Battery Face
BAND’s BIOG:
Battery Face was formed in 2010 by school friends Alastair Chivers, Gavin Will and Rikki Will. Having played in other bands and projects, including Rikki playing drums for indie-poppers Copy Haho, they came together with the aim of constructing a sound that was creative, fun and that had a groove.
Drawing influence from a number of styles including post punk, noise rock and alternative pop, Battery Face jammed for several months, recording every practice and listening back to the sessions for ideas. This organic process focused their experimental but catchy style and supplied the material for their debut album released this year, entitled ‘Addams Family Values’ – a title they thought was funny, at the time.
Recorded, mixed and mastered completely by the band, ‘Addams Family Values’ has generated extensive radio plays and coverage on online blogs and Scottish magazines.
This strong DIY punk work ethic as well as their loud and fast live shows has resulted in Battery Face supporting a number of renowned touring bands including Les Savy Fav, Acoustic Ladyland (Seb Rochford), Young Legionnaires, Munch Munch, Dope Body, Take A Worm For A Walk Week, That Fucking Tank and Shield Your Eyes. Upcoming shows include opening for psychedelic legends Gong and supporting Sub Pop grungers Metz.
During a chance meeting with Mark E. Smith they were told they should change their name “to Barry Face, it’s much better”.
Early next year Battery Face will release their new single ‘Cider Says’ out through Strange Fish Records featuring a remix by Rock Action favourites Errors and have already started booking a spring UK tour. Playing SXSW will not only ensure that they can reach more promoters and countries to play but improve an already growing fan base.
Some bands that have had some sort of impact on the style and attitudes of Battery Face are:
Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Bob Log III, The Locust, Part Chimp, The Melvins, Liars, Times New Viking, Sub Pop Records, Thank You, Darondo, Bjork, Sparks, SST Records, Little Richard, The Shadows, Scott Walker, Blur, The Fall, Pavement, The Monks, R. Stevie Moore, Primus, Magazine, Dinosaur Jr, The Nerves and the bands their friends are in.
“an energetic fusion of acerbic art-punk and dense synth pop. Their ability to slide from water-tight, turn-on-a-dime riffs into frenzied free noise is remarkable” (The Skinny)
“fast references to noise rock that are rhythmically irresistible and blessed by an explosive power that blasts out continuously. Everything roars, from the drums, to the guitars where the sound staggers about the strings like a drunk, while remaining in constant equilibrium, producing moments that are unembellished and scratched by that tormented magic of the 1970s.” (YOUTHLESSfanzine)
“reminds me a little of Can… excellent, excellent, EXCELLENT SOUNDS!” (Mark Ryan, Amazing Radio)
“a noisy circus made by art-punkers who know where to stand between the catchiest Fugazi and the funniest Sonic Youth” (radioSPIN)
