Birds Death Grips are one of the hottest bands right now. With only a handful of releases, they’ve already cemented their place among the elite of modern music. The band’s aesthetic—a gritty take on pop art—brings to mind late-2000s / early-2010s music ala Bon Iver, Wolf Alice, and The Maccabees (just to name a few). All of this comes as no surprise to those who’ve been following the band since the very beginning. After all, creating a successful music brand takes some serious dedication and perseverance. If you want to know more, read on!
The Early Days
Birds Death Grips started as an idea between vocalist / guitarist / songwriter / producer / engineer / baker Jeremy Bank and bassist Matt MacLeman. For anyone unfamiliar, the band’s roots can be traced back to the United Kingdom, where they first came together in 2011. With little more than a passion for art and a love of indie music, the two bonded over their shared interest in music creation. They’ve been working together ever since. As a duo, they’ve released three EPs and a couple of singles. In addition to their music, the pair have worked closely with film director Andrew Dominik on several occasions, scoring the director’s films including The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and Killing Jaye Mansfield. In the words of one reviewer, “with their unique blend of indie and electronic music, Birds Death Grips are like the weirdest, wackiest, most wonderful band you’ll ever meet.”
The Buzz And The Songs
With very little mainstream attention (at least in comparison to their contemporaries), it’s no wonder that Birds Death Grips have managed to fly under the radar. Still, that hasn’t stopped them from accumulating a dedicated following. For anyone who’s enjoyed the band’s earlier work, be sure to check out their recent self-titled EP. The EP came out last year and was met with critical acclaim, with one reviewer writing, “the title track is a masterclass in understated pop magic.” The song “Birds + Death Grips” received over a million views on YouTube as of this writing. The track also featured in an episode of Peaky Blinders.”
The Members
As we’ve established, Jeremy Bank and Matt MacLeman are the founders / driving forces behind Birds Death Grips. Together, they form a vibrant synth-based pop songwriting partnership. Alongside them, you’ll find drummer Josh Pattinson (formerly of Friction) and multi-instrumentalist Francis Mark (formerly of The Naked And Famous). In the words of one fan, “having members from all walks of life is key to the band’s appeal. You get a real sense of variety and that makes everything more interesting.”
Live Performance And Tours
Birds Death Grips have taken their music to numerous festivals and played at a number of prestigious establishments. They’ve also supported some of the biggest names in contemporary music, playing headlining sets at South By Southwest, Austin City Limits, and others. When not on tour, they spend their time between London and Paris, maintaining a fairly international touring schedule that takes in the UK, Europe, and North America. While they’ve yet to reach the Asian markets, the band’s fanbase in North America is steadily growing.
As for upcoming performance dates and festivals, check the bands’ website for the latest information. In the meantime, fans can also keep an eye out for any clues about the next tour on social media (especially Twitter). For instance, the band recently teased a new album, setting the date for April 4, 2021. Hopefully, they’ll continue to drop more teasers as more info becomes available. In the meantime, check out the Birds Death Grips website for more information.
The Future
Since the beginning, Birds Death Grips have remained a duo. With their growing popularity, it’s clear that this is a formula that’s served them well so far. However, as they head into their fifth year as a band, they’ve yet to confirm whether or not they’ll continue working as a duo. For now, their future remains very much in doubt. Still, their rabid fan base will continue to support them, making future tours and album releases very much a possibility.