After the release of their stellar debut album Beseech Me, we caught up with Melbourne punk trio CLAMM to find out more about them.
As far as apt album titles go, CLAMM’s Beseech Me is right up there: over 10 tight tracks, they assault and accost the listener, the thunderous rhythm relentless and defiant.
The trio – Jack Summers, Maisie Everett, and Miles Harding – are very much from Melbourne, which boasts a proud punk community, but they’re equally steeped in the tradition of U.S. garage rock like Ty Segall.
They meld menacing sounds with indignant lyrics: their songs are visceral critiques of authoritarianism and societal power structures, the guttural violence of their instruments underpinning a message of anti-violence and anti-materialism.
It also combines the political with the personal, a track like ‘Liar’ contending with mental health and the furious internal conflict that we all have to deal with sometimes.
The much-touted post-punk revival flooding the U.K. just now rightfully has gained plaudits for its intelligence but the self-aware thoughtfulness that CLAMM portray is a match for any of those outfits. CLAMM’s furious but empowered punk, then, can be whatever it needs to be: a frenetic outburst of energy or a cathartic and considerate look at power and politics.
On the back of the release of Beseech Me, we spoke with the band as part of our popular Get To Know series to discuss the new album, their influences, and the future.
Love Indie?
Get the latest Indie news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Beseech Me by CLAMM is out now via Meat Machine Records.
Check out ‘Keystone Pols’ by CLAMM:
How did your artist name come about?
I don’t think any of us really remember. I think it had something to do with having clammy hands and if you take off the ‘y’ at the end you’ve just got CLAMM.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
I think I’d describe it as extremely loud and intense and that would probably be enough for her to keep a distance. Most elderly people don’t really like stuff that is extremely loud and intense do they? Maybe they have had enough of that in their life.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
‘Confused’ is a pretty simple one. It speaks about values, a lack of direction in life and not living up to people’s expectations but really it’s just about being confused about everything. Everything is sort of confusing.
‘Repress’ is about wanting more from life than a job, and moving past being confused and declaring that a forty hour work week is not necessarily for everyone.
What do you love about your hometown?
Miles and I are from Elsternwick and Gardenvale in Melbourne’s south east. Elsternwick is nice and multicultural which is great. Not much going on in Gardy. There’s about 10 or 15 shops and 3 or 4 of them sell fish and chips.
Maisie is from Frankston and she said: I love that I can go there and will always be able to see someone I know, and I like how I know the streets like the back of my hand, there is something comforting about knowing your way around a place without having to ever look at a map. I’m never ever going to live there again but I’ll always enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere every time I step foot in Frankston.
Check out ‘Liar’ by CLAMM:
Career highlight so far?
We just played Boogie festival, so that is pretty fresh in our minds as a clear highlight. I was so nervous I was nearly vomiting. Miles said he hadn’t been so nervous since his grade 4 aerobics state championships.
Fave non-music hobby?
I like petting animals.
Miles says his favourite non-music hobby is eating chips.
Maisie fights crime when she isn’t playing music.
What’s on your dream rider?
A big bowl of Kava. Various chips. Coconut water. Nachos. Garlic Bread. Kiwi berries. Papaya. Mango Lassi.
Dream music collaboration?
CLAMM feat. Dave Grohl
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ooft that’s a hard one. We’ve put 35 studio albums out by this point and everyone hates us. I’ve lost my most of my voice and we mainly do spoken word poetry. I have a bionic arm. Miles has eight kick drums in his kit and is the most sponsored drummer in the world. C and C drums have made Miles a custom chip bowl to attach to his high-hat stand.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Depends how I’m feeling. If I want to freak everyone out I’ll do ‘Mother’ by John Lennon but if I want to be chill I’ll do ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ by Elvis Presley.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Probably to stop caring what other people think. I can’t remember who told it to me because I guess it’s a cliché that gets thrown around everywhere but I think it’s a good one. Miles says ‘bring a jumper’ is really good because it’s always good when you’re not planning on bringing a jumper and then someone tells you to bring one.
What’s one obsession you have that no one would guess after listening to your music?
Travel vlogs.
Check out ‘Beseech Me’ by CLAMM:
