Introduction
If you have ever listened to the Hamburg based Indie-Punk powerhouse that is Plaiins then you will already know their masterpiece formula… Heavy infectious riffs and social commentry disguised as a comedic punch in the throat.
The band recently released their excellent debut album Happy Faces! Proving that they can navigate toxic traits, European politics and absurd music industry meetings. All while making listeners laugh and headbang in equal measure.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Chris Reardon (Vocals) to hear the low down on all things Plaiins. Grab yourself something delicious and dig into this interview with me.
Interview
You released your debut album “Happy Faces” last year (2025). What made that the perfect title for the record?
Yeah, I love the album title. I think with the album cover, and the sense of irony and political and social satire throughout the album, it’s the perfect combination.
Initially if you just read the title and hadn’t seen the album cover or know any of the music, it does give a sense of lightness and joy, and I think on the surface our music can have that but underneath we are always talking about something serious.
If you had to select just one song from that album for someone to listen to, which song would it be and why?
I think Row She Said. As soon as that song was finished in the studio I think it was everyone’s favourite or in their top 3 for sure. I remember listening to the debut album in its entirety for the first time with my wife. We both cried and got very choked up, it has a real passion and power to it.
Its a song I wrote about Brexit and the rise of the right wing in mind, especially now that Im living in Germany, the rise of the AfD is frightening. I wanted to have the lyrics to be more leaning on metaphor rather than coming out and saying “Why spread hate you ring wingers”. I find political songs quite challenging to write without them coming across as bland, preachy or simplistic.
Because politics is very complicated, the world is very complicated and subjects like this deserve nuance and thought. I like how the verses and choruses split perspective as well, it gives another dimension to the song. Also great guitar riff, great feel on the drums and power, just awesome performances from the guys overall. Im particularly proud of this one for sure.
A lot of your music feels like a social commentary disguised as a punch in the face… Would you agree, and why do you think it comes across that way?
Yeah definitely and this is intentional and seems to be an area Flo (guitarist in PLAIINS) and I gravitate towards lyrically. As I mentioned above about Row She Said, we like songs with layers and we want to discuss topics we’re passionate about so I think this is a very natural way of writing for us in PLAIINS. Whether political or social commentary.
I think as well that this opens up opportunity to put forward topics with a sense of irony and humour. We also poke fun at ourselves too, like the song Sports Bar for example. Although we’re poking fun at sports lads and overly macho sports-bar dudes, from time to time the guys and I will turn into that ourselves haha! And we know its ridiculous to yell at the TV and say, “how could you miss that, even I could have scored that….” well….we definitely couldn’t!
You recently released single “Look Ma, I’m A Don”. What was the inspiration behind the song. I’d also like to know your thoughts on the rise of online “Alpha Male” culture?
Yeah I think Look Ma really is a nice compact slap of the PLAIINS DNA. Its got the dissonant punk riff and guitar lines, then a very Blur, Beatles, Britpop vibe in the chorus. We’ve been really into these more gang choruses recently, I think this is from our love of the band PUP and that really comes through on this song.
Yeah we’re not a fan haha! This “alpha male” culture is pretty disgusting in my opinion, its very toxic and backwards. I know that men and women are different and both have very positive aspects but this “alpha male” is just very toxic.
It’s very toxic and backwards. It seems to be built around insecurity, this idea that men constantly have to prove how masculine or dominant they are, and a complete lack of self-reflection or empathy. I find it really disappointing and sad to see that culture growing online. There was a great Louis Theroux documentary which came out….I hope that presented a mirror to these douchebags but Im not gonna hold my breath.
I find myself in a constant state of smiling or laughing at your songs. Would you say satire is your most effective songwriting tool? Also are you worried people might miss the message and only hear the jokes?
Haha! No we don’t worry about that. We write how we want to write and about what we want to write about, and then we put it out there. That’s it. We really work hard on our songs and never settle for “that’ll do” or “yeah that’s fine”.
We’re always pushing ourselves as musicians and writers and we put out what we are proud of and most importantly what excites us, ignites us and makes us want to put it out and play it to the world.
One of our goals on this record is that on every song we wanted the listener to have that laugh out loud or smiling moment, so its great we at least accomplished that with you! haha!
As a band that has toured a fair amount in recent times, what do you think the biggest myth about touring in a band is?
Umm Im not sure, I think the myth that touring in a band is glamorous and just a bunch of people hanging out getting wasted isn’t there anymore in my opinion. The world is just too tough for that and if you’re taking this seriously and on the road a lot, people know its tough.
The money is so tight and everything is more expensive, so I think that glamorous myth is pretty much dead. Its hard work, we of course have a lot of fun and have a few beers and the last day of the tour we’ll have a boatload of beers but we stay pretty sensible really.
If you had to pick a local band to champion, who would it be, and what is their best song?
Agassi and their song The Riot in the Back. Great band and opened up for us at Molotow in Hamburg. Lovely people and a great band.
What is the strangest thing you have seen at one of your gigs?
I wouldn’t say “strange” but definitely something special I haven’t seen before. We played a festival called Zinkwerk this summer and it was probably our favourite show this summer. The crowd were just on fire with stage diving, crowd surfing, mosh pits, circle pits, wall of death, the whole shebang for our whole set, just the way we love our shows. 600 people crammed in a tent and you couldn’t get another person in.
There was a guy in a wheelchair at the show and his friends put him up on their shoulders and he was crowd surfing in his wheelchair. Was such a beautiful thing to see how the audience love it and look after him and you could see the joy on his face. One thing I really love at our shows that even though its a punk show, everyone has a beaming smile on their face. I don’t want any anger or aggression at our shows, ever. It’s a safe space for everyone.
What is the worst meal you have eaten while on tour, and bonus side to this, what is your favourite food?
Sadly we go to a lot of service stations on the road and we are pretty sick to death of Burger King and McDonalds. Best food has got to be in Italy, we played a festival there and the food was incredible.
My personal favourite Plaiins song is “Do One”. I’d love to know though how much of the lyrics happened? Could you expand on the back story behind it?
Well, haha its a true story. Me and the guys had a meeting with a veteran in the music business. He basically gave us a lecture on what we should do, including releasing our next single exclusively in Korea. I guess because I’m half Chinese and half English, he just assumed I’m Korean… strange conversation.
Which band member would survive the longest in a zombie apocalypse?
None of us haha! We would be all dead on day 1.
I obviously jam to “Sports Bar” but I’d love to know what sports or sports teams do the band watch/support?
For me, it’s Coventry City Football Club. I was born in Coventry, my dad is from Coventry and I’ve always supported them. Flo is a big St. Pauli supporter as well as Dortmund. Adrian is more of a rugby guy and doesn’t really follow club rugby — I think he mainly follows the internationals. Jörn is also a St Pauli fan.
If your tour van could write a review of the band what would the headline be?
Stupid jokes, deep conversations about topics they clearly know nothing about, sometimes bickering, lots of laughing, and playing every show like it’s the last day on earth.
Where would you like to be as a band in say 5 years?
I would like us to keep the fun and unity we have, sell out 500-capacity venues across Europe. I would love us to have played a tour of the United States and to have released our third album.
Finally which Plaiins song would make the WORST first dance at a wedding?
All of them!
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