Interview with Plugged Into Pandemonium: ‘Once you open that rabbit hole, you’re never coming out!’

Hull four piece alt-rock band Plugged Into Pandemonium are gearing up to release their second single ‘Give Me A Drag’, supplying us with more of their melodic riffs, punchy bass lines and lyrical storytelling.

The band, which formed in May 2021, comprises Matt Hiscock (vocals/rhythm guitar), Jack Kelly (vocals/lead guitar), Danielle Millington (bass/backing vocals) and James Taylor (drums). Matt and Danielle, who are a couple, moved to Hull from Scunthorpe a couple of years ago, meeting the others at a local skate park. Danielle came up with their name: ‘I think it was just me playing with words,’ she said. ‘I liked that it could mean several things, plugged into your situation or something else and a pandemonium can be caused by a lot of things, it sounds like ‘pandemic’ as well. There are a lot of different meanings you can take from it.’

Last month, they released their debut single ‘My Diamond’, which kicks off with a sleek bass line riff of B, D, G and F# before the guitars sweep in, turning it into a crunchy, hooky riff that would not be out of place as the theme music to a crime show. With a double tracked bass, overdriven rhythm and a fuzz-filled lead, the song fuses elements of rock and pop with a squealing guitar solo, courtesy of a wah wah pedal. ‘I wrote it about Danielle and how our lives have been,’ Matt said. ‘Jack and I were jamming and came out with the progressions.’

As the song opens: “See that girl, yeah she’s lived life hard, she’s travelled rough and she’s travelled far. She wants a change and she wants a new start, oh she’s a diamond, she’s a star.”

‘It’s more Nirvana…with chords that you wouldn’t expect to come together’

Their goal for 2022 is to try and release a new track every four-to-six weeks. Their next single will be ‘Give Me A Drag’, which Jack describes as ‘a bit more alternative than ‘My Diamond”: ‘It’s got some weird chord progressions that Matt came up with (laughs). It’s more Nirvana, I’d say, with chords that you wouldn’t expect to come together.’ Danielle weighs in: ‘It’s about getting away, about having a lower income background like me,’ she said. ‘The song’s a day in the life with no income.’

Last night (4 Jan), they got to see local alt-rock band Kingsman and local female pop-rock trio MEEK. However, COVID put pay to gigs they’d planned to play last year, although they’re now hopeful that their cancelled 17th December gig in Hull will be rescheduled. Nonetheless, they have their set list ready to go for when their debut gig beckons: My Diamond, Shut It Down, Give Me A Drag, Money and Cigarettes, Up and Down, I Don’t Wanna Die, One Shot and My Life’s Turning Around. Matt cites ‘I Don’t Wanna Die’ as his favourite: ‘It’s so catchy with a great chord progression.’ Jack nods: ‘I wrote it when I left my old band, it was a bit bitter, I didn’t know if I wanted to play in a band anymore but then we (he signals to his bandmates) started playing together.’

Jack cites ‘Money and Cigarettes’ as his favourite: ‘I like it as it’s a real chill, mellow song. I’m itching to play our songs live.’ Matt interjects: ‘It’s got a KILLER guitar solo from Jack.’ Jack describes the solo ‘as a journey with the guitar, almost telling a word perfect story with every note’. Danielle agrees: ”Money and Cigarettes’ is very emotional – Jack can make you feel whatever he wants you to feel,’ she said. I ask Jack how long this solo of his is: ‘It’s a good minute!,’ he said, grinning. The track is clearly a firm favourite in the band: ‘It’s got that chilled, real easy listening vibe,’ James said. ‘Jack’s solo is insane! The song describes the regret, bitterness and self-centred nature of people that can break down any form of friendship or relationship, leaving you the only one to carry the load. ‘My Life’s Turning Around’ is proper bouncy and ‘Up and Down’ has a real nice slow start, it’s got a build up and an exit.’

‘Jimi Hendrix, he’s the god of guitar, my icon’

They cite Arctic Monkeys, Nirvana and Oasis as some of their biggest influences. ‘I love Oasis now but I didn’t as a child,’ Matt said. ‘I liked The Cribs and Arctic Monkeys.’ Danielle got an early introduction to Oasis via her dad: ‘My parents got divorced when I was small and they liked different music,’ she said. ‘My dad liked Oasis, I knew all the words by the time I was 10, even if I didn’t always understand what they were singing about (laughs). My dad liked The Doors, I like them as well. I saw the Wailers live (one of several spinoffs from Bob Marley and the Wailers) when I was just 11 but it was such a friendly atmosphere. My mum was into pop punk and bands like Paramore.’ James’ favourite band turns out to be Foo Fighters: ‘From a young age, I listened to Iron Maiden and AC/DC because my dad played them but later I got into Nirvana, Foo Fighters and bands like The Clash, it’s very varied.’ The first major band that put music on Jack’s radar was Oasis, ‘mainly for the guitar music’: ‘And Jimi Hendrix, he’s the god of guitar, my icon,’ he said. ‘Later on, I listened to bands like The Stooges, The Ramones and the Sex Pistols. Once you open that rabbit hole you’re never coming out!’

(Photo from left to right: Matt, James, Jack and Danielle.)