Matt Smith- vocals, guitar and explosive stage presence- sees his girlfriend runs off with the boyfriend of singer and bassist Sarah Clark. We deal with such events in a way only we can. In Matt and Sarah’s case, they formed Bang Bangs.
Their loss, our gain. It’s now two years on. Two become four. Four who lock together in a maelstrom union, playing like this unholy, ungodly world has nothing to offer but this. Maybe memories of deceitful lovers still hang heavy. Maybe such intense performances are the only thing they’re made for.
Bang Bangs are a gang, they play like a gang and they’re the gang you wish you were in. They’re going to draw Sonic Youth comparisons with their 3 boys and 1 girl line up. They’re going to draw Pixies comparisons with their 3 minute wonders of melody, feedback and fuzz. But Bang Bangs are no sound-a-like, copy-cat revivalists. Drawing upon influences from such illustrious forerunners as the Velvet Underground, Gunclub and Nick Cave, the furious energy and boy/girl vocal exchanges of Bang Bangs make them a thrillingly original experience.
In Matt Smith you’ve got a melodic vocalist, scratched with sandpaper, laced with arsenic and schooled at the David Bowie and Lou Reed institute of the early 70s. Sharing the vocal exchanges, female counterpart Sarah Clark gives it no less rage and passion; with a more-than-passing similarity to PJ Harvey her vocals are the perfect foil, adding depth and dynamism to the Bang Bangs sound. The driving, intricate guitar riffs of Mark Lacey- by turns soaring and aggressive- create an almost one-man orchestra not heard since My Bloody Valentine. Drummer Tom Lynam is a force of nature both on and off-stage- the rhythmic heartbeat of the band, whose tub-thumping exploits forge a storming sonic highway for the 3 guitarists to thunder down.
So, where to next? The venues of Camden, Cardiff, Liverpool, Brighton and the other usual suspects have already been conquered. Bang Bangs are looking towards bigger stages. Their debut album recording is underway and new single ‘In Arms’ is due for release, accompanied by a spectacular promo video; guaranteed you’ll have never seen a pillow fight like this before.
The word is spreading. The fan base is rapidly growing. And the message is getting out – whispered, yes, but insistent and infectious- Bang Bangs are coming.
How to mend a broken heart: there is no step 2
What others say...
The band's dark and surreal lyrics often form winding narratives... this, combined with their intense live performances, is showing them to be a genuinely exciting talent; too strange for the mainstream, too infectious for obscurity - Surface Unsigned Magazine
The two boy, two girl combo have a lot more in common with Americans like the Walkmen and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs than anyone on the contemporary English scene. Despite the odd foray into shouty vocals and an almost incessant wall of ferocious guitar playing, Bang Bangs haven't forgotten that at the heart of all decent music lies a keen sense of melody. Live, they are urgent and angry. Just don't expect a smile - GigsonAir
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