Meet... Sad Boys Club

London based indie-rockers Sad Boys Club are immersing themselves within a new era that's setting off the eyes of critics throughout the music world.

Photo Credit: Jordan Daniel Logan

Back from their debut single 'Know' to their latest 'Could Have Beens & What Ifs', the quartet creative ability to bring relatable topics immersed through packed choruses and emotional sucker punch melodies is rare to be found within a band who are only just finding their feet, but for Sad Boys Club it's the trait that keeps giving.

Whilst we are looking out to the light at the end of the tunnel, Sad Boys Club are slowly raring to go and frontman, Jacob Wheldon caught up with Vibez to talk about the reaction of their latest single, their "bombastic" charm and key advice for rising stars.

Firstly, how have you all been since the release of your latest release, 'Could Have Beens (& What Ifs)', and how have you been creative through this weird period?

Hello Vibez. We’ve been well, thanks for asking. We’ve been quite taken aback by how positively it’s been received; I think. It’s difficult not to think of this period as a bit of a vacuum so, it’s been a pleasant surprise. We’ve been creative in much the same way as always; writing songs. Not being in the same room together or worrying about the live show has opened some doors and closed others. I think some of the material to come will surprise people.

Throwing back to your debut single 'Know' in 2017 - how did Sad Boys Club come about and, what has the past five years thrown at you guys?

The current line-up has only really settled for the past couple of years, so I guess the five years have thrown us some pretty fundamentally existential questions as to who we actually are, what our shared purpose is, what this all means, what meaning means… luckily we’re all unimaginably secure people; well-read, cultured, ahead of our time etc.; so sorted that one out. Next question.

Known for "gothic charm" and "bombastic smash" within your music, what artists influenced you whilst growing up?

I think maybe I’m just innately brimming with gothic charm and bombastic smash. I owe that to nobody. Been that way from the womb. No, I don’t know, I honestly don’t, we’ve all grown up in a period where we’ve always had access to so much music there, really is so much to consider. My dad was always playing Van Morrison, Dylan, Springsteen, The Doors when I was growing up – perhaps that informed some of my affinity for the bombastic?

Within the five years of your music career, you have changed styles and looks. Now 2021, do you believe you have evolved into a stronger group of people?

Yeah, we’re all stacked.

Whilst you have released a series of singles and an EP, can fans expect a bigger project this year and, what could it be?

I don’t think so – there’ll be a lot to come. We’ve been doing a lot of exploring creatively in terms of sound and song writing, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into but, circumstances haven’t allowed for us to engage just yet in a conceptually larger project or album or whatever. I don’t think it’s too far away though.

On the other hand, you have already announced festivals slots at the likes of Dot to Dot Festival and Hit the North Festival - how are you feeling about performing live again and, what can we expect from these sets?

Yeah, we’re buzzed, itching for it now. Can expect the gothic charm and bombastic smash in abundance.

As the past year been hard for rising artists, what advice would you give for someone who's just starting?

Enjoy it, have fun. There’s a way to take what you create seriously without taking yourself seriously and exhausting all your joy for it.

Speaking about advice, how would your younger self react to the position you are in now?

Cynically, trust nothing, especially signs of fate.

Formerly based in London, what artists do you think we should listen to next?

Currently based in London, I really like this band, Wych Elm.

And finally, where do you see Sad Boys Club going?

To the bitter end.