We Say…
A London-based DIY-quartet, Brunch have been sharing their music with the world back in 2014. After releasing their third album, The Golden Age in September of last year, the band recently returned with their latest offering, the four-track EP, American Podcasts. The EP emerged after the band’s semi-disastrous US tour, when they only narrowly made it out of New York in time to beat the apex of the pandemic. They decided to use the newly discovered free time to polish up the demos that had been sitting on their hard-drive and the result is an EP that might just be their most compelling release yet.
Recorded with the help of producer Tom Hill, of the band Modern Rituals, American Podcasts is the sound of the band hitting the rock-sound they’ve been striving for, channelling the middle ground of the mid-west Emo of American Football and the angular-rock sound of Savage Mansion or Built to Spill. Lyrically, the record mines the same themes fans of the band will be used to as feelings of ageing and insecurity play out through impassioned vocals and suitably noisy musical backdrops. While the title track might be the most instantly arresting moment, the fabulous Daydreaming is the one I keep going back to, with its references to football, life online and, “Gary Barlow’s brutal agenda”, it’s the lost middle ground of Los Campesinos! and Fugazi I didn’t know I’d always wanted. American Podcasts feels like the record Brunch always wanted to make; the sound of a band hitting their stride, it’s every bit as exciting as that sounds.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who are Brunch?
Brunch are Adrian McCusker, Bobby MacPherson, Sean Brook and Tom Rundell, four boring men who live and work in London and try and rock when they can. The band was formed in 2014. We have released 2 EPs and 3 LPs.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
It was at Buffalo Bar (RIP?) by Highbury & Islington tube. We played at least one song that never got played again. It could well have been the night Adrian put his card behind the bar, bought multiple rounds of shots and then later on after leaving, thinking he’d lost it, cancelled his card before settling up, thus not paying for anything. Actually I don’t think it was that night and I cannot remember anything else about it. I imagine we had fun.
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
Music is the only art form for which I seem to lack the filter that is there to stop you humiliating yourself. I enjoy writing songs a lot, I have been doing it since I was about 13 – I am trying to get good at it!
FTR: What can people expect from the Brunch live show?
A hopefully competent rock band delicately walking the line between pathetic and aggressive. At times a little silly, but always rocking.
FTR: What’s next for Brunch?
We having nothing planned at the moment. A global pandemic is ongoing, making the demands of the band seem kind of laughable! I imagine we will think about doing more music at some point – but I can’t say when that might be. We hope to be able to play a gig at some point during the rest of our lives!
They Listen To…
Modern Rituals – The Bull Never Wins
Long-time friends of the band – this is taken from their latest album which is so good. The guitars shift down, Harry screams ‘The bull never wins!’ and all my rage at an unjust world feels perfectly expressed – fuck! Tom Hill (Modern Rituals guitarist) produced this – what a noise. He also mixed our latest EP ‘American Podcasts’.
Knot – Foam
The new band from the members of Krill. An original member of Krill, Luke, was Brunch’s original drummer. We have spent most of our time trying to rip off Krill. I suppose now we must attempt to rip off Knot.
Cardiacs – Tarred and Feathered
I had been aware of Cardiacs for a long time, but never really given them much time. A few videos always fascinated me though – this one in particular is probably one of my favourite things. It is incredible. Upon the recent death of Tim Smith I have been exploring their back catalogue and having a great time doing so. A true original!
Veneer – Don’t Get My Hair Wet
Veneer played after us at one of the gigs we had in New York just before the world ended. We played to about 3 people, they played to considerably more. We embarrassed ourselves afterwards by asking them if they knew Living Hour (also from Winnipeg) who we have played with before. Sam from Veneer, who we were talking to, is the singer in Living Hour. This is a great song!
Bill Callahan – Drover
I have only fairly recently got into Bill Callahan. The master! I was fairly obsessed with this song for a couple of weeks.
American Podcasts is out now. Click HERE for more information on Brunch.
For The Rabbits 