WEEKEND DEBT | Release New Single 'POMPOSITY' | We Chat About Music, Being Blessed by the Dalai Lama and Russell's Really Big Balls
Photos | George McFaden
Post Production and Graphic Design X-RAY
Recently Formed band ‘Weekend Debt’ are a Scottish Glasgow-based group, which have a string of well-received releases behind them garnering support form the BBC Radio and a variety of musical review publications. Grant, Russell and Harvey first met at School, with Calvin coming on board at university.
We caught up with the lads for a chat about their most recent single “pomposity’.
The name ‘Weekend Debt’ stirs up an image of traditional British youth culture of living for the weekend and blowing the paycheck on nights out, clothes shopping and generally poor financial decisions. What inspired this name for the band? We know it was Harvey’s “university project”, so maybe he can answer that one?
Harvey – I can’t actually remember the exact train of thought that took us to ‘Weekend Debt’. But it was when I was forcing us all to come up with a name (pretty much on the spot) so I could finish making the poster for a uni project. I guess at this point none of us were the well-rounded grown-ups we are today, and almost every penny we had gone to weekend antics and thought the band should be named after that. Thankfully that doesn’t happen anymore…
We probably haven’t heard a vocal with a Scottish accent since the proclaimers, so it’s refreshing to hear. Was this a conscious choice to add a distinctively Scottish accent to your vocal or do you think it’s present because it’s not so much traditional singing, it’s more of a Kate Nash or Lilly Allen style of speak-singing- where an accent can remain? Tell us about this.
Calvin – I don’t think you’re listening to enough Scottish music if the last time you heard a Scottish accent was The Proclaimers.
Grant - Yeah, you're probably right about it being more spoken. I wouldn't say I’m an overly strong vocalist and what I'm singing about is all very real to what I experience and think. I don’t like the vocals or lyrics to be forced. I like them to be as down to earth as possible. My mates say I have a pretty strong accent as it is, so it’s probably just that.
What’s the new single ‘pomposity’ about?
Grant – Pomposity is a song reflecting about past relationships and going back to them when it was probably not wise to. It’s not a heartbreak song as I’ve done that and got over it, it’s more just making a joke out of how I felt at the time of writing.
Calvin – I’m sure Harvey would try to argue that it’s actually about him but I guess we’ll never really know
Grant - He has this obsession that I write songs about him, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
As a Scottish band, who in the band wears their kilt as true Scotsmen and who doesn’t at the risk of an upskirt with the cold Scottish winter coming and having a Marylin Monroe moment?
Calvin – Harvey is always cutting about topless at practice, so I don’t think he’d have much of a problem going ‘commando’. Grant’s the only one I’ve ever actually seen wear a kilt though and I don’t know what was underneath…
Grant - You probably don’t want to know, or in Harvey’s case, he probably does.
Having said one of the reasons the band works is because you’re not frightened to tell each other if something is shit, do you think a lot of people are too sensitive to an honest opinion these days?
Grant - I don’t know about other bands and how they interact with each other, but it really is why it works. We are all such good mates and if we argue for 3 hours in the studio, it is forgotten about when we get out. In general though, I don’t think so. People are so much more open with how they feel or see something and that’s a good thing. Everyone has an opinion and no matter what, everyone should have their say.
What are your short and long term goals for the bands future?
Calvin – I mean long term would obviously be to make a living from this and touring the world, but I think we’re good at just taking each day as it comes for now, as long as we’re still able to do what we enjoy and make music together I’m happy.
As a relatively new band, collaboration is important. Whether it’s supporting larger bands or working with people to increase your following and opportunities…having said that who would be each of your ideal bands/artists to tour with when that can happen?
Calvin – I mean I could make a list of bands and artists I’d love to tour and collaborate with but I think the obvious one that we can all agree on would be The Pigeon Detectives. Unreal live band. Just waiting for our chance.
Grant - We saw Pigeon Detectives at Kendal in 2019 and it really blew our socks off. Their first album is still so important to me these days and they are criminally underrated.
We noticed a lack of lyric or music video content… have you got any ideas for music videos or lyric video collaborations with music video directors or animators to execute the visuals to your music?
Calvin – Yeah because everything is done and funded by ourselves -out with us studying and working, we haven’t really gotten around to anything like that just yet. But can guarantee we’ve got some things planned for the next couple releases.
How would you describe your aesthetic and style as a band?
Calvin – I’m sure Russell called us ‘Teenage Mutant Indie Wanks’ or something before so maybe that? I don’t even think we really have a style, me and Grant dress similarly I’d say but Harvey just wears crocs and Russell wears black hoodies and jeans that don’t fit him.
What’s the funniest story from your time together as a band?
Calvin – We played a gig in Carlisle not too long ago and Harvey ended up ridiculously drunk, went in a huff, stole a bottle of wine and got the train back by himself to Glasgow while we all drove back up. Once we were back he got in a fight with my car and then ended up breaking shelves in the cupboard in his flat cause he was trying to stand in it. That was a pretty eventful night.
Some of you met at school the rest at university did you all study music? What did you study and does it help with being in a band?
Calvin – Yeah, those 3 all grew up in Lanark together and I ended up meeting Harvey at uni. We’ve all studied some kind of music course at some point, so I think it’s influenced us in one way or another and introduced us to so many new and talented people.
Could you decide amongst yourselves which of the 7 dwarfs characters best applies to the band members.
Grant - I live with Harvey and I can definitely say he’s Sleepy. I don’t know who I would be. Who’s the one with their glasses? Doc?. I’ll go to him since the boys like to wind me up about being specky.
Calvin – I’ll probably take Grumpy. I don’t particularly see myself as grumpy but I know that’s what everyone else will say anyway. I reckon Russell is Dopey.
What were your key musical influences growing up, you have said you all have similar taste in music.
Grant - For me, my papa got me into music so it was Elvis and Chuck Berry. He would show me all these tapes and CD’s he had so that’s probably my main one. I remember my dad having the ‘By The Way’ by Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the Faithless Greatest Hits CD’s in the car as well which still hold themselves up today.
Calvin – I grew up on all sorts of influential bands, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Muse, Biffy Clyro. The list goes on. As well a lot of blues and punk rock from my uncles. I think you can find influence and inspiration in so many places and sometimes where you least expect it.
First record each of you brought (honestly) if it was Baby by Justin Bieber we won’t judge.
Calvin – If you’re talking about records as in vinyl’s I think mine was a White Stripes album. CD wise it was N-Dubz – Love.Live.Life
Grant – First vinyl I bought was actually ‘Tell Me If You Like To’ by Spring King, which is mad cause we got to support them at St. Lukes back in 2018. First CD I bought I think was Humbug by Arctic Monkeys. My brother loved them at the time so I think it was probably forced upon me.
Russell – Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral
Harvey – Nickleback – All the Right Reasons
What are you working on right now?
Calvin – We’ve recently recorded 3 new singles which will be out in due time. Really excited about them. Our producer Jamie has made them sound huge. Also working on lots of other things to try combat not being able to play live and still produce content.
As a new band, how are you supporting yourselves without touring in light of the pandemic?
Grant - For just now, It’s all through merch sales and our Bandcamp. We recently put all our old music and merch online to help cover the costs of these 3 singles, which you all should definitely take a look at. Hint hint.
We noticed you don’t post regularly on social media e.g. daily why is this? How do you stay connected to your audience?
Calvin – I thought we were doing quite well! As I said earlier we just do everything ourselves so sometimes easy to lose track of keeping on top of things. Our manager is always working his arse off making content and scheduling posts too. As far as staying connected we seem to have a solid fan-base who are always keeping their eyes on what we’re up to.
What’ are each of your go-to party tricks?
Calvin – I can do a really good Australian accent
Grant – Pretty pointless, but I can make a cup out of a bit of paper.
Russell – Having really big balls
Harvey – Solving a rubik’s cube.
What is the most interesting thing about each of you?
Calvin – I was once blessed by the Dalai Lama when I was just a child.
Harvey – I think the most interesting thing about me is that I saw Hank Azaria down the Wellgate once but I was too afraid to speak to him. The Wellgate is down in Lanark, where I’m from.
Grant – Once had a pint and went to the football with Marti Pellow.
Russell – I have a 3D printer.
Interview by John Burbidge