PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
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Emerging UK Alt-punk pop crew GHOULS release a stunning new single, Internet Famous, on 8th June. We chatted with the guys about their background and more…..
What is the full band line-up, who plays what?
Benedict Goold – Vocals & Guitar, Sam Mussell – Bass, Ben Maz – Sax, Russ Spencer – Trombone & Vocals, Jay Swinstead – Drums.
How and when did the band form? Tell us anything interesting about your hometown.
Ghouls formed when each of the members individually moved to London and over time, met through various circumstances. Some of us studied together, whilst others met through playing within the London scene – Maz came about after answering a gumtree advert. Although a lot of the members have since moved away from London, we still regard it as our home base because it’s where the foundations of the band were built.
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
Like most things, the band grew naturally as we gigged and started to tour. Some members left due to deciding it wasn’t for them and by 2014 we’d developed a sound and act that we felt proud of. Our best attribute as a band and as people is that we’ve never waited for things to happen – it’s always been about making things happen. We wanted to write and record an album so instead of waiting for a label and funding, we did a Kickstarter campaign and self released our first album. We wanted to tour the USA so instead of waiting for an agent, we DIY’d a tour and made it happen.
Who are your musical influences?
As a band we all listen to different bands and artists – the combination of those influences are what leads us to have the unique sound we produce. As far as bands we definitely all take inspiration from, they would be acts like Blink 182, Don Broco, Enter Shikari, Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson… to name a few.
How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend? Are you friends from school or any family relations?
None of us knew each other before moving to London but before certain members of the band had joined we knew them through the scene. Russ was playing in another band and we really wanted him to join Ghouls but we thought he didn’t, turns out he wanted to join and thought we didn’t want him; luckily it all worked out.
Where have you played or toured?
We have played the UK but haven’t yet made it over to Northern Ireland.
We’ve toured Europe a fair few times and always have a great time – especially in places like Belgium, Germany and Czech.
We’ve been to the USA twice, including an East Coast tour.
We’ve also played a whole bunch of awesome UK and International festivals including 2000Trees, Boardmasters, Hit The Deck, The Secret Garden Party, NASS, Jera On Air (NL), Mighty Sounds (Cz), The Fest (USA), Boomtown, Blissfields, Takedown, Turbulence Festival, En Nord Beat (Fr), Beach Break, Tramlines, City Sound Project, and more!
In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?
We have a unique sound where we fit into many genres but also don’t fit in any of them in a typical way. Our ethos and attitude is what sets us a part – we aren’t about posing or pretending to be anything that we’re not. We are can-do people who are about living to the fullest and embrace all those who feel the same. We try to project that in our music and live shows as much as possible. A ghouls show is for anyone and everyone who feels as though they could fit in with a lot of groups and scenes but don’t quite fit into any of them at the same time – the sort of people that we all are.
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
A punk rock band with a horn section who like to mix it up with a bit of pop, punk and hip hop.
Do you have a tour on the horizon?
We have a UK tour coming up over the 25th May – 3rd June. Then we are making an appearance at Boomtown festival. Then later in the year we should be flying over the Atlantic back to the USA.
Complete list of dates coming up:
26.05 // Derby // Hairy Dog
27.05 // Canterbury // City Sound Project
29.05 // Brighton // The Prince Albert
30.05 // Bridgwater // The Cobblestones
31.05 // Birmingham // Subside
01.06 // Stafford // Redrum
02.06 // Basingstoke // Rockus
22.06 // London // Hope and Anchor
Where can we find your social media sites?
