As we head back to UK shores for this week’s Introducing band, we ask South Coasters The Afterparty to step up, a five piece pop rock band from Southampton and Bournemouth.

The band started in early 2010 when five friends from in and around the scene decided to start a project that was slightly more aspirational than any of their previous efforts. Bassist Dave Sheard explain; ”We recognised that all of us had the same ambition so it felt like something that had to happen.”

To put it simply, they haven’t looked back, notching up support slots with the likes of The Dangerous Summer and We Are The In Crowd so far, with a UK tour with Jody Has A Hitlist in September.

Dave explains how their debut EP came together: ”Since forming some 18 months before. Our musical direction had become a lot more defined and it was really important to us to make our first EP as strong as possible.” 

So, what do The Afterparty sound like? Think along the lines of Kids In Glass Houses mixed with the hooks of You Me at Six and you’re almost there. Predominantly a pop rock band at heart, their choruses are pretty huge, and the verses constantly set the foundations of the songs brilliantly. You can check out a stream of their song “Sticks and Stones” below to listen for yourself.

The Afterparty have not long released their debut EP ‘Restless’, and when asked about the response that it’s received, the overall feeling is that it’s all been overwhelmingly positive. Reviews have been great and their videos have graced television and plenty of websites. While that’s a true achievement in itself, it’s one that doesn’t come without the accompanying music being pretty bloody good. The band themselves struggle to pick a favourite from the EP, telling us ”I really don’t know! Whenever ‘So Much To Say’ comes on my iPod when I’m out and about, it still makes me smile, but ‘Sticks and Stones’ is a real favourite for me, I can’t decide!”

Their UK run in September with Jody Has a Hitlist is a tour that they’ve described as ”…the biggest tour we’ve done.” and Dave (Sheard) has made the decision to come back home from living abroad to make sure the band stand the best chance possible, which is serious dedication. From thereon after there are some plans in the works with a new video being a possibility as well as some tentative plans to get back on the road again.

The Afterparty could be the next big thing out of the UK scene, and while being on the poppier end of the Punktastic spectrum; they pull it off with class and style. They’re a band that is well worth three and a half minutes of your time to check them out, you won’t really regret it.

CHRIS MARSHMAN

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theafterpartyofficial
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/afterpartyUK

Hey Nic. Where in the world are you and what’s on the cards for today?

Hi there! I’m with Dave (bass), we just grabbed some food and we’re about to head into practice with the guys to work on some new material.

With your new video streaming exclusively on PT, we thought it best to find out a little more about you. So what’s The Afterparty’s story so far?

We started just over a year ago, and initially we were just playing shows for fun in the first few months, but after awhile we started taking it more seriously. We toured the UK for the first time last July with Mimi Soya and Through Colour, and since then have recorded the makings of our new record with Matt O’Grady (You Me At Six, Deaf Havana), which includes our first single/video ‘This Town‘.

Have you heard The Afterparty from America? They’re terrible.

Haha I have indeed! They’re poptastic!

You guys are based in Southampton, which seems to have a thriving pop-punk/pop-rock scene at the moment. What’s it like growing up as a band in Soton from your perspective? With so many small to mid sized pop punk bands does it make it harder/easier to play shows? Do you all get along or is there the odd band rivalry?

We’re based in Southampton but Dave and I both originally come from Cornwall. From what I’ve seen, a lot of the bands get along really well and support each other. Since moving here a couple of years ago it’s made me realise just how lucky we are to live in a town that has such a successful scene. It gives you an idea of just what is possible, especially as you can watch a local band take off and start touring more extensively.

So the new single – ‘This Town’. You’re basically singing about how much you love to party, aren’t you?

Haha yeah, up to a point. It does also have influences from the importance of friendship and living for the moment.

What makes a good after party for The Afterparty?

Good people, good drink, good music… good times!

How was the video shoot? What were the Sitcom Soldiers guys like to work with?

It felt incredible; everything from the moment we arrived to the moment we left was unbelievable! Those guys worked us so hard but overall the day was definitely worth it. We were grateful to have such an experienced crew on hand, as we’ve never shot a video before so weren’t sure what to expect. We were up at 5am that morning and some of the guys including myself didn’t get home until 7am the following day; by the end I don’t know what we were running on!

So what can we expect from The Afterparty in the coming months? Is there a EP/album on the horizon?

It’s not too set in stone just yet; suffice to say that we’re releasing an EP in the not too distant future but can’t give an exact date right now. However, we will be releasing a second single/video before the end of the Summer.

Finally, where should people head if they want to keep up to date with what you guys have going on?

Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/theafterpartyofficial. Also don’t forget to follow us on Twitter at @_TheAfterparty_ too!