COSMIC ROUNDUP: DAVID FOLEY OF ZINC BUKOWSKI
Zinc are one of the finest bands in South Wales with their blend of noise rock and punk, which is channeled through a pretty unique groove that makes you want to boogie. They've just released an INCREDIBLE new album on wax (quite a rarity in Wales) so I thought I'd chat with guitarist/vocalist Foley to find out 'sapnin.
Hi David, how are you?
Alright Rich how’s it going ? All good myself, hope you're well.
Tell us about Zinc Bukowski. How did you meet and how long have you been going etc?
The band formed about 7/8 years ago with a variety of different line ups over the years. We recorded our first full album “nature finds a way in the face of woe” ourselves and released it ourselves DIY style.
It was our then drummer and friend Darren who recorded it in his home. After another line-up change down the line, we went on a hiatus then for about 3 years.
Then by chance myself, Carl Richards “now drummer” and Chris Baker “now bassist” decided to jam some old zinc songs around January 2018, and then carried on from there and started writing new material.
Tell us about your new release “CAREFORTHIS?”. Where did you record it and what direction have you taken the band?
Care For This? was recorded in March/April 2019 and with Phil Smith at One Louder Studios, Newport
We weren't aiming for any particular direction as such, just that we were writing and progressing naturally as a band and starting to gel.
We formed ideas from the older stuff and formed new tracks. It was great to record a combo of changed older songs mixed in with the new song. The newer stuff is a bit more aggressive and layered.
The record covers a number of themes along the lines of cutbacks, dystopia times and gentrification in general in its ways to dumb down and eradicate the human psyche.
Who are currently your biggest influences?
The Fall, Fugazi,nBig Black, Sonic Youth, Unwound and Hot Snakes to name a few.
Tell us about the South Wales scene and your favourite local bands etc.
We are pretty lucky here in South Wales in all fairness with the sheer amount of underground talent that is here, from bands and artists covering many different genres.
It’s shame tho each year more and more venues seem to be struggling or closing here. It’s the same across Britain unfortunately with the exception of the bigger cities.
As favourite local bands here’s a few from the top of my head, no doubt I’ve missed loads out apologise in advance .
Excellent skeleton
Infinity forms of yellow remember
Made of teeth
Laceratilla
Die ! Chihuahua! Die!
Death of money
Kong lives
Eva Bartok
Obey cobra
Disjoy
This is wreckage
Not since the accident
Shishu
What was the best gig you played in 2019?
Would have to say it was the Cosmic Carnage gig at The Moon in which we supported the excellent JOHN (TIMES TWO) and Think Pretty opened. Was a brilliant gig/night and a full packed house.
Best gig you attended?
Viagra boys in Clwb Ifor Bach in May.
Best festival you attended?
Tough question possibly Cardiff Psych & Noise Fest this year due to the value you for money, the amount of bands and the atmosphere all weekend.
What are your favourite releases from 2019?
Off the top of my head
Crows - Sliver Tongues
Hey Colossus - Four bibles as is their single Carcass/ Medal
Imperial wax - gastwerk saboteurs
USA Nails - life cinema
JOHN -Out here on the fringes.
The twilight sad - It Won/t Be Like This All the Time.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Self titled.
What the hell are you up to next year?
We have just started writing new material to follow up to “Care for this” in which we hope to finish and release on 7inch at some point in 2020 and hopefully play more gigs/festivals further a field in the future.
Photo by Jose Caamano @ The Moon, Cardiff