PRESS TO MECO reflect on their past and discuss their debut album as well as future plans.

On a very busy day, in the hustle and bustle of Camden Rocks Festival, I caught up with the three-piece – Press To MECO. Alright, with the 2/3 of the band to be precise, Luke Caley (guitar/vocals) and Adam Roffey (bass/vocals), while Lewis Williams (drums/vocals) was running late. That however, did not stop him to drive by and shout “I am very excited to play Camden Rocks!”. Noted.

Despite rushing from one venue to another and standing in a few queues, the overall atmosphere was very lively. A lot of excitement in the air about many bands and performances with a few memories coming back. We played at Barfly downstairs last year and it was sick. Probably one of my favourite shows – Luke recalls.

Crawley/Croydon’s trio serves musical blend of almost all possible genres. Having skillfully and cautiously mixed heavy riffs and poppy components they shape their unique and distinctive sound. Raw and momentarily rough but with a subtle vibe it comes down on you when you least expect it. Having added three vocal lines which burst out as a one solid voice, you realise you simply cannot ignore them.

Press to MECO released their debut album Good Intent last October. Now looking back at the past few months the band talk about some ideas behind it.

Lewis, our drummer, writes lyrics now – Luke Caley explains. When we first started it was more like combination of all of us. I’m terrible at it. My brain works musically and not lyrically. I think the idea for this album is some sort of a ‘coming of age’ thing. You start off with the best intentions as you can, and you want to be the best person as you can but the circumstances in life often change your perspective and the way you think. Each song is about personal growth. We’re not really political about anything. I feel like too many people have opinions but don’t know enough stuff about politics. We just play and sing about things we know.

Any favourite songs on it?

I like “Manipulate”, it’s one of my favourites – Adam Roffey  starts. It’s a bit different for us but really cool to play live.

In a way of playing live I really like “Affinity” – Luke continues. It’s usually near the end of the set and that’s the one when people will jump around if they haven’t yet. I really like “Manipulate” as well and we’ve just started to play the song called “Ghost”. It seems to be going down really well so we’re gonna keep it.

Press to MECO released their debut self-titled EP in the summer 2012. Here we are then, two EPs and one album later whilst the band discuss their sound transformation and their past experiences…

I think before we used to have really poppy singing bits and really heavy bits – Adam explains. Now they sort of smashed into each other a little bit more. Plus, now we add some instrumental parts we haven’t had before.

If you had a chicken and a beef burger that would be like the two sides of our sound – Luke ponders. Now we’re one chicken-beef pâté.

It was more black and white before while now there’s this grey area in between – adds Adam.

I do feel like the sound has become more cohesive – Luke sums up. I mean we still try to throw things in you wouldn’t expect but definitely, when we started out it was way too segregated. Now when we listen back we’re like ‘What were we doing there?!’. Let’s see how the next album goes.

…as well as the evolution of their relationship.

I feel like we’re probably the best friends we’ve ever been – claims Luke. The relationships in a band are so weird because you’ve got so much care, you should have so much care, like you do for a family member but the difficult thing is that you’re not obliged to love them because you’re not blood. It’s more like marriage. But we get on really well. If there’s a problem just talk about it, get it done.

Everyone has theirs ups and downs – Adam continues. We sort our arguments out pretty fast. I think none of us has a too strong character, like we don’t really clash. It’s really good.

Sounds so easy!

No, it’s not! – I hear from Luke. 

Especially when you’ve been on tour for a couple of weeks and you haven’t slept and eaten properly, and you’re tired – Adam adds.

But the main thing is respect – says Luke. You just get to know how to deal with each other and not take everything too personally. We hang out in between shows and I always feel great for how we’ve got on so well. 

The three-piece has been making music together for a while now so I reckon they’ve got a few great memories to share.

Hevy Fest was sick! – says Adam.

Playing Download was mental – Luke adds. But Hevy Fest was such a highlight because for the first time, when we came out on stage, I really felt like people cared about the band and were there to actually see us. Or things like being played on Radio 1 or Kerrang!. When you’re 14  you think “That’s what I want to do”.

As the conversation comes to an end we talk some more about music, the bands we’re fond of and the songs we find annoying. As for the near future, it looks rather promising for these guys. They have a few festivals ahead of them this summer and after that, well rumour has it they will be heading back in the studio in September to work on their second album. Sounds pretty good to me!

Press to MECO‘s debut album Good Intent is out now via Best Before Records. Watch music video for their latest single Autopsy below.