In 2017 we're spoilt for choice in terms of of how we socialise online, therefore making friends in person can still be bit of a daunting experience. With some people, its merely a case of going to parties or gigs and talking to strangers and seeing what daft things you have in common. For Taco Hell, it was a combination of the first day of University nerves and an Amnesty International pub quiz where drummer Max Qayyum, guitarist Connor O'Donnell and co guitarist/frontman Joe Booker met.
Through the wonder of social media, vocalist/bassist Eleanor Parkinson was the missing piece of the scuzz punk puzzle that Taco Hell needed. A mere three months later, they released ‘Breathe Deeply’ through Circle House Records, an energetic affair full of lyrics about anxiety, depression, self loathing and drinking with pals.
Having only played one show during the recording of ‘Breathe Deeply’, Qayyum states that while the EP wasn’t rushed, they didn’t have the same kind of experience of playing live as they do now. “With some of the songs on ‘Retainer’, we’ve been playing them for almost a year now, and I feel like that’s given us time to see what works and what doesn’t. We also had way more songs to pick from, and we’ve put some aside this time round, whereas for Breathe Deeply, we literally had those 5 songs finished and we went in and recorded them. Also, I think we just got way better at writing together.”
With cute DIY venues such as The Bodega Social Club and JT Soar, as well as the big boy clubs such as Rock City alongside The Rescue Rooms, Nottingham is a bustling hub for all things music oriented. Naturally, Qayyum feels very much at home with the UK Emo/Punk scene here. “It’s a huge chunk of my life” he admits. “When I’m not doing the band I’m probably booking shows or writing. I think that the UK punk scene is at the best it’s been for a few years right now, so many bands are doing so well, and there’s just a well of great music.” When asked what Taco Hell loves the most about Nottingham, O’Donnell simply replies; “Bodega lager.”
Regarding influences, the band cite mostly American bands such as Joyce Manor, Dowsing, The Menzingers and The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die to name a few. Yet even in their short time as a band their music never feels like an obvious homage to these acts, and having a diverse range of influences is of course, never a bad thing. Parkinson adds; “I sing to Camp Cope everyday in the shower in an Australian accent, they’re so good! PWR BTTM also inspire me, they write amazing songs.”
“Our favourite band and people are Kermes who are from Leicester, genuinely incredible live and the nicest people ever” Qayyum says. “We were good friends with Splitsville before they split, Jim runs our record label and we’re hoping to book a tour up with Jordan’s new project, Phaedra’s Love, around June. Me and Chris from Pokemon Liberation Army run a load of projects together and they’re a great band!”
Of course, an aspect that a lot of kids don’t think about when they start a band, is being able to have some sort of financial security alongside the sweaty venues and 10 hour car trips across the country. For Taco Hell however, they reckon they’ve got things fairly under control. With 3/4 members being at University and Booker having a full time job Qayyum admits that it can be tough juggling responsibilities with a semi full time music schedule.
“When we started this band we had no idea it would actually become a ‘proper band’, we just wanted to jam and hang out and have fun. Now we’re lucky enough to do that, and play amazing shows, and do really cool stuff like this interview, the financial aspect isn’t too big of a deal for us, because we just feel lucky to have any of these opportunities and we don’t have many risks to worry about. I know that that’s completely different for us, and I don’t think it’s easy at all, it just isn’t a huge concern for us right now. I guess if we were trying to do it full time or push it much further, we might feel differently.”
Now with added opportunities since the release of ‘Retainer’, comes of course the creative cycle of their fans wanting to start bands of their own, a sentiment that Parkinson fully supports. “Just do it!” she exclaims. “Don’t feel like you can’t start a band because you’re not the best singer/ guitar player or drummer! Also, find people who are supportive and encourage you, if someone tells you you’re not good or isn’t encouraging, don’t be in a band with them.
“In Taco Hell, we all have a laugh together and have fun. Also, I know it’s stupid but for a long time I think I subconsciously believed I couldn’t be in band because I was a girl. I didn’t really get involved in the DIY scene until I went to uni, so I wasn’t really used to seeing girls play in bands – so don’t let things like your gender, ethnicity or age etc. stop you from being a band either – anyone can do it.” Qayyum adds; “I was in my 20s when I started this band, and it’s my first band as well so I reckon anyone could do it.”
With two EPs under their belt, Taco Hell are shaping up nicely as a unit, seemingly very cheerful about the rest of their plans for 2017. With slots such as Backpack Festival in London on Qayyum’s birthday and Washed Out Festival in the pipeline, the Nottingham punks are seizing this year without letting anything get in the way.
‘Retainer’ is available now via Circle House Records.