When 18Fevers played Rebellion on their first visit to the UK a year ago they lit up the introducing stage with their performance. They were, and remain, a wonderful band to watch. Unsurprisingly they were asked back and have got even better in those twelve months. Gary Trueman chatted to the Koreans about their return, the oddities of playing in Japan and how their home culture plays a part in their writing.
So much has happened to you as a band in just one year. You’ve got a lot more recognition, you’ve got videos out including ‘Nothing Helps’ which is fantastic, and you’re back at Rebellion. What are your feelings on everything that’s happened to you this past twelve months?
“You’ve got to put it into perspective. What you just said is kinda surprising but we guess a lot has happened. We did go to Japan as well which was fun. But we’ve just been in Seoul playing shows which has become a normal life for us. When we got here (Blackpool) and in some other cities too some people recognised us, like hey you’re 18Fevers right? Which was really cool. We appreciate every interaction that we have. It’s surprising and shocking in a good way that people across the globe know the band and our music. We’ve seen people in audiences that have said they saw our show last year and we’ve come back to watch you. We’re very thankful and appreciate every moment we have here. The first year we were getting our feet wet, it was all new for us too. This year we’ve been getting a little closer to some of the fans.”
You mentioned playing in Japan. How was that? Are you finding you have a similar level of popularity there too?
“We don’t think we have any fans in Japan haha! Japan is a hard nut to crack. It’s very difficult to get in there and you have to spend a lot of time, you have to put in years in Japan. The fans are different and there are so many bands, so many clubs, it’s a bit more work. But it was a fun experience.”
How do the fans differ in Japan compared to say the UK?
“The fans in the UK are very friendly. In Japan they are calm, they watch us, here in the UK they go crazy. In Japan they focus on the show and then afterwards they are happy. They are a little bit quiet.”
It’s that politeness culture isn’t it?
“We guess so. We’re on stage and we look at each other and we don’t know how it’s going. We can’t tell.”
You don’t get feedback through crowd interaction during a show?
“Yes, but after a show they’re super friendly and we have a great time. In the UK if an audience watches you and like you even a little bit they’ll support the band by buying merch and cds and everything. In Japan they don’t really have that. If they are going to buy merch from a band then it’ll be from someone they’ve liked for a long time. Unless you’re really knocked their socks off.”
This isn’t your first time in the UK, this is a return. It’s obviously a bit of a culture shock the first time around but now you know what to expect. So what do you like most about the UK?
“One thing that jumps out are the people. Everyone is super happy and excited. This is the birthplace of punk and we were talking to someone who worked at the convenience store and they said there’s a buzz (when Rebellion is on). The people here are excited about music. They have a long history of legendary music, not just punk. They have a broad knowledge base and talk about it with us. That’s really cool. We don’t get to do that in Korea. Here the music is a part of the culture of the country.”
Your album ‘Death Punk Disco’ came out last year, it feels like it’s older for some reason. We love it at Devolution. At what point do you start to think about the next album? What are your plans in terms of writing and releasing new material?
“Just these past couple of months we’ve put together an EP and it’s out now. It’s called ‘Cut Me Up’. That’s the EP name as well as a song title on the record too. It’s been exciting to introduce some extra songs. We’re also in talks with some record labels to release a compilation vinyl of our Eps and singles all on one 12 inch full length. Most of our singles have been digital releases so after tour we’re going to talk more about that.”
We see the phrase that music is a universal language often used. You’ve come from Korea and you‘re playing a UK festival and everybody understands the music. It’s that simple and it doesn’t only apply to punk, it’s across the spectrum. Do you still see, hear or feel, even though it’s a universal language, that you bring something culturally musically unique to Korea to your own songs simply because of that being your home?
“In some way. When Christmas writes the lyrics she tends to write about stuff that people outside of Korea already knows about. Because Korea is very conservative country we still have a long way to go. We want to speak out loud so people will know we are a band that will talk about basic problems. Things like feminism, queer rights and everything, about just being a decent person.”
So in a way you’re almost bringing a bit of UK culture to Korea?
“Absolutely. That accepting. We don’t think we could write the same music if we didn’t live in Korea. Our life there influences it.”
You have this amazing balance within the band, within the pool of your musicianship and also how you are four very distinct and unique individuals that fit together so harmoniously. Do you think that helps with making 18Fevers so memorable?
“A hundred per cent. One of our first shows when we started out, someone said each one of us is spicy. We bring out own individual flavours but we are a band so we combine these forces into one. We do our best and try to make some cool shit. We don’t think anyone has ever said that about us in Korea……… mmmhmm. It is very cool that we’re all very different and that we all compliment each other. It wasn’t intentional, we just became good friends that play music. And we respect our differences too.”
Where are we going to see 18Fevers a year from now, and further into the distance as well? Are you aiming to come back again next year?
“As long as Daz and Jonny (Rebellion Festival) ask us. We have some possible dates in Germany, maybe Czech Republic, festivals, but nothing set in stone. Three times in a row is a big ask but if it happened it would be really awesome.”
Have you got anything you’d like to say to those people who came and saw you last year and have come back, and to those that have more recently checked you out and are now your newest fans?
“We’re always just grateful anyone cares. So a big thanks. We are thankful for every moment you listen to our music and letting us know that you like it.”
Interview And Photos By Gary Trueman