Band Of The Week #204 - Sick Joy
This week’s Band of the Week is Brighton based three piece Sick Joy - who have just released their debut album - ‘We’re All Gonna F***ing Die’.
In tough times, music can be the way through. With an expertise in fuzzy riffs, melodic heaviness, high energy and sharp lyrics, Sick Joy are not only one of British rock’s most promising young bands, they know a lot about overcoming challenges and learning to breathe again.
Even their start was a challenge to be beaten. Originally formed in Newcastle, the band soon relocated to Brighton in order to be part of a bigger music scene. That is, singer/guitarist Mykl installed a bed in the back of the band’s van and lived and slept in there.
Quickly, though, the move began to pay off. Their Amateurs EP announced them as something exciting, with some describing them as straddling the melodic genius of The Pixies and the raw energy of Slipknot. Off the back of the EP, the band received huge support from BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio and Radio X. Live, meanwhile, their shows with the likes of Feeder, Dinosaur Pile-Upand Demob Happy fully demonstrated Sick Joy’s infectious vitality and power.
Now they return with the roaring, fuzzy alt.rock explosion of their debut album, We’re All Gonna F***ing Die. With Mykl saying that he can only really write about universal themes (“Everyone knows about love, sex, death, sadness”), despite its title, it’s a record that actually leans into a great deal of joy.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey Sick Joy - how are you? So your debut album is finally here - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Its great yeah. Its a documentation of the last few years of our lives and everything within those years. It'll be nice to move forward from those things and hopefully have the record be the solace.I
t is called ‘We’re All Gonna F***ing Die’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Its a positive message that came from a period of nihilism. That eventually bred into positive nihilism. Nothing matters and everything is temporary. That felt freeing to me. Hopefully it'll translate and make sense to someone else in a similar position and be helpful.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was recorded in wandsworth london at the infinity factory. It's about to be torn down though which sucks since the studio built in it was basically brand new. I think our record will be the only full length ever done there. I met Damon Albarn and stole his croissants and biscuits while he rehearsed. It was about 40 degrees every day in the studio since the air con wasnt fitted yet so most of it was recorded semi clothed or in underwear.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
The same as they always are, love, sex, death and sadness. All the emotions that they might bring. They exist in everybody, at some point.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
'Ive been hiding like a song bird.' because it tells you everything and absolutely nothing at the same time. That's what music should do. You find yourself in it. It means whatever the listener needs it to mean.
If your album could be a soundtrack to a film - which one would it be and why?
Some bad James Bond movie or something. I imagine the PRS checks on those things must be huge. I'd say Tarantino but I don't think we're cool enough. Something with Jake Gyllenhaall or Joaquin Pheonix. They're beautiful men.
Now the album is out there - what next for you?
Yachts, private islands, drugs and multiple sexual partners. If not we've been lied to.
