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Tired Of Fighting are Nic Wood: guitar/vocals, George Sharpe: bass/vocals and Joe Bullimore: drums, the Newcastle based trio describe themselves as…“Imagine Brand New and Say Anything were in a bar drinking due to a girl not liking them, then REM and Blue Album era Weezer show up, put their drinks on the table but then immediately leave to do 90’s stuff like……Pogs…..or something….it sort of sounds like that.” We get the background on the band from Nic, as well as his confession of a genuine love for a certain Australian pop duo…
DGM: What are the origins of the band, and how long have you been playing together?
NW: Originally I was an acoustic artist, but I really wanted to see what my songs would sound like with a full band behind them. There were a few line-up changes; at one point George and I thought it would never happen, but we found Joe and everything clicked. We complement each other really well, both musically and as people. We played our first gig in January 2019 so we’ve been together almost a year and a half now.
DGM: How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?
NW: I was so nervous! It made no sense because I’d played the songs so many times, and I’d played to much larger rooms before. I just really wanted people to like us, but it was amazing to finally let people hear what we sounded like.
DGM: What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourselves?
NW: We’re honest, raw, and very loud! I think people have come to expect not only the songs but the passion and energy we bring. I think the emotional sincerity is something people really engage with but don’t necessarily expect.
DGM: What are the challenges of playing as a trio, as well as the advantages?
NW: I think when three people are locked in together musically and all going for it, it’s an incredible thing to be a part of. I love that each component is vital, and when done correctly it all gels into one massive wall of noise. I suppose the antithesis would be that without synths, lead guitars or other timbres it could sound basic or somehow incomplete, but then again if you throw too many sonic textures into the pot it can sound incoherent, disjointed or bloated. In the future, I may like to experiment with adding synths and lead guitar, but for now I love playing with just the basic ingredients and concentrating on making the songs as good as possible.
DGM: The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent. In what ways do you feel a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
NW: There are so many different things you have to keep on top of when you’re in a band and trying to build your audience. First of all, you have to try and write the best songs you possibly can, but that’s just a tiny part of it. There’s promoting gigs (remember them?), designing posters or release artwork, devising marketing strategies for pre and post-release, creating interesting and engaging social media content, developing a live show that’s cohesive but also fresh and exciting. There are so many different hats you have to wear and it can be very draining. Ultimately the songs, and how you execute them, are the most important thing, but if you have great songs, play passionately and skilfully, AND you also know how to market and sell yourself then that certainly gives you an advantage.
DGM: What are you currently working on that people can check out?
NW: Our new single Night Dwellers. Out everywhere now! (Stream here)
DGM: What band out there at the moment do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
NW: I’m going to cheat and name three! I think the dream slot would be that mega tour of Weezer, Fall Out Boy and Green Day. If they could manage to put in a cheeky 30 minute opening slot I think we would go down well! We get compared to Weezer, but also Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional. I’d take any of them really!
DGM: There have been some major reunions announced this year, RATM etc, what one got you the most juiced up?
NW: I’m a big fat emo at heart so you’ve got to love My Chemical Romance getting back together, although Bright Eyes is a cool one too!
DGM: Who do you feel will be the next band to break out of the UK?
NW: GroundCulture just released their debut album via Hopeless Records and it’s incredible; expect big things from them. Also, Hometruths play some of the best energetic pop punk I’ve ever heard, definitely one to check out!
DGM: What are your first musical memories? And what was the light bulb moment that made you go “I want to do that!”
NW: My first musical memories? Singing in choirs. Feeling that sensation of the melody just washing over you, and being a part of something bigger than yourself is something really inspiring. The light bulb moment was listening to emo punk bands like Finch and Taking Back Sunday in the early 2000s when I was in my teens. It was so aggressive and primal but also clever and multi-layered and saturated with meaning. That’s when I thought: “wow I’d love to do something like that one day”.
DGM: What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
NW: I’m going to cheat again because we played it, but if we hadn’t been playing I would have been there anyway. It was us, Ruled by Raptors and Hivemind. Both incredible bands and the atmosphere was insane.
DGM: What issues today do you feel particularly strong about?
NW: I feel passionately about those who suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues being able to get the help and support they need. I’m really lucky that I get to channel some of my more negative feelings into music. I’ve had depression on and off since I was 14, but thanks to my family and some amazing friends I’m doing really well with it at the moment.
DGM: What is the album that you have in your collection or Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
NW: Oh God, do I dare tell the truth? Okay… Savage Garden. I really like Savage Garden. Not even ironically. To the Moon and Back is an absolute tune and I don’t even care.
DGM: What are your plans for 2020?
NW: It looks like I’m staying in the house!
DGM: How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
NW: We try to engage with people as best we can. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. Drop us a like and come say hi!
Facebook.com/wearetiredoffighting
Instagram.com/wearetiredoffighting
