For many the Netherlands is best known for clogs, coffee, and cheese and it’s not everyday you hear many pop-punk bands from the country, but that’s all about to change with Call It Off.
The Eindhoven four-piece’s latest EP, ‘Liars’ offers five slices of pure three-chord pop-punk that pays homage to US acts such as Green Day and Alkaline Trio. Tracks like ‘Famous Last Words’ and ‘Stuck with You’ are tight, fun and catchy to the point you can’t help but feel good.
With a clear influence for “old school” pop-punk, Call It Off are set to support current genre heroes The Wonder Years in the coming weeks before touring Europe and China.
We caught up with vocalist/guitarist Maurice Bolier to find out what makes three chord pop-punk so good, the music scene in the Netherlands, and more.
Already Heard: Let’s begin by finding out Call It Off are. Can you introduce yourself and tell us your role in the band?
Maurice: My name is Maurice and I sing and play guitar in Call It Off.
AH: How would you sum up the bands sound?
Maurice: We write Pop Punk/Punk Rock songs influenced by the likes of: Alkaline Trio, Starting Line and more.
AH: From hearing ‘Liars’, I get the impression “old school” pop-punk is a big influence?
Maurice:
Yes most definitely, we grew up with the whole 90’s/00’s pop punk wave.
And the love for that type of music is what brought us together a a band.
Our aim was to make music the way the bands did in that era.
AH: What is it about three chord pop-punk that is just fun to listen to?
Maurice: To me, it’s about well written pop songs with clever/bratty lyrics and gritty guitars that will be stuck in your head for days.
AH: You’ve played shows support current pop-punk heavyweights The Story So Far and The Wonder Years. How was it to be playing with bands of that calibre?
Maurice: Supporting The Story So Far was really cool, those guys are really down to earth nice people. Next to that, the chance to play for a bigger crowd then you usually do is of course amazing. We haven’t played the show with The Wonder Years yet, that show is planned on May 17th, really excited about that because they are one of our favorite bands at the moment.
AH: As performers is there anything you learnt from playing those shows?
Maurice: Yes of course, it’s a totally different game to play in a club where there are 500 kids who don’t know your band then playing in a bar for 50 people that probably consist mostly out of friends and family. Which is also fine, but eventually you want to reach as many people as you can so it’s great to have that opportunity. You have to try really hard to win over the audience.
AH: I guess the shows were also an ideal way to get the new tracks heard?
Maurice: Definitely, it’s a chance you don’t get a lot in the music industry. You have to be there and show them what you got, if you don’t, it might end up being a short ride for you and your band.
AH: In the coming months you’ve playing shows in Europe and even China. How would you describe your regular Call It Off show?
Maurice: Energetic/Fun and chaotic. “Controlled Chaos” may be a right description.
AH: Why should people come and see Call It Off live?
Maurice: If you are up for having a blast and just pogo your ass off, then come see us.
AH: Are there any plans to visit the UK?
Maurice: We will yes, not sure when. But it’s definitely something we want to do sometime soon.
AH: It is not often we come across pop-punk bands from Netherlands. What can you tell us about the music scene over there?
Maurice: It’s pretty small as in there are not many bands, especially not many pop punk bands. That has its advantages and disadvantages, competition can be good for a band to work harder
and try to be a better band then the other one which eventually will probably lead to better bands. A big disadvantage is that there is a really small group of people that will enjoy your music, so
you have to get out of the country to reach more people.
AH: Are there any local bands you’d like recommend or give a shout out to?
Maurice:
Yes check out any band from our label White Russian Records (The 101’s, Note To Amy, Screw Houston Start Screaming) because they are all really awesome and check out our good and close friends in Wasted Bullet and The Charm The Fury.
AH: Finally why should Already Heard readers check out Call It Off and ‘Liars’?
Maurice: If you like pop punk/punk rock music like it was written back in 1994/2002, then you should check us out!
‘Liars’ EP by Call It Off is out now on White Russian Records.
Call It Off links: Website|Facebook|Twitter|YouTube|Tumblr
Words by Sean Reid (@SeanReid86)
