The Pale White: The UK’s Next Big Rock Band

This summer I’ve set myself the mission of going on a hunt to find new bands to promote that I find to preserve the essence of rock’n’roll, whatever that may be. The purpose of this great expedition is to prove a point to all the middle age people of the world who constantly whine that the millennial generation is killing rock music.

*insert annoyed shriek*

Is this a true testament of our times? Do we live in an era that no longer pumps out Britsh rock legends?

I took this question up with a band that I have recently discovered thanks to Spotify (#NotSpon), that I find to have great potential to be up there in the title of great Brit-Rock legends, like the Arctic Monkeys.

The Pale White are an alternative indie rock band consisting of Adam Hope (Lead vocals, Guitar), Tom Booth (Bass, backing vocals) and Jack Hope (Drums, backing vocals) established in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

The three-piece was kind enough to offer some insight on their opinions of the touchy subject that is Rock music. To be in a rock band in this generation, one would definitely need strong will and passion in order to deter the strong bias within the genre getting to your head. Luckily, Jack, Tom, and Adam tell me that they’re not in it for the cynical critics, but instead, they make music for their personal love of rock’n’roll and those who simply enjoy good music.

Photo by: Daniel Stark

 

When you ask those who are hesitant with today’s rock music why they are so critical of the newer artists,  a lot of the time they say that it’s something about the lack of passion or the commercialization of today’s artists, which at times I would agree with that statement. However, what I don’t understand or agree with is the inability to acknowledge that the bands today are using a lot of the music we grew up with as inspiration, which ultimately carries the same amount of passion as “dad rock” or “classic rock”.

The Pale White confirm this thought when I asked them to tell me their inspirations  and the reason why they are rock musicians, they told me exactly what I had anticipated: the feeling their childhood heroes gave them when they played their record, is the feeling they hope to give back to those who listen to their music.

Jack Hope, the drummer of The Pale White said, ” He [Dave Grohl] would definitely have to be my musical hero… I grew up playing along to Nirvana records, annoying the neighbours…I now luckily own one of Dave’s drumsticks, thanks to our light engineer Andy, who gave it to me as a gift.” Reinstating that rock music is about that rush of excitement it gives you when you listen to a killer album, it makes you want to grab the instrument yourself and try it out.

 Adam concurs that a lot of their influence comes from the Grunge Idols, Nirvana. He states, ” I think being given a copy of ‘Nevermind‘ by Nirvana was a game changer for me. It’s been a big influence in the way I write and approach music, definitely. ” 

There’s something about the total relatability in rock music, whether it be Nirvana or Arctic Monkeys, the boy-next-door charm emanates the feeling that you, too, could be on a massive stage one day if you just pick up the instrument, which is the feeling The Pale White gave me with their music, and that is why I am so excited to share them with you guys.

Despite the love for American rock, there is a collective agreement that Brit-Rock plays a massive role in why they are musicians today, as well as reinstating the notion the relatable charm in rock music influenced this UK Three piece to pick up instruments and start playing.  Bass player, Tom Booth, shares, ” It wasn’t until I was a teenager and Arctic Monkeys exploded on to the scene with their first album that I was totally fixated on the idea of being in a band. They just looked like people that would have been a few years older than me at school and I remember feeling like it was something I could have a go at trying to do. They were a gateway band to so many other acts that I ended up falling in love with like Interpol, Kings Of Leon and The Strokes. Alex Turner was most definitely my musical hero and he still constantly blows me away with every new record he brings out.” 

Subsequently, Adam Hope, the lead vocals, and guitar, expands the discussion of humble-rock by adding the element of glam and unfathomable fame that some of the pre-existing bands reach that also inspires artists like The Pale White to push the envelope in rock’n’roll.

Adam states that the legendary artists such as the Beatles, who are known for their ahead of time music-production, and David Bowie, who took rock music showmanship to whole different level, inspire the band to craft their own distinctive place in the Rock music scene. “David Bowie is definitely a musical hero of mine. He is truly deserving of his icon status. An amazing innovative performer and musician and such a forward-thinking artist. I was devastated when he passed away. It was always a life ambition to meet and be recognized by him. I think I can speak for all three of us when I say that The Beatles have soundtracked our lives as well.“

So with all these great bands that have graced the scenes before them, where does that put The Pale White? Do they hope to be the next Arctic Monkeys, or do they want to take over the world with strong political and cultural statements like their influencers Nirvana?

Tom shares that it’s not that deep, “As a band, we obviously want to reach as many people in a positive way as we possibly can. We just want people to enjoy themselves when they come to one of our shows or listen to our songs, and for people to just let themselves go for a little while. If people use our music as a form of escapism that’s really flattering, but we don’t have any set instructions or preconceptions as to how our music is supposed to be interpreted, if you listen to it and enjoy it, we’ve achieved our goal.”

So to conclude this discussion of before and after of rock music, where is it now and all that melodramatic bullshit, I conclude my Q&A session with the band by asking:

According to The Pale White is rock music dead? Or can it never die?

” I, [Tom], find it incredibly annoying and pretty dull to read when music journalists announce that “Guitar music is dead!”. It’s such a ridiculous claim. As long as there are people who are still excited about new bands and go to see artists at a grassroots level, bands will continue to slowly make an impact on the mainstream. There are tons of new bands that are making exciting music. You just have to not look to the radio for it. Look to things like new Spotify playlists, This Feeling, if you want to hear about new acts months before they break out. It’s cyclical, every few years people claim Guitar music is dead, but it always comes back around.”

Hail hail Tom, I wave my flag to that. ROCK IS NOT DEAD, rock can never die! you know why? Because of the predecessors like David Bowie, The Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, etc, influence artists like Adam, Tom, and Jack to pick up their own instruments and craft great music of their own!

Speaking of Adam, Tom, and Jack, The Pale White currently has a new single out called “Peace Of Mind”,  and the band says that you should “have a listen if you fancy it”, and I support that by saying you really should. If you like alternative rock, you will love the tune and this band in general!

I feel so honoured to have been able to discuss rock music with this band, because they are honestly a well-talented piece, with great tunes that I not only think kicks total ass, but has also triggered my clairvoyant thoughts into seeing the headlining Glasto in the near future

The Pale White is also currently gearing up towards the festival season with a few festivals left to announce in the next few weeks, so be sure to check them out on social media so you can catch them before they’re selling out arenas!

stream the tunes, follow them on facebook, & be sure to creep their insta for latest news!

love,

Darya.

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Contact email: blueveinblues@gmail.com