Leeds rockers Moose Wrench is a new discovery of mine, yet I’m sure I’ll be sharing more of their stuff in the near future! Not Dead Yet is my first introduction to their music, and it’s an absolute belter of a track! If you’ve not heard it yet, you can find a full stream after our interview.
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled Not Dead Yet. What can you tell us about the track?
This particular track came out of experiencing my father’s health deterioration and eventual passing last year. This sort of life event forces you to reflect on aging, your life and what you do with it. I hadn’t been in a band for years and I had to ask myself, why is that? It’s really just telling myself off for not doing the things I want to do and to stop making excuses and just get on with it.
How has the reception to the song been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
It’s been going well, I think! We’ve had airplay and coverage from around the world: Italy, Brazil, Unite States and the UK. The combination of heavy riffage, high energy and not taking ourselves too seriously, or seriously at all, seems to resonate with a number unlikely audiences. It can be purchased through our Bandcamp page – moosewrench.band…ad-yet
You had an official single launch gig at Wharf Chambers on June 15th. How did it go?
It went well. We have slowly been gaining an audience in Leeds that come to pretty much every gig. Multivac opened for us and they were ace as usual. We showed the video on a big screen before we played. Always a good time at Wharf.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Yes, we’re going to release at least two more in the coming months. The next one will be a cover of The Ting Ting’s Not My Name, which we’re quite excited to unleash to an unsuspecting world.
Are there any plans to release a full-length album pr an EP?
Yes. Not sure if it can be called and album or EP, but we have six songs recorded and ready to go. Artwork is done and ready. We are just releasing some singles first. The album will also include a couple of remixes as well, so 8-9 tracks in total.
Your music mixes a few genres together, including punk, noise rock and alt metal. What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?
Mr. Bungle is our first point of reference. Or anything that Mike Patton has yelped on. Other influences are Primus, Melvins and Ween. But also afrobeat, believe it or not. That’s more about how I wrote the rhythms – using poly-rhythms and the like. We’ve been listening to the new Empire State Bastard recently. They are touring the UK at the moment. We tried to open for them but didn’t manage it. We really belong on stage with them, I think. Can you make it happen?
Do you have anything else exciting coming up this year?
The main focus is on putting out the other singles and album, making more videos, and then writing new material and keep the momentum going. We’re slowing down on gigs until that happens, but we are playing at the Primrose for the Drop night in Meanwood (Leeds) on July 28.
You’re based near us in Leeds! How is the local music scene faring at the moment where you are?
On one hand, the music scene is booming in Leeds. There is always something cool going on, in all genres. International artists come all the time now as well. It’s been difficult starting a new band after being out of the loop for so long, as promoters have their cliques that they stick to, which is a bit frustrating. That’s another reason why we do our own gigs usually and we’re concentrating on the recordings.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
At the moment, just Primrose as I said and The Grove near Leeds train station on August 10th.
Any last words for the fans?
Age disgracefully and loudly and dress accordingly.