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Much-rated Brit alternative crew, Healthy Junkies, will drop their highly enticing new album, Listen To The Mad, on Friday 22nd November, via Banana Castle Records. Co-founding member, and guitarist, Phil-Honey-Jones talk us through all you need to know about Healthy Junkies.
What are the origins of Healthy Junkies?
Nina [Nina Courson, vocals] and I met initially on myspace in 2008 then in ‘real life’ at a venue in Soho. We were both in other bands at the time. It was about a year before we were able to actually write a song together and we only did so because we didn’t have a birthday present for a friend. We wrote ‘Glam Sister’ which is on our first album. In 2010 we were offered a gig in Brighton and so formed a band with two friends on bass guitar and drums. Over the years the lineup has changed. We have had Dave Whitmore on bass since 2016 and David Gaut on drums since 2020. This lineup is on the new album.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Healthy Junkies?
We mix up genres at will. Specifically grunge, punk, new wave, psychedelic, goth, and garage rock depending on the mood. For us, it is all about playing what you feel like playing without being constricted by boxes and categories.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Our first gig was in Brighton at an all-dayer supporting Viv Albertine (The Slits ) and Goldblade. It was very badly organised, running hideously late. We ended up playing after Goldblade for 15 minutes before the festival was shut down and the promoter ran off with the money. He was last seen on Come Dine with Me.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Our new album comes out on 22nd November and is called ‘Listen to the Mad’. A new video comes out on 19th November for our song ‘Lion In a Circus’.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that Healthy Junkies would be best suited to open for?
We’d like to open for Amyl and Sniffers or L7.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
A band called Douglas in Furs and one called Divorce Attorney supported us recently. They deserve big success
What frustrates you about the music business?
The amount of sharks willing to take what little we have off us. The lack of equality. The shutting down of venues and throwing of our musical culture under a bus
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
Nina – When I was given a little keyboard by my sister at 8 years old. Later I discovered Nirvana and I was hooked.
Phil – My brother had a party at home and a bunch of teenage punks turned up. That’s when I first heard the Sex Pistols. That is a defining moment for me. I first played an electric guitar aged 12. The power and energy got me good.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Bass Drum of Death at the Moth Club. All the band went.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
Equality, exposing corruption, climate, women’s safety and representation in arts. Division within society.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Nina – ‘Colour by Numbers’ by Culture Club – my guilty teenage pleasure
Phil – ‘Innamoramento’ by Mylene Farmer (I saw her perform it in Belgium in 2000. Stunning)
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
Phil – David Bowie, Rugby Union, good food and wine, cinema.
Nina – Kurt Cobain, cats, cheese.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
King Krule, Amyl and The Sniffers, Idles, Fontaine DC.
What do the last stages of 2024 hold for Healthy Junkies?
Release a new album plus 2 more music videos. A bunch of gigs including the album launch party on 20th November at the Dublin Castle, Camden, and gigs in Brighton and the North. Working on new material for our next album. Partying hard!
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are quite active. It’s probably the best way to promote a band these days.
Find us at:
http://www.instagram.cm/healthy_junkies
http://www.facebook.com/healthyjunkiesband
http://www.healthyjunkies.co.uk
Photo credit – Svenja Block
