After something of a lull within the South Wales Music scene, there seems to be an air of resurgence surrounding the place at the moment. Next up to stake their claim amongst South Wales brightest emerging talents is Junior – a pop punk trio from Cardiff who have been compared to early day Blink-182 and draw influence from the likes of Muse and American Football.
Perhaps one of the most brilliant things about the band is that Bassist/Vocalist, Mark Andrews is about to up sticks and move halfway across the world to America after he won a contract with TNA Wrestling through their British Bootcamp TV show. Where most bands would see this as a sign to call it a day, Junior are keen to stress that this isn’t the end for them, more the beginning of a wonderful opportunity, with plans to take the band to the US to tour with Mark, why not eh?
We’re proud to be able to bring you the exclusive first showing of the video for ‘Anywhere But Here’ the bands first single from their upcoming EP ‘Juniorland’ which the band plan to release this Summer. It will break some hearts and is reminiscent of self titled era Blink-182. Sit back, enjoy and we even have a little interview for you below the video.
Like what you hear? course you do. You can get a download of ‘Anywhere But Here’ over at Juniors Bandcamp page!
So, who are Junior?
Mark Andrews (Bass/Vocals): We’re a three piece pop punk band based in Cardiff. The band consists of a professional wrestler on bass/vocals who’s about to move to the other side of the world to fight bad guys, a club DJ for a drummer who runs a non profit organisation and has an unhealthy obsession with Wetherspoons desserts, and a graphic designer for a guitarist/vocalist who you’ll often find riding his skateboard around the streets of Cardiff wiggling his hand with his thumb and pinky out, saying “rad”.
Our parents are very proud of us.
What’s the story behind ‘Anywhere But Here’ ?
Matt Attard (Guitar/Vocals): The song is about losing someone, and trying to turn to the person closest to you but getting nothing from them, and how you come to terms with that. It’s about taking yourself out of the equation completely.
What was the recording process like for you guys?
Si Martin (Drums): It was actually my first time recording with Junior, since the first releases were self-recorded by Matt & Mark. But it was awesome. Recording this single was a full on day, cuz I’d just come back from Reading, and was flying out to Holland the next day, so I was super tired. We were working with Phil Gornell in Steel City Studios, and he kept getting me to play the drum parts over and over, until I got it right, rather than fixing the timing in post-production. The result was a frustrating few hours, but a beautiful drum sound that’s entirely human, and I’m real proud of it. I guess the other guys did OK too.
The video is pretty unique too…?
Yeah! Well, our first video (They Don’t Make Them Like Kelly Kapowski No More) was a super DIY effort – done largely with a green screen in Mark’s living room, but it was a real fun video. We all wanted this video to show a progression in the band, ahead of the next EP. So we spent a day in a basement with our buddy Gav at Front Row Productions to shoot this vision that Matt had for a video. Then we all got involved on the editing; it’s cool to still be at that DIY level where we still get total control over everything we put out.
How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
Matt: A suitable amount in relation to the given utensils
Where do you see the band this time next year?
Si: Wembley?
Mark: Wembley.
Matt: Wembley!
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