Back in January of this year Punktastic launched a very special competition, offering one unsigned UK band the opportunity to record with Sam Featherstone at Price Studios in Clapham, London.

Bands were asked to submit a previously unreleased, unmastered track alongside a short blurb explaining why they were suitable receivers of the prize.

Fast forward nine months, and Actions, the winning band from England’s capital are set to unleash their baby on the world. Having been selected from a pool of excellent submissions by Featherstone and former Punktastic Editor, Tom Aylott, the pop-punk four-piece headed to Clapham to record the specially selected ‘Overrated’.

With an unmistakable pop-rock sound, ‘Overrated’ builds upon frontman Calum Harley’s acoustic material. “I wrote it quite a while ago actually when I was still doing acoustic gigs,” Hartley explains. “It’s mainly about being able to get  up on stage by yourself and trying not to think too hard about what the audience thinks.”

Perhaps more importantly, the track offers an all-around showcase of what Actions have to offer, having developed from a one-man project into the full-band it is now: completed by Andrew McErlain, Duncan Ash and Finn Lomax.

“’Overrated’ has parts of our whole spectrum that our sound covers,” Hartley goes on to say. “It has some funky riffs and rhythms in the verse and then more melodic and mellower sections, and also some slightly heavier, rock bits too.”

(photos from Action’s Facebook page)

Deliberately demonstrating the full breadth of the band’s sound, Featherstone and Actions quickly decided on the track to be laid down.

We asked Featherstone for his first impression of the band after meeting with them. “I went along to a rehearsal of theirs in a studio in Shepherd’s Bush and just had a chat about the kind of music they liked and what kind of sound they wanted on record.” It’s clear that a strong relationship with the band is key for successful recording.

“The guys were really very relaxed, friendly and grateful to have the opportunity,” Featherstone continues with genuine professional respect. “They played me a couple of tracks live in the room and wanted my opinion on which one we should record. Thankfully we were all on the same page that ‘Overrated’ was the track we should work on.”

This collaborative tone extended into their time in the studio. Featherstone is evidently keen to express Actions’ impressive work-ethic, recounting all of the band member’s unfaltering focus. The final result is the outcome of considered teamwork – something which Featherstone prides Price Studios on.

“Something that I think makes a big difference is that the studio is a nice, welcoming space,” Featherstone says, intuitively. “Get everyone feeling comfortable when recording and things tend to flow a lot better.”

Obviously the outcome of the process is about more than just the studio’s environment. Featherstone was free to work his magic on the track, adding what he calls “sparkle and quality” to it. “It’s the subtle things that make a big difference in a track like ‘Overrated’ and I’d like to think we were able to give it a bit of an identity to match the band’s influences and direction,” he goes on to say.

(photo from Price Studios’ Facebook page)

Actions are similarly glowing over their experience at Price Studios.

“The main thing we took away from it was Sam’s general attitude towards the whole process, and being really open to trying new ideas,” Hartley says, looking back on the overall experience, “He really got involved in the process and he was pretty much a fifth member of the band during the day we were recording. As a producer he was excellent!”

The trip to Price Studios was the first professional recording experience for the band, having previously worked on an entirely DIY basis. With a mixed and mastered single ready to show to the world, both Featherstone and Hartley are looking towards the future – each with their own unique perspective.

“For me and Price Studios, I want the track to act as an invite to unsigned bands out there,” Featherstone responds when asked about what ‘Overrated’ can do for him.

“We’re new, so it’s about spreading the world and letting people know that we’re a great option for recording singles, albums and EPs.” Featherstone has been busy putting together targeted pricing options with unsigned and new bands in mind, showcasing his supportive ethos.

For Actions, ‘Overrated’ is just the start. “We are all really happy with it,” Hartley says of the finished track. “At first it was weird hearing it as we have always recorded stuff ourselves so we are used to hearing it the whole way through the mixing process,” he admits.

“It was a bit strange handing it over to someone else and letting them decide how all the instruments sounded. In the end we had nothing to worry about as he did an awesome job and it sounds massive.”

As Actions look towards future live shows, and more recorded material, both Featherstone and Hartley are optimistic about future collaboration. In the meantime, the band are happy to let the track do all the talking.

“Let’s hope no one thinks it’s overrated… Get it…? Because the track is called…? Yeah, whatever.”

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For more on Actions, head to their official Facebook page. You can also catch up with Price Studios on Facebook too, or via their official website.