Following the release of their debut album ‘Avalon’, we caught up with The Decoy.
Originating as a cover band many years ago, the Welsh alt-rockers have now developed their signature sound, packed with raucous riffs and vitalising vocals.
As the band are currently touring the UK to celebrate their album release, we found out more about The Decoy and their plans for 2016 from frontman Lewis Barber.
Can you tell us briefly about the formation of The Decoy?
We were a cover band years ago, since we were about 10/11! Over the years, people have come and go and we ended up as a three-piece making our own tunes. It seemed like the natural and right thing to do. We were young guys having a blast writing and performing together and we just glued so well musically.
Are there any bands/artists in particular that inspired you to form a band?
There are loads of bands that influence us: Reuben, Biffy Clyro, Incubus, Red Hot Chilli’s, Slipknot, Queens of the Stone Age, Don Broco – there’s a seriously long list. We’re also all into different kinds of stuff such as metal, jazz, hip hop, reggae etc.
For those who may not have discovered the band, how would you describe your music?
Just three people having a crack at something fun and mental. We like noise. It’s definitely noise meets tech meets our broad range of music inspirations to a blend of melodies, harmonies, riffs and screaming my lungs out.
You recently released your new album ‘Avalon’, can you tell us more about the recording process?
It was two weeks in London and it was fucking epic. London is mad and is never quiet and we’re from Pontypool where it’s always quiet, except for the casual sound of inbreeding. We got to record with Chris Coulter (such an awesome guy and a bloody audio genius) at his Decimal Studios again. We’ve definitely built up a great production partnership there with him. He totally gets us and the music he records. He has a genuine passion and interest for it.
Which track from the release is your current personal favourite?
Mine would be ‘Habit’ at the minute, just because it’s fun to play and not super hard for me to sing. It’s got this big melody in the chorus and its super cool when Abi comes in with the guest vocal on the recording.
If you were to join any band’s UK tour this year, who would you love to hit the road with?
Arcane Roots would be sick, we watched them at YNOT and we’re dumbstruck by their fucking meganess. They were lovely boys too, we were trying not to fan girl too hard and they were fucking gents. Again, there’s another Chris Coulter link there. Geniuses!
In terms of a live set, what can we expect from The Decoy?
Anything and everything can go wrong at times, but that’s half the fun. We just love bringing the noise and doing what we do and interacting with the audience, making new fans/friends, meeting new bands and generally having a great time. It’s all about the fun.
What do you guys have planned for the rest of 2016?
Everything we can. Maybe a few exciting tours? Just hoping to get loads of tours booked in and play loads more different places. It’d be cool to get on some more festivals and get ourselves outside of the UK too. At some point on the road, we’ll probably start writing more as well. Stay tuned for more tour news coming very soon, is what I’ll say as well.
Anything else you wish to add?
7 + 7=14 (sorry!)
Just keep checking our social media for more updates as they come through – we have some great shows coming up for the rest of August around the UK and we also have an appearance at Underground Festival in Gloucester Guildhall on 25th September. The line-up for that looks so sick so we’re looking forward to that.
We had an absolute blast at YNot which was our first ever festival. Cheers to all that came to see us, it was super cool seeing loads of people in there and hearing people singing along to our lyrics, for a new band that was awesome..such a great feeling!!
Listen to The Decoy’s latest track ‘Cold’ below: