Photography: Ben Youngs
Formed with a mission to bring back the Pop-Punk sounds of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, 88 Bunkface have established a reputation for regular full throttle live shows. Reminiscent of an age where smartphones were sci-fi and you didn’t have to remortgage your house to have a good night out, the band typifies the feeling of partying pre-2008.
Led by Andy Harris on guitar and vocals, 88 Bunkface is made up of Adam True (guitar), Adam Posthill (bass) and Sam Boucault (drums). We spoke to them about their newest track, It’s the Hope that Kills You, as well as the gigs they have lined up for August.
It’s been a while since we started Gallery but back in 2004, the Splash pretty much defined a good night out. I’d say your sound pretty much typifies that feeling, how would you describe your vibe?
Andy: Millennials yearning for their youth by ignoring the general aches and pains that come from living in a world where affording a property is as likely as a gen-z opening a bar tab. We love a party and getting people jumping like it’s 2002.
AT: Good ol’ fashioned full power pop-punk. Just like grandma used to make.
Sam: Embracing the sweat of the drummer.
AP: High energy songs and more memes than your mates’ group chat.
Sam: Playing everything at 300pm.
You have a new album out. Tell us about making it and what’s influenced the sound.
AT: Definitely our favourite pop punk bands from back in the day with a nice helping of heavy. Think Four Year Strong, Less Than Jake, Blink 182, A Day To Remember.
Andy: Chronic depression and lashings of self-doubt. At this point, making an album is pure stubbornness which might as well be therapy.
AP: I did the artwork!
AT: You did, and it’s awesome, That’s already online and I suggest people check it out. The man cooks!
Sam: It’s called ‘Infinitely Better Than Nothing’ which is a double meaning. Like, regardless of what people think of it, the fact that we’ve put something out is better than nothing at all. Also it’s a self jibe that it’s not actually better than anything. Hopefully that is not the case. Also, Primus.
AP: Primus!
Andy: No.
AT: NO.
There’s a track on the album called ‘It’s the Hope that Kills You’. Tell us about it, and if not hope, what would be the worst way to die?
AP: It’s catchy as sin. More hooks than a fisherman’s tackle box.
Andy: Comes from the adage ‘it’s the hope that kills you’ which, while metaphorical, begs the question how the Man United fans in this band are still breathing.
AT: I’m on my last legs. But seriously, scaphism has to be the most brutal way to die. That or dying of shame from being spotted with your side-piece at a Coldplay show.
Andy: Probably a judas cradle or a brazen bull. Seriously, look them up and then immediately forget what you just read.
Sam: I dunno, probably drowning.
Talking of living, what do you all do outside of getting a crowd jumping?
Sam: It’s a secret. Even I don’t know what I do.
AP: I’m a mechanical engineer at the hospital. I deal with the plumbing and heating etc. Besides that, I’m the least prolific graphic artist in the Channel Islands, completing about two pieces a year. You can find me on instagram @drawn.apart
Sam: Shameless self plug there. Nice.
AT: I work for Liberation in the free trade, managing accounts for various bars, hotels, restaurants, etc. I’m basically a glorified booze rep. I talk about wine a lot which is super interesting.
Andy: Lol, wine boy.
AT: You know it. I also love skiing, travelling, scuba diving, gaming, so many activities, so little time.
Andy: I’m a civil servant. And I drink Guinness. Just not simultaneously. And hanging out with my dog, Billy, who is the bestest of boys.
Sam: I was joking before by the way. I’m a ’senior’ genius of all things computer related, creator, configurator and maintainer of all aspects of IT infrastructure, specialising in cloud computing, networking and configuration. I can also switch on a printer and fix your excel problems. Also, I dog sit.
Travis Barker changed Machine Gun Kelly from being a rapper to Pop-Punk. How do you feel about genre crossovers like that? What could we see you cross into as a concept album?
AT: I think MGK decided to make the switch to pop-punk and used Travis as a way to legitimise it.
AP: I’d love to cross into nu-metal or old school hip-hop. Something like Cypress Hill.
Andy: Yeah, we’re more likely to become the next Cypress Hill if Posthill gets his way.
Sam: Definitely a rock opera or concept album.
Andy: I’m all for a genre crossover of pop punk and country.
AT: Yeehaw.
Sam: Oh man, I’m about that life.
Ozzy’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ this year raised £140m and combined some greats of the music world. If we were doing that in Jersey, who would you have on the lineup?
AT: Firstly, RIP the legend.
AP: That’s a weird one, do you mean like in terms of all Jersey artists? Or just who in Jersey would make the best Ozzy tribute concert?
Andy: I think he means just across all Jersey. But if we were just re-doing the ‘Back To The Beginning’ show, I’d just have the same lineup without Guns N Roses.
AP: And I’d add a bunch of doom bands influenced by Black Sabbath that no-one else likes. Sunn O))), Electric Wizard, get some amp worship on the go.
AT: Keep it Jersey! That’s such a tough one though. There’s so many great bands and musicians here.
Sam: Jim’s House are the first name on the sheet. Also Perchard’s Wall and Flashmob.
AP: 4K and Kickbacks! Maybe Claymore if they tidy up our shared rehearsal space.
AT: Would have to get a load of other musicians too like Olly Rybarczuk, Rick Jones, Giles Robson, Amy Moore, the list goes on.
When can our readers next see you out live?
August 16th at the Blue Note Bar with Claymore, or September 19th at the Blue Note. We’re also playing this year’s Bowl A Crock on September 20th which is sure to be an incredible day!
