Do Nothing but enjoy the music
The Nottingham band bringing their post-punk, alternative rock mix to London this October, writes Claudia Lee.
Do Nothing, once a staple post-punk band and now moving across genres into a more alternative scene is formed by singer Chris Bailey, guitarist Kasper Sandstrøm, bassist Charlie Howarth, and drummer Andy Harrison.
Having just released their new album, Snake Sideway, the group will be coming to KOKO in Camden High Street, Camden on October 6 as part of their upcoming tour.
The band will also be joined by their new member, Daudi Matsiko, on the keys this tour.
Lead singer, Chris Bailey, 28, has shapeshifted alongside their music over time, from edgy and amusing personas in songs like Lebron James, Mr Bailey admits he has become “more timid” over the past years.
He said: “I’m figuring it all out. Our music has transitioned into something more melodic and difficult to sing.
“I’d like to be a bit like Nick Cave- he has a crazy breath of material – lots of slow stuff and he’ll wonder around the stage while singing, but not in a getting in your face and look at me sort of way.”
Despite their Nottingham roots the band dip in and out of London frequently, recording one of their records in Willesden.
Mr Bailey said: “If we’re going to play a show as big as KOKO we need it to be a real show and an event.
“Aggressive music is easier to play live, you get rely on a certain amount of energy for the show – that’s what makes it a good show.
“But I’m interested in how people who don’t rely on that still make it a good show. There’s a lot more attention needed on the
production, lighting and ordering of the set.”
The music is experimental, sidestepping the obvious stereotypes of punk and rock but merging the two to create their own unique sound.
The band, who are currently between rehearsal spaces, have been friends since they were kids.
They played in a band together throughout school and then decided to “give it a go.”
Mr Bailey said: “I thought being in a band was the coolest thing ever when I was younger.
“I think if you don’t do it then you never will.”
The lyrics of each song skip from confused exclamations to clear-cut streams of poetry sometimes confrontational and other times more elusive.
There is a strangeness that lies in the heart of each track which makes their sound almost infectious.
Looking forward, Mr Bailey said: “I want to try and make a sound that is production heavy, it might seem simple on the face of it but it’s got to be written with a lot of intention.
“I think that’s really cool if you can get it right, it’s really difficult because you have to know exactly what you’re doing before you’ve even started.”
Even with two albums, basic genres seem too limiting to categorise Do Nothing.
Picture: Olly Weguilin