Interview: Bleech
Published on June 1st, 2012 | Jonny Abrams
East London rockers Bleech release their debut album Nude on the Jubilee bank holiday Monday, with a Rough Trade showcase to follow on 7th June, so we fired some questions over to Matt from the band in the hope of finding out a little more about the operation. First, though, check out this video for the single “Adrenaline Junkie”…
How did you all meet, and how long has the band been going for?
We all met at school, doing A levels and whatnot. Jen went to Art School, got frustrated and dropped out, Kath and I left with A levels but didn’t want to go to Uni so we ended up carrying on what we loved doing…playing in a loud fucking band travelling round the country. We have been doing it about 2 and a half ish years.
How would you describe your music, if pushed?
Oh dear not that one again haha! We basically write songs with very very loud guitars bass and drums on it….but they have to work for a live audience as live is our most important vibe as a band.
Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?
We are based in East London at the moment, but haven’t been home much due to spending lots of time inside Beryl……(Our yellow Volkswagen). Recording wise we have a little digital 16 track we are using for demoing at the moment and we have completed a few tracks for he next album. We have also made live recordings on it for future releases, we recorded the whole of our Club Show at Koko and it sounds very fat!
Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?
We are signed to our own label called Billie Records….it is owned and run by a dog…called Billie. We do have a publishing deal with Bucks Music Group though, they found us at Camden Crawl last year and we have been working together ever since!
What can you tell us about the album?
We recorded it a year ago but we were waiting for the right time to release. To be Honest the record was recorded in the coldest studio on the planet in the Winter. It was mixed by Gareth Johnson who has done live recording and mixing with Paul Macartney and Them Crooked Vultures…..so when he agreed to do the job we were like ….yes.
Where can we hear your music online?
We have plenty of links on youtube and Facebook to our music. But you can also buy it from all also those digital outlets we love! We have just finished doing a video based around a Jubillee Party crossed with a mad hatters tea party for “I Wanna Be Me” so keep your eyes peeled for that.
Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?
Playing in Nottingham the other night with a stag do of about twenty Robin Hoods and one Maid Marion on stage directing a choreographed dance with one another, that was pretty insane.
We also played a tattoo convention in France. As soon as we got there all we could hear was “zzzzzzzzzzzz….zzzz argh”, basically there were four rooms surrounding a big stage in an abandoned church where people were getting tattoed before and during the gig, amazing!
Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)
We are playing with Ash tommorow night which we are very excited about indeed! Also playing Birmingham Sunflower Lounge 2nd June, Rough Trade Records 7th June 7pm and a very big one for us is the Borderline 22nd of June come down!! Plus we are playing a few dotted festivals in the U.K and Europe. We will however be doing a massive U.K and european tour in support of the Album In September/ October and November.
Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
Crystal Head…They are a great stoner-esque rock band with great tunes and great riffs. They will be ones to watch.
Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?
Motorhead – To go completely ape shit to.
The Beatles – To sing along to.
Cannibal Corpse – To Laugh at.
Jedward – To wipe your arse with.
Neil Young – To reduce insanity.
Matt, thank you.
Bleech’s debut album will be released on 4th June. For more information, including a list of live dates, please vist www.facebook.com/bleechofficial
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
