Plastic Youth: Getting Ready to PLAYHARD

New monthly event, PLAYHARD, is collaborating with GotSeeN to stream live gigs to a worldwide audience. GotSeeN.com is the UK’s fastest growing live streaming channel and music website for unsigned bands. There will also be an early doors musicians/promoters social hosted by BandWagon Gigs from 4pm.

On the bill for the launch night, this Friday 9th March, are ones to watch, Southend new wavers Plastic Youth. FMS catches up with front man James Higgs in the run up to the event at North London’s Purple Turtle.

How would you describe your sound?

Plastic Youth’s sound comes from our influences as kids in the 90’s, the music and the experiences, mixed with what we’ve learnt since. Our lyrics are full of topics we feel strongly about and our music has become a wall of melodic sound that I can only put down to how well we gel as a band. What with myself, Luke and Dan being brothers, we generally know what each other is thinking. Kieran’s starting to get the hang of it too.

What’s it like working with family – are you more Oasis or Kings of Leon? Ha!

Definitely not a Kings of Leon. They had the world at their feet and let egos get in the way. We are more like Oasis in the sense we like a good piss take – someone’s always getting bullied so the other three can have a laugh. We have a great working relationship and when it does come to a bust up we all know that within two hours we’ll be joking again.

Tell us about releasing the new single on Gary Powell’s label, how does he encourage you guys?

Gary’s a great role model and an incredibly nice guy. We met him at the premiere of ‘There Are No Innocent Bystanders’ and he’s been interested ever since. Since then we have been in the studio recording with Nick McCabe, so we’ve been able to go back to him and give him the goods so to speak. We’re all really excited to be working together; he’s already sat us down and introduced us to the business in the nicest possible way.

Can you describe your [fashion] look? Do you think the kids will like it?

Regarding our look, what’s not to like? People often tend to shout out ‘GAY’ from a passing car regarding our hair or whatever, but that’s Essex for you. If you haven’t got orange skin you start life as an outsider. We generally wear onstage what we wear day to day, again influenced by the same things we were growing up. Its all about a good sweater and some Adidas high tops though! If the kids like it, great, if they don’t they can go and dress like the tits from Towie!

Plastic Youth’s double A-side single debut ’Death Row/Animal Style’ is out 23rd April 2012 and available through iTunes.

Interview: Heather Ferguson
Photo: Matt Sankey

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PLAYHARD – Friday 9th March

Live Bands: Exit Calm, Moones, The Sea, Pink Cigar, Plastic Youth, Morrissey & Marshall

The Purple Turtle, 65 Crowndale Road, Camden, London, NW1 1TN

Tickets £5 via www.wegottickets.com (£6 on the door, subject to availability).

www.playhardgigs.com // www.gotseen.com // www.bandwagongigs.com