July 2023
Artist Name – Everyone Lies
Formed when? – 2019
Based in what city? – Southampton / Andover (Hampshire, south coast), UK
Social Media accounts/website/contact info?
https://linktr.ee/everyoneliesband
Artist members/rolls?
Locky – Drums
Benner – Guitar/Vocals
Ross – Bass/Vocals
Add – Guitar/Vocals
Subgenre(s) of your music? – Pop Punk
What was the story in forming the band?
Add and Steve had been in bands with each other before and met for a coffee. They discussed how despite having been in and out of bands for the past 20 years, neither of them had a piece of work that they could look back on with real pride.
They decided to start a project with the initial idea of recording an album and playing a few local shows if possible. Benner, who had also been in bands with Add before, quickly came onboard, and we started jamming. We tried a drummer out but always on the premise that it would be temporary as he wasn’t really a drummer or into punk music. Benner found Locky on a Facebook group and reached out to him about playing drums in a punk band. Locky came for a practice and we gelled almost immediately. Not just a perfect fit musically, but we were all in the same place with regards to family, work, commitments outside of the band, etc.
Then Covid hit and things went on hold. However, fresh out of lockdown, we were ready to play some gigs and found ourselves getting booked a lot more than expected!! After a few hectic and amazing months of playing live shows, Steve felt the direction of the band was going in a way that he could no longer commit to, so he decided to leave. Locky contacted his friend Ross about joining to play bass, and he fit straight in. That formed the current lineup.
How did you come up with the band name?
The name was pitched by Steve, and we all liked it, but to be honest, we never asked him why he suggested it. He’s left the band now, so I guess we’ll never know why we’re Everyone Lies.
What is the inspiration in your music?
Like all grown-ups (term used loosely), we all struggle with the trials and tribulations of life. Getting together and smashing out some tunes is therapy for us all. At the core of everything we do is having fun, because if we’re not enjoying it, then what’s the point? We originally agreed to stick to a fairly rigid formula when writing our first batch of songs, but this was really just to help us get a set together and have something to play! As we’ve moved forwards you can hear the influences of lots of different bands coming into the songs and we’d like to think we’re now starting to come into our own and be a lot more creative. Inspiration wise, we definitely draw from bands we listen to, and current events inevitably play a part in some of the writing at times.
Favorite artist(s) (not yourself)?
Far too many to list but it would be remiss to not mention Travis Barker who has undoubtedly inspired an entire generation of drummers, Green Day for serving as a punk rock gateway drug, WONK UNIT for their DIY ethic and all round brilliance, and MxPx for just playing straight up rippers.
Favorite movie(s)?
Anything with Will Ferrell has to be up there. Goodfellas is a piece of brilliance. TMNT kicks ass too!
Last album/EP/single release?
We dropped a single called Monotony in April this year
Any upcoming music releases? When?
We’ve just put the finishing touches to a couple of tracks that we’re hoping will be ready in time for the summer
What is a venue you always wanted to perform in? Why?
It would have been awesome to have played CBGBs because of all the history.
What artist(s) would you want to tour with?
Impossible to just pick one! Why not go big and say we’d be more than happy to open stadium shows for Mötley Crüe?!
What brand instrument(s) and equipment do you play? Any favs?
Fender and Gibson make up the guitars, with Add and Benner both using Orange amps. Locky is currently playing an AD Drums custom kit, which he is completely in love with, and Ross recently picked up a deafening Hartke stack
What is a favorite story you’d like to share about the band?
Playing an all dayer at the Phoenix in High Wycombe on the day the venue was closing its doors was a fairly eventful gig. Fair to say some of us over indulged, but there are few funny tales that came out of that day. I’ll leave it there though as we have children who may read this….
What is the song of yours that means the most to you?
We’re currently working on a new song that Benner wrote about his daughter, and we want to make sure we do it justice for him.
What was your most memorable performance?
I think it would probably be supporting the UK Subs at the 1865 in Southampton. Opening for the legendary Charlie Harper was amazing, and the crowd was certainly the biggest we’ve played to date. We were all really nervous for the first time, but I think we played a decent set and were really well received.
Check out our review of Everyone Lies here!
