Meet… The Howlers

London desert-rockers are 2021’s must-see live act.

Photo Credit: Rob Blackham

The hotly-tipped guitar band from London are, set to break 2021 with a passion and creative flair for intensive rock beats.

2021 is going to be a big year for The Howlers (if the government doesn't intervene and spoil the limelight). However drastic the past year has been; without summer festivals, fans in arenas, and fans packing to get to the orders in at the bar during the interval, this year has been horrific, to say the least. However, “Hope is being, able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Indeed, hope will always deliver in times of crisis and, The Howlers are doing exactly that with the release of their new EP, and tour in 2021.

We got the opportunity, to speak to frontman Adam Young, about how the band came together, the state of the music industry during COVID and the bands' expectations for the future.

What are some of the major, challenges you’ve faced since COVID-19 outbreak last March?

I think most artists have been in the same boat. We’ve all been cast adrift and, our biggest obstacle (not to get political) is how we've been discarded by the current Government in the UK. They are inherently out of touch with art and, it's so sad. You have to assume these people don't attend live shows or galleries or cinema or anything of that nature. We as a band have a close bond so, when we get kicked, we dust off and get back up, there's no other way to be. We've managed by hook and by crook to overcome each obstacle so far. And, with help, musicians behind us as well as financially supporting what we are doing, it's been a career changer.

Who were your biggest influences growing up?

We all had different influences as kids and, our parents had questionable music taste as well. For example, my mum adores anything Gary Barlow and, my old man is a big Genesis fan but, every Sunday on the way to football he'd blast Motorhead in the car which was this clapped out run-down shed on wheels. I think the energy was something I was drawn, to but I naturally found my own way. Classic 70's tracks and northern soul had a big influence on myself and the boys, so did afrobeat and the blues.

What music do the band listen to now?

We are all very varied in our tastes, but we all connect and cross over with each other, on different elements. I and Cam bonded over afrobeat and artists like William Onyeabor and then Cam and Guus over Led Zep and drummers like Bonham. Then Guus and I over some of the noughties and late 90's records. We dip our toes into new bands ever once in a while but, nothing really excites us, it seems everyone thinks now to be in a band you need a pair of Doc's a baggy Le Coq Sportif t-shirt and to shout about politics, haven't we all had enough of politics in A Minor?

How would you describe your music style to people?

We often coin the term 'Desert Rock' but you could quite easily describe us as Garage Rock or Surf rock. It’s that west coast, sun-soaked sound of California in the '60s & '70s. There's a track to be released this year which we described as imagine if Graham Coxon and Dick Dale were asked to play at Alan Shearer's wedding ... work that one out!

How much have you missed touring?

A lot, it's our bread and butter our first year as a band we did 50+ shows so, it's been a big change.

What are the band's plans for the future?

We have a host of records on the way, the first landing on March 5th and then a tonne more for the rest of the year, but ultimately as long as we can weather this storm and come out the other side alive, that's a win for anyone in the arts.

How did the band come together?

We all met at Uni in London and ended up living together in the east end, now just a stone's throw from Hackney empire, Adam and Guus lived together and were in the same class and then Adam met Cam. They ended up going down to James Bay's rehearsal room and just playing a load of old rubbish but, it was all about how we all can read each other as musicians and, that's something we stand head and shoulders above a lot of bands because we are so close and so tight.

Which of your songs is the best you’ve written?

100% our new material. It's hard to decide. It's like choosing a favourite child, but we will let you decide that when they are released this year.

Who would the band like to collaborate with for a single and why?

Everyone has some major dream collaborations, artists like the late Wanda Jackson, but given the similarities in some of their vocals, Adam and someone like Katy J Pearson would be a great collaboration.

What were the main influences for naming the band The Howlers?

At the time the band formed, we were living near a boozer on Hoxton street called Howl at the Moon. A few pints of the house lager and a pack of Chesterfields later (Were not made of money) The Howlers were born. It just so happens to be by chance the same location Arctic Monkeys filmed the video for 'Why D'ya only call me when you're high', and also where The Verve filmed Bittersweet Symphony, unbeknown to us at the time.

How difficult is it to ‘crack’ the music industry? What were some of the major challenges’ artists face?

We are fortunate to have made dear friends in the industry in the likes of Danny Fields and Andy Edwards and others who have mentored us and helped guide us as people more than anything so no matter what we face we are always thankful and nice. People first and foremost are the biggest, challenge as everyone is different and, everyone is self-preserving. But a great anecdote I was told, once is "The Music Industry is like trying to open a door with the wrong key, and every time you find the right key the lock has changed ... So eventually you have to kick the door down."

With any chance, you’ll be able to catch the band at one of the venues below:

MARCH 2021

18 - YES - Manchester

19 - Rough Trade - Bristol

20 - The Lexington - London

27 - The Rossi Bar - Brighton

APRIL 2021

01 - Edge of The Wedge - Portsmouth

03 - The Sunflower Lounge - Birmingham

06 - Oporto - Leeds