller bands from the underground scene? Who were some of your favourite supports that you’d recommend people to check out?

A: Yeah they were all local bands, we got a…there was a submission for people, for bands, to play from those areas. We picked a band per city or town. Q: Are there any bands from this tour that you would recommend people to listen to that particularly stood out to you? A: Yeah the was a band called Lady Bird who played with us at Tunbridge Wells, they were fantastic. Super fun and great musicians, really, really, really fun. Yeah I’d check them out they’re a good band.

Q: Awesome! So back to Vision’s Of A Life, within the album, Ellie’s vocals are so varied throughout, what inspired that variation of her voice with the spoken word and the choir, etc.? A: It’s the same answer as the question about styles really, certain songs need different treatments. And we’re kind of committed to giving each song it’s own treatment. And Ellie’s voice it can be relatable to the music but it has to change, we look to make the symptoms of that song realised.

Q: In terms of the lyrics this album seems much more personal and an insight into Wolf Alice itself, would you agree with that? A: Yeah I would agree with that, I mean I can’t comment too hard because I didn’t write a lot of the lyrics but yeah I think there is definitely some truth in that statement, yeah. Q: When you are writing a song, I know you said Ellie writes most of the lyrics, but do you sort of all sit down together once the idea is formed? How does the rest of the song come about?

A: It’s very dependent on how the song first came into being really, certain songs that would kind of be jams and we’d write lyrics over the top of that. Or there’ll be half of a song and we’ll jam and then think okay where do we take this? What can we do here? Sometimes someone will bring a song that is pretty much finished, and it’s more a case of putting your slap on that so it’s different every time really. Q: I’ll finish off with, when you released the album to preorder with Dirty Hit, it came with the demos. Were there quite a few songs that didn’t make it onto the album?

A: Yeah there were yeah Q: Do you think you’ll ever plan to do anything with them or do you think they’ll sort of stay secretive? A: I mean it would be nice for some of them to see the light of day at some point, I don’t know I mean you often end up…even if you don’t use that song there will be aspects of that demo that you like and you take and move forward into other songs, even if you don’t use the song itself. And go that’s really cool, if it’s a lyrical sentiment or a really cool sound. A chord progression or something like that, you’ll always take things from them.

emily richardson

LUMER ‘Homicide’ Single Review by James Brown, Photos by Holly Beson-Tams

I first came across Lumer when they played on a cold, December Sunday night at The Fulford Arms last year. All I remember from that night is being blown away by every band that played (the bill was Allusondrugs, Avalanche Party, Lumer and Naked Six, blimey eh?)

A second verse comes in, giving me a mere few seconds for everyone to catch their breath, before another huge chorus comes in, followed by a bride following almost in the same suit, but with some grunge-inspired guitar licks from Ben Jackson, a real hook and a highlight of the track.

Homicide is the latest single from this post-punk quartet, who continue their love for all things that sound like the apocalypse. Evans’ interesting voice and delayed, reverb drenched bass guitar grabbed my attention almost instantaneously. After a mere 19 seconds, the first chorus kicks in. I say kicks in, it hit me like a train; a statement of intent from the Lumer boys, who create a massive juggernaught on stages and in studios.

The track erupts once again for one final chorus and outro, led by Alex’s screaming, but melodic vocals, and Ben’s screeching and gripping guitar licks to see off this intense, behemoth of a track, into a repeat of an earlier breakdown.

A second verse comes in, giving me a mere few seconds for everyone to catch

It’s so encouraging for anyone in the music business when a fairly, small, but amazing band like Lumer, drop amazing tracks like this one. Punk is alive and well. Post-punk in particular. Keep a close eye on this Hull-based four-piece, because what comes in the future will be amazing.

the brookes When did Thr Brookes first form? The Brookes first formed in 2014 with a different line up and different sound. The remaining members of this line up are Elliott and Bongé who are now teamed up with Drummer Lauren Taylor- Drums and Guitarist Fraser MacDonald. The original sound was fuelled by ‘naughties’ indie and heavily influenced by artists such as Peter Doherty. However, this soon became very stale to the band and realised a change was needed and as the band grew up and evolved so did the sound. You guys describe yourself as modern punk and also say you’re powered by feminism and politics. From your point of view do you think punk, politics and movements etc. go hand in hand? Yes, as young people in this generation we see daily how the corrupt minds of today’s politicians who still live by the policies of an eighties government try to oppress our futures even though they tell world its ‘the way forward’ These leaders still most 46

certainly believe the country should be led by grey haired old men in shining suits. We believe in a peaceful musical protest against. Some would say we’re just joining the band waggon, but it’s a good waggon to ride. What bands inspired you as a band? Was there any 70s punk or has it been more of a contemporary influence? Honestly? I don’t think we’re that heavily influenced by the seventies ourselves. Obviously, we treasure the sound and messages of acts such as Sex pistols and bands likewise. However, I think we’re more influenced by the Bands that themselves were influenced by these artists. I guess a diluted down dosage of 70’s punk. We’re also impartial to a bit of 80’s, 90’s and Modern. Acts such as Kings Of Leon, Nirvana, The Black Keys, Wolf Alice and Arctic Monkeys heavily influence our sound. By the time this inteview is released your new single Bleed Me Dry will have been released. What can you tell us about the song and the inspiration behind it?

Coincidently, I think Bleed Me Dry is released when this interview is on the eighth of November! Bleed Me Dry is a subtle story of gentrification and we see it every day. Governments destroying run down estates and flats to build flash new modern living quarters. At first glance this sounds impressive, but the price is far too expensive for the residents of the estates to be able to afford therefore they’re subsequently moved on or in worst cases made homeless. Instrumentally Bleed Me Dry is heavier than some of your stuff already released, what made you want to want to make this song heavier? This song we think is a step up from our previous singles we’ve experimented allot more. This is Lauren and Fraser’s first single with us and from listening you can obviously tell there’s a difference. The heavier sound wasn’t intentional it kind of just happened, like that song just spewed out of one practice session and we knew it would be a good place to start with making it our next single to show off the new sound. Creatively this song is interview by holly beson-tams

Photo by Faith Gledhill is different to other singles because of the degree of guitar effects we’ve experimented with. Without boring the readers to much, older singles consisted of mainly raw guitars which sounded good but could be made better. Bongé and Fraser’s use of Delay’s and Modulation alongside Lauren and Elliott’s tight relationship on Bass and Drums have helped create a fresh new sound for us as a band. You’ve supported some pretty big bands, are there any bands in particular you’d love to support? This is a tough question like do we answer the brookes

realistically? I think the answer is different for all of us but artists such as Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys we would certainly accept the offer to support! What’s your biggest accomplishment/what are you most proud of as a band? We could give a generic answer and be like yea we’ve played with ‘so and so’ and it was ace however I think we’re most proud of picking ourselves up so quickly when weak band members couldn’t hack it and left, leaving us to find Fraser and Lauren who have certainly revitalised moral and spirit within the band!

Are there any cities or venues you haven’t played yet that you’d especially like too? We’ve played most cities in the UK but we can’t wait to revisit these places to bigger venues with our sound. Maybe start off small and have an 02-academy tour around the UK. The dream is most definitely to fill an Arena though. Who are some of your favourite bands from the underground scene? Is there anyone you’ve been on a line up with that’s really impressed you when they performed? 47

Photo by Faith Gledhill Great question! We see and hear lots of awesome unsigned bands but some bands that are really great and stand out are The Blinders. We would say they’re leading this modern punk revolution with a very strong message on their shirts. other artists such as Mint and the Wired are awesome too and have been really great guys to us!

48 the brookes

After releasing Bleed Me Dry, what else are you working on/ got planned? Well we’re going to let the single have its time and tour it around the UK from the 3rd of November at the Crowndale in London till mid December. Then on the 24th November we’re supporting Catfish And The Bottlemens ‘Billy Bibby’ at the leopard in Doncaster. After this we’ll likely repeat the process early next year with an even bigger tour!

interview by holly beson-tams

the brookes Bleed Me Dry, Single Review by Georgia Chapman The Brookes are a refreshingly fierce group from Grimsby, who describe their line up as “a four piece band portraying their take on modern punk. Benjamin fronts the march with vocals and guitar, along side Fraser who takes his guitar on some fanatic roller coaster hell ride. Elliott melodically slaps on the bass whilst Lauren ratatatat’s back on the kit whilst harmonically backing with voice.”

It’s refreshing to hear the new addition to the band, female drummer, Lauren Taylor, alongside vocalist and rhythm guitarist Benjamin Keal, lead guitarist; Fraser MacDonald and bassist Elliott Gant. The furious energy, which emanates from each of the components of the track, insisted my listening of the bands older singles and EP’s, and I would highly recommend you to follow me in this escapade.

In their latest single release, Bleed Me Dry (released yesterday); the four pieces modern punk influence sparks through from the very first drumbeat. Grimsby band, The Brookes, state their influences as interpretable on their flourishing Facebook page, and it’s easy to hear a channelling of Arctic Monkeys and the Slaves.

The quartets angry energy resonates with many of the up and coming bands of the moment, and I presume their live sets emphasise such energy. Catch them at Verve Bar in Leeds on November 18th as part of their UK tour which has already kicked off.

Photo by Faith Gledhill

Review by Holly Beson-Tams

THE TELEVANGELISTS HAPPY NOW The Televangelists have finally released their long awaited debut EP. They first came into the scene earlier in the year and immediately exploded, having supported some big names such as Honey Blood and Corella. They then had their headline gig at Fibbers which was busy enough to fool you into thinking it was a sell out. Their headliner was easily my favourite gig of the year, everyone was having such fun and stayed extremely happy all night. Their debut EP ‘Happy Now’ has set the bar extremely high for the band. The four piece made up of Callum, Charlie, Issac and Josh, are some of the most talented musicians in York and have easily taken a spot as one of the bands producing the most well written songs in York. The EP is made up of five tracks, a few of which you will know and love if you’ve seen the band live a few times. The thing I love about The Televangelists is how clean cut their songs are, if you listened to the without knowing anything about them you would never think they are a band made up of 17 year olds that have been preforming for less than a year. Their sound is so professional, they provide strong songs and put on an even better show, they’re a band I can picture headlining Academy’s in the future. The Televangelists have a classic noughties indie sound, something a lot of people tend to shy away from.

However, with most of the indie bands around taking influence from bands such as Arctic Monkeys, The 1975 etc. It’s refreshing to hear an indie band take inspiration from the likes of bands such as The Cribs etc. Their songs are confident and bold; they don’t half-heartedly go for this often criticised genre. Happy Now is a perfect mix of their abilities, it contains some of their upbeat crowd pleasers, the songs that let loose and go a little crazy, as well as one of their latest songs, recently performed on YO1 Radio, a melodic acoustic, Exit. The first track on the EP is The Underpass, one of their most loved songs on stage and equally as brilliant recorded, this track sets the energy of the EP at a high, the two guitars set the rhythm and provide such a catchy riff that instantly pulls you into this track. Followed by Inside Voices and Visions, these two tracks keep up the layering of melodic indie riffs. Josh’ drumming in these songs is impeccable, the fourpiece complement each other so well and throughout each song you can hear each members talent. Songs such as Visions get a little more gruff yet still have such a distinctive ‘Televangelists’ sound, the same goes for the acoustic piece, each song varies yet the four lads have done a smashing job to have already created a sound you can clearly tell is them.

little blue thula EP Review Written By Georgia Chapman

Hull duo, vocalist/guitarist Niall Tennison and guitarist Toby Needler, form the relatively new band Little Blue Thula, whose Live Session EP makes for delightful, easy listening. In regards to the genre, the country influence is apparent but the vocals were initially nostalgic to me of some of the Tribes’ tracks on first listening, but there is an undeniably dark complexity to the writing process in spite of the fact Niall wrote the songs on the same day within a two hour period. Happiness Don’t Seem So Far Away features a strong, heavy riff provided by the opening guitar which contrasts the initial soft vocals, which defiantly build with intensity as the verse drifts easily into the melancholy chorus of ‘Happiness Don’t Seem So Far Away”. The first track on their Live Session EP, features the bands folksy rhythm, which is reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel’s melodious lyricism. Never Endings’ hazy opening is followed by Niall’s soft but powerful vocals, which grow in gentle desperation as the song develops. The style of the lyrics work sanctimoniously with the guitar provided which holds an air of the indie folk/ Americana genre. These lyrics on both of the tracks ooze with despondent wisdom, which I’m very much looking forward to catching live soon. I urge you to do so, as it is apparent from their d ebut EP that this band is excelling at a rapid rate.

PART TIME MISERABLES

“As Robbie Williams once said, let me entertain you” The grunge, punk trio from York are a band much loved by Denim + Leather. Having seen Part Time Miserables live before and loving them, we asked them to headline our first gig back in summer. We caught up with them again on 3rd November after their set opening up for VANT.

Is it songs that fans would recognise from your live performances?

What’s going on with your EP at the moment? As you were recording it with a certain magazine/’label’ but then stopped?

Jimmy: I think London

Jimmy: The EP at the moment we are recording with our friend who works at Melrose Studios, so it will be out in about…

What’s been your best gig to date?

Henry: It is yes, all of the fun favourites Do you guys have a favourite city to play in?

Dan: New York (laughs) no I think I like York , I like Manchester as well

Dan: Fiddlers Elbow when there was no one there

Dan: Don’t put a time limit on it Jimmy: Hopefully by the end of the month. To be fair we’ve had to change the first track, because we recorded it before with you know, but we’ve had to redo it so we have done it pretty quickly

interview by Holly Beson-Tams

Jimmy: The first time we played at Fiddlers Elbow in London there was loads of people there and the second time it was dead as fuck Henry: I think mine was when we headlined Fibbers last year, that was one of my fa56

How did you guys first form?

Henry: I’m the underdog

Dan: We first formed because I was band Dan: He likes metal music mostly called Low Art and Gaff was in a band and they both split so…Oh and Henry was in a Jimmy: But me and Dan have listened to metal band… and so I said to Gaff ‘do you punk from a young age kind of thing, I think want to start a shoegaze band’ and then we even then it’s still different from that. Because were like, who do we get to play guitar? you’ve listened to punk mainly and I’m into Henry. And then Henry wasn’t the guitarist we 90s grunge and stuff as well. So all of those were looking for, so he went on drums, Gaff went on guitar...

influence the way we sound now definitely. It’s a nice cocktail

Jimmy: And it kind of changed our sound because the songs I was writing, was not what you (Dan) we’re thinking initially but we eventually came to our sound through the way we’ve all come from different music types

Dan: and we’re always finding new stuff so it adds to it

Dan: It all came together like a fine wine Jimmy: Like a fine wine, exactly, there you go. So its sorted now, all good

In terms of York and our music community, what do you think we could do to improve it? From a band from here. Jimmy: I think more none internet promotion, for example posters in shops and music venues would be a lot better than just Facebook and stuff like that

So on your personal social media accounts, you’re often posting about a lot of punk icons, would you say these people have been a big influence on you as a band?

When you’re writing songs is it collaborative or?

Jimmy: Absolutely, I think, me and Dan… because the thing is Henry’s-

Jimmy: Pretty much, it starts off really like… I write the main guitar riffs and that and Dan

Dan: And reopen the Duchess

puts his lyrics and second guitar in and Henry comes in with the drums and puts in different…

Jordon our ex-bass player he wasn’t really dedicated enough, just didn’t really work out musically at all

Henry: I’m the structure guy

Especially for you guys with such a distinctive sound and genre, punk is heavily associated with appearance as well as sound. Do you think a stage presence and aesthetic is important?

Jimmy: Yeah he builds the structure, so I just write the riffs really Dan: And we both write the bass, no one else has ever written the bass Jimmy: Yeah we both do the bass parts and it comes together pretty easy to be fair, so that’s pretty much how we write the songs yeah, pretty simple, half colab Speaking of, what’s going on with the bass? You’ve recently gone back to being a three piece Jimmy: Basically at the moment we’re trying to find another bass player, with

Jimmy: Absolutely yeah, I think it’s all about the show really, because we’re here to make people see something different you know. You watch some bands and you just get bored Henry: It’s half music and half stage presence really, it’s a really even mix Dan: Half the time people will be like ‘oh it’s that band they played that song that’s really good, but most the time it’s ‘oh that’s the band with the guy who threw his guitar’

Jimmy: Yeah you want to be known for something at least Dan: You want people to come back and remember it, not just say they were good

Jimmy: I think Juice In Motion, would definitely be up there as one of the bands I’d like to play wit. I think probably Yak, definitely Henry: Or err Anthrax

Jimmy: It’s a show so you want people to enjoy themselves Dan: As Robbie Williams once said “let me entertain you” What bands in the underground scene, not just York, are you guys into at the moment? Jimmy: At the moment, Yak definitely, massive influence on us, I think their from Brighton or South Hampton, somewhere like that. Dan: Chupa Cabra, they’re my friends band from…Chester? They’re good. I like Alvvays, they’re really good but they don’t influence us Is there anyone that you’d like to do a gig with that you haven’t already?

What have you got planned for the rest of this year? Jimmy: Release the EP, probably do an EP launch gig, at Fulford Arms probably. Otherwise, hopefully going to do a university tour as well, that should be… can’t even set a date for that yet but Dan: It’s all in the works… We’re also playing Fibbers a few of time. Like our Facebook page and give us money Where would you like to be this time next year? Jimmy: LA Dan: Maddison Square Garden Jimmy: By next year, Introducing at Reading and Leeds. Just play more festivals really

‘Oosh’ Video Review Written By Ben Kitching

Following on from their earlier video release “Vex Money” directed by Haris Nukem and manufactured by Rolla Records, the latest release from the (fan agreed title) ‘Rock n Roll Revivalists’ Hello Operator has taken a different turn. The v ideo for their new release “Oosh” hit us on the 28th September, receiving a decent amount of publicity and coverage in terms of their YouTube post, as nowadays, YouTube is what counts alongside Facebook. Produced by Blood Stained Bill Records, this video takes a different direction, focussing solely on lead singer Max Dalton, and covering the screen in pure red tint. With two costumes, and a juxtaposed video of Max singing across to himself, the video serves it’s purpose, albeit a little repetitive with no real development. The song itself has a catchy chorus, and is great to blast out.

an interview with veda

He’s probably too talented to be playing in this band. On bass, I have Igor Delgado By Holly Beson Tams Martin of Evil Pink Machine. He’s a multi instrumentalist and his musical CV is mental, ranging from jazz saxophonist to recording Q: When did Veda first begin? albums for Basque rock bands. Basically A: VEDA began in mid 2016. For years I had another person who’s too talented to play in done the whole band thing, being a sideman this band. in various projects, whether it be guitar or a different instrument. I got tired with these Q: You’ve got a pretty unique sound, how bands fizzling out due to lack of did you come about it and how would you commitment from other members or artistic describe it to someone who had never lisclashes - the typical band stuff. I could never tened to you before? find like-minded collaborators that shared A: If I had to summarise our sound and the vision. So I thought, I know how to play aesthetic in a few words, I’d label it as ‘bedmost instruments, I know how to sing a little room pop’.VEDA’s current sound fuses lofi bit and I know how to record, so I could do production values with the intimacy and all this myself. Thats how VEDA was born. accessibly of pop music. Another key element to VEDA’s sound Q: Would you say you are more of a solo is the gear I use to record. I’ve never had artist or a band? A: I guess that I’m a mix of both. In terms of enough money to buy expensive synths actual songwriting, I’m a solo artist as I write and keyboards, so I’ve worked around this and record all of the music by myself. At this by eBay-surfing for cheap vintage Casiotstage in my life I wouldn’t consider myself as ones and Yamaha keyboards from the 80’s. much of a collaborator musically, as I’m very I guess my lack of funds has resulted in a picky about the way things should sound and unique sound. be composed. In the live aspect and the way VEDA is presented to the world, we are a band. I’m very lucky to have such strong musicians. I have Stuart Collins on drums; he’s an excellent drummer that I’ve known since school, and he used to play in the Mother’s Earth Experiment.

Q:Who have been your biggest musical influences? A: My musical influences change all the time, but most people have this idea that music was better in a certain era or decade. I have one rule: to be current and reflect the

time we are living in now. There are always going to be some aspects of nostalgia because genres aren’t as defined as they used to be. I see my music as having elements of the past, present and future. There have been certain people I know personally that have directly influenced VEDA and the direction the project has followed. One of them is my bass player, Igor, of Evil Pink Machine. I’ve know him for a while now and we used to live together in London. He introduced me to the world of lofi and DIY, and this has influenced my production style and whole aesthetic. He also gave me my first pirated copy of Ableton Live. Another person is an American guy called Gabe who I knew for a few months while in London, he had a project called Gab7. He was like no one I have ever met before and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t a real person. He introduced me to the whole tape cassette scene in the US and introduced me to loads of new bands. He lives in Hawaii now. Q: You’ve got a few tracks on Soundcloud, have you got plans to release any more tunes in the near future? I’m always writing and recording new music and ideas, it pretty much takes up most of my spare time. I’m currently in the phase of condensing those ideas into complete songs, ready to release to the world. 62

The new stuff I’m working on is more left field but also more pop at the same time - think Alan Palomo. So expect more tunes early next year.

Q: Are there any topics or themes you tend to write about a lot within your lyrics? A: There isn’t a particular recurring theme within my lyrics but I’d say that they are always from a personal place. They have to be in order for the song to be authentic and emotionally engaging, and this is one of the most important things for me. Q: What has been your favourite gig (that you’ve performed at, not been too) to date and how would you describe your live performances? A: One of our favourite shows this year was in Leeds. We were supposed to play an acoustic show at Verve Bar and the promoter had cancelled the show an hour before soundcheck. We were already in Leeds and had travelled all the way from Birmingham, so it wasn’t the best situation. We found ourselves wandering Leeds gigless and carrying all our gear until we saw a band loading in Santiago Bar. I decided to walk in, explain our situation and ask if we could open on the bill. The bands we ended up opening for were Sharkteeth Grinder and Black Coast, who were way heavier than us. Turns out their promoter didn’t show as well, so they made the decision to announce on Facebook that

Dragonforce were on the bill, to draw in a crowd. The whole situation was ridiculous but ended up being one of the best and most memorable gigs ever. Despite the genre clash, Sharkteeth Grinder and Black Coast were the nicest, most supportive guys and danced throughout our set. Q: Are there any bands or artists in the underground scene you’d really like to play with? A: Theres a little scene developing in Coventry that I’m excited about. I recently supported a band there called Television Screens. Their guitar player is an artist called Duke who I’d been following on Instagram for a while and finally got to meet in person. These acts dwell in the same sort of sound and philosophy as VEDA so I can definitely see future collaborations.

Q: What are your plans for 2018? A: 2017 saw us release an EP and play loads of live shows across the UK which has been great. I met loads of cool people and supported some great bands. We are finishing off this year with our first dates in Europe as we’re doing a little tour run in Spain, which is a bit crazy considering how small we are at the moment. Most people criticise the current state of the music industry, but its actually pretty amazing the things an unsigned self-managed band can do nowadays. 2018 will see us playing even more shows, travelling to new places, releasing new music and growing. Every small step is a milestone.

Thank you for reading issue no.5 Editor: Holly Beson-Tams

Writers: Holly Beson-Tams Georgia Chapman Abby Hardy Ben Kitching Bronte Mitchell James Brown Lawrence Pettie

Photographers: Holly Beson-Tams Abby Hardy

Contributors: Faith Gledhill Ianthe Warlow Emily Richardson