With their new single out Intervene, the alt-rock band from Sheffield, had a chat with us, discussing their sound, new single, influences and aspirations.
How long has ‘Intervene’ been on the scene?
Jack: We played our first show at West Street Live in February 2017. Feels like a long time ago- we’ve had about 7 drummers since then.
How did the band start?
Jack: Tom and I were looking for each other at the same time. He responded to my advert looking for musicians and we found Steve soon after. Adam and Raj joined fairly recently but since they did, we’re sounding a lot more like Intervene should. We’re the best we’ve ever been and we’re getting better.
What’s your current approach to song writing?
Steve: It starts with guitar or keys, we get a structure together and Jack adds the lyrics later.
Jack: We definitely throw away a lot more than we use, which is definitely the right way to go about it. You’ve got to be your own worst critic.
Biggest musical influences? What got you into music?
Steve: We’ve all got very different tastes. Mines depressing, Jack’s more obscure and Raj doesn’t like music altogether.
Tom: We do share a love for a lot of post-punk and 70s and 80s alternative stuff. In terms of current bands, we’re into Parquet Courts, IDLES and Fontaines DC
Your new single, ‘Flowers’, is pumped with energy. Is this what you try to integrate into every song?
Adam: No – we enjoy making it and if Tom had his way every song would be played at 180 BPM, but that gets boring after a while. Our next single, Imitation, is a step in a different direction.
What has been your favourite gig so far? Have they lived up to expectations?
Jack: Last Christmas, we put on a gig at The Angel Inn, a tiny pub around the corner from where we practice. We managed to squeeze about 100 people in there – it went off.
Tom: Our last gig at The Leadmill is a contender though, supporting Total Stone Roses in the main room. We’re back there again supporting Twisted Wheel on 28th September.
If you could pick anywhere to play a gig, where would it be and why?
Adam: Obviously we’d want to play all the big stages that bands dream about but I think for us headlining something like The Leadmill or O2 academy Sheffield would be a special thing to do. Something to make our mums proud.
Raj: Leeds and Reading wouldn’t be bad either.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a band so far?
Jack: We spent a lot of time and money recording a 5-track EP last year, but our old drummer and bass player left the group just as we were finishing it. Sort of set us back a bit… In the end we sacked the whole thing off and started looking for some new players. It cost us but we don’t regret it.
What’s the ultimate direction for the band? The dream scenario if you must.
Tom: To give up the day job, obviously!
Steve: Glastonbury, Hollywood Bowl, eventually having our own state/country with a view to expanding into other universes.
Adam: We’re definitely gonna make an album too, but if we could find someone to fund it for us that would be even better. String sections aren’t cheap.
