A top ten influences list is a really hard one for most people to pin. It goes without saying that the ten bands I’ve chosen are specific to me. I wrote a few different lists and I’ve come up with 10 that I feel happy putting out there. You’ll also have to bear in mind that in terms of influences this list will probably equal about 25% of the music my band ‘Mug’ my cite as influence (being one of four who all have equal active parts in writing all the music/lyrics/melodies, etc). I’ll also mention that I’m gonna ignore the favourites. Yeah, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, Millencolin, No Use For a Name and early Green Day should take top spots on this list, but I’m betting you’ve all read that list about 1000 times. Instead I’m going to focus on those bands that had me obsessed for a few months at a time. Those odd, random finds where you really want to get down a song in that similar style, that similar sound. Those albums you can’t wait to tell your best mate about but they probably won’t listen to it anyway. I’ve also put my choice album next to them should any of you not know where to start. That’s the list I wanted to write.
10. RX Bandits (The
Resignation)
When I was at university I had heard about these guys. They
were ok. Kinda ska-punk stuff. Not my thing but they were alright. When Mat
(Mug singer) lent me this CD it blew me away. It remains one of my favourite
albums of all time. So much is put in this release, the words, the message, the
melodies, the intricate musicianship and the rawness of the mix. Seeing them
play the whole thing live is one of my favourite memories.
9. The Shell
Corporation (Force Majeure)
I (rather big-headedly) like to think of these guys as an
American version of ourselves. Obviously, that’s ridiculous, they have a shit-tonne
more cred and have played way more shows and toured a lot more. But there is
something in their set up and sound that reminds me of us and maybe where I
want songs to go and the shapes they should take while we’re writing.
8. Arteries (Dead
Sea)
I heard about these guys when we supported the Flatliners in
2011. I fell in love with this band and played them consistently in my car for
about 3 months. The power and the rawness of their sound! You can tell they
recorded the whole album in a few days but they still nailed each and every
song. When I saw them play live it just cemented everything I loved about them.
The lead singer (Miles) had this really long blonde hairs and was whipping it
about on stage and you could tell they loved playing their songs live. Then
they went and stopped playing for some reason. Which sucks.
7. A Wilhelm Scream
(Ruiner)
Only really got into these guys in the last few years as
they were always a bit hardcore for me but then I saw them live and they remain
the finest band I’ve ever seen live. I walked out of that show with split
personalities. On one side I wanted to throw away all my instruments because
they just showed me that I’d never be able to play to that standard ever. The
other half wanted me to write songs as ferocious and sharp as they did. I opted
for the second as I didn’t want to throw out my lovely instruments… Still
trying.
6. Crazy Arm (Born To
Ruin)
I’m not really political. I usually don’t care about the
political message of most bands and it usually annoys the hell out of me when I
get force-sung this stuff at me. But I didn’t feel any of this with Crazy Arm.
They write songs with passion and with amazing melodies. They showed me you can
play fairly slow without sounding boring one second and up the tempo the next
song all while sounding amazing as fuck. I got a chance to see them in the
summer and they are so incredible live. They are technical wizards on the
guitar and they have such great crowd control.
5. Bangers (Small
Pleasures)
I kept seeing this album cover all over the place. I had a
listen and was instantly hooked. Roo (see a few articles ago for his top ten)
writes amazing songs, you can tell he writes for himself and he’s just stoked
that anyone else likes them. The dynamic of the three-piece is so raw and
powerful. The riffs and sound of the guitar are so original and fit so well in
the dynamic. Live, they are a pleasure to watch as they all look like they are
having so much fun and the rawness of the songs work so well as a live show.
True story: I was so stoked on this album that once I met David Hasselhoff and
got him to pose with a copy of it just so I could send it to them. I still
don’t know why I did that…
4. Hogwash
(Rainmaker)
I love Hogwash! They sound incredible and they are a real
treat to watch live. The thing that really struck a chord with me was how well
they use vocal melodies and harmonies. All 3 of the front stage guys can sing
and all do in sweet harmony. I listened to this album around the time we were
writing ‘Growler’ and it really rubbed off on me.
3. Authority Zero
(The Tipping Point)
Such a tight band and they have a way of writing really
catchy poppy choruses without them sounding too cliché or the same chords
everyone uses. I think it’s the way they put the vocal melodies to it, but
whatever it is, it works. Again, I was listening to this album around the time
we were writing our last record so I *ahem* took inspiration from certain lines
and melodies.
2. Crime In Stereo (The
Troubled Stateside)
This album is so raw sounding. It sounds like they recorded
it all in one perfect aggressive take. They use ideas and breakdowns in their
songs that I still want to try and emulate and then they bring it all together
with catchy melodic choruses. This album is a pretty much perfect album for me.
Not too keen on where they have gone but I always have time to listen to this
on a loop for a few hours in the car.
1. Sweet Empire
(This Season Needs Torches)
I can't remember how I came across these guys but they ended
up staying at my house, drinking whiskey and showing me their ballsacks (Cheers
Koen) while I was cooking them breakfast. This band was the first show I ever
put on and they were literally the nicest guys. They put on a killer live show
too with so much passion. We’ve played with them a few times since and their
music always reminds me of the time we were writing our first album, I admit a
few of the songs all started out with guitar riffs I had learnt from this album
and changed slightly in the hope that the rest of my band (and the Sweet Empire
boys) couldn’t figure it out. It totally worked too. Hahaha! Nobody will ever
know…
Cheers for reading. Hope you guys check some of this stuff
out. There is still a bunch that I would have loved to have mentioned, friends’
bands and the like, as well as loads more bigger ones. But I don’t care. Cheers
for to Colin for letting me write this and for being more dedicated to smaller
bands than I could ever be.
Check out Mug here: https://www.facebook.com/mugrocks
Mark also does some awesome illustrations: Check that out here: https://www.facebook.com/markbellillustration
Check out Mug here: https://www.facebook.com/mugrocks
Mark also does some awesome illustrations: Check that out here: https://www.facebook.com/markbellillustration
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