Meet: Leeds Rockers Fudge, Who Are Set For A Very Big Year

With the imminent release of the bands EP ‘The Town Hall Session’ which features three previously released singles and two additional tracks ‘Jekyll & Hide’ and ‘Pepsi Noggins’. The EP release also coincides with ‘Nothing But Noise‘, the band’s first one day festival at Leeds Belgrave Music Hall on 21 May and will be followed by a UK tour with Leeds noise merchants Dim Imagery.

Backseat Mafis caught up with lead singer Cam

Give us a potted history of you the band

Fudge. originated back in our first year at university. The only members from the current line up back then were Otto and me (Cam). We were shite. Full on wank. Our songs were dead, we could barely play our instruments, but the spirit was there. We had to let go of a few band members and got Angus in on the drums and since then that’s been the line up with bass players in and out. I think we’ve had a total of seven bass players all together. We currently have our Italian beauty Fabio on the four strings following the departure of Shea. We are based in Leeds and love playing fat gigs more than anything, I reckon. We have some decent dates coming up which people should check – you can see them in our socials: @Fudgebandofficial on Instagram and Facebook; @Fudgeband on Twitter if you feel like giving us a cheeky follow xoxo.

My personal biggest accomplishment with the band was playing Leeds and Reading Festival. The Leeds date was probably the best day of my life so far.

Who inspired you to start making music

Oooooh, that’s a hard question. We have very similar influences and very different influences as individuals. Looking back, for me personally, when I was younger, I got my music taste from people I was surrounded by: it started off with Bruce Springsteen from my dad; Queen from my auntie; AC/DC from my cousin; then school friends got me into Green Day and stuff like that. But now, as a mature young man, I listen to a load of different stuff, but rock is still my main favourite.

And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically

As a band I feel we have been influenced by Slaves and Rage Against The Machine more than others. Obviously, Otto will have different guitar stuff he’s picked up from his own taste, as with Angus with drums and me with lyrics and vocal melodies.

If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say

Otto says “Chavrock”; I say, “Good music”. But it’s mainly quite heavy rock that’s a bit different to a lot of other stuff.

Tell us about your new release

The Town Hall Session EP!!! Recorded with local sexy boi Kane Whitelam, a genius on the mixing desk. We recorded some live takes at the Town Hall in Leeds and have released three of the five songs. The full EP is released very soon. The songs are about various things so listen to them and let me know what you think they’re about.

Where can we get hold of it

All music streaming platforms and at Fudge. gigs.

Tell us how you write

It mainly comes from Otto writing a riff and a vague song structure, then playing it with Angus to get drums involved and more of a structure. I come in, listen to it, get some ideas, write to it. If any instrumentation needs changing to work around it, we sometimes do that and then we practice and boom! Masterpiece.

Tell us about your live show and how much have you been missing it recently

Our live show is a MADNESS. Ask anyone that’s seen us play post 2018. Even to a small room or a small crowd it’s still entertaining. Lockdown was very depressing, and I, like other people, lost my head. The world coming to a standstill like that rocked me a bit. But now we’re back and ready to crack on with some lethal shows.

What can we expect from you in the near future

We are releasing our Town Hall Session EP and are currently working on a new single.

21/05 Belgrave, Leeds

24/05 Jacaranda, Liverpool

28/05 Little Buildings, Newcastle

06/06 The Bodega, Nottingham

09/06 33 Oldham Street, Manchester

16/06 Off The Cuff, London

Tell us your favourite records that’s rocking your headphones / tour bus / stereo

We went to go see Royal Blood the other day so we’ve been rinsing them recently.

Find out more via the band’s Facebook

Check out the band’s track 9/10 (Live At Leeds Townhall), below: