When I first heard that these four amazing people had started a band together (each a total and utter musical lovely in their own right) I thought that there was no way the band could be as good as the individual parts that made it up but I am so happy to have been proven wrong. Crumbs play joyful angular poppy new wave music (in an absolutely non-pretentious way) and I’m so happy that they’re doing so well right now (a Marc Riley live session has just happened, they’ve toured with Cowtown and their recordings are fab!).
So I’m very very happy to have them at our next gig. Here’s a (very) brief chat with them so tuck in:
Who are Crumbs? You all look familiar so where might we have seen you before?
Crimewatch, but it wasn’t us we were framed by 4 escaped criminals who stole our clothes from our washing line.
What sort of crumbs are your favourites?
The ones you find amongst the dust that live inside the sofa, they have the most texture and flavour.
What’s it like being in Crumbs?
Very fun, like 500% fun. More fun than a bouncy castle with a ball pond in it. Almost as fun as balancing a big bowl of soapy water on top of the door and then shouting for your Mum to come in.
What sort of influences led to the sounds you make?
Bad ones, like the naughty kids at school.
What can people at the gig expect from the band?
Free stickers, bad jokes, talking too much about our pets.
Who are your favourite Leeds and non Leeds bands?
The song Cha Cha Heels by Eartha Kitt and Bronski Beat is our only influence, but we learned how do do the dance routines from Whigfield.
Where are your favourite places to visit in Leeds on a sunny day?
Our house with the curtains drawn.
Rumour has it there’s a teacher in the band. What are their top tips for people still at School who might be at the gig?
There’s an air of mystery around the headliner of Youth Anthems #12. Is Mr C D Wallum of our time or a jazz musician from the past? I managed to track him down to find out more about the front main of the Ten a Penny Footwarmers in time for us to become accustomed to his rag-time swing before the gig. So have a read and prepare!
Who is CD Wallum?
I’m a traditional musician living locally in Leeds. I write songs using traditional American music as a basis. This includes old time string and jug bands, early jazz (predominately from the 1920s), delta and piedmont blues, ragtime and the subgenres of early ‘country’ music such as the western swing of the 1930s. Obviously the music I listens to extends outside of America (and beyond the 1920s and 30s) but this would be a pretty accurate summation of where I take my musical cue.
Judging from the photo on your Bandcamp page you must be about 150 years old. Would that be accurate?
That photo was taken by a company in Manchester called ‘Tin Type Trailer.’ They use the Victorian photographic technique of wet plate collodion tin type photography. So no, I’m a few years off 150.
I don’t know many bands doing what you do, is there a secret scene out there and if so what other bands should we be investigating?
Perhaps not that many doing exactly what I do but there is a very definite ‘scene’ of what has come to be termed as ‘roots’ music and has been for years. Some suggestions from me would be Rob Heron and The Tea Pad Orchestra from Newcastle, Screamin’ Miss Jackson and The Slap Ya Mama Big Band from Bristol, The Ninetree Stumblers also from Bristol, The Most Ugly Child from Nottingham and in and around Leeds we have; David Broad, Howling’ Ric & The Rocketeers, The Washboard Resonators, Kindest Of Thieves, King Zepha, The Devil’s Jukebox, Hailbails, The Big Easy etc etc.
Who are your band and where might we have seen them before?
The band is made up Benjamin William Pike on gypsy jazz guitar, Chris Fox from Kindest Of Thieves/Leeds City Stompers on upright bass and a currently unspecific brass section. The band is constantly changing, Leeds has such a wealth of amazing musicians that a band really can be formed at the drop of a hat.
What dances should people be learning for your set?
The Lindy Hop, perhaps The Charleston… However you wish to dance is OK by me!
Cakes are a very important part of a Youth Anthems gig so what are your top three?
I’m not sure I have the requisite knowledge to give a particularly interesting answer here but off the top of my head…
New York Deli Style Cheesecake
Coconut cake
I have recently discovered that I actually really like Carrot Cake, after a lifetime of thinking it was horrible.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I believe the proceeds from the show are in aid of Sue Ryder/Wheatfields Hospice. They do a truly wonderful job in what must be one of the most difficult professions in the world.
OK, here’s the big news! On May 16th (i.e our next gig) in collaboration with Cat’s Aye Records we will be releasing a CD (and Digital Download for you hip modern cats). This release will be 20 bands (most of whom have played previous Youth Anthems gigs) playing a mix of original songs and covers with all of the money (like 100%!) from sales going to our amazing friends at Leeds City of Sanctuary. The artwork has been done by Will Tapply (of course!) and the CD version will include a version of the cover which can be coloured in. Ordering information will be up soon but the CD’s will be just £4 and the download version will be £3 (though you can pay more for either if so inclined!). The first chance to buy one will be at our next gig but here’s the artwork and tracklisting and head over to the Cat’s Aye Soundcloud to stream one of the songs (Shake Your Halo Down covering the theme from The Littlest Hobo):
Tracklisting:
1. Mike Park – Wiggly Wiggly Worm
2. Jesus and His Judgemental Father (featuring Demitaves, Chrissy Barnacle and Naomi Griffin) – Astroboy
3. Shake Your Halo Down – Maybe Tomorrow
4. The Three Amigos – Saved By The Bell
5. Patrick Craig – Arthur
6. Play Date – The Number Song
7. Grotbaby – Banana Splits
8. Andrew Cream – Bob The Builder
9. Tea Leaf – I Found a Way
10. Get Human – One Fine Day (In The Middle of The Night)
Once again I’m writing this waaay after out last gig but wow, things have been busy! The last gig blew away all expectations, I had to put up a sold up sign on the door as we very quickly hit over 100 adults and 50 people under 14 so nice one folks! Luckily the bands made it worth it for everyone and I’m glad you made it such a great visit for our Southern guests.
I’m actually popping off to Jumbo Records now to sort out a system for some advance tickets for our next gig (check out THAT LINEUP!). You all also brought a phenomenal amount of food and clothing for the Leeds food bank and Leeds Women’s Aid so massive pats on back for that.
We also have some amazing news coming up about our next project so keep your eyes and ears open for that one as it’ll be announced very very soon.
Right any other questions of feedback just get in touch!
Leeds Women’s Aid is an incredible local charity, just having a quick look on their website shows the range of important projects that they’re involved in. We’ve decided that at our next gig our clothing swap stall will be going to them to try and help a little bit. Here’s an interview with Kate the Chief Executive of Leeds Women’s Aid to tell us a bit more about who they are and the amazing work they’re doing.
For those who are unaware could you give us a history of Leeds Women’s Aid in terms of how the charity began?
In 1973 a group of women’s rights activists from Leeds were becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of support available for women and children living with violent men. It was still considered acceptable by some for men to hit their wives. A building was secured from Leeds City Council for a peppercorn rent and the support group would literally rescue women from their homes at night and take them to what became the second women’s refuge in the country.
The charity was soon formally established as Leeds Women’s Aid and initially run as a cooperative. Since that time LWA has always strived to learn what works best for women and children experiencing violence and abuse and deliver support by women for women that really works.
What sort of people is the charity supporting and are people only from Leeds?
LWAs work in the community is focussed on women and children living in Leeds. Domestic Violence can affect anyone and we will ensure people are offered support, our partners provide a support service for male victims and we can arrange for referrals to be made to the most appropriate services.
LWAs independent refuges and safe house for trafficked women can be accessed by women from across the country in recognition that sometimes women need to put distance between themselves and their abusers for their safety.
How is the charity supported? Where does the money and items needed come from?
LWA receives funding from a variety of places. We hold a contract with the council to deliver community based support. Rent for our refuge accommodation helps to cover the costs of our buildings. We apply to lots of trusts and foundations who fund specific things, for example, Children in Need pay for our Children’s Support Worker.
We also rely on donations from both companies and individuals as well as fundraising events. We have recently opened our first charity shop in Horsforth. This income is really important to us.
We are really lucky that lots of people in Leeds donate clothes, toys, toiletries and Household items both to women and children in refuge and to our shop. We also work with a number of supermarkets to have food collection trolleys which allow us to operate a food bank for families in refuge.
How has the charity developed and where do you see the future for it
LWA has changed lots over the years, we now offer many different types of support in recognition that the service should fit the individual and not the other way round. We are currently working closely with other women’s charities across Leeds to try and make sure that together we make the most difference for women and children
Ideally we wouldn’t have to exist, however I think that time may be a way off. So, in the coming years we will continue to respond to the needs of women and children in Leeds and continue to raise the issue of domestic violence and abuse – the more we talk about it, the more people will feel able to come to us for support.
What can people do to help?
There are lots of things people can do. The reality is that cash always comes in useful! However there are lots of other things you can do, donations of clothes and toiletries are always welcomed in refuge.
Also – If someone tells you they have experienced domestic violence, please listen to them and believe them. You don’t have to have all the answers, you don’t have to be able to solve their problems, we are here to help with that.
We also run volunteer programmes and have a board of Trustees who are volunteers, do get in touch if you would like to get more involved.
With regard to what people can donate at our next gig, what would you like people to bring and where will these donations be going?
As I’ve mentioned, clothes and toiletries are always welcomed along with dried, tinned or long life food. We will pass these items on to residents in our refuge accommodation.
If someone is unsure whether they should be contacting your service or not what advice would you give them?
Please just give us a call – the helpline is in operation 24 hours a day 0113 2460401.
Is there any other information or advice you’d like to pass on?
Domestic Violence and abuse can happen to anyone. If you need to talk to someone call the helpline. If you are concerned about a friend or relative, call the helpline. Importantly if you are scared for your safety – call the police. There is help out there if you want it, we won’t judge and we won’t tell you what to do but we will understand and talk through options open to you.
To end on a lighter note, we’re big fans of baked goods at Youth Anthems (we have a bakery at every gig). What are your top three cakes?
Cake is very important to me! Top three cakes, hmmm.
1. Banana Loaf – I love making this and it’s kind of healthy
2. Carrot cake – it’s kind of wrong but lovely all the same
3. I think it has to be chocolate cake – it ticks all the boxes!
I’m going to own up to some serious biases here when it comes to Grotbaby. They’re all pals of mine and have some serious history when it comes to Youth Anthems (half of them having already played at previous YA gigs with their other bands, others making sure the bands sound as amazing as they can or helping out with the door, creating our colouring in book or creating and running the clothing swap). However…! Regardless of all of this, I think Grotbaby would be one of my favourite bands even if I didn’t know them. Mixing up a range of sounds from 70’s London punk to 50’s New York pop I think they’re going to be a lot of people’s new favourite band and I think they’re a perfect band for our gigs (so much so that I’m taking a gamble and having them open on the 7th rather than an acoustic band for the first time in our history – normal service will resume in May!)
So here’s Singer Kate to tell us more…
Who or what is a Grotbaby?
Grotbaby as a band are a bratty punk 4 piece based in Leeds made up of me (Kate), Loll, Danny and Brendan! A grotbaby is someone who has an undeniable cute factor, but who loves to say a big ner ner to authority! Also.. All grotbabies must love our songs!
You might all look familiar to some people coming to the gigs, where might we have seen you before?
Well our bassist, Loll, was a founding member of the Fierce Babe Network, our drummer Danny heads up the incredible band Jesus and his Judgemental Father and also works hard as a sound engineer for a whole host of bands, Brendan our guitarist is also in Get Human AND new Leeds band Settle For Anything and you’ve probably seen me (Kate) manning the swap shop at previous Youth Anthems gigs! We’re a busy bunch!
Photos from your first gig show you all in your PJ’s? Where does the Pajama vibe come from and might you all be a bit cold with Winter here?!
I’ve been in love with the song Pajama Party by Annette Funicello ever since I heard it playing in a store in Japan. I just knew I had to cover that song one day. Luckily the others liked it and it works well with our sound! We don’t take ourselves too seriously, so the pjs on stage reflect that! If it ever gets too cold we’ll just don those polyester onesies and risk the liklihood of constant static shocks!
Your sound is a lovely mish mash of sounds, from 1970’s punk back to 1950’s girl bands. What are the bands that you think are an influence on Grotbaby?
That’s such a tricky question to answer! Personally I love really obvious older bands like the X Ray Spex, The Slits, The Dickies, The Ramones, Buzzcocks..blah blah blah.. I adore girl groups from the 50’s And 60’s, especially if they have a bad girl biker vibe! Also basically everything out of the riot grrrrl scene, politically charged punk (anything from Bragg to Grace Petrie), bands with an obnoxious bratty vibe like Klark Kent, Tonight and The Flakes, anything surfy, and finally I get a lot of inspiration from silly things like the Josie and The Pussycats soundtrack and basically any band with a novelty schtick! And that’s just me! Everyone else brings their own influences and inspirations that make Grotbaby sound like Grotbaby!
What does 2016 hold for Grotbaby?
We’re planning to play more gigs, obviously, and we would love to have some of our own tracks recorded (maybe even on some kind of split cassette with another favourite Leeds band?!)
Favourite baked goods of Grotbaby members?
I love bread.. Like, I really really love bread. Danny likes biscuits, I think he might turn into a biscuit one day! Loll likes any kind of savoury pie, but if it’s sweets you can bet she’ll go crazy for her dad’s gooey chocolate volcano pudding! Finally Brendan is a fiend for a bakewell tart!
What can people expect from you on Feb 7th?
A completely mad pajama party experience, awesome merchandise and catchy songs (maybe, maaaaybeee even a new one!)
Anything else you’d like to add?
We want you to come wearing your pjs if you want! Bring your favourite teddy bear or blankie and get ready to rock!
Break-Ups are three of the nicest people I have the privilege of knowing. Conveniently they are also one of the finest D.I.Y bands in England right now. With members having past history in a range of indie and punk bands before/during Break-Ups (Bleach Blood, Human Pyramids and Serf Combat among others) and with two of them having rather healthy solo projects themselves, we have some rather good musical pedigree here.
Have a listen to one of their releases whilst having a read then make sure you’re down the front with a slice of Lemon Drizzle for them on the 7th.
Can you please explain where on Earth Dorking is? Preferably in relation to somewhere we know (like London).
Dorking sits on the greensand between the chalk of the North Downs and the clay of the Weald. Situated 26 miles south of central London and 36 miles north of the coast line of Brighton. Originally a market town for the surrounding villages and a half way (roughly) stopping point for traders moving their cargo from Brighton to London. Legend has is that Dorking was once ruled and governed in fear by A FIVE CLAWED COCKEREL!!! Dark times for Dorkinians indeed. Fed up by the Dreaded COCKEREL, Ralph Vaughan Williams local composer and down right badass fought the beast in an epic battle that tore through the Surrey Hills destroying crops and small fences, it was truly a sickening sight. Now, many years later, we have a statue of the great cock slayer Ralph V. W. and the dreaded Cockerel statue is located on a roundabout on the outskirts of town. Rumour has it the beast is locked in its metal casing, but for how long?!
Down to brass tacks. Who are Break Ups? What’s your origin story and what music do you have out there?
Break-Ups are Alfie, Luke and Simon and we all share the same Netflix account. Myself and Luke both had really awful jobs at the time and used to sit around my place listening to records talking about playing in band together. we finally got our act together and drafted in our good friend and all round good guy Jez (Drive-way speeding) on drums. He really brought it all together, he’s a hell of a song writer and helped structure what we are doing today. we recorded our EP and split with Old Flings with him on the drums, man’s a goddamn demon on them too!! He unfortunately (to us) had to leave to focus on different areas of his life. There is no bad blood between us and we still talk when and where we can. We then picked Si up from out of the gutter and we start recording our first album at the end of the month/ beginning of February…… probably?!
What are you most looking forward to about your visit to Leeds?
Oh jeez…… SO MUCH!! We won’t have a lot of time but Laynes Espresso is the first thing on the list for us!! They were dead nice to us on our first tour and sorted us out with some free coffee and we’ve been back ever since!! Really looking forward to trying That Old Chestnut’s vegan delights. I’m also hoping Ok Comics is open on a Sunday too. And seeing friends that we don’t get to see so often due to distance.
Top non-musical influences on Break Ups?
We’re all big readers and spend a lot of time with our heads in a book, both educational and fictional. I take a lot from the conversations I have with others in regard of writing. I try to address my own problems (as like many other song writers do) and put them in a way that other can relate too. Luke is very much the same in that respect too. But I think our biggest influence are our friends. We’re very lucky to have such talented friends both involved and not involved in the music scene and what they have achieved and are achieving is very inspirational.
What band or life related advice could you give our younger attendees?
Never give up on your dreams even if others around you say you’ll fail…. prove them wrong. stay true and believe in yourself. Start a band, write a zine, paint a beautiful picture, put on a show with your friends, keep an open mind, explore your town and beyond and while you do all of that, be nice and respect all of those around you!! How ever you choose to aim your creative outlook have fun and be respectful. and as for recommending a band….. listen to what makes you happy, as long as you like it, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. But I think theres a lot of great things you can learn from listening to Bruce Springsteen (I’m sure Toby will agree with me)
Favourite cake of Break Up members?
I’m lemon drizzle cakes BIGGEST fan (literally) Simon just screamed BATTENBERG and Luke is a big believer in power of the lemon drizzle too!!
I’ve been a massive fan of Nervous Twitch since my band played a rather odd but lovely gig with them at The Fenton where we bonded over a love of Dan Electro basses. They’ve just got better and better (evidenced by their incredible album and 7″ released last year) and they harness a wonderful and unique blend of ’70’s New York punk with Dick Dale guitars and a lovely layer of New Wave. Believe me when I say you’re in for one heck of a treat at the February 7th gig. Here’s a few words with singer/bassist/keyboardist Erin:
How would you describe Nervous Twitch in five words?
New-wave-punky-pop-songs
How did the band form and what changes have there been since?
Well, it would be hard for me to answer that without writing an essay, but in brief; Jay is the only original member, I used to be the drummer, Ash has been with us a long while and Emma a short while. We’ve had a few line-up changes in the past, however, it’s meant that we have met lots of awesome people and had the opportunity to play with loads of great musicians, but it works really well at the moment and I personally would love it to stay that way!
What’s being a band in Leeds like?
Having Jumbo Records in your bands’ hometown is great; they have always supported us with new releases. Leeds has a wide variety of different venues or promoters that has given us the opportunity to play with loads of awesome bands. It’s also handy being central in your own country when it comes to playing out of town.
What would your ideal gig line-up be?
We’d like to say Ramones, The Beatles and Nirvana, but with the majority of members being dead: a super group of the left overs maybe? But that would mean 3 drummers and a bassist. Emma suggested that maybe they could be put in a big brother style house and forced to write an album. Would it be any good? Have I answered the question?
Favourite cake of each member?
Ash: Battenberg
Emma: Victoria Sponge
Jay: Cheese Cake
Erin: Jaffa cakes.
What can people coming on Feb 7th expect?
Pop-y, Girl Group esq songs with a punk, Eddie Cochran rock ‘n’ roll vibe. Also the pre-sale of our new single! (Out on Punkfox records).
We have such an amazing year planned out for you and I can’t wait to break out all of the news! Our next gig on Feb 7th (more information below) is such a strong one to kick off with and then we’ll also be announcing our May gig there too (and believe me you won’t want to miss that one either!).
We’ll then be announcing an amazing project that I think you’ll all be into which is also going to be a way of raising funds for Leeds City of Sanctuary and we’re also finalising details of one of our biggest gigs yet. 2016!
So here’s our next shin dig! For the first time we’re bringing a touring band on board so give Break Ups a warm welcome!
I had a lovely coffee with the good people at City of Sanctuary Leeds today. We had a nice chat about how we can help be a welcoming bunch of folk to new arrivals in the UK and hopefully we’ll have some really exciting musicians appearing in 2016.
I was also really happy to give them a cheque for £450 from Youth Anthems which will be helping them continue their great work. Massive thanks to everyone who has bought one of our colouring in books or come to our gigs as its your money that’s been given. Huge thanks to the bands who played our benefit gigs (both YA #10 and the evening gig we arranged) so massive cheers to The Velveteens, The Seven Inches, Tea Leaf, Cordell, Syslak, Get Human and Crumbs.
Huge thanks to people who continue to donate clothes I heard a lovely story today about a family who arrived in Leeds the day after our last gig with only the clothes on their back and were given a package of clothes for all family members just from clothes from the gig the day before so nice one!
So let’s crack on, loads more gigs in 2016, keep buying the colouring in books and we’ll have a new exciting project which you’ll all love and which will also hopefully raise a nice wedge of cash for City of Sanctuary.
Break-Ups (L-R Luke, Si and Alfie)
Youth Anthems 