Who: Phoxjaw
Where: Bristol, United Kingdom
What: Atmospheric grunge/alt-rock
About:
Formed in 2016 from the ashes of their previous bands, Bristol quartet Phoxjaw released their debut album Royal Swan via Hassle Records earlier this year. Recorded at Devil’s Bridge Cottage in the Welsh countryside, the band isolated themselves from any potential distractions, which led to the stunning body of work they created.
Their eclectic, grunge-infused style is hard to pin down as they frequently blur genre boundaries, resulting in a sound which is uniquely Phoxjaw‘s. Inspired by “the tweets in the morning, ABBA, the sound of music. You know – all the good stuff”; it goes some way to explaining the magic behind the sound.
With the band summing up their full-length as “majestic, triumphant, magical, mystical and sexy,” it provides an insider view of what you can expect from listening to Royal Swan. The album, which follows 2019’s A Playground For Sad Adults EP, was released mid-lockdown; but that didn’t stop the album release celebrations: “we got together on the night of the release and had many a can of Stella – maybe even 15 cans each,” they tell us.
The quartet have previously toured with the likes of Loathe, Pagan and Black Peaks; however if anyone can set up a tour with Phoxjaw, Queens of the Stone Age and Babymetal you’ll be in their good books. “Dream line-up I would say probably Queens of the Stone Age for me. It just would be something I told myself I would want from my youth, so would be like a real achievement. Kieran, our drummer, would say Babymetal though.”
Although 2020 has put many artists plans on hold, Phoxjaw are looking forward to the future, taking their debut release on the road next year for their February/March headline tour. “It’s been exciting getting to go back in the rehearsal room to start working on our live show for when we play live again. We wanna blow the roof off the joint.”
One thing which definitely sets the band out from the crowd is their hidden talents; “I can fold my ears inside my head and they stay in. I used to walk around primary school with my ears folded in for a laugh. I’ve ruined all the cartilage round my ears now though.”
Verdict:
Phoxjaw’s sound is fresh, exciting and vibrant; what more could you want? Across Royal Swan you’re taken on twists and turns musically, making it hard to know what’s coming next, keeping your attention firmly on the music you’re presented with. We can’t wait to see how the Royal Swan tracks transfer into a live environment on their album tour next year, as good things come to those who wait. The uncertainty of where the quartet will take their sound next plays a part in why we’ll be keeping our eyes firmly on Phoxjaw’s next moves.
What’s next?
“In 2020 we are working on new music and preparing for our biggest tour yet. The tour for the Royal Swan that is in February 2021 is gonna be one of our most explosive shows – a must see.”
For Fans Of: Idles, Queens Of The Stone Age, Deftones
Find Them: Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, Official Website, Twitter
Watch:
See Them:
February
Tue 16th – BIRMINGHAM – The Victoria
Wed 17th – BRISTOL – Rough Trade
Thu 18th – SOUTHAMPTON – Heartbreakers
Sat 20th – LEICESTER – The Cookie
Sun 21st – MANCHESTER – Gullivers
Mon 22nd – YORK – The Fulford Arms
Tue 23rd – TYNEMOUTH – Surf Cafe
Thu 25th – GLASGOW – Garage Attic
Fri 26th – LIVERPOOL – Phase One
Sat 27th – STOKE-ON-TRENT – Sugarmill
Sun 28th – NORWICH – Waterfront Studio
March
Mon 1st – LONDON – Signature Brew
Tue 2nd – BRISTOL – Rough Trade
Thu 4th – PLYMOUTH – Junction
Fri 5th – TRURO – Old Bakery
Tickets for the tour are on sale HERE.
Royal Swan is out now via Hassle Records, available to stream or purchase HERE.
