If you’ve been thinking you need some more Scottish pop punk in your life, you’re in for a treat, because this is our ultimate guide to Yeah Detroit. Not only do we have an interview that explores just how they got together and how they got to where they are now, but we have an exclusive tour poster and a stream of their recent EP, ‘Everybody Hates’ (see below). You lucky things.
You formed back in 2009. How did you end up getting together? Tell us about your background and how you got to the point you’re at today.
Like most bands, we started off writing songs on acoustic guitars in our bedrooms in our parents’ houses. Sean and DJ had played in a skate punk band together, then John and DJ played together in a metal band, both of which were terrible. So we all started writing together, recruited a drummer and recorded a demo, which was less terrible than we expected, but still pretty bad. After a year or so, we released our first EP ‘We Are All Our Friends’ which turned out better than anyone expected. Before we knew it we were playing all over the country and shipping CDs all over the world. We released a single called ‘No Money, No Problems’ which helped us to grow even more.
During this period our drummer and guitarist decided to leave the band. We posted a Wanted ad online and our current drummer Rian got in touch 45 minutes later and we recruited Stuart on guitar shortly after. We all clicked immediately and it’s been a weird five-way bromance ever since. This year we released a seven track EP called ‘Everybody Hates’ which we couldn’t be more proud of, played some amazing shows and met some incredible people on tour supporting it and we’re headed back to the studio next month. Hopefully we’ll do it all again next year.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
If I felt like I was dealing with an expert in the nuances of the genre, I might say we play a technical brand of melodic pop-punk. If I felt like I was dealing with a layman, then I would maybe go for ‘like Blink 182, but faster’.
Who are your main influences?
Blink 182, NOFX, Millencolin, Four Year Strong, The Story So Far, The Wonder Years, A Wilhelm Scream, The 90s, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, CHON.
What do you think makes you different to other pop punk bands out there?
I think we’ve got something for everyone. Because there’s so few pop punk bands in Scotland, we often end up playing with alt-rock bands, metalcore bands etc and playing to all different kinds of audiences. So we’ve learned out of necessity how to keep things interesting for someone who maybe isn’t expecting to hear punk rock, and in turn, that’s given us a whole bunch of tools to help us blow away pop punk kids who have maybe became a bit over-exposed.
You released a seven track EP, ‘Everybody Hates’, this year. Have you been pleased with the response?
It’s been awesome man. It had been a long time since our last release and part of me wondered if people would still give a fuck, but we’ve shipped copies all over the world, headlined two tours and even sometimes make our petrol money back at shows [laughs].
If you had to choose one track off the EP as an introduction to the band, which would you choose?
‘Another Lincoln High Survivor’ – fast, slow, makes you laugh, makes you cry, big chorus, tidy outro, harmonies, semi-intelligible lyrics about dealing with loneliness and anxiety with an overall positive outlook. Yup, it ticks all the boxes.
Do you have any plans to tour in the near future?
We sure do. From November 17th we play 5 dates around Scotland, then we’re recording a new EP. In January we’re looking to play some kind of acoustic tour. In February we’re hoping to release our new EP, hopefully spend more time in England and explore elsewhere (we hear Wales likes to party). And if we make it to mainland Europe by the end of 2015, that would be amazing.
What are your plans for the rest of 2014 and beyond? And what is your long term aim with the band?
Tour, record, tour again and then start writing our full length! Long term? Have fun, stay loose and work hard.
LAIS MW