I chatted with Essex/Suffolk based quartet SURGE this week. The 'Libertines-tinged', Vaccines and Palma Violets-esque four-piece have already become a hit over in the Dutch Indie Chart, as well as earning praise from BBC Introducing. Introducing... SURGE.
1. Who are SURGE?
We are a four-piece, indie-rock outfit from Essex/Suffolk and we comprise of Alan Jones (guitar), David Smyth (bass), Billy Fenton (drums) and yours truly, George King (vocals and guitar). We only played our first show a mere four months ago, in which time our debut single, 'Tears of Joy' has accumulated over 6500 Soundcloud plays, gained BBC Introducing airplay and even wriggled it's way into a very legitimate Dutch Indie Chart.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Taking into consideration our live output, as well as our recorded output, I would say that we are a Libertines-tinged, concoction of energy whose live staples endorse the full-throttle, cut throat edge of The Vaccines and the sweaty, punk-uncertainty of Rough Trade exports, Palma Violets. And if that doesn't wet your appetite, I don't know what will.
3. Where do you see yourselves in five years time?
In a mirror.
4. Who are your biggest influences and inspirations?
Although on a number of occasions we have been likened to the usual crop of Noughites-dominating jangly-guitar bands, and even more recently, Blur, I like to think that no artist or band influences our music directly, nor do we consciously ever try to emulate our axe-yeilding, predecessors. Subconsciously, however it's another kettle of fish because when you spend so much of your time listening to the music that you enjoy, it's only inevitable I guess for it to creep into the way you write or the type of sound that appeals to you. Of course we appreciate such comparisons, and for example, we are massive fans of say, Arctic Monkeys - but I think in this day and age such comparison can very much be a double edged sword. I prefer the Blur link, because I think there is very few bands, if any, that sound like Blur at their most experimental.
5. Why did you start a band and what was the aim?
As cliche as it is, I think like most bands we just started because deep down it's what we enjoy most about our lives and it's all that we truly want to do - whether that 'dream' ever materialises of course is a complete enigma that will only ever be answered when we either break-up and get normal jobs or when we start getting paid for what we love to do and actually want to be doing. Right now though, if nothing else, I'd say the addictive dose of euphoria and sense of escapism I get when I'm on stage doing a gig where there's a crowd singing our songs back to us, is a pretty great reason to start a band.
6. What's next for SURGE?
Well we are on the brink of releasing our second single, 'LOVEBLOOD' at the moment - alongside b-side, 'I Don't Know What You Think About Love - digitally and on RED 7'' vinyl. So, over the next couple of months we are going to be doing loads of gigs in Chelmsford, London, Colchester and Clacton in support of the release, as well as a vinyl launch night. I'm also very hopeful that we'll put out a third single before the year is out, but if that doesn't materialise then we'll definitely put some kind of release online to bridge the gap - I'll make sure of it! We'd also love to do a run of shows throughout Europe, so that is definitely something else we are looking to get arranged.
7. Where can find out/hear more from you?
You can find us at:
And if you don't find us, we WILL find you.
& Listen to our forthcoming single, 'LOVEBLOOD' right now via: soundcloud.com/surge-loveblood