Bands with hair are back and they don’t come much more inspiring and volatile than Asylums in 2016. After flitting around the scene for a few years, the group finally released their debut album, Killer Brain Waves, in July. Its boisterous rhythm has had their name circulating around the nation’s press, spreading the word of DIY music and the motto of self-releasing.
I was keen to chat to singer, Luke Brainch, about their album and the bold statements it makes. For a new band, they seem to have captured much of the anxiety that sews its way through the millennial generation, giving the young 20-year-old music that is relatable. This generation has needed a new voice for a while now – particularly since Alex Turner stopped singing about not being from New York but from Rotherham a while ago to become the victim of his own lyricism. Alas, here is the new voice:
Your debut album is a blissful attack on contemporary society – the social commentary that threads throughout the lyrics is outstanding. What provoked such lyricism?
Glad you like it, cheers. There was no manifesto or thematic slant at the beginning of writing the record, one song led onto the next and after a while it did seem to have a certain feel emerging. I had a recurring dream during the making of the record, I dreamt that all my personal belongings – records, magazines, clothes, artefacts, train tickets, empty bottles, lyric sheets, comics, deodorant cans etc-were being boiled and melted down into a glowing toxic elixir and from that elixir we were going to make a 12-inch record.
Killer Brain Waves was a long work in progress – how did this shape you as a band?
Because we are self-funded it just took a while to make the record financially viable; we would record something, save some money, then do it some more. It certainly made us dig deep for the best tunes, we didn't want to spunk any of the hard-earned cash on songs we wouldn't like a month later.
You have been furrowing away for a long time beneath the radar as a band – can you describe how this has worked in your favour as a band?
I think it can be seriously jarring to be thrust into a pressured situation too soon, all the best things in life take a while to incubate and grow, finding the best way to articulate your musical and visual ideas is no different. I think we work well as a unit because we understand each other’s strengths and give everyone space to do their thing, over time we discovered some hidden skills too that are not even musical – just entrepreneurial stuff that help us run the label Cool Thing Records.
You hold a real romanticism with Southend and that community – is there anything that has driven this?
We all feel it’s so important that the arts thrive during this difficult climate, regionally in small towns like ours there is so much talent. Asylums and Cool Thing just want to enthuse and support our local arts scene – be part of it and be influenced by it – lots of the people doing great work were our friends long before the band.
How do you find Southend works differently for you as a group as opposed to the bigger cities?
Perhaps less trend-orientated? Perhaps more close knit? I've never lived full time in a big city so I don't 100% feel qualified to outline the differences; our message is just to connect with people in your community (wherever that is) create stuff together – make friends.
How is Southend developing now?
Lots of great music and art bubbling away, it seems that there is a real return to DIY culture in terms of approach for lots of musicians. It seems more young people are buying records, second hand books and clothes, and South Records, Utopia and The Railway are some great places to socialise and meet like-minded people too. Chinnerys is bringing in bigger acts too, we supported Nothing But Thieves there in March and it was packed full of excited fans, lots of positive stuff.
Are there any exciting releases coming through your label, Cool Thing Records, that we should keep tuned in for?
We are cutting a record with a young band tomorrow, and another act has nearly finished an album – it all takes time to come together, but we are grafting, in 2017 we will definitely put out more records.
How did Asylums come about as a group?
I sent out an SOS to my good mates a few years ago to help record a bunch of songs I was making on my eight-track, we booked a rehearsal, jammed it out, it was so fun. So we booked some studio time and kept at it. We had all known each other for years either from other bands or just socially.
Can you pinpoint the influences behind your music?
Some…… advertising slogans, looking out the window of the bus, super-brands, creative communities, the changing state of UK politics, underground comics, skateboarding, beat poets, small towns, big cities, the cut up technique, nutritional content of fast food products, the internet as an addiction, depression medication, sex.
How do you come about to find your own sound?
Experiment, have fun and NEVER try too hard.
Is there a particular ethos that drives you as a band?
Do it for fun primarily, enjoy the process, enjoy the friendship and keep those that threaten to muddle those precious things far, far away. Oh and try to find cooler t-shirts than your bandmates – at all cost.
You have played down in Brighton a few times now – how do you find the city?
Like Southend, but on steroids. We have had some of our most enjoyable shows in Brighton, we first played with The Vaselines there in 2014. Again with Killing Joke and Ash in 2015, and The Great Escape. We love it.
How does the rest of 2016 pan out for Asylums?
Touring, recording, writing, saving up more money, a marriage and generally keeping the Asylums and Cool Thing flame alive. We will also be back in Brighton on our October tour!
Website: asylumsband.com
Facebook: facebook.com/asylumsuk
Twitter: twitter.com/asylumsband