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Punk rockers TWO POUND TEA recently released their debut album, with a new single released currently, with them hard at work upon the follow-up album due out soon! But that hasn't stopped these guys from playing shows and touring, with so much more planned for the next year! The band talks of all of this plus more below.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
We’re a punk rock band from London, brought together by a shared passion in standing up for the little guy and highly energetic performances. We have Will Pye on lead Vocals, Jimi Chialoufas on Guitars and Bass Guitar, Troy Wicks on Lead Guitar and Declan Parker on Drums.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
After a heavy night’s partying at Download Festival in 2017, Jimi decided to have a morning(ish) cup of tea from a food van. The server handed over a polystyrene cup full of lukewarm water and a tea bag and said ‘milk and sugar is over there for you to add, the tea will be £2 please’. A TWO POUND TEA? That I had to put my own milk and sugar in? When we were jamming later that year it came back up and stuck. It’s our small way of raging against greed, profiteering and poking a bit of fun at ourselves too. After all, Jimi paid for it. That same cup of tea now at Download Festival? £3. We will not be adjusting our name for inflation though.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We’ve tended to play around the London area – Camden, Harrow, South London. The scene is dead for local venues and original bands. It ain’t 1977 no more. People discover music on Spotify, YouTube, and the ghastly Tik Tok. The local scene is run by blood sucking parasitical promoters that want you to charge £10+ per ticket to your fans and will pay you £2 of every ticket you sell after the first 15/20 people that come in and specifically ask for you at the door. When you first step on the scene you think that’s a good idea, if 5 bands bring 20 people each, we’re playing to 100 person crowds. If the 5 bands do that, it can be a great atmosphere, however, that means none of the bands get paid and the promoter walks off with a grand for literally doing nothing.
4. How would you describe your style?
Our influences are wide and vast. But at heart we’re a punk rock band with pop punk and hard rock styling's. As Jimi tends to write most of the songs, they will initially have lots of his influences, such as The Clash and Sex pistols, beatles, then some US bands such as GnR, Nirvana and rage against the machine added. Will likes the Beatles, The Clash, Bob Dylan The Smiths etc as well as Joe Strummer and Johnny Rottens vocal delivery so will merge those styles into his own style. Troy has a heavier taste and will add the metal flavor and Dec’s taste is very eclectic musically, but it means he is easily able to serve whatever the song needs.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
Our debut full length album ‘Trickle Down Punkenomics’ came out in October 2023 and is pushing 50k streams, as well as selling out of the limited run of CDs. The lyrics are aggressive and political in nature, with catchy choruses and usually loud guitar solos! We write music that can make you feel as well as headbang!
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
Hell yeah! Generation Medicate, our latest single has just been released and is the first taste off our new album of the same name. The first couple of singles will be energetic pop punk but expect a darker heavier album in terms of topics and music for the rest - we’re all grown up now!
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
We have played lots of shows over the past 6 years, we have opened for Tony Hadley, played local festivals and even small theaters! So many in fact that going forward we will only play shows that are the best for our fans and for ourselves. No shitty sound quality, no overpriced profiteering promoters and no financial loss for the band. We encourage all bands to do the same and make the industry and scene better for everyone, and hopefully we’ll see you in 2025!
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
To piss someone off in a position of undeserved power. Hopefully through a song, but also through our actions.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Spotify – Two Pound Tea https://open.spotify.com/artist/3oMJzgtKGl999V1tMrcSWd
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@twopoundtea8577
Instagram @twopoundtea ( we will follow back, and we’re not scum gutter cunts like some arrogant wannabe bands that will follow you, then as soon as you follow back, unfollow you. They think it makes them look popular – just name and shame these twats!)
We’re sold out of all merch currently but will have a new line of TEA shirts for our next album due in feb 2025!
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
The importance of rebellion against those that seek to control you, or those that use their wealth and power to influence you. And have a good time whilst doing so, coz you only get one life and our music is a pretty good way to spend your time.
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