What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
We’ve all grown up playing different instruments at schools and after-school clubs, and as we got older bands started forming around us and so did the prospect of joining or starting one ourselves. Playing live music in front of an audience is such a pleasure, so to be able to do that all the time is incredible. Writing songs that reflect different stages and feelings in our lives is something that when we get older we can look back on, almost like a photo album, and if someone listening can relate to and feel something too when listening then that’s a privilege.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
Our lead singer is Alice, she and our lead guitarist Andy formed the band back in 2019. Alice started off playing the drums and singing in primary school but then switched the kit for a guitar in secondary school. Having been in a few bands at school and in university, and doing a few solo gigs, she then in her final year contacted Andy and started Five-O Fives. Andy did a lot of music stuff at school, like guitar lessons, orchestra, and jazz ensemble, but his true inspiration comes from a lot of prog and metal, which is where the root of Five O Fives sound comes from. Nico is our bass player who had been in other bands in the Birmingham music scene before joining Five O Fives, he takes influence from bands like Soccer Mommy and the 1975 which nicely contrasts Andy’s heavier personal taste in music. Our drummer Joel is a more prominent voice in our songwriting process and has been playing and writing music for over 10 years.
The one question we get a little tired of answering is “how did the band start”. It’s such a long story so it gets a little tiresome to write/explain all the time.
Did you buy anything you don’t need in the pandemic?
I think we all brought too much music equipment that we thought we’d use but don’t.
What useless party trick do you have?
Alice can make a pretty convincing Chewbacca noise. And Andy is a fair whittler.
What was the most fun you have had on stage?
We can’t think of an exact time but honestly, any time we get to be on stage playing the songs we love is fun.
Worst experience on stage?
We played the Victoria on a really hot day when the air conditioning wasn’t working and we finished the gig drenched in sweat and hyperventilating. I wouldn’t say it was the worst but it was definitely a little uncomfortable.
If you had to describe your band/music to an alien how would you describe it
It’s really loud, heavy guitars, blood pumping, get angry.
What makes us stand out?
We’re all quite a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and beliefs so when we come together we have the ability to create something really interesting.
Favourite song to play live?
That varies between each of us usually but at the moment I think we’d all agree that it’s one of our new ones called ‘Short Changed’. We love it because we haven’t played it a ton of times yet so the novelty hasn’t worn off, and it’s just a sexy little number
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it?
‘Keep Your Secrets Close’ is the 2nd single from our EP and easily the heaviest song we’ve recorded to date. The songs are about toxic relationships, anger, and all the heartache that comes along with it.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Our main plans are to release the EP and just start gigging more regularly, we’ve taken a bit of a step back from gigs recently to focus on jobs and uni, but now we’re ready to get back to it!
FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM HERE