London-based, emo-influenced indie rock outfit Sad Boys Club will return to Liverpool this Spring for Sound City festival. We spoke to frontman Jacob Wheldon to find out more about the band, their latest EP, who they want to catch at Sound City.
Uncover Liverpool: For our readers who might be unfamiliar with you, how would you best describe yourselves as a band and what’s your sound?
Jacob: It’s the sound of fire and slaughter, of shaking spears, splintered shields, the sword-day, the red day, and the ride to Gondor. Sorry. People say it sounds a bit like The Cure. It’s hard to say when you’re in the eye of the storm. There’s some death, some love, some dysmorphia and diaspora.
UL: Are you looking forward to playing Sound City? You’ve played the festival before, so is it one you really enjoy? And do you like the Liverpool crowds?
Jacob: It’s the only time we’ve played Liverpool, we had a great time, I think it was one of the first shows we realised we had fans. Our label are based there so there’s a communal spirit about it for us which makes it that bit more special. Can’t wait.
UL: Again, for those readers who haven’t heard your music, if you had to tell them to go and listen to just one of your songs ahead of your Sound City set, which one would you choose?
Jacob: I think ‘Your Mind (Makes Mine Seem Fine)’ from our most recent EP gives quite a good idea of what we’re about, we’re quite unashamedly ambitious and curious and it’s one of those tracks that becomes a different beast live.
UL: Are there any bands and artists that you’re looking forward to watching at Sound City?
Jacob: Self Esteem. I loved the record and haven’t had a chance to catch the show yet but heard it’s special. Crawlers are a big success story for our guys at Modern Sky so I’m keen to catch that too… Prima Queen are another, there are lots, it’s best to just to see what catches you by surprise I think.
UL: You’ve recently released your new EP ‘I’m Not Afraid of the Death (But I am Afraid of the Dying)’, are you looking forward to performing the tracks live? Do you have a favourite track from the EP?
Jacob: I think it’s going to be interesting, a lot of it sits amongst our most textural work to date, it’ll be interesting to see how that can sit live, particularly at the inner-city festivals. Might need to just shut up and play the hits, but I’m excited to explore how it can work, we haven’t started rehearsals yet so your guess is as good as mine. My favourite track on the EP at the moment is the opening song ‘Green’, I don’t think it sounds like anything else which is quite impressive given there’s been, what, 70 years?, of pop music to contest with? It was one of those tracks that had a bit of an ‘essence’ to it, it felt more like it was found than made, those always hold a special place.
UL: What else does 2022 have in store for you?
Jacob: I think it’s best not to try and predict anything at this point.
Sad Boys Club’s latest EP, ‘I’m Not Afraid of the Death (But I am Afraid of the Dying)’, is out now and you can stream it on all platforms here.
Follow Sad Boys Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates.
Sound City returns for its 15th Anniversary this year from 30 April – 1 May 2022. Get tickets from https://www.soundcity.uk.com/