Currently touring the States with punk legends Social Distortion, Sharks are making waves in the international punk scene.
James Mattock chats to us about the tour, being announced for Leeds and Reading and plans for the summer.
- First of all, how’s the tour going so far?
We feel like the luckiest bunch of kids on earth. Everyone on the tour seems to be getting on great and the shows have been super receptive.
Social Distortion are pretty much my favorite band and are a huge influence on all of us, so having the opportunity of watching them play every night itself is unreal.
- How’s the reaction been to the debut album?
Our expectations for this release were more or less non existent for the build up. The reason being is that most of the material had been released in the UK and Europe and was just something for US, Canadian and Australian fans to get a hold of.
But the press and the reaction has been unbelievable, we were not expecting any of it. It actually even scraped the US billboard chart, so we couldn't be happier.
- What’s Sharks’ journey been like so far?
Frustratingly calm, often bleak and then all of a sudden just onwards and upwards. There was a point that after a lot of hard work when something just clicked, and the past couple of years have been an incredible experience.
We've toured all over the UK and a lot of cool places in Europe, and now the US and Canada. We seem to be getting more and more fans by the day and we feel blessed to be doing what we're doing.
- How did the band begin?
It was a pretty straight up friendship based thing, two of us went to school together and we all met mutually from within the area. We decided to give it a shot and it turns out that that was a pretty life changing decision.
- Who are your main musical influences?
Collectively speaking: The Replacements, Social Distortion, Joy Division, The Clash, Springsteen, Minor Threat, Oasis, Jawbreaker...
- You’ve had some comparisons to Social Distortion. Is that flattering?
Yeah extremely flattering and encouraging too, we're obviously doing something right if we're getting thrown in there with one of the most influential American punk bands of all time. And I guess touring with them also goes to show.
- Are you excited about supporting them?
Too right. The fifteen year old Social Distortion lover in me would never have believed this. I've been into this band for quite some time that I'd go as far as saying being on this bill is actually quite an emotional and personal thing.
- Mike Davies gave you some air time on the Punk Show. How was that?
Mike has always been so supportive and he's such an awesome dude. I really enjoy him ringing me up and chatting for interviews, he's got great taste and I'm flattered that he plays us.
-You’ve just been announced for the Lock Up Stage at Leeds and Reading. How did that come about?
Well Mike Davies curates the line up himself, he promised us the spot and stuck to his word.
-It must be a dream come true?
Yeah, we've all been on many occasions and like most people we've dreamed of one day playing. This year feels good though, the timing feels spot on. We're going to be coming off of a huge 4 month American tour straight into it so at least we'll have rehearsed.
- Is there anyone you’ll make sure you get to see when you’re there?
Yeah loads... if I can: The National, Interpol, Yuck, Descendants, Fucked Up, The Vaccines, Hot Water Music, Death From Above, Pulp, The Strokes, OFF!, The Menzingers, The Bronx, The Horrors, Henry Rollins... It's gonna be a good weekend.
- Are you excited for the Warped Tour?
Yeah, that too is just crazy. British bands hardly get to play that thing so we're very honored. It should be cool, we've heard very mixed impressions but it's our first time so it'll definitely be an experience, good or bad.
Are you looking forward to seeing anyone else on that tour?
Yeah I'm looking forward to Against Me!, Lucero, Menzingers, Blacklist Royals, The Aggrolites, The Exposed. Definitely a few more too but I can't remember. I've only seen Against Me! out of those before so I can't wait.
- Are there any plans for a follow-up to The Joys of Living?
There's a loose plan scheduled that we'll be recording just a couple of weeks after the Reading and Leeds weekend. It's not booked so I don't want to announce, but it's looking like we'll be coming back to the US to record.
We've written most of the songs and demoed a whole lot before we came on this tour so we're well prepared. But this will be our first official full length record which we're all very excited for.
- Have you got any plans over summer besides the Warped Tour?
Warped takes up most of our summer but actually before we return to the UK, we're doing the Summer Sonic festival in Japan. So we fly from California to Japan and Japan to home. It's pretty hectic for a little band like Sharks, but it's good for us I think. If we can get through this we can get through anything.
- Are you noticing a difference between playing in the US, rather than back in the UK?
UK crowds are always extremely cold and miserable. Everyone here just seems to be down for anything. We've been having some of the best reactions we've seen and the biggest in merch sales too.
I am looking forward to returning home though, hopefully people will realize that they can't live without us after having been away so long.
- How would you describe your sound to someone who hadn’t necessarily heard of you yet?
A fresh rock and roll sound reminiscent of the British punk explosion with a modern pop tint. Punk that your Mum would like basically.
- What’s next for Sharks?
We're going to Canada for the first time after this Social Distortion run, then it's Warped Tour, Japan, Reading Festival, record a record, and then when we come home we're actually planning on doing a headline tour in the UK before the year is up.
FemaleFirst Alistair McGeorge
Currently touring the States with punk legends Social Distortion, Sharks are making waves in the international punk scene.
James Mattock chats to us about the tour, being announced for Leeds and Reading and plans for the summer.
- First of all, how’s the tour going so far?
We feel like the luckiest bunch of kids on earth. Everyone on the tour seems to be getting on great and the shows have been super receptive.
Social Distortion are pretty much my favorite band and are a huge influence on all of us, so having the opportunity of watching them play every night itself is unreal.
- How’s the reaction been to the debut album?
Our expectations for this release were more or less non existent for the build up. The reason being is that most of the material had been released in the UK and Europe and was just something for US, Canadian and Australian fans to get a hold of.
But the press and the reaction has been unbelievable, we were not expecting any of it. It actually even scraped the US billboard chart, so we couldn't be happier.
- What’s Sharks’ journey been like so far?
Frustratingly calm, often bleak and then all of a sudden just onwards and upwards. There was a point that after a lot of hard work when something just clicked, and the past couple of years have been an incredible experience.
We've toured all over the UK and a lot of cool places in Europe, and now the US and Canada. We seem to be getting more and more fans by the day and we feel blessed to be doing what we're doing.
- How did the band begin?
It was a pretty straight up friendship based thing, two of us went to school together and we all met mutually from within the area. We decided to give it a shot and it turns out that that was a pretty life changing decision.
- Who are your main musical influences?
Collectively speaking: The Replacements, Social Distortion, Joy Division, The Clash, Springsteen, Minor Threat, Oasis, Jawbreaker...
- You’ve had some comparisons to Social Distortion. Is that flattering?
Yeah extremely flattering and encouraging too, we're obviously doing something right if we're getting thrown in there with one of the most influential American punk bands of all time. And I guess touring with them also goes to show.
- Are you excited about supporting them?
Too right. The fifteen year old Social Distortion lover in me would never have believed this. I've been into this band for quite some time that I'd go as far as saying being on this bill is actually quite an emotional and personal thing.
- Mike Davies gave you some air time on the Punk Show. How was that?
Mike has always been so supportive and he's such an awesome dude. I really enjoy him ringing me up and chatting for interviews, he's got great taste and I'm flattered that he plays us.
-You’ve just been announced for the Lock Up Stage at Leeds and Reading. How did that come about?
Well Mike Davies curates the line up himself, he promised us the spot and stuck to his word.
-It must be a dream come true?
Yeah, we've all been on many occasions and like most people we've dreamed of one day playing. This year feels good though, the timing feels spot on. We're going to be coming off of a huge 4 month American tour straight into it so at least we'll have rehearsed.
- Is there anyone you’ll make sure you get to see when you’re there?
Yeah loads... if I can: The National, Interpol, Yuck, Descendants, Fucked Up, The Vaccines, Hot Water Music, Death From Above, Pulp, The Strokes, OFF!, The Menzingers, The Bronx, The Horrors, Henry Rollins... It's gonna be a good weekend.
- Are you excited for the Warped Tour?