Source: Promo Image
Fresh off a tour with Four Year Strong, Surrey Pop-Punkers Homebound are keen to stand out against the current influx of pop-punk bands over saturating the genre. They’re here to make their own mark “There are a lot of bands doing the same thing these days and as it’s become more and more oversaturated, I find myself less and less inspired by it. I think every song on this EP offers something different.”
The band’s third EP The Mould You Build Yourself Around was released on 10th February 2017 via Rude Records and is full of bouncing melodies, driving drums and gritty lyrics making them a more mature and in-depth pop-punk band whilst still retaining the fun that comes with the genre.
We had a chat with vocalist Charlie Boughton to find out his take on the lyrics.
Mosh: How do you write them? What is your process either as a band or individually? Have you ever suffered from writer’s block and if so, how did you overcome it?
Charlie: I cover all lyrics for the band. I usually tend to only write lyrics when I am actually inspired to write them otherwise they can come out very forced and often not very good. I’ve had writer’s block for months and months before which at the time is frustrating and also worrying, it leaves you with an overwhelming sense of doubt of your own ability. I find that experiences whether linked to the band or not like going on tour help to refocus you and have helped to push through it.
Mosh: What is the lyric you’re proudest of and why?
CB: ‘Watch the light fight the gloom or the cold halt the bloom on all the dreams that I thought would help me grow.’
I always liked this line from our song Distrait, I think for the imagery it creates in describing how my mental state and attitude has been affected by own ambition.
Mosh: What themes and topics do you like to cover and why?
CB: The Mould You Build Yourself Around is based on the idea that from choosing to be in a band and to pursue music, it has shaped my morals, what I value in life, my personality, the decisions I make whether serious or trivial, literally anything and everything. The songs specifically depict scenarios whereby these things have come into act and have affected my life and relationships with others.
Mosh: Has anyone ever misheard, perhaps to comedic effect, or misunderstood the intention of your lyrics?
CB: We had a lyric from an old track called Blossom, ‘You plant a seed in my mind, it’s time for this to blossom, into something real, growing from the forgotten’ where Tom (guitarist) thought ‘forgotten’ sounded like ‘front garden’. Can’t unhear it now.
Mosh: Which of your own lyrics best sums up your band?
CB: ‘Until one door closes, another won’t open. It’s hard to believe when disheartened and broken’
We’ve had our fair share of bad luck so far in the band and it’s been tough to take at times. We always look to remain positive so I feel the opening line in our track Pensive is a good sentiment we all take heart in.
Mosh: If you had to have any lyric tattooed on you, if you don’t already, what would you pick?
CB: ‘I wanna f**k a dog in the ass’ blink 182.
Mosh: What lyric do you wish you’d written and why?
CB: ‘It’s not about forcing happiness, it’s about not letting sadness win’ ‘Local Man Ruins Everything’ – The Wonder Years.
I think the lyric is pretty self-explanatory as to why I picked it. It’s a very heartfelt and honest statement that people I think value and have more than likely taken away with them.
Mosh: Who are your favourite lyricists or even writers for content such as film, TV or even poetry? What are some of the lines that best connect with you? Do you take influence from that?
CB: Always found Paramore lyrics to be very well written and poignant in what they’re saying. They’re one of my favourite ever bands and apart from having written some huge records, their lyrics are a big part of what they are.
Mosh: What are the worst lyrics you’ve ever heard?
CB: I don’t really like to bash anyone who’s written lyrics because they’re personal to that person in some shape or form regardless of whether they’re particularly crude or not!
Mosh: Finally, please sign of with some lyrical words of wisdom…
CB: Pick up a piece of paper, a pen, even your phone and just write when something comes to mind. Don’t have to be in a band or play music to write lyrics, it’s an art in itself!
