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| Source: Promo |
For lack of a better phrase: the world is ending. Granted, younger generations are starting to awaken to the dire state of our planet currently and are in turn taking action, but we will culminate in a result of our destruction, regardless. We still mindlessly mow through plastic, we still wear the skin of animals as if it were going out of fashion, we still choose to turn a blind eye to climate change or natural disasters that are actually far from natural.
We opt to embed ourselves in the numbing artificiality of pop culture in order to soften the blow of the imminent world's end - which is seeming more likely as the warming 'autumn' days swell on - and misplace elements of our consciousness in the process. Artists churn out identical tracks so regularly that their vocal cords will soon snaggle on the lies they're spilling, while Cassels, consisting of brothers, Loz and Tim, stand far in the distance, crafting their work entirely on the other end of the reality spectrum.
Following the release of their brutally honest album, 'The Perfect Ending' earlier this month, Cassels scrutinise the vile behaviour of human beings and how societal forces are catalysing our downfall. Our distaste for the livelihood of animals, the less fortunate, or even the planet are merely second comings for us. We would rather keep the hands of the poor grubby while we peer down at them from manicure benches - and Jim and Loz could not be more disgusted.
Cassels furrow their brows so deeply in repulsion that you could place coins between the folds of their expressions and they would protrude like out of place puzzle pieces. The gritted siblings appear to be just that - inexplicably set apart from the monotony of today's society.
'The Perfect Ending' exhumes the callousness of the modern day's functions, tapping the hypodermic syringe often welcomed by many against the brick wall of humanity. The lyricism produced by this band is superlative, splaying out the guts of an introspective mindset and demanding that it be analysed. With kickers like, 'The Leaking Ark' and 'The Queue at the Chemists', Cassels are holding us accountable, whether we bloody like it or not.
Socio-political commentaries (or rather, furious expressions of societal misdoings) are at the pinnacle of Cassels abilities. The likes of, 'In The Zoo They Feed Him Nuts' chill the listener with a devastating reality, detailing the terror of sexual abuse and the complexities of the ensuing court case. The viewpoint is a relatively unexplored one, but one that needs to be verbalised, nonetheless. 'The Perfect Ending' is a vicious album: its execution is tactful but its impact lasts longer than a bruise and I think, as a society, we really need to experience this feeling.
Cassels are casting an entirely untarnished and uncorrupted viewpoint onto our festering planet, and I think most of us could benefit from trying on their grit-tinted glasses.
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| Source: 'The Leaking Ark' Official Music Video by Cassels |
- INTERVIEW CONDUCTED WITH JIM BECK -
Can you start out by describing your musical style a little bit? What separates you from other artists in the alternative scene right now?
This is forever a sticking point for us, as we don't neatly fit into any category; we're too wanky and arty to be a rock band, too heavy and aggressive to be an indie band, too sensitive and wordy to be an out and out punk band, not cool or repetitive enough to be a post-punk band, not cool or repetitive enough to be a post-punk band, not technically proficient enough to be a math band, and too English-sounding to be a grunge band. Depending on how you look at it that either makes us interesting and original or a complete mess.
Where did the idea behind your logo come from and is there a deeper story behind it?
Not really. I just played around with a few different shapes and designs and for whatever reason, that one stuck. I think originally it looked more like an eye but I decided that looked pants and so instead, opted to make it an abstract shape which vaguely resembles a 'C'.
I've always liked having a simple identifier, and with each release, it solidifies itself a bit more. Loz did point out if you turn it on its side, it looks a bit like the App Store logo though.
Which song from your new release, 'The Perfect Ending' was the most difficult to write and why?
Definitely 'In The Zoo They Feed Him Nuts', for the obvious reason that the subject matter is so harrowing, and also I wanted to make sure it told a coherent story which didn't gloss over the injustice and horror of the subject matter. It was one of those ones which started out with pages and pages of writing, and then got whittled down and refined over time.
You cover some complex topics in the new album - have you always been so culturally aware? Is there a reason for this - are the people around you in the same mindset?
I guess so, yeah. It's hard to say why that is, but you're probably right that the people around me have played a big part. Our grandad (who sadly passed away recently) and dad probably contributed a lot, particularly in informing the environmental stuff on the album. Our grandad was also vociferous in his defense of institutions such as the NHS and outspoken about a lot of things, which I'm sure has rubbed off on me.
Your lyrics are typically very raw and relentless. Has this always been your style or have you roughened up as societal conditions have worsened?
Ha, 'relentless'. I like that description. "Fucking hell, give it a rest, would you? These lyrics are fucking relentless." I guess it's a style that's developed over time, partly because I've found myself wanting to say more and squeeze as much as I can into a song, and partly because my ethos (for this band at least) has always been to try and write something which makes sense and stands up on the page when read in isolation.
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| Source: Promo |
If you could choose one of your lyrics from 'The Perfect Ending' to be seen by every person on the planet, which would you choose to have the most effect and why?
Maybe 'a virus cannot reason with a fever' from 'The Queue At The Chemists'. As a metaphor, I think it sums up the latter half of the album pretty well, along with my misanthropic view of humanity's impending demise. Plus, it's one of the few lines which isn't stupidly long. Think we might put it on a t-shirt.
Which song from 'The Perfect Ending' is the rawest and most personal? Why did you decide to write it in this way?
I guess the most 'personal' would probably be 'Mink Skin Coat'. It's one of the more introspective tracks and deals with the microcosm of human relationships as opposed to the more macrocosmic universal issues covered on the rest of the album. My approach to songwriting is often to do the opposite of the last thing I just wrote, so I remember wanting to do something more tender, personal, melodic and sensitive when writing this track, probably because the song before it was a horrible heavy shouty one.
Also, I was getting a bit irked by people constantly describing our songs having a 'spoken word' delivery - this one definitely has singing in it. It even has some harmonies for Christ's sake. So there.
Which song from the new release are you most excited to play, or already enjoy playing the most, live in terms of instrumentals? Why?
In terms of instrumental enjoyment, it would definitely be 'Melting Butter' appropriately - it's our first ever completely instrumental track. Not having to bark lyrics at people frees me up to twiddle around a lot more on the old geetar, which is nice. Writing that one was probably the most collaboratively we've ever worked too. Usually, I bring a fully formed song to Loz and he tells me which bits he thinks are shit, but this one we pretty much worked out together, which again, was a nice change.
Following the exciting release of your album, what's next for Cassels? Anything we should be looking out for?
Lots of touring! We're heading out on a UK tour with The St Pierre Snake Invasion at the end of September, and an EU tour with Modern Rituals at the end of November. Then we should hopefully be playing a lot next year.
Come and see us - we're very entertaining.
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| Source: Promo |
You can keep up with Cassels' activity on Twitter and Facebook, and stream 'The Perfect Ending' on Spotify. I strongly recommend that you check these guys out, they're like the angry embodiment of being forced to dissect yourself in front of a mirror. I know I'd rather listen to Cassels than do that.
