Get to Know: Mums
We talk to Mums' Roanne Wood ahead of the band's appearance at Stay Fresh Fest 2
Mums are proud to be loud. Beginning life under the name Aeroplane Flies High before a relatively recent arrival at their current moniker, the Widnes trio have travelled the length and breadth of the UK's DIY scene, delivering their molten, feedback-drenched sludge to excitable noise rock audiences. Their debut album Land of Giants finally surfaced via Manchester's Superstar Destroyer Records at the tail-end of 2016 – you owe it to your ears to give it a spin.
Comprising guitarists Jack Evans (also vocals) and Roanne Wood with drummer Lewis O'Neill, you can catch 'em at Manchester's Stay Fresh Fest 2 on 28 January, but first get to know 'em below...
The Skinny: When and how (and why!) did Mums begin?
Roanne Wood: Mums began in 2009 because myself and Jack wanted to start a band together after each other's bands slowly disbanding. We had the aim to make music we wanted to hear and to always make sure we were having fun! It should never ever be a chore.
Tell us something people would be surprised to learn about you.
Mums' founding members Roanne and Jack are engaged and live in a nice little house with their cat Eric in their hometown of Widnes.
Necessity is the mother of invention, we're told, but what is the mother of noise rock? What mothers Mums?
Along with cats and Yorkshire Tea, the amazing underground noisy scene of the UK mothers Mums. That's what inspires us the most. We meet and play with so many talented bands and are involved in such an eye-opening scene.
What does Widnes mean to you?
Widnes is our hometown. We think that you shouldn't be ashamed of where you are from. We love Widnes. It's near to Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington – it's really easy to get to places. It has a cinema, an ice skating rink, a Nando's. It has an Asda, Tesco, M&S, Aldi and a Morrisons all within walking distance of each other. Not forgetting the two Argoses. If one Argos doesn't have the thing you want, chances are the other one will. We're proud wools!
Which of the other acts at Stay Fresh Fest 2 are you most looking forward to watching?
We're really looking forward to catching The Orielles and Seize The Chair. We've never played The Deaf Institute before, and we've wanted to since catching Deerhoof there back in 2009. We can't wait!
What does the rest of the year have in store for you?
Well, Lewis is leaving the band. All on good terms. He's just having a break from heavy, noisy music and is starting a new chapter in DJing at acid nights, which we wish him all the luck with. Lew is playing with us at this show and it will be his last in the Northwest. We do, however, have a new drummer, which we're ridiculously excited about but we can't announce anything just yet. We have new songs we're working on and are hoping for a little release later this year.
And finally: What do you like to do outside of Mums? Any projects we should know about?
Me personally, I like to crochet, cross stitch and attempt to make dresses. I'm making Amigurumi Star Wars characters at the minute. Jack loves to play guitar and, at the minute, to play Final Fantasy XV. Lew loves to go out with his mates to raves and stuff.
Mums play Stay Fresh Fest with Henge, The Orielles, Strobes, Luxury Death, Seize the Chair and Patty Hearst @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester, 28 Jan
Buy tickets here