Introduction
After watching Big Drink open up for Punk Rock Factory, we were super excited to listen to their music more and get to know them as a band! We were instant fans at their gig and this interview really cemented how great these guys are!
Interview
Why did you guys change your name from A New Hope to Big Drink?
Big Drink- It’s a bit of a long story but essentially we got copyright striked by a manufactured boy band called “A New Hope Club” who were on a subsidiary of Virgin/EMI and started getting threatening letters in the post telling us to cease and desist.
Our branding could apparently have been confusing to their fanbase… Big Drink seemed fitting at the time, when things aren’t going your way – who doesn’t like a Big Drink to cheer them up?
What was it like supporting Punk Rock Factory on their first tour in 2021 and returning to play with them at rock city this year?
Big Drink- We were super lucky to get on that run of show and despite the name change being a bit of a momentum killer at the time directly afterwards, we had a blast. Got to drive around the UK for two weeks playing our hearts out to a lot of new folks. Bit of a dream came true at the time.
Returning to play again was excellent. Biggest show on their tour sold out, can’t really thank them enough. We’d love to have gotten involved in more but there are some other crazy good up and coming bands on the rest of the run who also deserve the spotlight too!
Do you think both bands have grown since then, what do you think has enabled this growth?
Big Drink- The PRF lads do an excellent job of advertising and marketing and they’ve ridden the wave from their early covers days into remaking songs into something truly unique now. It’s awesome to see that progression. I think we’ve spent that time knuckling down and truly coming across a sound that we like, rather than just aping our contemporaries at the time. Growth is an odd one, you always feel like you can be doing more and that it’s hard to gain reach but as long as people are liking what we’re putting out and coming to our shows, that’s growth enough for us.
If you could cover any song what would it be and why?
Big Drink- oooh we’ve been known to dabble in a cover or two and have released a good charlotte banger earlier this year but if we could cover anything…. Probably a riff laden, emo version of Vanessa Carlton’s “Thousand Miles”. With a breakdown in for good measure.
If you could order one ‘Big Drink’ what would it be?
Big Drink- A Big Drink is something personal. What Big Drink gets you going right? I mean you can beat a classic vodka and coke. Vague hints of regretful drinking in parks, the ability to render cola undrinkable under normal circumstances and an aftertaste of waking up frantically to brush your teeth. What more do you want?
Did you watch the Wolves of Glendale set, what were your thoughts?
Big Drink- Those guys were amazing. Truly talented musicians and a great bunch of chaps to boot. Their version of Jet’s “Do you wanna be my girl”. had us in stitches. Highly recommend searching for that on Youtube if you have some time to spare.
What are your plans for the future?
Big Drink- We have a new single to release before christmas and a whole new EP for the new year, in early spring. Hopefully following that up with a bunch of shows to celebrate its freedom into the wider world. Definitely keep tuned on our socials for more Big Drink madness in the near future.
Can you tell us more about your new single 404?
Big Drink- Of course. It’s a bit of a sad one, masquerading as a happy song. If you like big hooks, digging into some deep lyrics and a bit of pop punk up-beat bounce you’ll love it. But you don’t have to take our word for it, you can go listen right now!
The bassist (JME) seems nice, the kind of guy to give you the shirt off his back, does he miss the unicorn tie dye or does he own many others?
Big Drink- That unicorn tee was a favourite of his and in retrospect, it was quite a sad moment for him to lose such a treasured item. It even glows in the dark! But you have to give the people what they want and someone was screaming that they wanted his shirt. What can you do in that situation?
Also, he’s a lovely chap and is always giving in some capacity. Probably just didn’t think it was going to be his actual clothes when he came out on stage.
What are the pros and cons of having 6 band members?
Big Drink- The pro’s: Getting to hang out and play music with 6 of your mates is excellent. The con’s: Getting hotel rooms and van journeys. Also, the smell.
What are your guys favourite Punk Rock Factory covers?
Big Drink- C’est La Vie that they just dropped is hands down one of our favs from recents years. They’ve gone above and beyond on it frankly and it sounds HUGE! If we’re going for a classic it’s going to be Under the sea. Just that jaunty guitar intro riff never loses its charm. They have a song for nearly every occasion so please don’t make us pick!
What are the best and worst venues you’ve played in?
Big Drink- I think Rock City is up there in terms of how nicely it’s laid out as a venue. The 02 in Birmingham is also a favourite. We love playing at the Boiler rooms in London too, always a wild night down there.
Possibly the worst place we played was in Chelsea, london. We won’t name names as it’s still an active venue but they asked us to play the drums quietly…… we shall say no more.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had as a band?
Big Drink- Getting a boy band scared enough to try and sue you? haha. We’ve got loads of strange stories from across the years. Pre-show push ups to Pantera. That was a thing for a while. Rolling down on our tour racks into venues at load ins.
We played a show in Wales where there was a really drunk guy there. Every time our set ended he started a chant of “One more for the boys” until we literally ran out of songs to play and he had us do part of our set again. We could go on all day, it’s mostly wholesome. Mostly.
Who are your musical influences?
Big Drink- I guess that’s the other oddity about having six members, there are six people with totally different music tastes. When we started out we loved (and imitated) our childhood favourites like Four Years Strong and A Day to Remember but as we’ve grown into our own sound we listen to a bit of everything.
Pop, death metal, hardcore, emo, punk. It’s all got a little influence on what we’re doing now. I think most of us love a bit of Synth and that’s started to peep its way into our tracks now too.
If you could play at any festival what would it be?
Big Drink- I mean for us the dream would be Slam Dunk, it’s the epitome of Uk Pop Punk culture and would be an amazing day. But there are so many other great festivals now. I think 2000 Trees would be a genuine highlight of a lifetime too. If you’re reading this and do bookings there. Get us on!
St. Jimmy and Rex 🖤☠️
All rights to the songs in this review are retained by the relevant artists and this site claims no rights over them. The photos were provided by Big Drink. The live photo was taken by St. Jimmy & Rex.
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