INTRODUCING: Loose Articles
If you’re struggling to find a new band to listen to, you won’t have to go no further than one of Manchester’s hottest acts, a band that goes by the name of LOOSE ARTICLES. For them 2024, has been monumental. Their debut album, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, charted in the UK Top 100 and they even had a support slot opening for the one of the world’s biggest rock bands in FOO FIGHTERS who turned their attention toward the four piece after the release of their track Buses. We were lucky enough very recently to sit down and have a chat with two of the four members, drummer Abbie Phillips and guitarist/vocalist Erin Caine.
Our chat took place in one of Manchester’s many cosy little pubs that the city centre has to offer. The Mancunian spirit was bustling inside, friendly conversations were being had in every corner with the added and humorous interruptions of a delightful Glaswegian man. Starting off the conversation, we discussed what it was like to be in a band like LOOSE ARTICLES. An honest answer from both Abbie and Erin tells us that their lives are like “being on a rollercoaster hanging on for dear life”, which is very fitting as Erin told us their name came from a sign post at Alton Towers which said “Secure all loose articles”. The roller coaster analogy continues as the pair explain that their lives have become “exceptionally busy with having to balance the band life, personal life and work which makes you cling on for dear life, it’s been great where we’ve done some incredible stuff but we’ve had a right laugh doing it”.
It very much sums the lifestyle of a punk band which is never the straight and narrow but 2024 has been an exceptional year for the band. After the release of their debut album Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, the band have relentlessly toured it to many plaudits throughout the year. “We’ve been so glad to get it out there, we’ve been doing shows and people are singing back the lyrics which has been nice.” Abbie continues by telling us that the shows are “pinch me moments in cities and countries we’ve never been to before and people are coming to gigs and selling out shows, you’re like why and how on earth has that happened? It’s crazy and heartwarming all at the same time. Each gig has been a great atmosphere where everyone comes to have a laugh and let loose from what’s going on in their lives!”
Whilst being in LOOSE ARTICLES is clearly a great time, it does come with its challenges. Being an all female band in a male dominated genre and industry does present a challenge to the band. Erin describes growing up in Manchester and being surrounded male friends in bands lit a fire in the band in a “if they can do it, we can do it too” way.
As the conversation moves on, Abbie and Erin reveal some exciting news that the band’s project Kick Like A Girl, will be coming back in the next year, a project that has come from experiences that each member of the band has sadly been through themselves where Abbie gives a damning example where someone said to her “I didn’t think you’d be a good drummer because you’re a girl”. “The aim of that is to encourage female and non-binary identifying people into the music industry. From forming a band to sound engineering and managing. Having done it once before, we’ll be starting it next year at some of the same places because we had such a positive response from young women and queer people who have since formed a band who will hopefully be supporting us next year. It’s round two and a bigger version of what we’ve done this year. To be able to do something that provides a space that encourages people feels special.”
LOOSE ARTICLES are a band that shouldn’t be slept on, from their incredible debut album, it’s clear the only way is up for them. They’re a band whose ethos is simple yet incredibly effective. “The band is the escapism for everyone, in the evenings and at weekends. If you look at our lyrics, they’re about daily life struggles because that’s how we all experience and see life. At the same time it’s got to be fun, otherwise what’s the point?” At the end of the day, the world is better for having LOOSE ARTICLES in it. They’re a band for everyone and their shows are places where all are welcome to kick back, dance and take part in a limbo contest. If 2024 is anything to go by, then next year is sure to be even bigger for the band. It’s time we went on the rollercoaster along with LOOSE ARTICLES because it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Scream If You Wanna Go Faster is out now via Alcopop! Records.
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