After being recommended to listen to The Blems by one of my good friends a few months ago, I was hooked to their single 'Tracey', with its catchy witty lyrics its surly one to add to the playlist. This being so, I was far far too excited when they released their first EP 'Soundtrack of the Scallywags' on the 17th of June and unsurprisingly, along with many many other lovers of this band, it has been on repeat ever since. It sure does live up to the high standards set with their previously released tunes having an unusual element of using more than just instruments and vocals with cliche lyrics (like most songs these days) to create it, and any lover of The Streets and Jamie T would love the sound that The Blems have come up with.
The Blems formed in Leicester and consist of members Jake (vocals and bass), and Robbie (rhythm guitar), and both met, alike most bands somewhere unsurprising, on a bus when both got off at a break to have a fag, got chatting about music and all things they love and, soon after that, The Blems were formed.
I got the pleasure to speak to Jake, lead singer and bassist, but before you read all about this band and their EP, musical influences and their future plans make sure you're following The Blems on Soundcloud, Spotify and on all social media to be the first to hear all about new music being produced and to be the first to get your hands on a newly designed band t to rep and promote them because they sure do deserve it!
Instagram: @the_blems
Twitter: @TheBlems
Souncloud and Spotify: The Blems
Merch site: theblems.bigcartel.com (grab one of their newly designed t shirts quick before they sell out to help support and rep this amazing band)
Who would you say is your main musical influence to you and your sound?
Jake: this is a really hard decision for me but I would have to say The Streets. (The Clash is very close tho)
Robbie: yeah this is tough but I gotta say The Libertines.
I completely agree with you as your sound really has a The Streets sort of vibe. Considering I feel that your sound is quite similar to Jamie T/The Streets, is that the sort of sound you set out to create or did it just evolve to sound that way?
Again Jamie T is another close favourite for both of us! He's been a massive inspiration in the way he brings the 'rap' flow with cheeky witty lyrics to these indie instrumentals. We definitely wanted to incorporate the way he pulled that off into our sound.
And I can totally see that in your music as you pull it off so effortlessly! Was it a tough decision on what to bring to your band, as most up and coming bands have various sounds they love and are inspired by, or were you set on this style from day one?
We spent a very long time trying different sounds from britpop to pop punk and none of it was right for us, then one day I showed Robbie my lyrics for 'Tracey' and he loved the delivery and flow. After a verse or so he stopped me and picked up his acoustic and started playing some chords and it just gelled together so well. So we went on to pursue that route and we couldn't be happier with the style we have achieved now!
Similarly I couldn't be happier with the style you've created as you've really made it (although influenced by other bands) individual and your own. Speaking of 'Tracey', when was that written and whats the story behind the lyrics?
Tracey is a funny one! I actually work weekends at Morrisons and I wrote the whole track there on my lunch break. I wont go into much detail about the character as such but there is a person I know who is very much 'Tracey' but at the same time alot of people who have commented on the track have said that when they heard it a certain someone comes to mind. But Tracey definitely defined the whole character referencing we used in this EP (like the reference to Tracey in 'Vice' and the kids in 'Tracey' to the track 'Kids' ). We loved the idea of having a short EP with fictional stories which all integrate.
All the best music is written at the most random of times and Tracey it seems is no acception to this and its such a cool element to have all of the songs integrating with eachother. What sort of plans do you have for the future regarding The Blems because it seems your success has been rocketing recently, any plans for new music or maybe a tour?
Literally ten minutes after we dropped the EP we were back onto writing again, its like an instinct to us, haha! You can definitely be expecting music from us in the upcoming months. As far as touring goes at the minute we are trying to sell as much merch as possible so we can start playing shows around England.
Considering the reaction from all your fans we are all way too excited at the prospect of seeing you live sometime and the fact that you're not yet signed to a label and you've managed to write, create and produce this all yourself is so amazing and very commendable, impressed!
We really cant thank you enough and we are so glad everyone's digging it! And nope as of right now we aren't signed so cheers for complimenting the production! Its been our pleasure to chat with you!
Words/ Carly Fry
INTRODUCING THE BLEMS AND THE RELEASE OF THEIR FIRST EP 'SOUNDTRACK OF THE SCALLYWAGS'
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