Brawlers return with ‘Drink & Dial’

Brawlers burst into our lives early last year with the six-shooter EP, ‘I Am A Worthless Piece Of Shit’. Hundreds of shows followed, as did the excitement and admiration for a band not afraid to call the world out.

Then, in November, they retreated.

“Unfortunately the last bit of this year has been full of illness, accidents, personal problems and general behind the scenes problems and we think its best to cancel all of 2014s commitments and focus on getting healthy and happy again,” said the message on the band’s Facebook.

But now, Brawlers are back. And what better way to soundtrack that return than ‘Drink & Dial. A scuzzy one-two of potential and kinetic energy that sees the Leeds four-piece hold a broken mirror to today. Following some immediate airplay love from Huw Stephens and Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1 last week, now it makes it’s online debut on DIY. You can stream it below.

We spoke to vocalist, Harry George Johns about the new song, where Brawlers went and where they’re going next.

So, ‘Drink & Dial.’ What’s it about?

It’s about drinking too much and calling that person you shouldn’t. It’s also about trying to persuade that person ‘Honestly I’m not drunk, I really like you.’ My dad used to get real drunk and call my mum after she left. He ended up putting a note on the phone saying ‘Don’t drink and dial.’

Why did you choose ‘Drink & Dial’ to announce your return?

We’ve tried to leave the world of pop-punk, which we never felt too at home in. The record takes its time in places but ‘Drink & Dial’ is immediate. I try and make our lyrics about stuff that is relevant to people and it seemed to tap into the Tinder thing, which is big at the moment. It’s all about lying essentially. It’s about duping people into bed and thinking going home with someone you don’t give a fuck about will sooth your soul or fill a hole in your heart. It doesn’t.

And does it set the tone for the new album?

It’s called ‘Romantic Errors of Our Youth’ so… It’s all brutally honest about not really liking myself very much. It’s cathartic to tell 200 strangers that I’m not really worth anyone’s time. I get stoked on riffs and song structures and the energy of our songs, then I write lyrics and I want them to be honest. It’s not ‘Oh, I’m so sad,’ It’s more, ‘Yeah, I suck but I’m dealing with it.’ We’re all fucking mental aren’t we? It’s pointless pretending we haven’t fucked up ace relationships with our weirdness.

Brawlers disappeared at the end of last year. Is everything ok now?

Yeah. It got a little hairy for a moment there. We’re a drummer down and we all lost our minds in different ways. You have to remember that while it’s awesome that we got signed and played 200 odd shows last year, it was never the plan. If you stick four totally different best friends in a van for a year, it does things to you.

Was there ever a conversation about Brawlers ending?

Nah, We’re best friends. We just work it out. 94% of last year was a laugh so it was totally worth it.

And how does it feel to be back?

Fucking exciting. The EP was pretty well received but this album man, I’m really proud of it. I want it to be the ‘getting ready to go out and get loose’ soundtrack of 2015.

‘Romantic Errors of Our Youth’ is released on April 6th 2015 via Alcopop! Records. The tracklisting for the album reads:

1. Annabel
2. Drink & Dial
3. Holding Back
4. High Again
5. N.O.R.E.S.T.
6. Two Minutes
7. (I’m Having A) Nervous Breakdown
8. Windowmisser
9. Medicine
10. Romantic Errors of Our Youth

Brawlers are set to support Real Friends on the following dates of their UK tour alongside Trash Boat.

March
19 Sound Control, Manchester
21 Asylum, Birmingham
22 Underworld, London

Tags: News, Brawlers, Listen, Premiere