Continuing our series of written interviews with unsigned and independent acts, we had the opportunity to submit questions to band Counterfeit Youth:
1. How did the band form?
In our home town of Consett in early 2016, our drummer Andrew McAskell (Andy Mac) formed a band with our rhythm guitarist Robert Owens (Rob) and two of our friends, called Robert Whalen and Jack Martin (both no longer part of the band.)
Rob & Andy Mac were also in another band, an indie/rock covers band which needed a bass player, we met & recruited our now lead guitarist Andrew Brown (Andy B). After a few shows our singer left and this band came to halt. Our final show with this band, which was a local buskers night, is where we would meet our now lead vocalist Adam Pull (Skud), who was signing for another band on the night, we all came together and decided to form Counterfeit Youth
After one show Robert Whalen left the band due to family reasons, Andrew Brown then came into the band to take his lead guitar role. The line up of Skud, Rob, Andy Mac, Andy B and Jack started playing shows and recording original music. Jack would soon leave the band and Chris Wilson would then join the lineup on bass guitar, and this is the complete lineup that you see today.
2. How would you describe your music?
Our music is a huge variant of ideas and influences, some songs are fast in your face, some songs are slow and heavy, some have a sing-a-long feel to them and some make you want mosh! At one of our first shows in Newcastle, a man after the gig said to myself (Andy Mac) and Skud that he thought we were like “if Blink 182 and Biffy Clyro had a child” so I suppose that’s a good way to describe it haha!
3. What are your methods for writing music?
Usually when we want to write a new song we all sit down during a practice and put forward any ideas we have, be it lyrics for a song or a guitar riff etc, and build around it from there. Sometimes it takes a while and we have to drill it out, or sometimes everything just flows and as soon as you’ve started writing a song it’s finished. We like everyone to have contributed something to each song we write so it keeps it unique.
4. What are your gigs like?
High energy, feel good and sometimes quite intense! At least for us on stage anyway! We like to create a fun atmosphere for everyone, we like to joke and have fun on stage but when we start playing we go full throttle and throw everything into it, we find the more you give on stage the more the audience gets out of it, if they see you’re giving it everything and enjoying it they’ll enjoy it more as well, We actively encourage dancing, drinking and having a laugh, so it’s always a good time!
5. Would you ever consider coming south?
Of course! Our dream is to be able to play our songs to audiences up and down the country! We mainly play in our home city of Newcastle Upon Tyne, but we have plans to start playing other cities ASAP! We had a great gig in Leeds early this year so we’d love to go back there, and hopefully if everything goes to plan we will be playing in more cities across England by early next year!
Associated links:
Instagram – @CounterfeitYouth