Interview // MILESTONES
MILESTONES discuss their debut EP Equal Measures.
The true measure of a man is not what he dreams, but what he aspires to be – Mike Norton
I caught up with the band Milestones a while back, just after their show at The Borderline in London where they were opening for the group Area 11. Alright, 4/5 of Milestones to be precise, and I must admit that after seeing them perform it became obvious that they fully earned their spot on the ones-to-watch list this upcoming season. Having added a slice of pop mixed with a little bit of rock in equal measure, Milestones prove that punk is anything but dead.
This North-West quintet is surely one of the most intriguing additions to the Fearless Records family. Of course, you must give them that – it’s quite a family.
It’s great! All my favourite bands are on that label – says Andy Makin (drums) proudly wearing a Real Friends’ T-shirt. The rest of the band shares his excitement and they certainly have plenty of reasons for it.
The five-piece released their debut EP Equal Measures, a proverbial milestone in their career, on July 8th. Produced by Phil Gornell (Bring Me The Horizon, All Time Low and Set Your Goals) it exemplifies a pop punk at its best. A firm compilation of gang vocals, crashing guitars and heavier beats but with the accessible tone. A display of mature, for five young lads, and well-crafted songwriting skills what helps to create an individual story within each song. The EP widely presents their fresh and diverse talent to the music scene while you press ‘Play’ over and over again.
In addition, it has been out for less than two weeks and it’s already received a lot of positive feedback from the press as well as the fans.
The band discuss some ideas behind the songs.
The meaning of the songs is dealing with broken friendships and relationships – explains Drew Procter (guitar). Generally, the EP marks that it’s ok not to feel ok at those situations, it’s ok to feel upset and sometimes that’s the necessary path.
Five songs have landed on their debut EP with the title track amongst them. Milestones talk some more about it.
It’s about finding balance in life, about how things change – the drummer ponders. It’s ok not to feel ok but also it’s about finding the positive as well as negative things. You just take them both equally, in equal measure.
Again, five songs and five members of the band. Any favourites?
“Call Me Disaster” – Mark Threlfall (bass) answers without a hesitation.
Yes, that’s definitely the one – Andy continues. And that’s the newest song. We’d had a lot of it written when we were deciding what we were gonna do while we were still writing. That’s what we always do, we write constantly and we figured this one would fit on the EP pretty well.
Call Me Disaster, a follow-up to their first single Nothing Left, is a grand opening to the EP and introduction to the band’s sound. An anthemic and infectious chorus alongside a deep message hailing from the track will stick with you for quite a while.
The band recently have unveiled accompanying music video to the song. Watch it below.
I think it captures the overall message of the EP very well because the story line is about people growing up and coming to terms with things that have gone by and then just moving on as a result of what’s happening – Andy comments. It’s again about seeing positive in a negative.
Milestones came together around 2014, when Matt Clarke (vocals), Drew Procter (guitar), Mark Threlfall (bass) and Andy Makin (drums) decided to embark on a musical path leaving all their previous projects behind and fully devote their lives to the music world. Having added Eden Leviston (guitar) to the line-up in February 2015 made a final change what shaped Milestones as they stand today.
Hailing from Manchester and Liverpool, as the bassist likes to emphasize they’re a North-West band, they seem to be getting on really well. Having valued every experience and being grateful for every opportunity in their lives, Milestones still feel connected to their hometowns but are ready for all new adventures the future holds for them. They’re just getting started but with a start as theirs, that future looks pretty good.
Either way, five dudes.. Well, that’s a lot of testosterone. How’s it going then?
I think we had been writing music together for a couple of months before we came out as a band – the drummer starts. In some ways we’re very different but in some really similar. I think it’s been great.
We don’t argue at all actually – adds Mark.
I don’t think you can be in a band with people you don’t like – Andy sums up. As much as you can try to be professional of course, but that just doesn’t work. Simple as that.
You can catch Milestones touring with Area 11 till the end of this month. Then, kicking off with August 9th they will be joining Hawthorne Heights on the UK leg of their 10 year anniversary tour of their album, If Only You Were Lonely. And a word of advice here, you better go and see them playing those smaller venues before they hit the road for an arena tour.
