The Wild Things Talk Latest Single, 2025 UK Tour And More

Jul 19, 2025 | Interviews

Words by Glenn Sargeant

Feature Image Photo Credit: Marcus Maschwitz

UK rockers The Wild Things have released their latest single ‘Knock Down, Drag Out’ and will embark on a September 2025 UK Tour. Lead vocalist and guitarist Syds kindly chatted to us about the new track and more:

Who is in The Wild Things, what do they play and how did you meet?

The Wild Things are a loud London rock band who like to create stories and tell ‘em ‘heart-on-your-sleeve’ style. We create worlds in songs you can escape into. As for members, we are Syds (guitar / Vox), Rob (guitar), Cam (bass) and Pete (drums). We’re a wife / husband / sibling / best friend lineup… Complicated on paper but it works.

When did you begin singing/songwriting?

My brother Cam and I (Syds) started writing music when we were kids – our parents, although not musical themselves, were always playing classic acts out the juke box. Rob and I started dating so I dragged him into writing sessions to spend more time with him (sucker) and Pete joined last. He was SO good at drumming there was no chance we were gonna let him go.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Painting Cam’s face like a member of KISS whilst dancing round the aforementioned juke box. We were babies.

You have your new single ‘Known Down, Drag Out’ out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

The story of Knock Down, Drag Out is part one of an intense, wild love affair taking place in New Orleans. The second half is revealed in our next single releasing in August – as the listener, you’re experiencing that love affair in real time during the gap between both singles.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

We recorded it in our own studio in London, with Cam producing. He produces all our stuff, including our last album Afterglow alongside Pete Townshend.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

I distinctly remember our English Bulldog Hollywood bashing the vocal booth door down with her head… We lost a few takes thanks to her.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Direct from Cam himself: “Quite a bit of the demo was used in the final recording. I have a pair of EMI mic pre’s that I love. I often print through them as well and blow things up. But my favourite thing is compressing things to death through a Urei 1176. There was a very loud cowbell solo in the demo which you can faintly hear in the mid sections, but this one was a straight rock tune. Loud amps and loud vocals… and strings! Ghosting acoustics under the electric guitars gave a great energy.”

Was it a difficult song to write?

It was the first one we wrote going into our next ‘phase’ post-Afterglow. We were a bit timid – we had held onto Afterglow for years so writing something outside of that universe seemed daunting. But KDDO seemed to just flow out, which was exciting. It did go through maaaaany lyric changes though,

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest – Heaven Knows (I go wild during that one, people who’ve seen us live know)
Angriest – You’re Really Something. VERY cathartic.
Most Reflective – I think our song Make Our Own Way There serves that purpose. It made me feel nostalgic the first time I heard it in full after recording.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

Yes! The second single and part two to the Knock Down, Drag Out saga will be yours this August. After that… well, follow us and you’ll see 😉

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

We hope people feel like they’re a part of the band. Maybe not physically on stage with us, but they’re part of this little family now.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I’ve got a Gibson Custom 20th Anniversary VII Firebird (say that 10 times fast). She doesn’t come out on the road too much any more because she’s precious… She also weighs more than me.

How do you look after your voice?

Lots of steaming, Manuka honey, try to talk less (difficult for me), warm ups and downs. Old fashioned but it works!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Good question! I read ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ last year and it changed me. It would be fascinating to score, mainly because it would be vastly different to how the band sounds. A real step out the comfort zone.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

London! Five words: ‘This Is Where We Live’. Everybody knows London.

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

Yeeeeees! Our headline tour begins this September, Thursday 11th. We can’t wait to get out there and see everyone!

What makes The Wild Things happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy – getting into bed / the bunk after a sweaty show
Unhappy – people walking realllllly slowly directly in front of me. Just go faster?????