I had the wonderful opportunity of asking Acting As Catalysts, a four piece band from Norwich, some questions. They were willing to tell me a bit about the EP they’re working on and a list of their top 5 albums. You can read the interview down below:
Melisa Baykent: Hey! Would you guys mind introducing yourself and what you do in the band so SoftConcrete readers can know a little about you guys?
Luke Marshall: Hey! My name is Luke, and I play bass, and sometimes chip in some backing vocals for Acting As Catalysts. I’ll be speaking on behalf of the others when I can. My band members are Joe, Will and Ed. Joe writes our lyrics, sings, plays rhythm guitar, and also plays a cheeky bit of glockenspiel here and there! Will plays lead guitar and piano, and Ed plays drums.
MB: Could you give us a brief history on how the band got together?
LM: We all go to school together, and have done for around 4 years. The band was originally just Will and Ed two years ago, and they went under the name Lightweight Armageddon, and they pulled in Joe to play guitar, and someone else called Will to sing, and they did a few gigs at birthday parties. Then they needed a bassist, and searched around our school, asking if anyone could play bass. Because I was good friends with Will (guitarist) he asked me if I could play bass, and because I couldn’t at the time, I said no, but Will said he would teach me if I bought one… and he never did, haha! There were then a few small things going on between us and the singer (we’re all good friends now, don’t worry!), and so we kicked him out, and Joe decided to sing. We’ve had so many projects under different names, like Breaking The Truce, This Year’s Attitude and Showdown In Venice, But Acting As Catalysts is the one that has finally taken off! That wasn’t really brief was it? Sorry!
MB: Who or what inspired you to make music? And what does music mean to you?
LM: We all obviously have different influences and ideas as people, but as a band, our biggest influences are probably Pegasus Bridge and Coyote Theory. If you’re familiar with those bands, then you might be able to hear that come across in our music! Also, after going to intimate gigs ourselves, and going to festivals, you can see all the artists having the time of their lives on stage, and as a relatively small band, you talk to each other and think, “Wow, that could be us one day!” To me, music is a way of releasing anger, happiness, anxiousness, and many other feelings that you can’t express using normal words and speaking to someone. I’ve tried writing songs before, and they’ve all been on experiences I’ve had, good and bad. Music is a way of recapturing the past.
MB: Have you guys already started writing some more songs? Will we hear an EP or album in the near future?
LM: Yes we have! I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to reveal, but let’s just say.. We have written lots of songs, around 12, and we are still writing more. We’re going to narrow down all these songs to 4, to put on an EP, to hopefully be released before the end of the year. One of these songs will be released before all the others though, as a teaser. Hopefully all you guys will like it! I’m not sure how much else I’m allowed to say without getting a slap from Joe, so I’ll keep my mouth shut now!
MB: What is the recording process usually like?
LM: For us, it was extremely fun! Although it was a bit scary, getting to know our producer, finding our way around the studio, etc., it was a good laugh, and because our producer was genuinely getting into and liking what we were playing, it made the whole experience more enjoyable. It was a bit tedious when we had to patch over mistakes quite a lot, but that’s our own fault for not concentrating!
MB: What are some goals that you would like to achieve as a band?
LM: As a band? Definitely play a major festival! Reading and Leeds, Latitude, anywhere that would accept our music! Even some of the smaller festivals that are going on, like Redfest and Butserfest, they would be amazing to play! Besides festivals, playing on stage at the Waterfront and UEA LCR (in Norwich, England) would also be brilliant, because we’ve all been there so many times to see our favourite bands, and it would make a crazy difference to play on those stages for people who want to hear us!
MB: If you could tour with anybody you wanted, who would it be?
Joe Maguire: If I could tour with any band, it would be either Two Door Cinema Club or Little Comets.
Will Boldero: My Chemical Romance because they’re my all-time favourite band.
Luke Marshall: I have a huuuuuuuuuge list, haha! I would say Deaf Havana, because they are local!
Ed Deane: Probably Enter Shikari, Billy Talent and Coyote Theory.
MB: What’s something that’s on your Bucket List?
JM: On my bucket list there would probably be do a festival or go to Disneyworld.
WB: I’d love to skydive.
LM: My bucket list is to just play at a festival! And meet Tom Doyle, Don Broco and Proceed’s bassist! Oh, and skydive!
ED: I’d love to skydive like Will, and probably go bungee jumping too.
MB: Do you have any hidden talents?
JM: I’m not special enough to have a hidden talent.
WB: I have but it’s so hidden even I don’t know what it is.
LM: Nope, I’m normal and boring…
ED: I can make a noise that sounds a bit like a dolphin..
MB: What are the top 5 albums on your iPod?
JM:
1. All Time Low – Nothing Personal
2. Artist Vs Poet – Remember This
3. Pegasus Bridge – While We’re Young
4. Marianas Trench – Masterpiece Theatre
5. Canterbury – Thank You
WB:
1. My Chemical Romance – Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge
2. Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold
3. Falling In Reverse – The Drug In Me Is You
4. DON BROCO – Priorities
5. Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
LM:
1. Lower Than Atlantis – World Record
2. DON BROCO – Priorities
3. Coyote Theory – Color EP
4. Deaf Havana – Meet Me Halfway, At Least
5. Enter Shikari – Common Dreads
ED:
1. Falling In Reverse – The Drug In Me Is You
2. Pegasus Bridge – While We’re Young
3. Enter Shikari – A Flash Flood Of Colour
4. The Kooks – Inside In/Inside Out
5. Coyote Theory – Color EP
MB: If you could describe your sound in 5 words, what would they be?
LM: Pegasus Bridge plus Coyote Theory.
MB: Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans?
All: We love you all! And if you haven’t already, download our music on Bandcamp! Also, make sure you spare some change for our EP… It’s going to sound brilliant, trust us!
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