Fair Do’s: ‘Leopards’, Fivers, Punk and Trusty Shorts.
Fair Do’s – Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Through our friends at Lockjaw Records and Shout Louder, we sit down with Manchester‘s Fair Do’s ahead of the imminent release of their first full-length album via Lockjaw Records, entitled Leopards.
Fair Do’s are known for their fast and weighted Melodic Hardcore Punk-Rock, precision Post-Hardcore, relentless Skate Punk and general nice-human-ness, so if you’re new to the band, heed those words and get to know Danny (Guitar/Vocals) with some oh-so-welcome interjections from John (Drums/Vocals) below!
So, instead of the boring hellos, introduce yourselves and the band with the first and foremost most abstract sentence that comes to mind? The real questions will follow don’t fret!
(John) – Hi, Matt!
We are the fiver you find in an old pair of shorts, because, despite inflation, you will never not be happy to find a fiver, and wear a nice trusty pair of shorts.
(I have no idea if that’s an acceptable answer or not. Haha!)
I will take that. So, it’s all recorded and ready to go! Anticipation? Relief? What is the feeling in Fair Do’s camp in regard to the release and where you are as a band?
(Danny) – Definitely a good portion of relief, it’s all been taken out of our hands now, so to speak, which is a fantastic feeling after working on it for so long! We’re all really excited for everybody to hear what we’ve been up to. As a band we just keep doing the same things, keep making plans, keep pushing.
That sounds like a decent way to look at it. You have your creation now you can watch it fly. I wanted to ask you about the sound of Fair Do’s and where you see it in the UK/Euro Punk scenes.
Much of the aforementioned scenes are unequivocally strong at the moment, with the more Tech-Punk, Thrash-Punk approach being seen more and more now. What do you think is so strong and appealing to both fans and bands about this sudden style?
(Danny) – I’d say we’re definitely on the heavier end of the spectrum. This scene hasn’t just appeared over night, most of the bands have all been around for the best part of a decade, and what we’re seeing now is a community that’s evolved and grown into something that can’t help but attract a bit of attention.
It’s not long ago that we used to put a local ska band on Skate Punk gigs in Manchester, just to make sure we got forty people through the door. There’s still a long way to go but it’s an exciting time for us right now!
I think you managed to capture what I was trying to say there! Fancy joining MF?
I digress, I do agree, the bands have indeed been there but I think the level in which the community has grown makes it seem like a newer phenomenon, which can only be a good thing!
So why ‘Leopards’? what are we to expect from an album that will be undoubtedly heavy musically, will the lyrics hit just as hard? For you what is main focal point?
(Danny) – Haha! I must respectfully decline!
The title is a Trailor Park Boys reference, in that a shit leopard never changes it’s shit spots. Don’t be surprised by behaviour you have come to expect from folk. Concentrate on the people
worth your time and the things you can actually influence.
The lyrics loosely follow that theme, some uplifting, but generally more pissed off. We’re pretty straight talkers so I think that shines through.
As you say, expect heavy, some crushing breakdowns but generally fast and melodic with punch!
The focal points shift throughout the album, it depends what you’re listening for! I think the vocals are strong enough to carry the focus, but there’s enough going on to distract your attention at any moment!
That is probably a positive decision for you, as I hear the boss is somewhat of a undesirable character!
Well that’s some solid life advice I have to say and what better way to purvey such than via anthemic Punk with therapeutic and crushing breakdowns! How was the writing process with Leopards compared to Trying Times ? As a first full length for the band were there any low-points at all?
(Danny) – Absolutely, most of the songs on the EP were written by myself before we had even done a gig. In total contrast, there are tracks on Leopards where my only input was the vocal melody! Everybody got involved in the writing process, every track has been meticulously demoed and signed off before we booked studio time.
I would have liked to have got it done and out a bit quicker, but we couldn’t be happier with the results and the last thing we would do is compromise the quality. You only get one debut album after all!
I don’t think anyone can argue with that! What influences were in play this time around? And to extend that question, for yourself and John, what are your favourite bands currently doing the sound-round in the scene?
(Danny) – The core influences remain pretty unchanged in the likes of Strung Out, Death By Stereo, Propagandhi, Belvedere etc… but in order to vary our sound from the rest of the scene, we look to take influence from elsewhere. So obviously lot of Metal like The Haunted, All Shall Perish, Intervals and Animals As Leaders; but then also stuff like Earth Wind and Fire, Wu Tang Clan, The Meters, Dizzy Rascal, Oasis and much more. We really do get ideas from everywhere!
My favourite bands currently in the scene are Actionmen and PMX, seriously check them if you aren’t familiar!
(John) – A couple of my current scene faces are Waterweed from Japan and The Decline from Australia.
They’re both melodic uptempo Punk bands who work hard and make great music. It’s great to see other people from the other side of the world sharing your values and musical tastes.
A few names surprise me in there but I agree with the notion of broadening your horizons no matter how good the Punk scene! I know PMX but Actionmen I will have to look up! waterweed will be added to my list as well, thank you!
Ah The Decline! I met Pat while I was living in Melbourne when he was filling in for Pears, great band!
Ok, so, in some weird far off alternate reality, what weird and wonderful music names of the past would you tour with if you could and why? And who would you never play with in a million years? Abstract answers are encouraged!
(Danny) – It has always been an ambition of ours to play with the band from Back To The Future, where Marty McFly plays Johnny B Goode – Marvin Berry and the Starlighters. “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it”
We would never play with GG Allin because we do a good enough job covering ourselves in blood and shit!
Ha! I can imagine that now, what they would make of you and you time changes is anyone’s guess.
*Audible laughter* It seems I might need to attend a Fair Do’s show in my hazmat suit then!
So, to close, what is next for the fiver and the trusty pair of shorts? Further fights against inflation and the ever going quest to find greater comfort? Or simply just the classic of world domination?
(Danny) – We’re gonna be fighting inflation one serendipitous fiver at a time! We’re booking up the rest of the year around the UK, working on a Japan tour for early 2019, a few other overseas jaunts and starting work on our next release!
Check lockjawrecords.co.uk for pre-orders, the single for Closing In is out right now and the album drops on July 27th. Catch us at the release gig on the 30th with Mute in Manchester!
You can’t argue with that! Best of luck you crumpled bank notes! Thanks to the both of you for taking the time to talk to share your thoughts! It’s been fun. I’ll let you know when my copy arrives!
Leopards is set for release on the 27th July via Lockjaw Records and can be pre-ordered now.
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