Crashface made their Download festival debut unleashing their fresh sound while pushing boundaries and bringing something new to the table. Aggy Gillon caught up with Otto after their set where they discussed the history of the band, the highs, the lows and their vast influences. Forming on the cusp of the pandemic, the two lads joined forces to create something unique.
You guys haven’t long finished your set, how did you find it?
The heat hadn’t quite gotten to sweltering yet so it was quite nice as we were in a tent so it was cool. The crowd was so much bigger than I thought it would be. For midday on a Sunday it was absolutely wild. I dunno the whole thing was mental!
This is your first Download, what does it mean to you guys to be playing here especially on such an occasion as the 20th anniversary?
With the 20th anniversary and to be on the same day as Slipknot is just mad. I grew up listening to them for years. There are so many friends on this lineup like Dinosaur Pile Up. Guys i’ve hung out with and played with before. It’s mental to be on that sort of callabor of bands.
You guys formed in 2020, so you are still a fairly new band
We played in a hardcore punk band beforehand. We wanted to keep that energy but translate it into a more pop and metal sort of vibe.
It’s just the two of you in the band, which isn’t that common. What’s the story behind that?
I met Charlie in a nightclub and I asked him to hold my cigarette and we became fast friends. We were in a band previously and we just wanted to do something a little more us. It’s cool. Every day is a challenge trying to tackle different ideas and try to do stuff we haven’t heard anyone do before.
You kind of formed during the pandemic, did you both find it hard to write songs and make music together during that time?
We moved in together about four days before the lockdown started
Oh, that’s handy!
We were both working in bars at the time. We were then being actively paid not to do work in a bar and write music and be creative and completely let loose. It worked out really well for us.
It must have given you both something positive to do during your time
Absolutely. By the end of month three we were just at each other’s throats over one little guitar note. It’s just the way it gets.
How would you describe your sound as its quite different to a lot that is out there at the moment
I haven’t heard anything like it. It’s like if the Prodigy, Britney Spears and My Chemical Romance had a baby.
That sounds amazing
Yeah super weird but we have a lot of influences. We try and throw as much as we can from it all in and see what sticks and it’s really good fun.
Did you have a clear vision of what you wanted Crashface to be and how does it translate to what it has become?
We listen to so much stuff and we’re influenced by so many things. Whether it’s even movies, TV, art work or whatever. We try and take different influences every single day and take it for inspiration for a song. We like to think that nothing is ever the same.
You guys have a very fresh sound and this year at Download it appears to be one of the most diverse lineups
Download has always been championing new music and up and coming bands. It’s incredible to be a part of it. It’s honestly such an honour!
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Can you tell me about your new E.P ‘Prototype’?
The E.P came out a few weeks ago. It feels like the genesis of what we are aiming to do. We really wanted to hone our sound and just actually work on a cohesive record. We sat down for days and days and days throwing a lot of stupid ideas at the wall. Then we would come back a few weeks later like ‘oh my god its us’. We are already working on lots of new music
Have you guys done many festivals before?
We did the Great Escape this year, 2000 Trees last year and a bunch of other one dayers.
We have heard a lot about 2000 Trees
You got to go! It’s the best festival, obviously bar Download, i’ve ever been to. It’s small and friendly, everyone is just up for it. It’s lovely.
Have you guys just arrived today or have you been able to experience some of the festival as fans?
We arrived on Friday and partied quite hard. We were sensible and went home at like 5pm yesterday and just chilled out ahead of the show. We camped the first night and are camping tonight again.
It’s nice for you guys to be able to be in amongst it all
Yeah, exactly! At the end of the day the whole reason everyone is here is because we all love music. It’s to be in amongst it where I have always fallen in love with it.
What’s been the most memorable highlight throughout your career?
Download today has just been so unreal what an absolute pleasure to get to open the Avalanche stage. Playing with Kenny Hoopla, touring the UK with them. This band has allowed me to tick off so many bucket list things. It’s all a bit surreal.
Have you got any more shows coming up this year?
Maybe…Well we have a headlining show coming up in London I can definitely talk about. In September at Camden Assembly. Maybe chucking a few days around that, all headlining. Just keep an eye out on our social media.
Do you guys enjoy the tour life?
I love it. I worked as a tour manager before this.
So you already had an insight to what it was like
In my old band we used to tour in my Mum’s old beat up Toyota Prius. Four of us in there, no showering, nothing. Everything after that gets easier.
What is the future for Crashface?
We have a few things that we kind of can’t talk about yet…But we’re just going to keep writing and play a few shows and do the thing, you know?
Interview and photos by Aggy Gillon