Music / Feature
Undefined by genre, uninspired by life and unimpressed with landlords: Introducing Getdown Services
Starting as a lockdown project, Getdown Services comes from two friends, Ben and Josh, whose love and passion for music kickstarted their latest project.
“We’ve been making music and sending it to each other and playing in bands for years but this one felt like the most exciting thing we’d started,” they tell Bristol24/7.
One half of the duo, Ben, lives in Manchester while the other half, Josh, lives in Bristol means that they use the M5/M6 as creative inspiration for their songs.
Their other creative inspiration? “Essentially boredom and things that we find annoying,” they tell us.
“Life is basically boring all of the time and making music is a good way to try and make light of that. Also most of the time we’re driven by trying to make each other laugh.”
This is evident in their song Biscuit Tin which takes an angry stab at the power landlords have and the exploitation of their tenants. The song was born out of anger but the witty and humorous lyrics provide a great electro punk track that you can dance and shout to.
With a slightly anti-establishment tinge to their work, Getdown Services appeal to the masses, particularly those who are struggling right now. But, when writing, they are only making music for two people.
Self described as “vaguely rhythmic, dancey and vaguely ranty”, they can’t and won’t be defined
“We write mainly for each other, we are desperate and lonely and sometimes our friendship is all that’s bloody left! But we also make music for anyone who cares,” the band tell us.
The response so far? “Generally positive, it’s been a bigger thing than we thought it would be already and meeting people at gigs has been a lovely experience.”
Splitting their time between two major cities, particularly one in the North and one in the South, do they notice a difference when playing in each city?
“We’ve only played in Manchester once and it was fairly forgettable, but it’s a great place. Bristol has been where we’ve played most of our gigs and the scene is genuinely very lovely.
“In terms of the north/south divide it’s hard to say, we got heckled in Falmouth and adored in Newcastle so maybe anyone south of Cumbria is a scumbag, maybe Falmouth just had a lot of maniacs that night, who cares!”
The bands next hometown gig (in Bristol, not Manchester) will be headlining The Louisana on October 9 with friends singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist El Knight and indie-electro duo Mass House.
What can we can expect?
“Hope, fear, moisture.”
You can buy tickets for their gig here.
All photos: courtesy of Getdown Services
Read next:
- Review: Ritual Union – ‘A welcome addition to the city, we can only hope it returns again soon’
- Review: En Masse, Loco Klub – ‘The night was the closest I had been to a 4D experience’
- “I feel blessed to have grown up in a city with such a rich musical history”
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