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By: Martyn Coppack
Following on from our interview with Rocket Recordings as part of our Liverpool Psych Fest preview we though it only fair to ask the other record label who had a showcase to have their say.
PNKSLM are one of the most exciting new finds this year for Echoes and Dust and we have already succumbed to the wonderful delights of Les Big Byrd. We asked Luke Reilly his thoughts on the whole shebang and just exactly what happens in those legendary parties in Stockholm…
(((o))): Can you give me a little bit of history behind the label?
Me and some friends used to tour a bit in a garage punk band called Sex Beet. On our downtime, being classic egotistical East London little shits, we started up a small music blog. We had no money, so we took over a domain name that a friend bought for his school work, PNKSLM.net.
The blog was pretty much bullshit, but led to a couple of cool things, such as getting asked to start the Punk Slime monthly party at The Old Blue Last, and getting a furious email from one of The Drum’s mother when I questioned their talent/background.
I then moved to Stockholm, which slowed down any activity with Sex Beet, so me and William Knight decided to try and start up the label that we’d been talking about doing for so long. Everyone thinks PNKSLM is a solo effort from me, but it wouldn’t exist at all without William, and also Charlie Wyatt from Thee MVPs.
I then came across Sudakistan in Stockholm, and they were the perfect first release. The Punk Slime parties in London kinda had a small following so we decided to keep the same name for the label. And that’s it. Things snowballed pretty fast from there.
(((o))): Are you specifically for psych or do you look to stretch out?
Absolutely not. I don’t see us as a “Psych” label at all. It’s all Rock & Roll to me haha. But yes, I guess the majority of our releases would today be classed as some kind of “psych”. The labels don’t really matter, I just only out out music that I fucking love.
Me, William and Charlie all wanna do a hip-hop record actually. If anyone has any tips send them in!
(((o))): How do you find the bands? Les Big Byrd spring to mind as a particularly great one…
So far I think every release we’ve done has been with artists that I’ve come across in person on my travels at some point. I get sent a lot of demos, I listen to pretty much all of them, but I don’t think I’ve signed anyone through that. Usually I’ll stumble across a live band somewhere and then get way too excited and call Willam right away all like “HOLY SHIT WE NEED TO SIGN THESE NOW!!!!” He’s a lot calmer than me.
And yeah, Les Big Byrd are incredible. I just met them out and about in Stockholm, and forced them to be my friend. Nicest group of guys, and I owe Jocke more than you could imagine, he’s helped me out no end whilst living over here. I’m psyched their albums done so well worldwide. And they are going to be fucking huge next year.
(((o))): I was speaking to Chris (organiser of Psych Fest) and he tells me you have these crazy parties over in Stockholm…care to elaborate!
We’ve been having crazy parties everywhere! They started in London as I said, and then we did a few in other UK cities. This year I started the Swedish parties. I was reluctant to do that for a while, as Swedish people tend to be more reserved. So I did the debut one as a free-booze-for-all party in this fucked up basement. It was total chaos. I’ve now started doing semi-regular shows at a new bar called Cantina Real. It’s a tiny basement, and unlike any other venue in Stockholm. Always free entry, super packed, super sweaty. Perfect. We also did our first SXSW trip this year in Texas, and hosted our own party, in a David Lynch/Circus themed bar. We’ll be back next year also.
(((o))): What can we expect from your Psych Fest showcase? It’s a rather exciting line up?
Minds will be blown. Al Lover is a total genius, and one of the artists I’m most proud of working with. Black Mekon are possibly my favorite band of all time, SO MUCH FUN. Then Sudakistan, who are about to release a fucking huge debut album. Their the best live band I’ve come across in years. Seriously do NOT miss them. And then Les Big Byrd, who essentially the kings of Sweden now. Obviously I’m biased, but I would recommend wholeheartedly everyone in the world comes and witnesses all their shows.
(((o))): Will it be a chance to let your hair down and celebrate or will you be working all through it?
I’ll be DJing in between bands, which is fine. Touring with Sudakistan for me usually involves a whole heap of stress though. So I’ll probably be on babysitting mode haha. But it’s all good.
(((o))): What is psych? What does it mean to you as a label? What do you look for in the artists?
Blagh! I’ve no idea really. It seems everything nowadays gets the psych tag somehow. As I said, I just wanna release music I love. Could be anything from Black Metal to Hip Hop.
(((o))): Where do you see psych heading? What bands would you like to work with next?
I guess psych as a genre will probably burn out eventually, but there’s no sign of that yet which is good. As people find the next new thing, it’s only natural. As for next new bands on PNKSLM, god knows. We’ve got a bunch of new releases planned between now and Christmas. Main focus for the label early next year will be the Sudakistan record, that’s going to be the biggest thing we’ve ever done for sure. And then let’s see!!
(((o))): And finally…do you have message for our readers?
Just a huge thanks to every single person who’s supported us, either buying records, blogging about us, giving us stages at huge festivals…. I’m hugely grateful. Keep sharing the good word. And FHRITP.
