Whilst Manchester has been emblazoned on to the
psyche of mainstream musical consciousness for last 30 years, it's
musical output has always teetered on the brink of being, well,
somewhat bitter and cynical. Despite being a city famed for providing
us with some of the most maudlin and miserable acts in musical
history, as the nights draw in, Manchester is currently enjoying
bathing in some so-cal sunshine in the form of pop-punk five-piece
Landmarks.
Rather than baying to the bleak English milieu
within which the band was birthed, Landmarks are offsetting the
stereotypical Manchester sound, anglicising what is quintessentially
an American aesthetic perfectly. Stories of growing up and growing
old are all part and parcel of pop-punk predication, yet often, tales
of adolescent Americana fall flat on English ears due to the
differences in culture. Landmarks, however, are seeking to bridge
that gap, fusing their own personal experiences of growing up in and
around Manchester, with a musical backdrop inspired by the likes of
Set Your Goals or Four Year Strong.
Like any true pop-punk band, Landmarks are filled
with a relentless tenacity and tireless work ethic that has seen them
complete both their debut EP Running On Empty and their first
tour in support of Action. However, not satisfied with that alone,
the band are currently back in Manchester writing new material ready
for the new year.
Perhaps one of the most appealing traits that
Landmarks have, is their ability to effortlessly switch between
aesthetics. Songs such as 'Living for the Weekend' purport a sense of
youthful exuberance that goes hand in hand with sheer energy of the
band, whilst 'Lullaby' or 'Growing Pains' exhibit a much more
introspective side to the band, belying their relatively young age
and suggesting that there's more to them than just another pop-punk
band.
Indeed, whilst Manchester will always be
synonymous with indie, one can't help but think that with bands like
Landmarks making waves steadily, the city is currently feeling the
beginnings of a real scene formulating, something more akin to the
DIY/house-show movement in The States than has ever really been felt
within Manchester and it's surrounding areas before now. Should that
be the case, it goes without saying that Landmarks will be at the
forefront, spearheading a well deserved pop-punk resurgence that
hasn't been seen in the UK for years.
U&I: Hi guys, thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. Manchester
is a city full of music, but it doesn't seem to have much of an
established pop-punk scene. Do you think there's the beginnings of a
scene formulating in and around the city?
Brad:
I would hope so! There’s a lot of talented musicians in Manchester
but you’re right, there doesn’t seem to be a strong pop punk
scene. I can think of us, Civilians, Boston Manor (from Blackpool but
not too far away) and not many more. Hopefully, with the success of
bands like The Wonder Years and The Story So Far though that will
change and hopefully we can be at the forefront of it!
Adam:
There's always going to be a scene however big or small, Manchester is
one of the capitals for music, which is lucky for us. Diverse with
its crowd in what they listen to, people are generally open minded
and the chance for something big to formulate is always possible, no
matter what genre or scene.
McCormick:
I don't think there is enough people supporting the local scene
anywhere to be honest, whether it's pop punk, metal or jazz fusion.
There are too man people sat at home moaning about how bored they are
on social media rather than going out and getting involved. Saying
that though I have noticed a lot more punk rock bands emerging over
the past few years, and with the rise of the new angsty pop punk
bands from the states making a name for themselves over here
hopefully things will pick up!
U&I: What
do you think it is about Manchester that creates so many different
and varied types of music?
Adam:
It's
peoples ability to try something new, listen to something they might
not normally go for and then allow that to influence their own music
they write. There is never a band that holds exactly the same sound
which is what I love about this place.
McCormick:
I think it's because there are so many venues and different niche
markets, there is something for everyone. Also if you have a wide
music taste you could be in one place watching a acoustic act and ten
minutes down the road you could go and catch the most brutal hardcore
band you've ever heard of.
U&I: Obviously
while it does have a fairly rich musical culture, there is a huge
amount of indie bands doing the rounds within the city. What made you
decide it was pop-punk you wanted to play and has that impacted on
the amount of shows you can get, or the number of people you play ?
Brad:
Well we grew up listening to that type of music so it just made sense
to start a pop punk band. We wanted to re-create the feelings we got
when listening to New Found Glory or another band along those lines
and pass them on to a new generation, with a bit of a British element
added in there. It is hard though to make a splash in a city that
doesn’t have a large pop punk scene but we still get some really
good shows and play to awesome crowds!
Liam:
I
myself live breath and eat pop punk and have always loved it and
wanted to be part of it as a kid growing up I remember my first pop
punk show (bowling for soup) and just thought wow this I what I want
to do
McCormick:
I think I properly got into punk rock from the Tony Hawks soundtracks
playing them games as a kid, since then I was hooked and spent
several hours each day learning NoFX and Pennywise songs on my
guitar. Me and Adam started our first band in 2003 and since then
have been playing together, I’d rather play something I love and
enjoy to like-minded people than something I don't have a passion
for.
U&I: Being
a pop-punk band there must be other, local bands within the genre
you've played with, care to mention a few of you're favourites?
Brad:
There’s Civilians, a band who released their debut EP last year,
we’ve played with them and they’re cool guys playing good tunes.
Boston Manor are from nearby (Blackpool) as well and their début EP
is amazing, they’ll go on to big things in the future. Through
Colour (though maybe not so much pop punk) are also really talented
and nice guys. Check out their EP ‘Somnium’, there’s some great
songs on there.
McCormick: The
guys pretty much nailed it here as far as local bands go but if
you're into your acoustic stuff (think Joey Cape/Tony Sly and Chuck
Ragan) You should Check our James F Hattersley and Jimmy Holland.
I've had a blast playing with Actions, Hot Damn, Boston Manor,
Through Colour just to name a few.
U&I: You've
just released your EP 'Running On Empty'. How did that go down?
Brad:
We’ve actually self-recorded and self-released it! The drums were
tracked at Salford University and we did the rest in Adam and James’s
basement over the summer. It was fun yet trying at times but we love
how it’s turned out! The response has been pretty awesome as well,
especially your review. Thanks for that by the way!
McCormick:
It was really tough to write the songs, then record the songs, then
mix the songs, by the end of it your ears give up and by the end of
it I had no idea what was too loud/quiet in the mix. But we were
broke and needed to get the ball rolling so I battled though and the
guys seem happy with it so I'm pretty pleased with that. I'll never
be recording my own band again though, thats for sure!
U&I: You're
currently out on your first ever tour in support of the record. How
does that feel? And what have been some of the highlights so far?
Brad:
It’s a great experience. We thought it might be difficult at first,
5 guys in a Ford Focus for days but it’s actually been really fun.
Harrow was great, we didn’t expect so many people to turn up and
buy merch so that was a nice surprise. Manchester was amazing as
well, everyone came down to show their support and got into it. The
boys in Actions are such nice guys as well, we feel like we’ve
known them forever. Playing battleshots after the Manchester show was
definitely a highlight for me.
McCormick:
It feels great to be playing different cities to a fresh new crowd
every night, my throat on the other hand doesn't feel great, I'm
really grateful for everyone with an open door that put us up for the
night though! I loved getting all the boys from Actions up on stage
to sing along to a 5ive cover with us on the last night.
U&I: You've
been in several bands in the past, how do Landmarks differ from
those?
Brad:
I was in an indie-pop-rock band (if you had to classify it) called
Dead Kicks playing bass and that was fun for the few years it lasted.
In Landmarks I have more of a hand in writing songs though so that’s
always nice. Don’t get me wrong, I played a part in Dead Kicks
writing but it’s cool to be able to get out what I want to say
sometimes.
Adam:
In this band I feel all 5 of us want this like we've never before, the
5 of us together with our personalities blend well too and we know this
could be our one chance
McCormick: For the
first time being in a band I feel like we have something new to offer
with our sound. I love the lyrics Brad writes too, when listening to
bands lyrics are an important thing for me, if I can relate to the
song it's gonna make it's way onto my iPod so hopefully other people
feel the same way about our music.
U&I: Here's
a stock question I ask every band now: What would be in your ideal
rider and why?
Brad:
Barburrito’s! Because me and Tom discovered recently what a great
hangover cure is. A copy of FIFA 14 and a PS3 because I could beat
all these guys and gloat and probably just beer. I try to avoid
spirits.
Liam:
Barburrito
100%
Adam:
20
chicken nuggets no more…no less
McCormick:
Heaps of Mexican food would be awesome, maybe Tony Hawks 2 so I can
beat the guys at something.
Tom: All I really want on a rider
after being on tour is some plug sockets!
U&I: What
do Landmarks have planned for the future? Any plans on a full-length
record yet? Forthcoming gigs/tour plans?
Brad:
We have a few more shows coming up outside of Manchester and a pretty
special one in the city that we’ll be announcing soon. As far as a
debut goes I think we need to get to grips with our sound a little
more first and build more of a following before we go into that.
Adam:
Were ganna be writing a lot over the next few months and heading into
the infamous blueprint studio’s in January to record a new EP.
As well as that we've got shows over the winter and some big support
slots in the new year. Plus some big ideas to possibly invade Europe
next summer
McCormick:
Like Brad said I think we need to develop our sound a bit more before
thinking about a full length, in the meantime we have some studio
time booked for early 2013 so hopefully we'll have another EP or
maybe a split out early next year.
U&I: Finally,
any last parting words for our readers?
Adam:
Watch
this Space
McCormick:
If you're bored sat inside one night, go to a show, even if you're
broke there is always something free going on. If you liked a bands
set or EP you heard online, let the band know.
