Louder Than War interview Bristol’s Velcro Hooks, a band whose Pixies-alike guitar fuzz sounds make them ones to watch out for in 2014.
They‘ve recently been recording their debut album in Bristol, one which will see the light of day in the coming year. With a couple of vinyl singles under their belt, care of Howling Owl Records, they’ve received some great support over the last year, including airplay from 6 Music and XFM. They are Velcro Hooks, they sound not unlike The Pixies, and they like to have a bit of a laugh. Here are band members, Thom and Jenner, to tell us what inspires them, what the last year’s been like and what’s coming next.
Louder Than War: Who are your main influences.
Jenner: Recently I’ve been listening to Wesley Willis, Swell Maps, Daniel Johnston and a bit of Mozart. Bach is heavy too.
Who thought up your name and how did it come about?
Thom: We got really bored one day in our first shit-hole house in Bristol, and were sliding down the stairs on tea trays thinking: “If we could somehow Velcro these to our arses it would be a lot easier.” Then we thought it would be funny if Velcro one day sued us.
Where does the inspiration for your songs come from: musically and lyrically?
Jenner: Music first, and then I like the lyrics. It comes from the well spring, you know that thing in there all the way up.
What do you like / dislike about the current music scene?
Jenner: It rocks, it rules, I don’t hate it I just like it. There are some real rocking attitudes around this town. But yeah there’s a lot of poo out there as well.
What current bands do you like?
Thom: I guess we’ve been listening to some Sic Alps, Woo Man, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, China Ross, Women … but it’s mainly older stuff we are into at the moment.
How do you feel about the reaction you’ve had so far?
Jenner: Well, I was just eating a cheeseburger and then saw us in some magazine but I don’t pay attention to it too much. It’s cool that we get played on the radio sometimes and the live shows are pretty sweet.
Your first releases came out on vinyl and sold out quickly. Do you like that format, and will there be more?
Thom: Yeah, we probably will put out all of our stuff on vinyl in the future. Yeah we will. I just like hard circles and squares spinning around real smooth.
Jenner: Make it real smooth.
What’s been your highlight of the year?
Jenner: We played this sweet show with our friends in an old hall then went to a disco party. Sweet.
Thom: I mean what more could you want from a night?
Jenner: Also we did a little tour of the south.
Thom: We went crab lining and all.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Thom: We haven’t had enough hot sauce this year, need to do something about that.
Jenner: Apart from that issue, releasing the debut album.
Velcro Hooks ‘Galaxy Police Club / Tickle Me Sick’ is out now on Howling Owl Records. Grab it here.
Online you can find Velcro Hooks at their Website, on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud and Bandcamp.
All words by Arash Torabi whose author’s archive can be found here.
The post Louder Than War Interview: Velcro Hooks appeared first on Louder Than War.