Bad Sounds are more than just your average band. They blend the indie hip hop licks of Jamie T, Gorillaz and Rat Boy? and add a dash of funk inspired by Red hot Chili Peppers to create their original and inticing music that completely contradicts their self-deprecating name. Made up of Ewan Merrett (keyboards, vocals), Callum Merrett (vocals), Sam Hunt (guitar), Charlie Pitt (bass) and Olivia Dimery (drums) from Bath and Bristol, Bad Sounds are the band you need to be listening to…
With the Merrett brothers being raised on blues, reggae and folk by their father, pop and disco by their mother and punk by their sisters, Bad Sounds can reference a wide range of music to sample and take inspiration from; causing for the alternative and eclectic sounds we hear from them today. In an interview with Wonderland, they said “I love the way that in hip-hop you can play around and blend the sonics – taking a really organic live drum loop and blending it with heavily programmed drum hits, and live vocals (where you can really hear the room) and blending it with something else that sounds super processed.”
Their debut track ‘Bangers’, which is only available via SoundCloud, has had over 68.7K plays on the streaming platform and *describe*. This success was followed up with their debut EP PHRESSSH in May 2017. Two of the leading tracks were heavily supported by BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac, who made ‘Wages’ her Hottest Record In The World and ‘Avalanche’ Tune of The Week. PHRESSSH was met with high praise from the likes of local press and IndieCentral, and was also labelled ‘Ones To Watch In 2018’ by the latter. Bad Sounds proved they definitely aren’t ones to sit still as they released their next EP Mixtape One just four months later in September 2017. Mixtape One was full of the same exciting indie-funk bangers, as well as short preludes in between to make this more of a complex concept album.
Bad Sounds released their highly anticipated debut album Get Better last week via Insanity Records, featuring the critically acclaimed lead singles ‘Are You High’ and ‘Evil Powers’. ‘Are You High?’ was released in November last year and is a fuzzy and distorted hit with clearer pop influences that see the five-piece exploring yet another genre in more depth. Get Better certainly gets top marks from us and has received a great reception since its release. We’re looking forward to hearing it played live later this year.
Bad Sounds want their gigs to be more than just your average live shows – they bring the party in every way possible. Expect balloons, party poppers and even a light up dancefloor from their critically acclaimed performances which Clash have called “stunning, creative and highly imaginative”. They’re due to play Manchester Gorilla this October, with tickets on sale here.
Bad Sounds tickets available here!
Website – realbadsounds.com
Facebook – /realbadsounds
Twitter – @realbadsounds