Last year, we brought you the first play of Mass Lines debut ‘Personality Cult’, which was released by burgeoning Kent-based label/record store Hot Salvation. We now meet up with the punk rock quartet again, this time as they perform an excellent session for Papercrane recordings.
“I think bands like us tend to be wary of playing for the cameras,” says Mass Lines vocalist Chris Thomas of the session. “Perhaps it’s down to a misplaced sense of DIY pride. Luckily, the Papercrane team come from a similar background so any reluctance we had soon faded. It quickly became clear that their expertise and craft far outweighed our own rough-around-the-edges operation. We knew we were in good hands.” Mass Lines clearly enjoyed their time with Papercrane, as Thomas insists that when it became clear the band and production team were on the same page, everyone was able to loosen up. “We wasn’t looking for the perfect performance and I don’t think Papercrane were either,” he continues. “Instead, all we wanted to capture was authenticity. What I thought was going to be a laborious day ended up as very easy, fun and care free – much in the vein of the best punk rock shows.”
The session itself really captures the intensity of what you get from a Mass Lines live show. Thomas admits to being wary of looking as if it was put on for the camera, however anyone has seen the energy that resonates from the band will know it is not an act. “The Papercrane guys encouraged us to play like we normally do,” says Thomas. “We quickly got into the swing of things, and they really knew what they were doing.”
With regards to Hot Salvation itself, it is quickly becoming a central hub for the D.I.Y scene in Kent. Owner George Clift, who also fronts the excellent post-punk band Cosmic Thoughts, enthuses that a D.I.Y ethos is key for him. “We’re a staunchly independent entity,” states Clift, who has seen many changes within the local scene over the years. “Our roots are in DIY punk and hardcore, but we’re branching out content-wise into more avant-garde avenues.It’s important that we have the store, events and label running in tandem, and that these are all creative endeavours for us, hopefully bedding in to the community and helping to provide opportunities and resources for people that want to make genuinely challenging music and operate in a counter-culture fashion.”
It is a sentiment that is echoed by Thomas, enthusing that Hot Salvation is the perfect home for Mass Lines. “When you consider the histories of the people running that label and the caliber of bands Hot Salvation are putting out, we couldn’t be happier,” he says. “They’re starting to build up a great roster, and I’ve heard some of the upcoming stuff which is really going to take things to the next level. It’s a great document of the South East punk scene and UK DIY punk in general, and we’re genuinely chuffed to be a part of that.”
Stay tuned for more from Hot Salvation in the next few days, including another Papercrane session, this time from furious duo Kind Eyes.
Mass Lines excellent debut album ‘Personality Cult’ is available now via Hot Salvation and Rip This Joint.