Don't Know Your Name - Sour Punch

Back in February of 2018 a band I was part of put on a charity gig and we had a strange mix of support acts. A classic punk band who were far too drunk for it to be even remotely funny, and a mind-blowingly talented acoustic guitarist who did a percussive version of Rick Astley’s 'Never Gonna Give You Up' made for an interesting build up to our angry, political metalcore, but between the differences in musicality, Sour Punch filled the room with some very well-needed energy. As a live band they are confident in their ability and don’t only bring their groovy tunes to a show, but also their fun and bouncy atmosphere. They sound great on stage and always look like they’re having a blast, so naturally I was excited when guitarist Leyton McLean approached me about reviewing their upcoming single ‘Don’t Know Your Name’.

Showcasing Synergy

Beginning with a funky riff from McLean, the rest of the track is ushered in by vocalist/bassist Thomas Llywarch’s ever-present energy and before I’ve even reached the verse I am sold on the fact that it is a Sour Punch tune. Tom Buck’s off-beat drums combined with ‘noodly’ bass riffs play well off each other. It is very clear that the band communicate well together, whether in a live environment or recorded. Everything I have heard from them is well executed and smooth and I can tell that the three-piece are perfect for each other.

I have spent a lot of time working in different bands and one of the most important factors that comes into play is synergy. Being skilled at your individual instrument is only part of the battle; understanding the other members’ roles is equally important as it allows more ideas to flow. Outside of writing this blog I am a studying guitarist, but I also play bass in a band and drums in my own time. This gives me the tools to write music for the whole band, not just the guitar part. A well written original track will have each part fleshed out enough but not too much so that it oversteps, and I’d be lying if I said as musicians we don’t like showing off here and there. Each member of the band should be there to regulate the other members and should be able to offer constructive criticism to the others, as well as write their own part and be willing to develop it for the benefit of the song, not just themselves. This extra level of input is so important because it gives the song influences from each member and allows it to be viewed from different directions.

Does the Mix Make the Man?

The panned backing vocals on the recording fill out the higher register well but from my first listen I really wanted the low end to hit harder. McLean’s guitar is scratchy and percussive and suits the track, but I feel as though the mix is slightly lacking in terms of meat. When Sour Punch play live they fill the room with unrivalled energy and it is essential to carry this high standard over to their records as this is where most of their future audience will discover them. It is definitely not a bad mix by any stretch of the imagination but the reason I hone in on this point is that it could deliver more ‘oomf’ and would represent their fantastic musicianship more accurately.

I have seen a lot of live bands that have been a pleasure to watch live but, as I’ve looked them up on Spotify, their online library lets them down. New acts would do well to properly research their ideal studio/producer well in advance of tracking to get the most out of their time and money. It is always difficult to pick apart artists’ work because it does take an unbelievable amount of time and energy to go through the process of creating an original track, but that is why it is important to do so: so that time and energy isn’t wasted in the future.

We Don't Speak Her Name

Don’t Know Your Name is a well written song with all of the tell-tale signs of a good indie bop: the groove, the upbeat, repeating instrumental motifs and the relatable lyrics. Drawing parallels to Alex Turner is something I generally try to avoid in an attempt to sound well educated on the indie scene, but Llywarch doesn’t hide his accent and slurs and it cements their place in the Manchester market as he sings about an experience in a bar or club.

However, Sour Punch are capable of so much more as I know that their members have a refreshingly wide taste of music. Buck’s style fits the indie genre well but also radiates pop punk energy. From my own experience of them, Sour Punch are an indie band to the rest of the world but to themselves they have the combined sensibilities of a range of genres. The indie scene in Manchester is huge and thriving but, with big names such as Liam Gallagher and (if we go back further) The Smiths still fronting the genre, I think we could really use something to change it up. The challenge of this industry is to rise above the competition by creating something unique and soulful. I would like to see Sour Punch be the name to take it.