Bristol -based trio IDESTROY are set to shake the lockdown blues with their debut album, We Are Girls (out February 12th, 2021 via CD Baby).
The band comprise of Bec Jevons (vocals, guitar), Nicola Wilton-Baker (bass, backing vocals), and Jenn Hills (drums) and fuse equal parts of NYC proto punk with an injection of fresh contemporary energy.
Since forming IDESTROY in 2015, the trio, who met as students at Bristol’s BIMM, have played more than 300 gigs across the UK, Europe & Asia, selling out shows in South Korea and multiple tours in Germany. Two acclaimed EPs arrived along the way – 2016’s Vanity Loves Me and 2018’s Pure Joy of Life – but We Are Girls marks a significant step up.
The album was recorded at Bristol’s West Street Studios, co-owned by drummer Jenn and her husband, who masters for Sony. “We gave my husband our song G.O.D. and also a Dream Wife track for reference,” says Jenn. “It was a test to see what he came up with – and he passed! When the three of us met up to listen, it was so exciting. We knew straight away that this was the sound we’d been searching for. Thankfully, he agreed to do the whole album.”
Andy Howells chats to Bec, Nic and Jenn about their music inspirations and influences.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
Bec: I’d probably say Beat It by Michael Jackson, the Eddie Van Halen guitar solo is the thing that made me want to pick a guitar up. As a kid I thought this was the coolest thing ever.
Nic: Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits
Jenn: Chop Suey by System Of A Down
What was the first single or download you bought?
Nic: My Chemical Romance – Famous Last Words, I bought the physical CD just because I loved them so much, and then I bought The Black Parade Album with that track on as well.
Jenn: Oh man! if I am being completely honest it was probably an S Club 7 song.
Bec: Hmm I’m pretty sure mine was Yeah! By Usher
What was the first album you owned?
Nic: Dookie by Green Day
Jenn: My first album was Meteora by Linkin Park, they were also the first band I ever saw live!
Bec: Wow, Nic and Jenn are so much cooler than me. I think mine was probably a NOW! Album… or maybe the first Busted album.
What’s your constant go to track?
Nic: Love Someone Else – Lower than Atlantis
Jenn: Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon
Bec: It’s currently Zen by X-Ambassadors, Grandson and K.Flay. I think it sums up how many of us feel at the moment. Plus it’s an absolute jam – I like dancing around my living room to it.
What’s your constant go to album?
Bec: This changes all the time for me. I tend to overplay albums until I’m sick of them. I have had Glass Animals, Dreamland pretty much on repeat since it came out last August! Also The Cure’s Greatest Hits is the best greatest hits album ever, I whack that on all the time.
Nic: I keep going back to The Used – In Love and Death
Jenn: My go-to has always been the self-titled Rage Against The Machine album – it’s a work of art.
Who’s your latest music discovery?
Nic: Pale Waves, I love their new song Easy.
Jenn: My latest music discovery is Highly Suspect, I might be late to the party on this but only discovered them last year, I think their songs are amazing and really cool videos too.
Bec: I’m really into Grandson at the moment.
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
Nic: For me it’s We Are Girls.
Jenn: I would say G.O.D defines us best as artists – it’s catchy, energetic and the lyrics are pretty candid.
Bec: I’d probably have to say the same as Nic. We Are Girls is the title-track of our debut album. The lyrics talk about a lot of crap we’ve had to deal with, as well as being a celebration about what it means to be a girl.