Getting to Know… Lullaby Riot | Interview

In the 487^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Hertfordshire four-piece punk band, Lullaby Riot.

“Everybody in the band has their influences from all over the place, so we try to show that in our music,” Lee (vocals/guitar) responds to our first question regarding the four-piece, Hertfordshire punk band, Lullaby Riot! Lee expounds on Lullaby Riot, describing his initial goals: “To begin with, I just wanted to piss off everyone I was fed up with, to take a few jabs at the status quo, and to have my voice be heard.” Word! He answers all of our burning questions, providing the inside scoop on the band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Lullaby Riot: Interview No. 487!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Lullaby Riot distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

I’d like to think that we have that core punk sound that ignites our sound and what we do, but there’s also a few musical ideas going on normally to make us stand out from the crowd. The idea was to have that anger and that energy but also give it a twist that hopefully perks the listener’s ear. Everybody in the band has their influences from all over the place, so we try to show that in our music.

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Lullaby Riot form, and what were some of your goals or visions early on?

To begin with, I just wanted to piss off everyone I was fed up with, to take a few jabs at the status quo, and to have my voice be heard. And it’s still the same. Politicians, right-wing groups, the UK is more divided right now than it’s been since the 70’s. There’s some very evil people getting a lot of airtime, and part of what I do is to combat those voices.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Musically, it’s always to write a better song than we did last time. To be able to hear an evolution in our songwriting and in the overall sound as a band. The beating heart of the band is and will always be punk, but that doesn’t mean we have to limit ourselves sound-wise.

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Going way back, it’s mainly The Clash. That was the first punk band I heard. The first song I heard away from the big chart hits on the radio was in 1977. Which starts with this big chunky, raw power chord riff. It was like having a brick thrown at my face, as I listened more and more and went down the discography, I heard all kinds of sounds, jazz, dub, reggae, which, without them, I might never have heard at the right time. But looking at more modern times, bands like Rancid, Capdown, and Rage Against The Machine resonated with more for different reasons and made me want to make my own music.

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

It changes all the time; I really like “Southbound”. It’s fun to play live and always gets some heads moving.

“Ugly State” is always a good time because I love that main riff, meaty and heavy.

One of our songs, called “Not The End”, is a song that I wrote in a previous band. When we started the band, it was the only song I could remember, so I decided to reuse it and change the lyrics.

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What is Lullaby Riot currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

We have a new EP out later this year, it’s called Social Grievances, we have one of the songs already, and it sounds huge. We’re preparing everything for the release, and we’re very excited to share the songs and the other things we have planned! It’ll be available on all streaming platforms.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Lullaby Riot: Interview No. 487 [📷: Lullaby Riot]

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