INTERVIEW: New EP from The Loud Bangs

Los Angeles-based alternative rock outfit The Loud Bangs have made waves in the music scene since their formation in the summer of 2021. United by a shared love for shoegaze, 90s alternative and German club music, the band’s unique fusion of thick guitars, analogue synthesisers, fuzzy production and meaningful lyricism sets them apart. Their latest EP, Why Things Fray, delves into the subject of mental health and showcases their signature Pink Floyd-esque sound, captivating listeners with its hazy atmosphere and slow tempos.

With the release of their eighth 5-song EP in just sixteen months, The Loud Bangs continue to demonstrate their prolific artistic output and commitment to their sonic vision. Why Things Fray explores the complexities of long-distance love, capturing the fading embers of a romantic fire and the slow dance in the burning room. Embracing their progressive influences comparison even further, the EP offers a compelling collection of tracks that maintain a deliberate pace and an ethereal ambiance.

The five tracks featured on Why Things Fray – “Analog Test,” “The Penelope Cannon,” “Circus Mirror,” “Unpleasantly Tense” and “Ex Doll” – form a dreamy landscape of fuzzy alternative rock. The EP opens with “Analog Test,” ushered in by a sharp feedback tones that seamlessly transition into a smoky chug of guitar riffs. Ethereal vocal lines intertwine with the layers of guitars, immersing the listener in a soporific state. “The Penelope Cannon” elevates the energy with its steady percussive drive, building into a wall of sound drenched in a dusty rock atmosphere.

“Circus Mirror” introduces an airy and euphoric sound, where gentle bass guitar pulses provide a foundation for twanging guitar tones that possess both subtlety and measured performance force. Alice’s vocals gracefully float above the instrumentation, adding to the track’s ethereal charm.

“Unpleasantly Tense” takes the EP in a different direction, embracing a more ambient acoustic guitar backing and swirling sonic embellishments. The result is an enchanting and mesmerising dream pop sound that captivates the senses. The EP concludes with “Ex Doll,” a dazzling soundscape adorned with a lofty synth tapestry and a subtly clicking electronic beat. This final track takes listeners on one last sonic adventure before gently guiding them back to reality, providing a perfect conclusion to the EP.

The Loud Bangs’ Why Things Fray showcases their ability to craft atmospheric and immersive music that resonates with listeners. Through their fusion of genres and reflective lyrics, the band creates a sonic experience which is at once raw and graceful. With each release, The Loud Bangs continue to confirm their position as a rising force in the alternative rock scene, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what sonic landscapes they will explore next. Why Things Fray is a testament to their artistic ambition, highlighting their ability to evoke emotions and transport listeners to a dreamlike realm with their music.

We caught up with The Loud Bangs to find out more about their musical journey so far, their inspirations and their new EP Why Things Fray. Check out our interview with The Loud Bangs below.

Hey guys, how’re things?

Well, we just released a new 5-song EP entitled ‘Why Things Fray,’ which is an alternate take on “WTF,” so I suppose you might guess how things are going.

How did you get together as a band?

Alice and Daisy have played together for years. Though this band is really Alice’s baby, Daisy is a major contributor to the sound and it helps that they know each other so well. Actually, we can just reveal here that Alice and Daisy are actually sisters. We’ve kept that kind of quiet, but we’ll give Plastic the exclusive. And yes, Alice Street is a pseudonym. She’s very private. A few years ago, Alice got a micro-indie deal and, rather than go solo, our producer Darren Callahan suggested that we try a four-piece band instead. He knew Marcus Nemuro (drums) and Hannah Remley (bass), and then Alice and Daisy play guitars.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

We’ll say Paramore, because that is true, but we feel like we’d be cooler if we said David Bowie. Yeah, David Bowie.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

Daisy and Alice had a band called Dyke Van Dick in middle school. That was short-lived.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

Oh, so many. The Church were a big influence on our last year or so. Before that, a blend of old, blurry shoegaze and new, shiney dance artists. Like, a mash-up of Charli XCX and Television, Dayglow and Duster, Frou Frou and Pink Floyd, Kailee Morgue and Firehose. MBV and GBV.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Oh, well, it’s hard to say. The band definitely went through a few phases in the last 2 years. We started out really focused on anxiety and depression, followed by sex and romance, and these days being most about personal and physical distance. So we don’t really ‘find’ inspiration on purpose with all that – because some of that stuff is terrible. Lately, Alice is mostly inspired by reading books.

What do you love about the Los Angeles music scene?

We wish I could say it’s the non-stop, rabid excitement about our music. But actually we are pretty much where we started. Bigger catalog, same LA fanbase – a couple dozen friends and family who cheer even when we suck. We do love that the scene is constantly evolving. Part of that is because no musician ever commits to a single band, but instead looks for opportunities to jump to another, just in case there is any heat from the majors. Everyone’s a slut when it comes to the LA band scene. It’s not at all monogamous. Us, though, we’re like a good ol’ midwestern basement band. Probably a dumb idea.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Headphones. Anywhere, headphones. Played loud.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

Early on, our sound was very crowded – lots of tracks, lots of fuzziness, lots of clutter. We then went a little more modern with vocals more up front and try to have a few singles with choruses. Now, recently, we have been doing very dry, thin drums with very faraway vocals, bathed in reverb, used in the service of very simple songs. None of this seems to be of interest to any listener, though, only to us, because we’re weird and arty. Or so the press would make you think.

How did you find making your new EP ‘Why Things Fray’?

We found it fast! The entire EP was done in 1 week. Five songs, plus two strays that are releasing this summer. Alice moved to Mexico City at the end of last summer (2022). She flew back for two weeks so we could play a one-shot show (captured in our “Tokyo Recording” release in April 2023 — FYI, the live EP was originally titled “Tokyo Live Cassette” but there’s some fucking rule in the streaming age that you can’t use the word ‘cassette’). In Alice’s last week, we got together and very quickly captured a lot of new music. The songs are pretty simple but nicely decorated and all sort of form a cohesive piece. It’s us at our most Pink Floyd, in that the tempos are all very sluggish and the psychedelia at an absolute maximum.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

Since Alice is separated from all of us right now, it’s about distance. Romantic distance with her kinda-sorta ex-bf in LA and from her friends. It’s lonely out there, people! But MC is where she needs to be and we all support that.

This is your eighth EP in less than a year and a half, how do you stay so creative and productive?

It’s Darren! He’s fast AF. We lay down tracks on Tuesday and it’s mixed by Wednesday. He just has so many great ideas and he has them incredibly fast. We’ve never seen such a confident artist. Alice may bring in even a tiny fragment, such as what became “Unpleasantly Tense” (a riff on Pink Floyd’s “Uncomfortably Numb”), and Darren was able to turn that into a 5-minute piece of music that actually sounds meant-to-be. We always love what he does, he’s a genius. Not to undersell our own contributions, but we would definitely be moving at about half the pace without Darren. Plus, he has his own studio and charges us very little, so it’s nice to have unlimited time.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Marcus says M83. Daisy says Laveda. Hannah says Cities Aviv. And Alice says John Denver.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

If you’re scared, we’re scared, too, and that’s okay right now.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

We only did one, so… we say… THAT ONE! Sloppy and loud, but people seemed to like it. We played 10 songs and the live EP is the 3 best.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Oh, of course it would be in LA! Los Angeles is our home and we’re not great with traveling (plus we’re poor). For bands, hmmm… Would it be weird to have Cocteau Twins, The Kinks, and Joan of Arc on the same bill????

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Stop. Go back. There’s nothing for you here.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

We’re gonna break up. It’s the only logical next step. We’ve been dropped by Shoeplaze just this week – they only kept us because they liked the video for “Circus Mirror.” Three ‘best of’ releases come out this summer – 10 best remixes, 10 best tracks from our early catalog, 10 best from our later catalog (including 3 unreleased songs). And then our calendars are clear. Pending no new offers and no more interest, we’re back to the beginning. It was fun, though, while it lasted. I guess we’ll have to turn to vagrancy.

Listen to Why Things Fray below