Pop Punk London Showcase Build Up// Priest To Pilots // All These Years // Why Everyone Left
Pop punk has influenced millions of people across the world, ranging from the upcoming musician to the kid who sits in the corner and feels a lot better when listening to Green Day. In the second part of our two-piece preview of Trauma PR’s Pop Punk London Showcase, we chat to the bands playing the Pop Punk Summerfest on July 7th at The Slaughtered Lamb.
Priests To Pilots
Priests To Pilots is a pop punk act based in and around London, UK. After meeting online with members from all over the world (Hong Kong, Ireland and England), they’ve been playing shows around the south of England for just over a year, as well as building a loyal fanbase who sing all of their songs and fetch them snacks whenever they feel peckish. If Ian Beale listened to pop punk, this would be his favourite band.
How would you describe your band to a person who is new to pop punk?
Priests To Pilots: “Energetic, upbeat instrumentals with catchy melodies on top – sounds like pretty standard pop punk, but we like to think we have more of an alt rock edge in places.”
What, do you think, is the most enjoyable aspect of performing live?
Priests To Pilots: “Performing live is when the songs really come to life, and its great to see the music connecting with people in real time. You write the songs thinking about how they will play out live, and when it comes out how you imagined (or sometimes completely differently), that’s really what it’s all about for us.”
Why do you believe live performance showcases, such as the Trauma PR Pop Punk Showcase, is important in today’s musical community?
Priests To Pilots: “Honestly, shows like this are super important. Without them, the scene would be so fragmented, and promoters, like Trauma PR, offer a central place for smaller acts and fans to gravitate towards and build a community.”
Who would you say is your musical inspiration?
Priests To Pilots: “I think we all have different personal inspirations which really shines through in the music. As a whole band, our main influence would probably be bands like Neck Deep. When we have to make a decision, either musically or not, we look to bands like that to see how they handled similar situations to use as advice on approaching any situations we find ourselves in.”
What does the rest of 2018 hold for you?
Priests To Pilots: “We’re heading out for a weekender at the same time as the Trauma PR show. Other than that we’re looking to book in some more stuff for later in the year – weekenders or tours as support acts. Our latest EP is still pretty fresh, so we’re planning to keep promoting that for a while at least.”
All These Years
All These Years are an upbeat, four-piece pop punk band from Hertfordshire, UK. Formed in late 2012, their songs give you catchy melodies with serious undertones, and choruses that will pull you in and have you singing along. Made up of members Adam, Michael, Charlie and James, they have released two EPs – Skylines (2015) and Pull It, Tug It, Love It! (2016) – and a single, What Was Left Unsaid (2017). Their upcoming release, Positively Negative, is due for release in 2018.
How would you describe your band to a person who is new to pop punk?
Adam: “I think I usually say something along the lines of, it’s upbeat and stuff, kind of like Blink 182 or Greenday, but completely different. I’ll sometimes just play them a track, that usually works better.”
Michael: “To someone who is new to pop punk I would say, it’s like an upbeat, catchy version of punk rock, but can still have that element of a raw sound.”
What, do you think, is the most enjoyable aspect of performing live?
Adam: “I like performing. I think, for me, I like making a racket with my best friends and having a laugh. It also gives me an opportunity to vent, and channel some emotions.”
Michael: “Performing our own songs in front of a crowd, and to see/hear good reactions and feedback from those old and new fans is always a buzz!”
Why do you believe live performance showcases, such as the Trauma PR Pop Punk Showcase, is important in today’s musical community?
Adam: “I think people like Justin and the crew behind Trauma PR are definitely doing some good. It can be difficult to find venues to play nowadays, especially when a band is just starting out. Being given the opportunity to share a stage with other bands/artists, get to network with them, and perform in front of new people and regular fans is so important, and I’m definitely grateful that we get to play shows for them. Without the work they do, there would be one less chance for bands to play a show! I don’t think they get the credit they deserve!”
Michael: “I agree with what Adam says. It really is a chance to grow, play to new fans, and to network with similar bands/artists.”
Who would you say is your musical inspiration?
Adam: “The reason I write and play music is because of my parents. They have music on all the time, so growing up I got to hear some amazing artists. They have always supported me, so, I guess, they are my inspiration.”
Michael: “I always think of The Offspring when this type of question gets asked. Listening to their Americana album constantly as a kid really swayed my direction as to where my music interest went, and to where I am today playing guitar and playing in bands.”
What does the rest of 2018 hold for you?
Adam: “We have a new record on its way, so there are video shoots and photo shoots for that. The odd show as well, and, sadly, work – got to pay the bills somehow. Haha.”
Michael: “Yeah, getting things sorted for the new record is the main focus for the rest of 2018 with photo shoots, video shoots and still more studio time to get this record finished.”
Why Everyone Left
Why Everyone Left is an Italian pop punk band, active since 2014. The band released two EPs, performed two UK tours, one European tour, plus several shows in European countries. The group had the chance to play with several bands, like As It Is, Our Last Night, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, Zebrahead, Knuckle Puck, Roam, Four Year Strong and many others. Alternative Press included them in the ’10 European pop punk bands you need to know’ last January.
How would you describe your band to a person who is new to pop punk?
Why Everyone Left: “It’s, basically, pop music with electric guitars, super melodic vocals and a massive load of energy!”
What, do you think, is the most enjoyable aspect of performing live?
Why Everyone Left: “A reactive crowd! One of the best things pop punk has is the energy a crowd can give back to the band, dancing and screaming! Wild shows are always the best ones.”
Why do you believe live performance showcases, such as the Trauma PR Pop Punk Showcase, is important in today’s musical community?
Why Everyone Left: “From what we can see, Trauma Pr is one of the few realities in the underground London pop punk scene. You guys in the UK have so many awesome up-and-coming pop punk bands who absolutely deserve to play in London. Plus, they give foreign acts, like us, the chance to play in your country, which is not that easy.”
Who would you say is your musical inspiration?
Why Everyone Left: “The biggest pop punk bands around right now I would say. A lot of UK bands, actually, Neck Deep, Roam, WSTR, just to name a few of them. Also, super-influenced by State Champs – Derek DiScanio is such an amazing singer.”
What does the rest of 2018 hold for you?
Why Everyone Left: “We have a brand new EP ready to be released! Seb Barlow gave us the final mixes last week. We couldn’t be more stoked about it.”