On their debut album, ‘Haze,’ newcomers Silo weave elements of melodic hardcore, grunge, and nu-gaze into a narrative that explores addiction, disillusionment, love, loss and identity. Throughout its 13 tracks, the quintet demonstrate a blend of frustration and intensity. Tracks such as ‘Split My Mind’ and ‘Jaw Wire’ are equally crushing and bold, before ‘Bai Lan (Let It Rot)’ swirls with venomous angst. Elsewhere, ‘Ill Intent’ is delivered with grit, while the verses on ‘Crawl In A Bottle’ wallow in a murkiness before its chorus serves as an emotional release. Likewise, ‘Low Sun,’ allows their melodic emotional core to rise to the top.
Overall, ‘Haze’ sees Silo showcase a sound of controlled chaos, pouring their all into it, yet never offering an easy resolution, only honesty. For the quintet of Kriss Maguire (vocals), Dario Leonetti (bass), Darren Shields (drums), and guitarists Lar Crookall and Chris Barber-Shaw, ‘Haze’ is the result of a band living in a post-COVID world. Having recorded in just a week with Kel Pinchin (Split Chain, Thornhill, As It Is, Love Is Noise) last summer at Southampton’s The Ranch Production House, they pour their frustrations with a raw intensity.
Part of their collective frustration comes from living on the isolated Isle of Man. Located in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland, the island is self-governed, yet is ruled by King Charles III. While its language is split between English and Manx, a form of Gaelic. Despite being cut off from mainland England and Ireland, Silo has channelled being isolated into building a tight-knit community.
As guitarist Laurence Crookall explains, there’s more to the Isle of Man than the annual motorcycle race and its status as the birthplace of Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees. Crookall discussed the impact the area has had on the band and offered insight into its music scene.
What city are you from, and what makes you proudest to be from there?
We are from Douglas on the Isle of Man, a small island that sits about 100 miles off the cost of Liverpool. The Island or ‘The Rock’ as we call it, is in our eyes, one of the greatest places on earth. It’s hard to describe the Isle of Man in just a sentence or two, but I’ll try.
Think of a place where everyone is just a friend you may not have met yet. Where a sense of community and all being in it together is at the core of everything you do. Albeit the Island is not without its challenges. As a place where we can go from the top of a mountain to the beach in less than 5 minutes, there is no place we would rather call home.
What is it famous for, and what are its people known for/what character traits are they seen as having?
The main exports from the Island are the Isle of Man TT, the world’s largest motorbike race. It’s been going on for over 100 years, and it really is the most mental thing you will ever experience. Imagine seeing motorbikes doing 150+ MPH through B roads and through towns… whatever you’re picturing still isn’t crazy enough for what this event is.
The second thing the Island is known for is being the birthplace of Disco music. I know it seems silly to say, but it is the birthplace of the Bee Gees. As much as we’d like to say the Bee Gee’s influenced our music, we’d be lying if we said they did!
What influence has that had on the city’s music scene and the types of bands it produces?
I think the rural and isolated nature of the Island has kept it away from any of the modern tropes of music, but the amount of unreal musicians, bands and groups on the Island is unreal. For an island that’s only 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, the quality of art and music that is created over here floors us. Seriously, the Isle of Man does not get its flowers when it comes to showcasing how good the musical talent over here is. It might have something to do with being stuck in the middle of the Irish Sea and travelling to the UK being a bit of a nightmare at times.
I wouldn’t say the Island has directly had an effect from a cultural and social standpoint on genres, as there is every style of music you can imagine being created over here. I think it’s more the collaboration between people that moulds the sound. It’s not uncommon for someone to be in 5+ bands that share multiple members, because people just want to play.
Are there particular genres your hometown is most associated with?
I’d have to say Disco, haha. If I tried to deny the Bee Gee’s and their influence on popular music, I’d be lying. Aside from Disco being the genre, ‘the world’ probably knows the Island for locally it’s 100% punk.
There are some amazing punk bands on the Island that are doing everything in their power to get off the Island and showcase just how good they are.
To you, what are the best or most well-known bands the city has produced, and how do you feel about those bands?
There are so many it might be hard to remember them all, but off the top of my head: Jacoba, Uber Room, Back Door Slam, Swound, Sanssoucci, Swarf Damage, Aeons, DOA (Death of Another), Croteau, Moder, Loft 47, The Persian Doormats, On A Friday, This City Screams Red, I could go on. All of these bands, in one way or another, have inspired us to pick up our instruments and make music with our brothers.
Who do you consider the unsung heroes in your local music scene?
There are loads of legends doing it for the love of music: Ali DeBacker, Jenni Smith, Manx Punx, Andy Saunders, Gareth & Deb at Sound Records, and Richard Raine, to name a few. They do it for nothing but the love of the music.
What local up-and-coming bands should we be listening to?
Croteau are killing it right now. If you have not listened to these guys, do it. They have a record called ‘Silent Sound’ coming out on May 8th. We can’t wait to listen to it!
What venues in the city have your band played most often, and how have they helped to shape your band?
There aren’t many venues left on the Island, much like the UK, they have been decimated by the cost of living rises and the decline in the weekend drinking culture. That being said, Mad Jack’s is somewhere we would call home on the Island. Those guys are constantly putting on shows and doing everything in their power to keep the music scene alive.
If you were to write/if you have written a song about where you’re from, what would the tone and message of the song be?
Good question, it would probably be based around the Manx saying ‘Traa Dy Liaoor’, which means time enough. Things will happen, life will happen, just go at your own pace, and you will get there. Don’t force anything. We’d probably complement it with a skank beat and some punk angst for the punk homies.
‘Haze’ by Silo is released on May 1st on Easy Life Records.
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