We Say…
Although now based out of London, Abjects are the epitome of a global band; guitarist Noemi is from Spain, bassist Yuki from Japan and drummer Alice from Italy. At a time when so much debate rages about globalisation and nationalism, could there be a better formed punk-band to make the musical case for the ideal of citizens of the world. The band formed back in 2013, when Noemi decided to form a band to flesh out demos created whilst studying at Goldsmiths. The result is Abjects debut album, Never Give Up, out now on via Yipee Ki Yay.
Abjects sound is a primal blast of energy, recorded to analogue tape, they hark back not just to the obvious reference point of punk but to the even earlier, less polished sounds of blues and the early thrilling wave of rock’n’roll. Never Give Up sounds like it could have been made by the band simply turning up, playing through the tracks once with raw abandon and waltzing out of the studio half an hour later with the job done to perfection. The lyrics are equally raw and honest; whether it’s the title track, which deals with the uncertainty of being a band in the modern world, being unable to express your opinions on The Secret, or musing on the creative block and procrastination on Mañana, Abjects always seem to have something to say. If you weren’t sure on their opinions, there’s even a song called Fuck Brexit, which spells out both their political leanings and straight-talking qualities. Abjects are the sound of 2019, angry yes, yet maybe more importantly, more than ready to do something about it, as the year roles on they might just be impossible to ignore.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Abjects?
We’re Noemi on guitar, Yuki on bass and Alice on drums. We’re from Spain, Japan and Italy respectively, but live in London… or at least most of the time! We have also been playing with Teo on bass from Serbia. We’ve been part of the underground punk scene since 2013, touring extensively across Europe, US and Japan (twice!). We’re coming back to the US this March to promote our debut album ‘Never Give Up’ which is out on Yippee Ki Yay Records from Austin, Texas. We would describe our sounds as loud, fast and fun!
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
Our first gig was at an infamous spot in East London called the George Tavern. Our friend Kenichi had a great idea for a night which he called Krautrock Karaoke in which musicians from the London scene would improvise Krautrock songs from all eras. We opened the first ever of those nights he put on, resulting in us newbies playing our hardly-20 min set to a room full of experienced musicians. It was a bit intimidating, but it went really well. Our gig and Kenichi’s experiment which has been running since and it’s on vol. 48 now!
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
Music is an outlet for us to express ourselves creatively, meet cool people, travel and have a lot fun! As we’re pretty much DIY, it has lead us into practicing other art forms. Apart from the music, we also create our own artwork, design our own merch and direct our own videos. Touring gives plenty of opportunities to practice photography too, so I guess that even if music is the main artistic purpose of this project, it has evolved into much more than that.
FTR: What can people expect from the Abjects live show?
Our live shows are energetic and in your face. That’s when we get to unwind and build stamina at the same time. We want everyone to feel the same!
FTR: What’s next for Abjects?
Next week we’ll be in the US to tour ‘Never Give Up’ and present it at SXSW. It’d be our first set of gigs with Yuki on bass since our last Japan tour back in May 2017, so very excited about the reunion! After that we’ll be doing a couple of weeks in Japan and also some UK and European dates with Teo on bass. We’ve got a busy year ahead gigs wise, starting from SXSW which is going to be insane. I can’t wait!
They Listen To…
1. The Pleasure Seekers – What a Way to Die
2. Link Wray – Rumble
3. Redd Kross – Kill Someone You Hate
4. Pylon – Feast on my Heart
5. Holly Golightly – No Big Thing
Never Give Up is out now via Yipee Ki Yay! Click HERE for more information on Abjects
Tour Dates
US
3/2 – New York, NY | Coney Island Baby NYC
3/4 – Cleveland, OH | Now That’s Class
3/7 – Asheville, NC | Static Age-Records
3/8 – Atlanta, GA | Star Bar
3/9 – Memphis, TN | BAR DKDC
3/12 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Hotel vegas | 3:15PM
3/12 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Electric Church | 8:00PM
3/13 – Dallas, TX | Parade of Flesh’s NSFWknd
3/14 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Hole on the Wall
3/14 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Dozen Street | 9:30PM
3/15 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Haus of Venus
3/15 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Electric Church | 9:00PM
3/16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Spider House | 2:00PM
3/16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Dozen Street
3/16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW | Cheer Up Charlies | 12:45PM
3/17 – Houston, TX | SXSW spillover fest
3/19 – Jacksonville, FL | Root Down Jax
3/21 – Brooklyn, NY | SunnyvaleUK
5/3 – London | Shacklewell Arms
Japan
15/5 – Tokyo | GreenApple
16/5 – Matsumoto | Give me little more
17/5– Hamamatsu | Kirchherr
18/5 – Kyoto | Pop Pizza
22/5 – Tokyo | Three
23/5 – Osaka | NIGHT WAX
24/5 – Nagoya | BAR Ripple
25/5 – Tokyo | Final show TBASpain
31/5 – Madrid | Fun House Music Bar
1/6 – Valencia | TBA
2/6 – Barcelona | Munster Raving Loony Party 2019UK
8/17 – London | Windmill
For The Rabbits 