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NEW MUSIC: H.A.M H.A.M. are an up-and-coming London based band that is building a reputation for their great energy on stage, and combining indie tastes with catchy danceable tunes. Three fourths of H.A.M. hail from the North, York specifically, while bassist George TD is originally from South London. He is joined by lead singer Harry Wright, guitarist Tom Armstrong and Neil Andrews on drums. They have an exciting new three track EP coming out in July, aptly named ‘The EP.” With new songs ‘Ghost Writer’, ‘Catalogue Hideous’ and ‘Black Fog’, these boys have got it right with their evolving mix of melodic dance tunes and indie pop sound. We sat down with the band while they practiced to hear more about their inspirations, what makes them different and what their plans are for the future. WORDS: VICTORIA ELIZABETH PHOTO: GARY MORRISROE VICTORIA: SO BOYS, TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOURSELVES. WHO IS H.A.M.? Harry Wright: We’ve been characterised in lots of different ways. We like to mix indie pop sounds with groovy dance bits. We get told that we make good hooks and songs that stick in peoples’ heads. We’ve also been compared to Foals and Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm. We have moody bangers like the track, ‘Lies,’ ‘Untitled’ and one on the new EP called ‘Ghost Writer.’ Then we also have indie pop style stuff like ‘Catalogue Hideous’ and ‘Black Fog,’ which are also new, as well as slower dance tunes like ‘True Love.’ It’s just a really nice mix that you have to see live to appreciate. VICTORIA: HOW DID YOU ALL MEET EACH OTHER AND GET STARTED? Tom Armstrong: Well Harry and I got together first in York, just playing in my bedroom about a year and a half ago. We started playing around York with a former bassist and drummer but they were based up there and we wanted to move on. So we moved
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down here to London and met these other two gentlemen, Neil and George. Since then it’s been a steady thing that’s growing nicely. We’ve been playing venues in London now for a while and are really getting going. VICTORIA: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS MUSICALLY, EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR AS A GROUP? Harry: I like all sorts of music. I like a lot of dance music, house and techno. And old 90’s Hip Hop, anything that’s really good. Tom and I are massive fans of bands that were popular around from 2006 and before. I think of bands like Tame Impala, who are amazing. We also all love the Strokes; it’s what we grew up on so it’s a bit nostalgic. Their first album was the best. Neil Andrews: Drumming-wise I would always go for Stuart Copeland from The Police. I also like the Talking Heads a lot. George TD: When I’m trying to write a bass line for this band, most of what pops into of my head is stuff I’ve listened to from the earlier