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Likened to an improbable hybrid of LCD Soundsystem and Squid by 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, Chorley alt-rockers Hauspoints are getting set to release their debut album Eel Feeling on Preston’s Cracked Ankles Records. Blog Preston went to find out more.
Hauspoints have been on an upward trajectory since they formed at the tail end of lock down. Their first limited edition 7” single sold out within 24 hours and they played to 1,500 people at The Preston Weekender Sunday on the Square in front of The Harris in May, sharing the billing with From the Jam, Buzzcocks and Space.
“The feedback was great, people really enjoyed it. The response from the live performances has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Palmo, vocalist and guitarist. Sat with bassist/synth player Nik, they’re talking about their sound and gigs.
People have drawn comparisons to The Fall, although Nik disagrees: “I don’t think we sound like them, it’s just what people can liken us to in their minds.”
The band consider their gigs like a runaway train hurtling towards a void, and being saved at the last minute.
“It’s loud and there are raucous moments,” says Palmo. “We aren’t a crusty, garage punk band but we straddle that. We aren’t a glistening pop band but I love pop music, so we straddle that. There are discerning listeners and people out there who really enjoy what we do.”
So much so that the band were snapped up by Preston’s Cracked Ankles label after boss Stoko saw them playing at Preston’s mainstay venue The Ferret.
Up to this point the band had released an EP on cassette, recorded at their rehearsal and recording space at the foot of Chorley’s Healey Nab. The band released a 7″ single Total Diversion on the label in August 2023 and it sold out in a single day. Keen to step out of their comfort zone, the band decided to work with Rob Whiteley at Whitewood Recording Studio, in Liverpool
“A few members of Hauspoints had worked with Rob previously on other projects. He is an absolute master, incredible at what he does” says Palmo. “He has the gear, the ideas and is open to experimentation.”
Prior to going in the studio with Rob, the band demoed the album in the safe surroundings of their own studio before taking their sound to Liverpool.
“It was an intense experience,” says Palmo. “We recorded it live, doing take after take, running through all the songs, over and over again. We were absolutely knackered after the whole thing. We didn’t eat for the first day.”
“Rob has the strongest coffee,” laughs Nik.
“It was a really good experience,” says Palmo. “To hear it at the end. Rob’s a really good guy, he put the time in with us and he’s dealing with majors. We just finished the tracking and his next session was with Philip Selway, the drummer from Radiohead.”
Listening to the two band members talk and laugh it’s clear they have known each other for a long time. They formed in 2021, Palmo enlisting guitarist Rob to work with him on some ideas he had. Palmo was originally on drums and Rob on guitar, with both on vocals.
Tattoo artist Nik, who is also in post-punk duo Grave Diggers Union, received a message from Rob enlisting him one dark Wednesday evening before enlisting drummer Chas. The band has undergone a few line-up changes, with Sam on saxophone and a second drummer Steven also featuring on the album.
“We all write the music,” says Palmo. “Someone will come with an idea, it might be a bassline, we throw everything at it and find the sounds that are working. I write the lyrics. I have notepads and they are filled with the ramblings of a lunatic. You could argue they made it on to the album.”
“I think that is the album,” laughs Nik.
Although they initially intended it to be a studio project, they are delighted with the album and the response they have received so far, in particular being signed to Cracked Ankles Records.
“Stoko showed instant interest after seeing us play live. From the start, when you first pick up a guitar, that’s what you want,” says Nik. “You form a band with friends, you look at pressing costs so you say, we’ll do a CD, then you look at the cost of producing a CD and then eventually Ste Hodson burns 15 for you on the PC.”
Palmo adds: “Stoko was keen that the band retained the rights to the music. With most record deals, you sign over some percentage of the rights, but with Cracked Ankles its very much a collaborative effort. We’re in a position where we can put out this record, which we have wanted to do since day dot, forever, it’s a tangible thing you can hold in your hands.”
The band are keen to stay independent and maintain control over their music, sound and image. They all work professionally in creative fields and the DIY aspect is important. Rob designed the artwork for the album and Palmo creates the moving visuals. There will be an exclusive Hauspoints bundle on pre-order on Tuesday 3 September, which will include the album, a limited run blue t-shirt and a ‘zine written by Palmo and illustrated by Nik.
As for gigs, the band will launch their album at Chew’s Yard in Preston on Saturday 21 September, with Lancaster’s post-punk noise-rock psych gang of three TV Face.
“We are really looking forward to the album launch gig, it will be a great night. We’ve played with TV Face before, and they’re also releasing music on Cracked Ankles,” says Palmo.
The band are keen for young people to come and watch them play live, hopefully forming their own bands and promoting their own shows.
“After that we have a gig at Sunbird Records in Darwen. There’s a scene in Darwen. Jamie who puts the bands on at Sunbird is going over and above to get good acts in and treat them well and that can only pay dividends. That’s the right way to do it.”
Following this, they have a big gig lined up in October, which at the moment, they can’t say too much about. Until then they’re busy rehearsing and formulating new ideas.
Palmo says: “We still have more to do, this is our debut record, it’s our statement of intent, we’re already itching to write new songs.”
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