Interviews: Epsom Salts

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Noise Rock/Post-Punk/Hardcore Punk band Epsom Salts from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

The band name just kinda happened while throwing ideas around at the pub together and it stuck - we had a very hit-and-miss list, and Epsom Salts was the most tolerable of the bunch.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

⁠When crafting our sound, we wanted to play something that didn’t have many boxes we felt like we had to fit into, we wanted the freedom to be able to express a lot of different ideas and pull from any other genre we wanted - noise rock facilitates that quite well. We enjoy the music from similar artists too! The noisier the better!

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

A couple of us met in school/college or through mutual friends. Jake and Kris knew each other from school and met Robin in college. I (Shea) was from the town next to Kris and Jake so we were destined to meet each other one day.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

My favorite band at the moment has got to be Chat Pile (Jake). Shea is obsessed with Protomartyr, they know almost every lyric from every song and are a huge influence on them! Collectively, we have a lot of local Brighton bands that we are obsessed with - including Leibniz, How Long You Been Driving, Prom and so many more!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

⁠I (Jake) get inspired to write songs all the time, mostly just trying to figure out how the make the weirdest noise possible on my guitar actually work in context and treating it like a puzzle that we solve together. With Lyrics, Shea pulls most inspiration from the Frontman of Protomartyr, but vocally it’s been a lot of Skramz like P.99 and Dillinger Escape Plan.

6. Where was your last gig?

We went on tour recently! So the last gig was at the Sebright Arms in London alongside our pals Gender Warfare and Leibniz.

7. Where would you like to act?

We would've loved to have played Stroomhaus in Eindhoven NL, we had plans to travel there in December. After a recent fire, we're sending our love to our friends in SØWT in their efforts to fundraise and pick things up again.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would love another feature with Hetta from Portugal or Meth. From Chicago - both some of the loudest and most disturbing music we've ever heard. LOVED it. Ultimately a gig with Chat Pile / Gilla Band would be the best - who knows what the future will bring!

9. Whom not?

Yungblud. No pop punk bands. I HATE POP PUNK.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

All the time. It’s just about confidence in your set, practicing a lot, and getting super comfortable with the songs. Remember it’s about having fun at the end of the day so what’s the point in stressing. Weirdly for me (Shea), I only get stage fright at the smaller shows.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Model/Actriz, Gilla Band, Daughters, Chat Pile, Metz, Knocked Loose, Metz, Protomartyr, and Black Flag - amongst lots of local legends too!

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

A while ago we had someone ask us to sign a dildo they brought to a gig we played with The Oozes at Brighton Komedia - don't think that's been topped yet... 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Love em.

14. What do you think of our site?

Love it. Such a massive catalog of bands, and to give smaller bands such an exciting platform to showcase themselves is nothing short of legendary. Thanks for getting in touch!

15. Something to add?

Love you x