PUNK IS DEAD, not according to Mob Wife though, Mob Wife are not about leather jackets and liberty spikes but they fully embody what punk truly is, an attitude, a freedom and at its best a pure form of expression. A Belfast 3 piece that create a cacophony of sound, equal parts abrasive and melodic all topped of by Chris Lecky's nihilistic filter through which he views the world. I'm not sure Carmela would book them for the latest Soprano family gathering but that just adds to the charm. Chris gave us insight into the world of Mob Wife.
Enjoy!
Can you tell me what first inspired you to make music, what made you pick up a guitar, write songs and join a band?
Wilson worked a gig once in the Ulster Hall and he told me it was just these local bands playing which I thought was quite odd considering the size of the venue. We met up the next day and he showed me who they were. First was LaFaro and second was And So I Watch You From Afar, from then on it was pretty much, let's just do that as best we can.
What bands posters did you have upon your bedroom wall and what was the first record you ever bought and why?
I always had an Iggy Pop poster in my wall in whatever house I was in at the time, it's still hanging on a wall in Chengdu China from when I lived there a few years ago. First record I bought was Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park, I got it because I had never seen guys look like that before and I thought it was cool. Oh how times have changed...
I’ve been listening back to Warm Water, Captain Care A Lot and Hellsong. They’re full of tight angular abrasive sounds and riffs. Can you talk about what drives you to make this kind of music, how important is it to have the band as a filter to make sense of the world around you?
Warm Water and Care A Lot were written in the same mind frame and around the same time. I wanted to push this super abrasive sound while retaining a lot of melody and odd chords. I'm basically aping a formula that At The Drive In and Fugazi did years before. They're both not the most lyrically driven songs but I liked that, I wanted it to be a big statement saying "what's up we're Mob Wife and this is us". Hellsong is just catharsis for me, it's quite old and it's just about getting some stuff out that I needed to.
You recently put out the excellent split with Cruiser. Can you tell us about how that came into being? ‘Clean’ is quite a departure stylistically from the other recorded material, with dare I say a Pixies kinda feel to it, is this a hint at a different direction for the band?
We played our third show in Limerick and met Ger from Cruiser there, got on really great and stayed in touch. We invited them up to Belfast and met the rest of the guys and got on great with them too. I think they're one of the best Irish bands I've ever seen so I wanted to be involved with them in anyway I could. It was just a matter of a simple email asking and then off we went. I don't really know how to describe Clean, I just wanted to write something with a bit more substance and little more laid back and it just clicked with everyone.
Can you talk about what kind of themes or topics you cover lyrically and your approach to writing lyrics and vocals. Is there still a lot to be pissed off or question in the foul year of our lord 2020?
Being pissed off lyrically is my bread and butter it's all I really know from being in previous bands but lately I've tried to be a bit more introspective. Ultimately, I just wanna put on paper what I'm feeling at the time. Currently that's just nostalgia and realising where I am now.
I know Chris and Wilson are tight bros from way back when. Our old bands played a show together many years ago in The Slemish. Did Wilson joining on drums change the band at all, is it important to maintain those kinds of musical relationships over the years?
Wilson's a hardcore drummer, that's not to say he's not versatile or willing to change things up but he's most comfortable playing things with a lot of power and from playing with him for almost 10 years now we know each other musically in a tee. So that's very important to get that level of musicianship with someone. Carl's the same with us, because Wilson and I think alike, Carl knows where we're going.
You’ve had a few single releases up to now, are there plans for an EP or album or do you feel those formats are still relevant in the face of streaming. Our split with Cruiser came out on cassette which was super cool, are there any plans for explore alternative formats for future releases, 8 track or laser disc making of the album?
We're working on an album which should be done soon but obviously we can't make money at the moment. EPs are done I think, you don't get any press and they're a lot of effort for very little back, I feel it's best to just work towards an album. Obviously the goal.is vinyl but unless we get some funding, CD will have to do.
The scene both north and south seems to be stronger than ever, is there anyone you’d want to shout out to?
The ones I can think of now are Junk Drawer, Careerist, Problem Patterns, Cruiser, Post Punk Podge, Hey Rusty but obviously there's so many more that are amazing.
And finally in the vein of Rob Gordon. What are your Top 5 favourite records
In no order:
In On the Kill Taker - Fugazi
All Hail Eternal Decks - The Mountain Goats
Icky Mettle - Archers Of Loaf
Dripping - Pile
Goat - The Jesus Lizard
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