Inside Bedhed Band Reunion: Exclusive Interview Reveals All!
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: PR
The much-anticipated Bedhed Band Reunion has finally arrived, bringing back the nostalgic sounds of the late 90’s and early 2000s. Originally formed during that era, the four-piece band is making a triumphant comeback with a fresh wave of music that will surely captivate old and new fans alike. Bedhed has emerged from their hiatus with a renewed passion and an abundance of enthusiasm, ready to take the stage once again. In an exclusive interview with JLTT, the band members graciously sat down to discuss their highly anticipated return and what the future holds for Bedhed. Get ready to relive the magic as Bedhed ignites the music scene with their sensational reunion.
Could you please introduce yourselves to us by telling the readers your names and who plays what in the band?
Joel – Vocals; Jon – Drums; Al – Bass and backing vocals; Rob – Guitar.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words:
London. Not backing down, eclectic, secretly romantic.
On Friday 16th June 2023 you will release your debut single ‘Holding Their Breath’, two decades after forming. What was the reasoning behind choosing to release new music now and what was the writing process like?
A drunken birthday message from Al in lockdown was what sparked the whole reunion. Thanks Al. So there were kind of eight of us in the writing – the four of us in the early 2000s and the four of us now. Like a Bill and Ted film! We started by trawling through all the songs we wrote back then, but found that we’ve all absorbed a lot musically in 20 years and wanted to bring that to the cauldron. Lyrically, with a bit more living under our belts, there’s some stuff we feel stronger or differently about. If something stood the test of time then it went in. If it could be better we shoved it around a bit. Some songs ended up exactly as they were back in the day, the way we played them 1000 times before. For other songs, one of us might have a new sparkle or twist that puts the cherry on the cake. Equally, there are some songs that we tore down and built back up again and are now completely different. It’s ended up being a real mix of all of that old and new stuff, which is cool.
In addition, you worked with esteemed music producer Tom Nichols on the new material. What is the story behind this meeting and collaboration? Where did you record?
I (Rob) was working with Tom, helping him market some of his other artists. We got talking about the reunion and he asked to listen to some of our songs. We were blown away with his excitement and energy for them, and were over the moon that he wanted to get involved. We recorded mainly in Metropolis Studios, London, but also Flux Studios in New York and Nightstar Studios London.
Your forthcoming album ‘An Honest Lie’ is due for release on 1st September 2023 on the independent label Last Man Media. What can people expect from the record and what formats will it be available on?
All killer, no filler. It’s heartfelt, epic, hook-laden and vulnerable ‘90s British indie-meets-transatlantic rock. It will be available on limited edition coloured vinyl to sit right in the rack with Suede, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Kings of Leon. It’s a bit of a heartbreak record, but a bit of a getting-back-up-and-finding-something-better record too.
To celebrate the single release you have a sold-out show at The Camden Club in London in June. Are there any further live plans in the pipeline to support the new album?
100%. We will be at the Hard Rock Hotel in August, with some more London gigs to follow, and a very exciting UK support tour in November, which we will be announcing soon….
What advice do you have for new artists and bands who are starting out in the music industry?
Don’t ever give up. Don’t play with people you can’t be honest with. Don’t settle for someone else’s clichés. You can’t control timing.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments/effects?
For our Camden gig, we will have two e-bows for the first time. And a stylophone. Jon’s threatening to bring a gong.
What makes BEDHED happy and what makes you unhappy?
Happy: playing the album to everyone, summer on Blackheath, elephant tattoos, very old guitar pedals, The Borderline, campfires at festivals, our kids backstage, mannequins, late night recording, West Ham and Mario Kart. Unhappy: whisky sour in a can, songs about pets, athleisure, requests for Buddy Holly, night bus roulette, the key of D and waiting.
Bedhed’s debut single ‘Holding Their Breath’ is released on Friday 16th June 2023. Their debut album ‘An Honest Lie’ is scheduled for release on Friday 1st September 2023 on Last Man Media.
To pre-save/stream Holding Their Breath: https://found.ee/bedhed_holdingtheirbreath
https://www.instagram.com/bedhed_music/
