Featured image and gallery: Sub Khan

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Hailing from Manchester and playing a sold-out show at Manchester’s Lion’s Den, with an imminent EP on the way, aAh! speaks to Fred Farrell (vocals) and Danny Atherton (bass).

Did you start the band during Covid times? Is that where it all originated?

F: It was quite a lot after, to be fair. It was just a few years off the back of the effect of Covid. So many really talented bands just not being able to sustain it. Like they were doing well and any little bit of help or support they had from the industry just got taken away. We were just an accumulation of people who came from that really.

So this isn’t your guys’ first rodeo?

F: Yeah, I mean every single one of us was in a different band before this. And then I was just cheeky/clever and just reached out to those around me that I thought were really talented and incredible. Luckily for me, they thought the same, and we just went from there.

Did you know each other from the same local music scene? Grow up together? What’s the story?

F: I mean, pretty much! We didn’t know each other really, we just knew of each other. 

D: Our bands had gigged together.

F: I mean, we’re both from Moston.

When did you realise that it was just more than wanting to gig with your mates?

F: I think the way we thought about it was a bit of, we were always going to take it seriously, and an element of ‘let’s do this because we love it.’ We’ve all experienced what it’s like when a band ends – it’s fucking heartbreaking. Especially when it looks like you’re doing alright with your bands, and it looks like ‘ooh they’re going to make it’, and then it gets taken away. It’s devastating.

But it happened in such unpredictable circumstances.

F: Yeah, it was just out of our control. But it showed me that, people who play music because they actually fucking love it, and who was doing it just trying to look cool. It’s because some people, unless they think they’re going to be massive, they don’t bother playing music. Whereas for us, we will make it regardless.

So you guys are from Moston originally, and you’ve got the Manchester music scene – there’s such a legacy there. What’s it like to come from somewhere that has such a rich history?

F: I mean, obviously Moston isn’t specifically known as one of the nice areas, but Manchester is just great in general, let’s be honest. The North actually, just the North is great. 

D: Scotland have got some great bands as well.

Do you believe that your upbringing had musical influences on you both?:

D: Well, I’m from the countryside – I’m from Moseley – so probably not. But when you say about bands from Manchester – we’ve just got like Jailbird – but Manchester bands are just something else.

Was it when you moved to Manchester, you discovered the music scene?

D: No, I’ve been into it since I was like 15, but where I’m from it’s like all brass band music.

First gig you both went to?

F: Justin Timberlake.

D: Kaiser Chiefs.

I appreciate the honesty!

F: Well yeah, fuck it – I love pop music me. We’re in a rock band, but I’ll be honest, you can’t beat a catchy tune or an earworm. 

First record or CD?

F: Sum 41

D: Muse’s first album

F: Actually, mine might have been Linkin Park. On a Walkman.

You said your musical influences were quite rock heavy, who would you describe as your biggest influences?

F: I mean there’s five of us in the band, and if you asked us all, we would all give you a different answer. Again, for me, lyrically and melodically, it’s probably a lot of pop people. I believe that every band has a song you will like. I’m not really an album guy, but you give me a band, and I’ll say “I don’t know them” and then I’ll be like, “Oh, I know this song”.

D: I however am a big album guy, Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf is up there. Early Royal Blood.

F: Nine Inch Nails as well.

D: Yeah, them as well.

And finally, what colour milk do you both drink?

D: Red Milk.

F: Blue. I’m a skinny lad – I need a full fat.