Inspired by Marmite // The 405 meets Howler

Howler are a young band hailing from the US, they’re newly signed to Rough Trade Records and have just completed their debut tour of the UK supporting The Vaccines. We were able to catch up with them to find out (amongst other things) how they ended up putting pen to paper with one of the UK’s biggest indie labels. Watch this space.

Could you introduce yourselves to our lovely readers and tell us where you’re from in the US?

I am Jordan from the band Howler. We harken from the great Minneapolis.

How and when did you all meet and what were your inspirations behind making music and becoming a band?

The band met through the music scene in Minneapolis. We all had different projects that often played shows together. We were inspired by Marmite.

You’ve recently completed an East Coast US tour with Tapes n’ Tapes, how was that for you?

It was tremendous!

Are there any rock n’ roll tour stories you can share with us?

Nothing comes to mind immediately. Except we used to buy tranny porn and litter tapes n tapes van with it. But that's not rock n roll. That's just idiotic. 

Your all very young, how do your friends and family back home feel about seeing you suddenly causing such a buzz?

They care not. We were expected to work on the family farm, but instead we moved to the big city (Minneapolis) and started playing rock music.

Have you all had jobs? If so what were you working as up until this time?

Mostly agriculture. I was a milker. I milked goats.

You recently signed a 4 album deal with Rough Trade, one of the UK’s most revered indie labels and famously home to one of the most successful US indie bands; The Strokes. You must be excited about that, how did it all come about?

It was all quite random. A writer for various different publications (NME, Pitchfork) was at our EP release show in Minneapolis and had interviewed Geoff Travis the previous month, so he sent the EP to Geoff who then signed us. It was freaky.

Your debut album is called ‘America Give Up’ – a very strong and punk-esque title that conjures up images of disillusionment and frustration. What we’re your reasons behind that and when will it be released in the UK?

It's definitely supposed to have that sort of punk rock political message. But it's also supposed to be very sarcastic. Our motto for 2010 was "Give Up", and by motto I mean phrase that we used as a way of telling someone who's trying too hard to get something that's unrealistic to fuck off. It's not a Greenday American Idiot thing; it's a "who cares fuck it" sort of thing. We think it's funny.

Are you feeling any pressure knowing you need to write another 3 albums for Rough Trade? Do you have time scale for that?

I'm very excited. It's the perfect amount of pressure to keep me on my toes and improve myself as a musician.

I know that some of you had never been out of the US before but are now over here on a sold out UK tour in support of The Vaccines. How have you found being in England, and more importantly, what’s the reception been like?

I love England. I want to move here! And we have terrible reception. My phone barely gets one bar. PSYCHE. HA. That was awesome! High Five. People like the shows a lot. But they could be lying...

Liars...

Let’s talk British food; what are your (honest) thoughts on our culinary delights which I’m sure you’ve enjoyed sampling along your journey?

I love this country. I hate the food. It's so... (????). But I am a fan of fish and chips. And tea is kind of the shit.

What have been the highlights so far for since the band started?

Playing either Manchester Academy or Barrowlands due to the giant crowds that really got into the show.

Finally, what does 2012 hold for Howler? When will you be hitting our shores again?

2012 holds a lot of touring. We will be back in England late January and early February. Check the specific dates at howlerband.com 

Howlers debut album 'America Give Up' is out 16th January 2012 through Rough Trade Records.