This edition of “Pop-Punk Approved & Recommended” focuses on Blackpool pop-punk/emo quintet Boston Manor. The band released debut EP ‘Here/Now’ a year ago (almost to the day) and in doing so showcased an introspective and considered blend of thoughtful alternative rock, spiralling melodies and pop-punk riffs. Since then the band has also put out a split with hardcore/punk quartet Throwing Stuff. Already Heard had a chat with Henry Cox about the band’s influences, achievements so far and thoughts on their contemporaries.
AH: Did the environment you grew up in help or hinder/encourage or discourage you pursuing a career in music?
Henry: In a sense, both. There’s no scene whatsoever in Blackpool so we rarely got to go to, or play any local shows. But there have been some really great bands that we knew that came from our area, Me Vs Hero and Outl4w to name a few; I suppose that showed me that it was possible. At the same time, there really is very little going on where we’re from, so forming a band was just something to do that got us out of the area. How terribly clique.
AH: What is your proudest achievement as a musician?
Henry: I don’t think there’s been one definitive moment. We’ve had the opportunity to play with some of our favourite bands, that’s been really cool. I’m a big fan of Citizen, so when I found out we were supporting them that was definitely a proud moment. I think when we finished our first proper UK tour as a band, and were still intact. That was the moment when we realised we were a proper band, not just a bunch of mates dicking around playing random shows. That was quite a proud moment.
Citizen is a band which clearly influences at least one colour of the Boston Manor spectrum. The very deliberate, very measured sound that Boston Manor conveys whatever that particular track is articulating is a staple of Citizen’s most recent full-length, last Summer’s magnificent ‘Youth’. Citizen will continue to influence a whole cross-section of musicians in years to come with their ability to convey such raw emotion whilst at all times maintaining a thoroughly captivating delivery and this is something Cox and co. to seem to relish in.
AH: Which individuals outside of your bandmates have helped you – musically – achieve what you have so far?
Henry: Shout out to our buddy Kieran Kelly! We owe so much to that dude, I first met him when he put us on a show in Manchester with Bangers and we’ve been good friends ever since. He took us on tour with his band Throwing Stuff last year, where we met a ton of great people, some of whom have since significantly helped further our career. We’ve also put out a split with Throwing Stuff that he co-released. Which without him probably would have never seen the light of day. There have been many others who’ve helped us, but KKs’s definitely no. 1.
AH: How do you see the state of the pop-punk genre in 2014?
Henry: This year will see some huge releases. When Gnarwolves release their full length this year, I think that’s going be a game changer. I know there’s a lot of other stuff coming out like Taking Back Sunday’s new record, which I’m sure is going to put the genre back into the mainstream’s spotlight. But there’s so many great UK bands that are going to make their mark this year, WOAHNOWS, ROAM, Moose Blood, Nathan Detroit, Ducking Punches and Brawlers to name a few.
Despite only being April, it isn’t unreasonable to project that the likes of Bayside and Taking Back Sunday, Modern Baseball and The Hotelier will be at the forefront of minds come December’s end of year lists. Signs of life continue to emerge in the UK scene, however, with a talented crop of British talent getting ready to make its mark on the genre. With Moose Blood already spreading their emo sensibilities beyond the UK with No Sleep Records, Brawlers and Nathan Detroit are other standout names from that list. Whilst both practice a somewhat more traditional brand of pop-punk than Boston Manor, what all three have in common is incredible promise and the genuine talent to separate themselves from the pack and push on in 2014.
AH: What is your favourite pop-punk record of all time?
Henry: Milo goes to College by Descendents. Closely followed by the Blink 182’s self-titled album.
AH: For those of our readers who are new to the band, what sets you apart from your contemporaries within the genre?
Henry: I like to think we bring a degree of sincerity to the table, you won’t hear any songs about girlfriends or hating your hometown. Also, we’re a band with pretty varied tastes in music so I suppose we try and keep it as refreshing as possible, without falling into to too many of the pitfalls that plague the genre. Equally, I don’t know of too many pop punk-bands that sing in northern accents.
Boston Manor take elements of their sound from many different places, showcasing a desirable and thought-provoking emo overlay to an upbeat and melodically conducive instrumental unit.
In terms of vocal structure and delivery one could easily draw comparisons to Aberdeen alt-rockers The Xcerts. Then there are moments throughout the barely quarter-of-an-hour EP reminiscent of The Hotelier in blending melodic and emotive energy, others where the purer pop-punk stylings of Bellwether and Knuckle Puck come to mind.
You might argue the band has so far failed to identify or at least hone their own sound, which whilst to an extent true has in practice made their debut offering that much more enjoyable, delivering an eclectic but thoroughly promising five-track. ‘33 Lawrence Avenue’ is an uplifting look at growing up and ‘Tiger’s Jaw’, a fitting shout out to Boston Manor’s past idols of the UK scene, is a breath-taking closer. If Boston Manor continues to kick-on as they should, we could well be listening to the UK’s answer to Transit.
‘Split 7″ by Boston Manor and Throwing Stuff is available now through Moving North Records (Bandcamp).
‘Here/Now’ by Boston Manor is available now.
Boston Manor links: Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
Words by James Lloyd (@CT4James)
