TLOBF Interview // Male Bonding

Their debut album Nothing Hurts has had many a spin on TLOBF stereo so Adrian Mules caught up with Male Bonding‘s guitarist/vocalist John Arthur Webb, to find out more about their rapid ascent from the shadows to the bright lights of Sub-Pop.

Hi John, Nothing Hurts has been really well received by the critics and fans alike – was it everything you wanted it to be?
Totally – we were surprised that it’s been so well received. We thought we were a bit of an easy target – “trendy dalston lofi punk pop” kinda thing. That stuff was mentioned, but people seemed to look past it to concentrate on the music. Just for the record, we’re the least trendy people I’ve ever met. Total dweebs…

Okay, it’s quite a short record isn’t it?
Yes it is…. That’s just how we write songs. Short attention spans etc. I prefer shorter albums. I can rarely make it through a whole one.

Plus there’s an immeasurable amount of influences in there – what’s your song writing process?
Varies – sometimes all of us hash it out, sometimes I write them. Recently it’s been me because we haven’t really had any time to write together. After 3 months of touring, girlfriends and social lives take priority over rehearsal rooms.

You signed to sub-pop last year that must have been a buzz?
Yes, total dream come true. Still hasn’t really sunk in. Sub Pop changed my life musically, and now I get to go out for dinner with the owners and staff. Now they’ve changed my dietary intake also…

How did you jump from playing house parties to being signed to Sub Pop?
We have our own label called paradise vendors inc. We were putting out our own releases with our friends bands – Sub Pop were buying them from us, then they emailed us, then we signed a 5.5 million pound 17 album record deal with them. A pretty straight forward transaction really.

All the kids reading this will be inspired by knowing such deals are out there the taking!! How did you all meet?
We all worked in the same chain of second hand record shops called reckless records in London. It was a beautiful thing. Love at first sight.

As ex-record shop staff are there common bands you all agree upon being great?
Recent ones yes – we all love Graffiti Island, Mazes, Veronica Falls and The Human Race. Gun Outfit from the states are amazing also. Tons of good stuff out there. We recently put out a compilation of UK bands we like.

You have the only press release I have ever read that mentions trampolining – firstly congratulations – secondly tell me more.
The first show we played was with our buddies Pens, at their house in Maidstone. They had a massive trampoline in the garden. We partied and bounced the night away whilst listening to Jimmy Eat World. It was amazing.

Wow, so what other non-musical skills are in the band?
Robin is a very good photographer. Kevin makes a killer cup of tea and I’m pretty decent at being difficult and moody.

If you could have one body part replaced with a robot one which would it be and why?
My liver – for obvious reasons.

Which is better? Throwing things or catching things?
Throwing things at people you hate.

Thanks John, before you hurl something at me, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
Tour some more and write another record for Sub Pop.