Heavy Lungs are too good to be overlooked. The band consists of former vocalist Danny Nedelko, bassist James Minchall, guitarist Oliver Southgate and drummer George Garratt who are causing sensation with their songs and the intense, frenetic and extraordinarily brilliant live show.

Although his last release was an EP in October 2019, his sound has progressed in a really interesting way. While they are getting ready to release their new album this year, we have had the great opportunity to interview the guys from Heavy Lungs.

– At what age did your interest in music begin and what artists have inspired you?

Forever really, I have a very musical family. I grew up listening to the 3 or 4 cassettes we had in the car and then branched into recording the radio and friend’s CDs which turned into collecting them myself from age 8 and going to see Chuck Berry when I was nearly 12. My brother forced me to sing Nirvana songs with him and we played parties, bars and gigs playing whatever we wanted as we didn’t have much concept of the outside world musically.

– What music has helped shape Heavy Lungs?

I couldn’t really list all the things that shaped me personally or the whole band as it’s endless. I’ve always been a sponge for anything. When we started the band I had discovered Goggs and it was a real catalyst for starting something loud and powerful as we felt like other people weren’t doing that. There was already room to go heavier in Bristol. But to name a few, Oh Sees are a major one, Ice Age is for Danny’s lyrics etc and punk and rock stuff from the 60s to now is always a fountain of inspiration. Everything we listen to tends to shape and form what we write or don’t write.

– How were the beginnings of Heavy Lungs?

We wrote 3 songs in our first practice, which is pretty crazy. Played our first gig 6 weeks later, and about a month after that we recorded our first EP. And just kept going in that fashion, it’s only recently that things slowed down a bit.

– After having released two EPs, for this new album, what experience have you acquired when it comes to working in the studio?

Just being efficient and listening to each other and having fun with our engineers Wiz and Stan. We’re really not afraid to act stupid when we want to and goof around so we keep it light and keep it fun whenever we can. But we also know that this whole game takes a lot of graft.

– You have a new album on the way. What can you tell us about the next album and what can we expect?

The album is everything we’ve been waiting for, storing up inside ourselves. It’s loud and it’s heavy and full of energy because that’s how we feel when we make music. We want energy and power and oomph you know. It’s called ‘All Gas No Brakes’ because it’s full on, chucks away, let’s fucking go type music!.

– Where does your inspiration come from when writing?

It comes from feeding off an energy like a vampire sinking its teeth into something juicy. If i hear music that moves me or a film or speech by some cool I want to make music, it gives me a physical reaction and urge to get the fuck on with it. I’m quite an impatient writer.

– IDLES is a key figure to understand the trajectory of Heavy Lungs, how did the friendship between you come about?

Many many years ago we met through a mutual friend. I and everyone else have a close personal friendship with everyone. they have been nothing but supportive and it’s a beautiful thing when you know another musician or set of musicians have your backs.

– There’s a wave of politically charged punk music right now, why do you feel that sound coming through?

Capitalism has made it popular again, so sometimes what seems like a politically charged song doesn’t quite hit the mark. But, people are also angry and need some form of expression away from their phones. The rising right-wing attitudes sweeping across the world are because of the misinformation spread around like wildfire, and I think a lot of bands, musicians, artists can see that, because naturally artists have a tendency to be anti-fascist, anti-racist, anti-homophobic.

– We want to know what impact do you think music like yours will have on people?

I hope it’s a positive, life-affirming one. I hope people think of us fondly and want to know what we’re doing next because we want to do this for a long time to come! If you blow your ears out at one of our gigs I hope it happens with a smile on your face!.

Interview by: J. Lucas y J. Emilio