Who: Formed in 2018, bonding over a joint interest in psychedelic horror films,
with Panos Cosmatos’ cult classic ‘Mandy‘ being a particular favourite, Heavy Salad
loved the idea of being in a band like a psychedelic cult, albeit a cult with no rules.
Photo via Puffer Fish Press
Back in 2020 the Manchester team released their
noteworthy debut LPCult Casual. Since then they
recorded/released several singles.
Info: “Temporary Visionary is the sound of spring awakening beneath your feet.
A psychedelic, springtime slacker pop anthem that welcomes the promise of longer evenings to come… but not without some caution. The lyrical melancholy of the song weaves a truthful tale of life on the edge of catastrophe and asks the listener to look beyond the boundaries of their own personal world and consider how we all affect the environment we live in. We are all temporarily on this cosmic ride through space but we
all have an opportunity to be visionary!”
TUTV: Expect a lazy, easy-going and catchy pop tune you can sing along, hum along or whistle along. Temporary Visionary is also a wake-up call for humankind. We need to take care of our messed up planet, of nature and of each other. Heavy Salad combine a great taste for feel-good and dream-away melodies with a sharp eye on today’s not-so-great reality. We need more of that in music.
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.”
.
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?
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?
Band: HEAVY SALAD Meaning: “When something is stressful or too demanding it is heavy salad.” Who: A trio formed in 2018 in Manchester that works in the space between
perceived reality and the abyss of your mind. Melt yourself! Bonding over a
joint interest in psychedelic horror films, they loved the idea of being in a band
like a psychedelic cult, albeit a cult with no rules.
Dipped Into Gold Recordings label: “A loose concept-album-of-all-sorts ‘Cult Casual’ explores the idea of finding your own reality in the modern world. The album takes you backwards through the very experiences of existence… Charged-up on a myriad of musical influences from surf-rock and free-jazz to over driven pop and experimental rock… Adding another dimension to its textured sound the trio are joined by live backing singers… Despite its kaleidoscopic and far-reaching sound palette, the band confirm that no distortion pedals were used in the making of ‘Cult Casual’.”
Lee Mann (frontman): “It’s an exploration of the experience of modern reality. It feels like the LP exists for this exact moment in time.”
John Lennon:“The basic thing nobody asks is why do people take drugs of any sort? Why do we have these accessories to normal living to live? I mean, is there something wrong with society that’s making us so pressurized, that we cannot live without guarding ourselves against it?”
Turn Up The Volume: “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 nation such a strange Heavy Salad vibration, people in motion. They are a whole generation with a new explanation.”
Keywords: Heavy Salad’s lonely hearts club band / Inner visions and gospel hymns / Grateful death / Black Sabbath / Doo-wop and Da-doo-ron harmonies / Space Odyssey
Fifteen Knockout Tracks on repeat this past month!
A fervent fusion of robust rippers and striking strokes.
Here’s Turn Up The Volume‘s Knockout August Team.
‘Vote That Fucker Out‘ by WRECKLESS ERIC and AMY RIGBY (UK/US)
An anger-fueled uppercut, the whole wide world should scream along. A firm middle-finger knockout. Let’s get together and shout at the top of our lungs until the elections
in November. Exit Trump is the world-saving goal, ladies and gents! Let’s act! Let’s sing…
‘A Hero’s Death’ by FONTAINES D.C. (Ireland)
Rollicking title track from the Irish post-punk misfits’ second album.
An unquestionable contender for longplayer of this science-fiction-like 2020.
‘Hail Taxi’ by METZ (Canada)
These Canadians deafening noiseniks have slash and trash chromosomes in their DNA. Don’t even try to resist this wall-balls-breaker, just surrender. New LP Atlas Vending arrives 9th October.
‘Fixer Upper’ by YARD ACT (Leeds, UK)
A mind-twisting crackerjack that’ll do your head in the way you like it. This funky as bloody hell banger sounds as if Mike Skinner and Sleaford Mods joined forces to experiment with intoxicating guitar riffs and turn up the decibels on for once. Cuts like a Swiss knife…
‘Hold My Hand’ by DEATH VALLEY GIRLS (Los Angeles)
Gloriously catchy, peppery and poppy with a cool vintage organ, shake and swing beats, 60s garage glow and Bonnie Bloomberg‘s peek-a-boo vocals. “Love is just like the ocean.”
‘You Say’ by MADAME SO (Paris/London)
A spunky standout. A warning message for all hostile killjoys out there. Kicking off
with a powered guitar riff, soon followed by Madame So‘s vox hitting the roof with
the titanic You Say chorus. Smoking stuff, ladies and gents…
‘The Soul Singer’ by THE WATERBOYS (Scotland)
High-energy stroke! A horns fueled belter from amplified folk troubadour Mike Scott and his band’s new – fourteenth – solid album Good Luck, Seeker.
‘Late At A Festival’ by BLUE STRAGGLERS (Sussex, UK)
Razorblade melodiousness drenched in a pool of kamikaze guitars, going forth and black like a roller coaster on the run. Blur‘s Britpop flair pumped up with tons of illegal decibels. Don’t come late at a festival with Blue Stragglers on the bill or they will find you and make you beg for mercy. You have been warned!…
.
‘Trump’s Still In Washington’ byBROKEN SOCIAL CONTRACT (Washington, US)
A razor-sharp rant about that 24/7 idiot in the White House. One-man-band Justin Donnelly delivers the fitting belter to ventilate our own fury. Play it loud,
play it on repeat, play it until a new real POTUS arrives in Washington.
‘Everybody Will Be Forgotten’ by FAST FRIENDS (Bay Area/Boston/Denmark)
This paranoia punk punch sounds like Weezer on dope, like Green Day kicking that American Idiot in the face, like the mental result of a lockdown psychosis, like if there
is no tomorrow. Jump and yell along before it’s too late. Right now, right here…
. ‘Forever’ by FOLK DEVILS (London)
Once a devoted indie rocker always a devoted indie rocker. Even are all these years you can hear and feel this band’s beating heart and feverish soul burning with strong-willed bravado and hungry desire. Dynamite sound, dynamite tune. Seems like Folk Devils are back forever despite the taste of life going wrong…
. ‘My Faith Is Larger’ by SAVING JACKIE (San Antonio, US)
A hot-tempered sucker-slam triggering every single nerve, every single muscle, and every single vein in your shuddering body. If you’re still mourning the loss of Rage Against The Machine, dry your eyes, rise from your bed, and go mental to Saving Jackie. Now!…
‘Burn’ by TEROUZ (Montreal)
This stunner wouldn’t be out if place on a Sisters Of Mercy album, while Terouz’s voice balances between Interpol‘s maestro Paul Banks and Editors‘ frontman Tom Smith.
Get up, stand up, and pirouette yourself dizzy…
. ‘Dirty Little Sinner’ by REGENT (Southampton)
This cracker blends Oasis‘ northern flair and Blur‘s power-pop catchiness. A steaming kinetic stomper to play to the max on your stereo so the neighbours can jump around
like doped monkeys too when the boiling chorus kicks in. Pump your fists in the air…
‘It’s OK To Bleed’ by HEAVY SALAD (Manchester, UK)
A trippy, mantra-like chant that will set your free. Light a joint, steal your grandparents’ hippie outfits and join Heavy Salad up there, eight miles high and dream of better times…
Who: Formed in 2018, bonding over a joint interest in psychedelic horror films,
with Panos Cosmatos’ cult classic ‘Mandy‘ being a particular favourite, Heavy Salad
loved the idea of being in a band like a psychedelic cult, albeit a cult with no rules.
Pick: IT’S OK TO BLEED – new single from upcoming debut album ‘Cult Casual‘
out 25th September. The song is “about being at peace with yourself and accepting
that you can’t be strong all the time, it’s also about compassion for others and looking
out for those who need help. It’s about the little things you can do to make a difference
to someone’s life an recognizing that it’s ok to let it out sometimes.”
Score: If you have ties with Sheffield’s outlaws The Moonlandingz who have in turn
ties with Fat White Family, one of the best ‘fuck you I won’t do what you tell me’ bands
the UK saw these past two decades there’s a big chance this colorful combo moves
in mysterious ways too. And they do.
Seemingly inspired by soul-gospel-anthem Lord Can You Hear Me by Jason Pierce’s symphonic psych orchestra Spiritualized they invite you for a trippy, mantra-like chant
that will set your free. Light a joint, steal your grandparents’ hippie outfits and join Heavy Salad up there, eight miles high and dream of better times ahead…
