This interview is a wonderful pick-me-up;

If there's one band that have helped the positive side bring some balance to an incredibly tragic year, it's our top disco punks, Bugeye.

Their outstanding debut album, 'Ready Steady Bang' (released in July on Reckless Yes) and their fun, informally informative podcast 'Rock Pop Rambles', have been shining lights.

Add these merits to their increasing influence and uplifting moments throughout TheZineUK story: Bugeye have organically become a home grown heritage collective of musicians and creative allies.

But how has 2020 been for them? TheZineUK grabbed an interview about some of the better things with guitarist and lead singer, Angela Martin.

Do you have some favourite moments of 2020?

“I think there are three moments that really stand out for me this year. In order in which they happened:

The last time we played live back in March for International Women's Day, as part of GRL 2020 in Middlesbrough.

I think it would have been a highlight even if lockdown hadn't happened. Incredible vibe, wonderful crowd and we discovered some new fave bands that day too, including GG ALLAN PARTRIDGE and Head of Light Entertainment. The scene up north is certainly kicking off. So many bands doing some quirky interesting stuff.”

“Next up, and the best moment of the year, was receiving copies of our debut album, 'Ready, Steady, Bang' on CD and vinyl from our label Reckless Yes. It was a real milestone for us and I felt deeply emotional. All the hard work, revisiting dark places, the ups and downs of writing and the laughs we had throughout the whole process, all wrapped up on these formats that would be released to the world. Our debut album had finally arrived. It was a moment where I could say I felt 100% complete and proud of all of us.”

“Third moment, which is really several moments, is the way the music community has come together to support each other.

From creating new opportunities to perform, such as Balcony Fest, to bands sharing each other's pre-save links and music. There has always been this support there but I've felt it even more so during these dark months.

It's been like a bunch of little candles popping up all over the network, that together have created a fucking huge burning fire of passion for music that can't really be ignored.

People are collaborating more than ever before and pulling together to support each other. Whenever I start to feel a darkness creep in about all the things we could have done this year, had lockdown not happened, I don't need to look very far online to see the good ones out there helping to make a difference and inspire me to pick myself up and crack on with things.”

Do you have any hopes, plans or wishes for whatever the future brings?

“A tour next year would be nice but when it's safe to do so to support our second album which we hope to be in the studio to record by next summer, and then there's also our festival, Cro Cro Land that will take place in October, that's the plan anyway.

But first, and most importantly, I hope that this virus ends as soon as possible and not so I can jump around on stage, but so more lives are not destroyed by it. So many people have already died from this, but the impact is far reaching. People losing parents, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts etc it's so far reaching, and then there's also people struggling to keep their homes and feed their families. I wish that the new year brings a radical shift in the numbers, a naive wish perhaps, but a wish all the same.” 

Which are songs and albums warmed your ears and soul?

“I have been pretty hooked on Nova Twins album. It's had me jumping round the studio often. My daughter Beth might also be their youngest fan at three years old.

Also really into Chemtrails new album 'The Peculiar Smell of The Inevitable', discovered them via Balcony Fest and have been buying up their back catalogue of music. Highly recommend them, as well as Potpourri from Sheffield. Fell in love with their song dearly departed which I featured on our podcast 'Bugeye's Rock, Pop, Rambles'. So beautiful. Absolutely lush and dreamy. They've just put out an album called 'First Dance' which I've just ordered on vinyl.

Bands I'm also listening to pretty non-stop at the moment would be Porridge Radio, The Beths, Black Honey and Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Somethings. To be honest the list is long. Due to the podcast I've been rediscovering loads of music from my record collection too. I think I've listened to a wider range of music this year than ever before. 2020 has been good in that sense.”

Are there any images that have been essential in your eyes?

“I really enjoyed the 'Secret 7' exhibition https://secret-7.com - It was a celebration of the 7" which saw seven hundred covers created by a range of artists (including Bugeye’s own design guru, Julia Woolams)

You didn't know which artist had created which cover and the whole lot went up for auction with the proceeds going to Help Refugees, a pioneering charity leading a new movement in humanitarian aid. Music and art for the greater good! 

I also went to the Electronic exhibition at the Design Museum which I found musically and visually very inspiring. Soon after, I happened to be introduced to Marcus Lyall. His work features throughout the exhibition, of note, the Chemical Brothers visuals. We had a great chat and it's certainly got some ideas bouncing around in my brain.  Anyway I guess both of these exhibitions had grass roots at their core. Dance music evolution and the underground scene, to the world where music and visuals meet on a record cover.”

Which campaigns, movements and charities have inspired you?

“#SaveOurVenues has been such an important campaign - being able to donate and support the venues dear to our hearts has been important. Things like this help to unite us and new ideas have sprung up from this.

Tim Burgess's listening parties have been quite inspiring too and seeing how this developed from that format to Tim then saving a couple of venues in Manchester to then launching Gorilla TV.”

“The biggest movement of all has been BLM which has brought the conversation to the fore across the globe. Action is happening, yes it is still slow, but things are changing already.

One change for the better was the petition our Grace launched concerning the fact that no Black composers are on the syllabus for the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the UK's largest music education body). A Guardian newspaper article and BBC item followed and now the organisation has agreed to review this to go from 0% to 20% representation.

Statues being removed, marches taking place, people raising their voices to be heard. When we work together we can make change happen.

I hope the momentum doesn't fade. There is a shit ton of work to be done to rid the world of racist, fascist nihilist bigots. Biden getting elected hasn't fixed things, but it's a step away from right wing rule and a symbol of what a nation can do collectively to rid themselves of evil dictatorships.

Another big inspiration has been footballer Marcus Rashford and his campaign for free school meals. The pressure mounted and he has been able to bring real change with a complete U-Turn from the government. It is a disgrace that children are going hungry, for that matter, no one should be going hungry! It's been so wonderful to see so many local food businesses step in and help provide food for people. 

2020 has been shite, we know that but I think there has been good to come out of this pandemic. It has made us all rediscover our humanity.”

Thank you so much Angela and Bugeye. Genuine star turns.

On the #2021gigs bucket list: