Interview: TRASH, Live at Leeds Festival 2016.
On the 30th May, I set my sails over to Live at Leeds fest to get my claws into some of the indie goodness. First on my list of must sees were TRASH - set to play the Too Many Blogs (also the site I write for) stage in a small bar called Oporto. Despite being the first act of the day, the band filled the room and even claimed a poor attempt of a crowd surf. Shortly after the gig we sat down in a local pub to have a chat.
Tell us about how you guys got together
Dan: Well we all live locally which was… good. We live in Chesterfield, just near Sheffield. And me and Tom was in a band before called Stay Happy but then that split up and then Brad and Evan joined. Local lads, and er. We became TRASH
Why TRASH?
Dan: Two stories. Well the first story: We had the band Stay Happy and when it left, or when it ended, like… Trashy was sort of how we were feeling, cause we wanted like a successful band and we thought Stay Happy was the one but it wasn’t. And the second story: I had a rash… like jock-rash which is sorta like… in the groin region. And this was at a similar when to when we chose the name and I was like “shall we be called Rash?” and it was a bit too…
Evan: JASH for jock-rash, that also worked. Maybe that’s what we should be called, ‘JASH’.
Dan: We just thought ‘RASH’ wouldn’t go down well with a younger audience I don’t think. So we became TRASH, and that’s it.
Describe your band in three words.
Evan: Fat… Maccy’s is probably there
Dan: Fat McDonald’s
Evan: Fat Maccy’s Denim! Have you seen how many set of denim we’ve got going on here?
So what are you guys currently up to? You just released a single didn’t you.
Dan: Yeah, we released Workout and then we did a video for that. And then at the same time we were recording ‘Workout’ we were recording another song called Give Up… Which is like… gonna be a free thing in-between now and the new EP. So that’s gonna go out and then we’re gonna record five tracks at Nave Studios with Alex Greaves from Forever Cult. So that’s what we’ve got coming up.
Will we hear an album?
Tom: Not for a very long time, not unless something significant happens.
Evan: Like we win the lottery or get a good scratch card.
Tom: About 20 quid.
So how has today been at Live at Leeds so far?
Dan: Pretty… pretty surreal.
You filled out the room! And you got a crowd surfer so early in the day, 12:30pm I think it was?
Dan: That must be a record, like… I dunno we came thinkin there’s about to be like… twenty people here?
Evan: We were very sceptical.
Dan: And I walked out round the back and it was just like… Chock-A-Block. The whole bar. So… this was our first time here as well so it’s a big compliment! Even if it was just like “let’s check out that first band” instead there was a lot of fans there, which we really appreciate.
What’s the biggest venue or event you’ve played?
Dan: We played Y Not Festival last year, and that was a pretty good audience as well. Erm and we’re playing it again this year.
Evan: Same time as well
Dan: On the main stage.
Do you feel like you’re building up a good fan-base?
Dan: I think so, yeah. I think social media has been a big thing for us. That’s @tr4shb4nd. That’s come across for us quite well.
Well I saw your video of you guys performing the Eastenders cover. I didn’t hear it today in your live set though so I’m disappointed!
Dan: It was between that one and Coronation Street and we ended up doing none of them
Evan: Neighbours is next maybe…
Dan: Neighbours? I dunno how it goes.
Is that show still going? Neighbours.
Dan: Probably not. (laughs)
So what you up to today?
Dan: Well we want pizza now.
Tom: Yeah we got free pizza for playing Forever Cult.
Dan: Forever Cult are playing at 5.30 I think.
Evan: I’m working tonight. Tesco. I couldn’t get work off so I’ve got to get a train home later. 1 hour 15-minute travel. Trouble is I think I might be pissed as well.
Dan: He’s gonna be there on the till with his ‘Access All Areas’ badge on like “I should be somewhere else now!” (laughs)
You can try sell your stuff over the counter?
Evan: Sell our merch at Tesco? Shall I do that? (laughs)
Dan you had your birthday yesterday, you celebrating today?
Dan: Yeah, definitely. Er. Big 19 so. I’m not sure what to do really.
Evan: Get pissed!
Dan: Probably gonna be close to death, I mean we played so early so I’m probably gonna be drinking now until this time tomorrow I don’t know.
That’s what we like to hear.
Dan: I’ve already booked the liver transplant! (Laughs)
So what comes next for you guys?
Evan: EP we said that. That’s for the very close future.
Dan: We’re playing Evolution Festival in Newcastle, and we’ve got friends there, Plaza. They’re from around the area and they’re gonna show us round and that should be a good gig. They’re playin’ at The Cluny. I think that’s their main sort of venue. And then we’ve got Y Not festival. Tramlines will also be good in Sheffield.
Evan: Got a pizza coming very soon though, that’s all we’re thinkin’ about.
Tom: Yeah that’s the main thing! I’ve got 18 cans on beer in my bag as well if any of you want any
Evan: Aw don’t.
Tom: You can’t have them.
Evan: Well I can have them but I’ll regret it very soon.
So do you reckon you’ll be visiting Manchester any time soon?
Dan: I think we will be. We’ll be touring. We’re friends with a band called Mirror Gorillas if you’ve ever heard of them they’re sort like low-fi, punky and indie. And when we’re on tour in March I think we’re gonna be doing a 16+ show at Fallow? I’ve heard that’s pretty cool. Not sure yet.
Great well I’ll look out for you!
Dan: Thank you!