Drenge: “Why doesn’t everyone find us really funny?”

In the new, April 2015 issue of DIY, Drenge dig into the weird sense of humour that defines their new album ‘Undertow’.

“I find the last record quite funny, lyrically,” says Eoin Loveless. “Whereas this one, I don’t find it funny - I find it really depressing. But musically, this record is really, really funny. I’ve got a shit sense of humour, if I can find bits of music comical.”

“It’s hard to communicate when you’re so funny, and your brother’s so funny. And you’re like, ‘Why doesn’t everyone find us really funny?’” ponders Rory.

Drenge’s journey from plucky Derbyshire newcomers to festival conquerors wasn’t some bolt out of the blue. Riding the wave of their 2013, self-titled debut, every show out-did the previous. Improvement marked every move, and it’s no surprise that second LP ‘Undertow’ translates the transition. “I suppose with touring the last record, we got a bit better at our instruments playing live,” says Eoin. ‘Undertow’ is a “better attempt” at translating the thrill of a Drenge show, while also acknowledging a band that’s come one hell of a long way in the space of two years.

There’s a step up in ability, but Drenge have another ace up their sleeve. Bassist Rob Graham helps two become three, adding that little extra grit to an already shameless fuzz-fest. Whereas their debut was defined by its own constraints, ‘Undertow’ is the sound of a group free from their shackles. It’s no coincidence that tracks take titles like ‘Running Wild’ and ‘We Can Do What We Want’ - this is a band unhinged, bouncing off the walls in possibility.