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Formidable Brit two-piece Common Tongue have thrown down a prominent marker in the shape of their engrossing new single and video, Done. Get the lowdown on the band from guitarist Matt, and drummer…Matt.
What are the origins of Common Tongue?
We used to play hockey together, but before that, we actually realised we grew up in the same town. We knew of each other as teens but were never mates. When Covid hit we found ourselves with lots more free time and as team sports stopped we both found ourselves doing more things musically. After a few drinks together as lockdown rules eased both of our girlfriends managed to persuade us to book a rehearsal room locally. We booked it and rocked up a few hours later that day. The rest as they say…
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Common Tongue?
We’re proudly a two-piece, we don’t wanna go on about it, but we are really proud of the sound we manage to make just the two of us. We try to record as closely to how we play live as possible, no backing tracks, no click, just big riffs and tight drums. We make a big sound and that’s what you can always expect from us. That said, we’re still musical and it’s not just noise.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Our first proper gig was only last December (2023), and we absolutely loved it. That said, a few months before we played a gig in a mate’s garage. We used an electric kit, and a patched-together vocal PA but it was good fun. We played everything at double speed, but it definitely gave us a taste of playing live and we haven’t looked back since. The gig last December was at The Deco, a local Metal Pub/Bar, a place we love to drink pints of Blue – get down to The Deco in Southsea to find out what that is! We played for a night called Neuwaves, they’re awesome, always showcasing new talent across guitar-based genres.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We’ve just released our latest single Done. Super excited to get this song out in the world. We’ve been playing it live for a minute now, but it’s always great to give a song a new boost when it’s released. We also have loads of music we’re working on, playing live, and working towards getting recorded.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
A few bands we’re really into and musically be a good fit for include Dead Poet Society and Tigercub. We saw Tigercub a while ago in Portsmouth and they put on an awesome show. There was definitely a moment in the night when we looked at each other and spoke about what we needed to do to get on supporting slots for a band like that though. That then came true when we supported Jaws the Shark in October in the small room, hopefully, we get on the big stage in 2025.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
There are a couple of local bands to us who definitely deserve a shout-out. Busking For Misfits are a 3-piece hard rock band from Portsmouth. They work so hard and are steadily becoming the content kings – their social media game is very strong! Also our mates in Elephants with Shotguns, we’ve played a few shows with them. Another two-piece getting it done, both great musicians and great guys.
What frustrates you about the music business?
Touched on it just then, but content is king! It’s a shame that you can’t just play music, you need to be a manager, accountant, tour manager, sound tech and the list goes on. That’s always been the case no doubt, but the whole social media thing is a minefield! We do our best, but really we just wanna rock out and play our tunes to new audiences and celebrate after with a beer and a chat at the merch table.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
Drummer Matt: My dad is a huge rock music fan. He’s been to thousands of concerts, always with his camera (sneaking it in), and started taking me to gigs when I was old enough. We went to see The Answer when I was about 11, I think it was at the late, great London Astoria on Tottenham Court Road. it was an awesome show and I do often think back to the sweaty beer and potentially smoke-filled room. He’s more of a guitarist so obviously I wanted to play drums instead.
Guitar Matt: My first musical memory is being terrified as a kid by Jeff Wayne’s music version of the War of the Worlds! My parents had it on vinyl and it’s something I still listen to regularly as it’s awesome – the ullah’s still get me though ha!
The lightbulb moment came the first time I picked up a dusty guitar that was neglected for too long after my grandad gifted it to me. Something about the tactile feel of the strings on my fingers just made sense. Something clicked and I played for like 6 hours straight and ruined my fingers but it felt good – I’ve not looked back since.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Drummer Matt: I went to see Beans on Toast with my wife. He always puts on an awesome wholesome show and there’s such a feel-good vibe with his folky, funny political ditties.
Guitar Matt: Tigercub – sick band and we’re influenced greatly by their latest album ‘Perfume of Decay’ – check it out when you can.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
I think the biggest thing for us, we talk about it a lot, is the loss of identity and privacy in a digital world. Social media dictates our lives, adverts are shoved down our throats (tailored to us apparently), and everyone’s mental health is spiralling because of it (unrealistic body expectations, online hate, screen addiction to name a few). The saddest thing is that the people at the top disguise this digital disease behind the guise of making things easier for us – it ain’t right. Humans aren’t meant to be connected to everything 100% of the time, it’s unavoidable in this modern age and incessant.
Guitar Matt: Another thing that pisses me off is that every musician has to be a content creator these days to get traction. It ain’t about the tunes anymore which sucks, more about who’s got the most followers on Instagram. I get the industry has moved onwards but something has got to give or there will be no soul in music anymore – just AI-generated radio-friendly unit shifters.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Drummer Matt: I have Eamon’s 2014 banger F.U.R.B on a 12′ single somewhere in my record collection! In terms of albums, it might be a surprise, but shouldn’t be as it’s a banger, McFly – Power To Play
Guitar Matt: Lana Del Rey – Born to Die (Paradise Edition). Love me some moody pop. I’ve been trying to work on my vocals more of late, so have been branching out into music I wouldn’t normally listen to. There are melodies there that aren’t traditionally in rock music so it’s important to listen to varied genres and see if I can incorporate the styles into my writing.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
Craft Beer? A shared love of ours. Drummer Matt is slowly getting into his sours and Guitar Matt has a penchant for a stout. We’re lucky that beer and rock music go so well together. We played three shows at the Staggeringly Good Beer Festival in the summer and had a wicked time. Thanks to them for booking us and of course all the beer!
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
Drummer Matt – Heavy Jelly Soft Play – The three singles they released before were huge and the rest of the album did not disappoint. Everything and Nothing has genuinely brought me to tears, beautiful song.
Guitar Matt – Drummer Matt will hate this but I’ve been loving WARGASM. Nu-metal revival, all for that. Dead Poet Society released a banger this year with FISSION and I can’t stop listening to Calling Anybody by LEAP – filthy bass tones in that track.
What do the next few months hold for Common Tongue?
2024 is nearly up but we’re not stopping. We’ve got another track recorded, Friend or Foe and we will be releasing that in January 2025. We’re busy booking shows, writing new music, and getting ready to hit 2025 with everything we have.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We try our best, come and say hi on Instagram @commontongue.band we’re on Facebook but relearning it in the year 2024! We’ve got music on Spotify so definitely chuck us a follow and add your fave song to your playlist.
