Norwich-based band, Bag Of Cans are currently playing their hearts out across the UK. They are maverick – understatement, they most definitely entertain, and they provide some thumpingly good tunes. Formed in 2017, the band have a constant and loyal cohort growing fan base. Think of Britpop, especially, Blur, with a smattering of the Libertines and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and then you may know what to expect. This band laughs at itself, and its lyrics are deliciously humorous and beautifully twisted.
A contemporary vibe
Bag Of Cans produces an excellent respite to the monotonous droning of drum and bass or the sycophantic narcissism of so much of the current contemporary oeuvres. For a start this crew can write – admittedly somewhat bizarre – lyrics, but they resonate with an audience that’s bored with the mainstream, often feels disenfranchised and needs a release. Why not sing about a favourite shirt.
“He’s drowning in confidence (Favourite Shirt).
Smiling at strangers on the street (Favourite Shirt).
Great big grin on his face (Favourite Shirt).
Delightful, to everyone he meets (Favourite Shirt).
No, not in a strange way (Favourite Shirt).
In a hope you have a nice day way (Favourite Shirt).
In an absolute pleasure to be around way (Favourite Shirt).
And nothing could possibly change that today way (Favourite).”
A band with style
Talking to the band’s drummer, Joe explains how this unorthodox bunch got together.
“We all met separately. I met the bassist, Sam Watts, on my course, (Environmental Studies at UEA) and he was in a band with Tom McGhie, (journalist) separately doing gypsy jazz swing stuff. The two Georges: George Baker, trumpet and vocals and George Bryce, guitar and vocals, moved here for work, one in insurance and the other at the cathedral, and then bonded in the open mic scene and started a duo which became the initial Bag of Cans. At the same time Sam, the bassist, introduced me to Tom and we started a psych rock band with some other friends.”
Joe continues, “I did a drum recording for the two Georges for some SoundCloud demos in Tom’s front room which was how I got to know them. Then a member from the psych rock band I was in started putting on shows called Fangsound at the Pig and Whistle (before it became a sports bar) and asked the two Georges to play. They then asked Sam, Tom and me if we’d be able to add a full band to it – and the rest is history.”
It may be history to them but to their fans it was a hallelujah moment. Their eclectic, sometimes bizarre style is typified in Hair of the Dog. Unsurprisingly the song’s video depicts a dead/comatose Tom McGhie being revived by a tankard of brew. Dressing up is one of the band’s fortés, but make no mistake, this group is as passionate and serious about its music and entertainment as it is its quirky humour.
Upcoming dates
Supporting Northern Irish headliners Ash for their current tour, Bag Of Cans, can be spotted in both Norwich on 17 February at Epic Studios, and Chinnery’s Southend on 18 February, concluding with a grand finale at Birmingham’s O2 Institute on 19 February.
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