The Return Of Consumed: Guitarist Will Burchell Talks The Talk.

Consumed – Nottinghamshire, England, United Kingdom.

The UK and by extension European Punk-Rock scenes are arguably at the highest strength they have enjoyed in years. Not only is it now all the more viable for a band to completely spam their craft all over the faces and ear-canals of prospective and existing fans but the wealth and frequency of said new bands, shows, mini-festivals, labels and all other beneficial underground music paraphernalia is ubiquitous to say the least.

With that in mind and the also equally excellent return of many of the genre’s trailblazers, we recently caught up with one Will Burchell, Guitarist of UK Punk-Rock household names Consumed ahead of the release of their first record since 2002. The forthcoming A Decade Of No will be released via UK label Umlaut Records and SBAM over in Austria set for the 13th July this year.

So, a simple one to start, you’re back at it again! How does it feel and what spurred the moment?

Hi Matt. It feels good mate. We had originally split up back in 2003 and a few years back our old friends in Vanilla Pod got in touch to ask if we wanted to get back together to play the festival they were planning. Some of us took more convincing than others but in the end we managed to get our shit in order to just about be able to stumble through a shambolic set.

There were no real plans to do anything more significant when we got back together other than play the odd gig that looked like fun, and we are pretty much sticking to those rules. It means it’s taken us a long time to get to the point where we are writing and recording new songs but I think they are sounding better for it. To be honest it’s flattering that anyone gives a shit at this point.

Great to chat to you Will. Ah Vanilla Pod! Another name from a golden age!

I have to say you seem really very pleased with how it’s going, how was the writing and recording process for you this time around? Was there much in the way of stark and very obvious external factors fuelling the ethos behind the writing? Bar the obvious ‘the world appears to be heading swiftly down the toilet’ way of things…

It was quite different to the recording of Pistols at Dawn, we took longer over each song. Generally we would run over ideas during band practice then we demoed them all at our friend Steve’s home studio and during this process some of the songs changed really significantly. Recording with Andy Sneap is always a pleasure, he is genius and we are grateful that he makes time for us amongst all the proper bands he works with. It was noticeable how the process with him had changed in the years between records. The songs on Pistols at Dawn can sound quite clinical and I think A Decade Of No sounds a bit more raw and lively. It benefits from Wes’ vocals as well, they never really came to the fore in Pistols.

In terms of the writing of the lyrics, you’d have to have a chat with Steve about the specifics but to me there are themes of nostalgia and childhood in there. It’s Steve’s son on the cover of the record and the first song is written from his point of view, arguing with his sister. There is one about the youth club he used to go to when he was a kid himself, another about a girl who lived next door who he got up to mischief with…

Taking longer seems to have given more life to the tracks from what you’ve said and perhaps more comfortability to the band. Well, it certainly seems like you had the right Captain at the helm in that respect based on his credentials and I have to say, ‘What Would Cliff Burton Do?’ is a certified banger! The contrast between the the chugging riffs, melodic lead and those harmonies is really something, which brings me on to my next question…

I think for many the sort of crossover Consumed has between cutting UK-styled Punk vocally and lyrically and the dare-I-say more North American melodic Punk/Skate Punk, Epi-Fat sound really stands you out. How would you describe the band’s sound if you had to and where would you place Consumed’s influences both as a unit and for yourself personally?

Difficult one mate. I think we wear the metal influences on our sleeve, definitely in ‘What Would Cliff Burton Do?’ which is a bit of Four Horsemen, bit of Whiplash… That said we are still a melodic Punk band at the end of the day. Steve is the primary song writer and he doesn’t really listen to many Punk bands and in a weird way I think that helps us from sounding too derivative. Andy’s production and the guitar sounds helps give it a bit of weight, I’m not sure any of us would want to record with anyone else. Sorry, I didn’t really answer the question there…

No issues there my friend, you have done so well enough. I definitely see the Metal influences really quite well and it does add another depth to your sound. That’s very interesting to hear about Steve though, yet it does make some sense. To segue way slightly, the more metallic Punk sound is definitely prevalent in the UK/Euro scene at the moment and I have to say its producing some seriously good stuff.

Before we glance over at A Decade Of No again, whats your favourite record of all time and current band on the circuit? Punk or no.

You can’t do that to me… Surely it’s impossible to pick a favourite record of all time? Reserving the right to change my mind the instant I finish answering the question I’m going to go with Talking With The Taxman About Poetry by Billy Bragg. I’m going to go with Mogwai as my favourite currently active band.

I think Spoilers are my favourite band on the Punk circuit at the moment. I heard their new album and there are some belters on there. Their bass player is in a band called Old Sweat who I really like too.

Ha! I’m in truth a little sorry as I would also struggle with that one! Forgiving my being cheeky with that last one and to go more towards topic… What is your personal favourite track on the forthcoming Consumed release and why?

I was really keen that ‘What Would Cliff Burton Do?’ was the first song we released because its such a punch in the face of a song, but my favourite is probably ‘Cut Me Down’. It’s the last track on the EP, it’s pretty simple and mid-paced but I love the vocal melody and I think it makes a great closer.

I would have to agree with your choice for that one, It really brings back your sound to the forefront while still sounding fresh and new. Ah! Well, I will keep that in mind for when my copy arrives! Ok, so finally a double barrelled question.

You’ve talked of how your reformation and the ethos of doing what you would rather at the time became prevalent and felt most natural. Now you’ve been back involved with the scene so to speak over the last 12+ months, what’s your opinion of the way UK Punk and Underground music has gone? And as a lesser but related question, how did you end up working with Umlaut Records?

The Punk scene seems as healthy as it’s ever been. There are loads of great bands who are putting the leg work in and it’s ace to see and be a little part of.

Sarah from Shout Louder interviewed Chris and I before a gig at The New Cross and we were talking about having finished recording the EP and not having a plan to release it and she suggested that by going with a “smaller” label we might be able to help them out a bit and that stuck with me.

We had played with Müg a couple of times and Mark was always so nice it just felt like a good thing to do. It might sound a bit mental but I’d rather have the record coming out on Umlaut and SBAM that on Fat Wreck or a bigger label. Consumed are never going to go on massive tours, we just wanted to get a physical copy out there for anyone who might be interested and do the odd gig and doing it with Mark and Stefan has been totally ace.

Overall then it seems “getting back at it” has gone well for Consumed. I personally can’t wait for my copy to arrive and I have to agree with you on that one, a healthy scene populated by bands and labels is exactly what UK and European Punk music needs right now in these uncertain times!

Thank you again for chatting to MF Will! It’s been fun, please don’t hesitate to keep us in the know with all things Consumed in the future!

Thanks Matt. I hope you enjoy the EP. Let me know what you think when you get hold of it.

Cheers.

Don’t Forget! A Decade Of No will be released via both Umlaut Records in the UK and via SBAM Records in Europe on July 13th with the Pre-orders now live. So reserve your copy and enjoy the crucial and triumphant return of United Kingdom Punk-Rock music.

Find Them:

• Social Media/Updates: Facebook.
• Music: bandcamp, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes/Apple Music.
• Umlaut Records: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Official Website.
• SBAM: Facebook, Official Website.

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