Team Mockit caught up with Chris, Mark and Calum from Glasgow’s favourite garage rock stalwarts Shredd after their sweaty EP launch earlier this month. We discuss new music, cereal and cannibalism…..
Q. Shredd – How goes it? Tell us about the band and yourselves?
Hey! It's all good, we just released our new EP and had a launch party last night so we're all pretty buzzing still. We've been a band for about two years, we all work together and play in a band together so we spend a lot of time together. Luckily we're just best mates who enjoy playing music, it's easy when you enjoy it!
Q. Your EP launch was on Saturday, were you excited or nervous for the public to hear new stuff?
Excited definitely! We recorded these tunes in April so it's been a while coming, we love all the songs on the EP and it feels like more of who we are as a band. It's always scary to release new music in case no one likes it, but the songs have been a part of our live set for a while and we've had positive feedback so fingers crossed that translates on record.
Q. Who are your enemies? And would you really eat them?
Haha, you know the title of the EP is actually just something that was on an old t-shirt of Calum's and we thought it sounded cool! It doesn't have to mean eating people, just tackle things head on and keep yourself happy - your enemies don't have to be people, they can be personal problems or troubles. Just to clarify, we do not endorse cannibalism!
Q. How does the writing process work within Shredd?
It's very much a democracy! Generally Mark or Chris will bring an idea to a rehearsal then we all work together and make it into something that's more like a full song. We all have mixed music tastes so when we work together can create cool results!
Q. Is there an album in the pipeline?
At some point in the future, definitely! We don't have any dates or time pressure on it. We love playing live, that's where we thrive so we want to do as much of that as possible before we think about another release.
Q. Who are the bands musical influences? Past and Present?
We all have a lot of different influences but also like a lot of the same bands too! Our main influences that we draw from together are probably Queens of the Stone Age, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard & The Oh Sees. Of course there's a lot else going on and we love loads of other stuff, but they are the most common reference points.
Q. The band scene is thriving just now – especially in Glasgow. What do you think has ignited the emergence of so many exciting new bands within the last few years?
The Glasgow scene is mad! There are so many good bands, every gig has another amazing band you discover! I don't know what it is about Glasgow that produces so many good bands but there's people in the scene that champion new music so much and that makes such a difference. Guys like Adam Carr (Control Social Club) and Holly, Ross & Ian at Freakender are doing so much good work to promote new bands, that makes all the difference. Regardless of the talent you always need people pushing it and Glasgow has that in bucket loads.
Q. Favourite bands doing the rounds just now?
Too many to mention them all but we've been fortunate enough to play with loads of them. We've recently become good friends with The Dunts who are a brilliant band and brilliant guys! We've been lucky and gotten to support Rascalton, The Van T's & Catholic Action who are all showing the quality of the Scottish scene at a more international level as well, which is amazing.
Q. Most embarrassing gig mishap so far?
Luckily we've not had that many. At the EP launch on Saturday Harv fell while he was in amongst the crowd, he also done a similar thing at our XPO North gig recently - he's making a habit of it!
Q. Out with the band, what else do you get up to?
We all work together which unfortunately takes up a lot of our time... However outside that we're just normal guys that enjoy a night out and a drink, going to gigs and supporting the local scene!
Q. Lastly, favourite type of Cereal?
Has to be our sole endorser - Shreddies!
New EP ‘Eat Your Enemy’ is out now via Fuzzkill Records, the boys have an upcoming gig on August 23rd at Broadcast, Glasgow as part of the Dale Barclay fundraiser
Words: Stewart Ryan
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