METHODS are a five piece, dark electro, indie band, based in the Wolverhampton/Salford area in England. Taking their influence from the likes of Joy Division, Depeche Mode, and New Order – among others, their latest single, ‘Mankind’ is out tomorrow 5 October, and precedes the release of their EP, which is scheduled for February next year.
The band formed after a mutal need to create something special, meaningful, and different. Comprising Ash Bradley on vocals, Jon Nash on synth, Ryan Deakin on guitar, Adam Hall on bass, and Pete Bates on drums, their sound is characterised by dark gritty rhythms, which are complemented with uplifting synths and guitars. The absolute incing on the cake are their lyrics, which are among some of the best to come out of the country in recent years.
Their June release, ‘Fires’, was hailed by BBC Introducing, as well as Kerrang Radio’s Johnny Doom, who played the single on his show. New single, ‘Mankind’, asks the question, “why can’t we all be good to one another?” Vocalist Ash says,
“Why do people do the things they do to each other? We all do things, right and wrong. Time continues on, history repeats. The rain will always come again. No matter what x”
We had the opportunity to speak to METHODS back in August and asked them a few quick questions:
EP: Who are your musical inspirations and why?
M: Joy Division for the dark raw sound and stark lyrics. Bowie for the experimental creativity Depeche Mode for the Moody electronic synth sounds. Morrissey for the way he uses his lyrics.
EP: Ohh nice choices! Do you ever wish you had been around and making music back in the days these artists were? Continuing with that, what do you think about the state of the music business these days?
M: It would’ve been amazing to work with Ian Curtis and Bowie but extremely grateful we can take inspiration from them now. The music industry has always been a bit of a mess really. Lots of people out for their own gain, lots of people trying to make money quickly in anyway they can regardless of who they hurt on doing it. There’s so much local unsigned unheard talent on in every town every weekend. It’s a shame the independent venues just don’t get the support they deserve.
EP: So given how it all is, what advice would you have for anyone wanting to get into music?
M: Be yourself, do what you love don’t try and be anyone else. A lot of things you can do yourself now. We have have a couple of small label deals in the past and always felt we could do at least as good as they were on our own. So I guess work hard, don’t give up and be prepared for set backs.
‘Mankind’ was recorded and produced at Magic Garden Studio in Wolverhampton, by Gavin Monaghan.
You can see METHODS live on the following:
12th October – Actress & Bishop, BIRMINGHAM
20th Oct – The Verve Bar, LEEDS
23rd Nov – Dublin Castle, LONDON
15th Dec – The Sunflower Lounge, BIRMINGHAM
Find METHODS online on their official website, where you can find information about their music and performance details.
