27 February 2021
If you’re going to Manchester be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. If you’re going
to Manchester you’re gonna meet some gentle people there. All across the UK nation such
a strange psych vibration, people in motion. They are a whole cult generation with a new
casual explanation.
They are called HEAVY SALAD.
A trio formed in 2018 in one of the most fertile rock cities in the world, that works in the space between perceived reality and the abyss of your mind. Bonding over a joint interest in psych-horror films, they loved the idea of being in a band like a psychedelic cult, albeit a cult with no rules. Sounds pretty cool, right? Absolutely, as the now 7-piece gang knocked heavily on the door last year with CULT CASUAL. Without a shadow of a doubt one of the best debut LPs of 2020. So, you really need to learn more about this Lucy in the Sky with diamonds collective.
But, as usual, before we start chatting, a piece of music…
Hello Manchester,
Hello Heavy Salad…
Is there a story behind the band’s name and how
many members are actually part of the team?
“Heavy Salad was just a phrase that Lee liked and thought he’d just made up,
then we found out it’s a – lesser known – Scouse saying that means ‘something
stressful or demanding’ which seemed to be a nice juxtaposition to the sound
of the band.
Heavy Salad was started by Rob Glennie, Allan Hutchison and Lee Mann and slowly
grew into a seven-piece (when we’re all free) with The Priestesses: Ally Boo, Esther
Maylor and Lucy Hope and Oscar on rhythm guitar /backing vocals. The whole
group contributed to the album too.”
Why is it that tons of great bands – then and now – come out of Manchester?
“Maybe because it’s cheap to rehearse! Anywhere it’s cheap to rehearse has good bands.”
Which track would you play to introduce yourself to people who never heard of you?
“Probably the first song on the album, it’s called ‘Death’ and it touches on lots of what we’re musically all about. All the songs are something of a red herring though because we like to explore different styles of writing, we love albums like The Beatles’ White Album that take the listener on a sonic tour.”
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Debut album CULT CASUAL is a triumph to my ears!
What’s the title about?
“The title of the LP was an off cuff remark by Allan on WhatsApp that stuck. I guess it means we like to think of ourselves as a cult but we don’t expect you to drink the poisoned Kool Aid to transcend, you are free to transcend at your own free will! It was originally going to be called ‘Sun Warm’.”
Great artwork too. Who designed it and what does it all mean?
“A long-time friend of the band Ed Syder is responsible for the artwork. The images
touch on themes of the album and illustrate our esoteric/occult interests.”
Single ‘IT’S OK TO BLEED’ sounds like a 60s psych hippie song to my ears. Agree?
“Yeah we would agree with that sentiment, we are all big hippies at heart and that song is about just letting go and living in the moment, accepting that it’s ok to just be yourself. Just let the feeling flow…..”
What about the message on your FB-page: ‘Stay tuned… back soon’?
“We just wanted everyone to know we’ve not given up because of the pandemic! Quite the opposite actually as the band have been working on something of an opus for the second LP and we’re going to be working with a longtime hero but we’re staying super tight-lipped for now…”
A lot of musicians came up with covers of other artists’ songs during these
bizarre times. Which one would you pick to give it a HEAVY SALAD touch?
“Da zeuhl wortz mekanik by Magma.”
Suppose you were asked to rewrite the British National Anthem,
what would be the outcome in sound and vision?
“It would just be a one-note, hypnotic mantra that forces the listener to think and to mediate. It would make the listener take a minute to weigh up a situation and come
to a caring and respectful decision that benefits everyone and not just themselves.
That’s what we need from a new National Anthem.”
City or United?
“Defo not City, have you seen the state of Pep’s trousers?! Allan and Rob are United.
Lee is Liverpool FC! Just don’t mention Football innit!”
Oasis or The Stone Roses or Happy Mondays?
“Happy Mondays all day long.”
How’s life in real Brexit time now?
“Who knows!? We haven’t had the opportunity to experience what it’s going to be like, on paper it looks disastrous! We remain optimistic because you just have to don’t you? None of the band support Brexit.”
What movie would you pick to screen behind
you on stage while playing the album?
“The Panos Cosmatos classic MANDY.”
THE THING the world should know about HEAVY SALAD?
“We rehearse in a Flying Saucer. ”
(note TUTV: damn, I knew it)
Thanks very much for the interview.
May the road rise with HEAVY SALAD!
Buy/stream CULT CASUAL here…
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HEAVY SALAD: Facebook
The gang in full, with the wonderful flower power Priestesses