An interview with new-wave grungers Phoxjaw

Phoxjaw from Bristol are a heavy riff, grunge influenced band that rose from the remains of two bands members were previously in.  They create a blend of musical influences with bundles of ambition. Phoxjaw are intent on keeping their positive momentum moving.  Writer Adrian caught up with the band, speaking to Josh Gallop (Guitars) and Danny Garland (Bass/vocals).

Congratulations on a great EP ‘Goodbye Dinosaur’.  The heaviness of the guitars and the contrast to the softer vocals is really something.

You formed the band in 2016 after bands you’d previously been in disbanded; was it a natural progression to get together?

Josh: I think it was. We brought together the people that were really driven and wanted to do it.  It really started off with me and Danny when I was recording his previous band.  We really hit it off, then after the other bands split we started doing demos together.  Everybody sits well together, it’s a great dynamic and there are no egos.  As writers, we are all trying to learn and progress and we are always trying to get out and see new bands too.

What bands are you really enjoying at the moment?

Josh: Dan introduced me to a band from Bristol Idols; they are ones to watch.  Bristol is an inspiring place to be, loads of great bands.  Another good band we played with recently are The Guts, from Brighton.

Now you’ve got the keys/synth in the band will you go deeper into an industrial feel or perhaps any temptation to try a classic rock direction?

Dan: On that note, we’ve got a new track Well, Well, Well which is going to be on the next EP and is very industrial, very heavy!  Huw (keys / synth) adds lots of texture to our tracks.

Any touring planned?

Dan: We’re always gigging and have a load of summer dates coming up, including the 2000 trees festival.  That festival is great, and we didn’t think we’d get on something like that so early in our career.  Other festivals we are doing include Amplified and Bristol Habourside festival.

Do you plan to move onto a full album release?

Josh: Yes, but for the moment we are going to do some self-release stuff whilst we’re still building. We’re always writing and we are starting to see where they fit in with the time-line of our band and what would fit onto an album.  Hopefully next year we’ll start to get into a debut album with a producer we like.