Start Listening To: Eat The Freik
Glasgow based band Psychedelia band Eat The Friek share kaleidoscopic new single ‘Drinks Cabinet’.
What inspired you to form Eat The Friek?
We've been playing together since we were around 15 I think. All being from deep Aberdeen countryside we all independently had the urge to make music and forming a band in the countryside when there's nothing else to do was an inevitability. So during this time we played a few gigs as 'big FACE' but we're sternly told there was a Big Face 20 years ago or something. We had a couple years where we were living in separate cities and when we found ourselves in Edinburgh in 2018/19, now in our 20's being in a big city gave us the inspiration to give it a proper go.
How would you describe your sound to someone who had never heard your music?
Every songs tries to reach a different approach to genres like garage, psych, post punk with an appreciation for art-house experimental music sprinkled in. I think that's what gives us our sound.
A less pretentious answer would be “twist and turn rat garage”.
What has been your most memorable experience as a band?
One that I (Louis) think about often is our first gig at a village hall in Rothienorman, while old lady’s were buying cakes and trying to organise raffles. It was probably the worse situation for a band to debut ourselves. We were 16 I think and playing doom-garage-esque music with no monitors or soundcheck. The set ended by us being asked to turn down and us replying “its okay were finished” and just walking off stage. It’s a good point to look back on and laugh at. A memory like that helps you realise the progress you’ve made.
What makes Eat The Friek unique compared to other modern psychedelia bands?
I suppose most bands considered to be in a similar type of band usually have less members. I think there’s a specific sound that comes from the three of us together. The limitations force us to experiment in certain ways. Our toes are tipped in a few genres. The themes are always different depending on who writes the lyrics. It’s usually years later we realise what we’ve written about.
How has the music scene in Glasgow influenced your sound?
I think becoming involved in the music scene came as a shock how open folk were to what we were doing. It definitely is a great city for doing what you do and committing to it and others appreciating that.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as a band?
You could ask any of us three and probably get a different answer. One that I’m sure we’d all agree on is trying to balance other aspects of life with music. I think there’s a reason the arts are predominantly inhabited by the upper-class. Theres an aspect of that in Drinks Cabinets.
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned as a band?
People respond better when we’re being ourselves and enjoying ourselves. Which is ace because that’s way easier and more enjoyable. Go with our instincts.
What is the origin story behind the name Eat The Friek?
Threatening email saying “Big Face” is taken. We’d made a short film called Eaglefriek. Eat The Friek came up and I think we liked the light provocative nature and it matched the direction the music was going in. Has a few different interpretations too.
How has the band evolved since its inception?
We’re all a lot tighter on our instruments than we used to be which means we can throw ourselves around a bit more without absolute fear of fucking the whole set up. Our music changes a lot but has motifs that comes from our dynamic within the three of us. We also sound less like wee boys which is great.
What does the writing and recording process look like for you?
We write very collaboratively and split every credit three ways. I think if everyones involved with writing that’s just the best way to do it. We’ve recorded in a different location for every release. We’ve given ourselves more time to record which is very important I think. The more experimenting after the structure of the track is down the better.
How do you approach live performances?
Recently it’s just been put the most amount of effort into it as possible and keep energy peaking throughout.
Is there any new music you’re looking forward to in 2023?
Gelatines new single, Wild Cabin new songs are rumoured, new Viagra Boys stuff is always exciting. If Jeff The Brotherhood puts out anything new that’s always exciting for us.
