INTERVIEW: Pit Pony

Image: By Nigel John

While gravy is being made, crisps are being eaten and tattoos are gotten, I spoke to Newcastle’s fuzzy fanatics Pit Pony on what I can only assume is a day like any other day. The special occasion? Their sophomore album Dead Stars via Clue Records/EMI North is set to be released on 7th February.

Continuing on from their 2022 debut, the band have carefully and methodically shaped their sound to deliberately hark back to their rowdy days – the fist-pumping lead single Well Well and the chaotic climax of No Shame spring to mind – as well as carving out a different side of themselves. “With the first album, a lot of the feedback was that we were quite fuzzy and noisy and garagey.” said guitarist Andrew Jones, as he casually gets tattooed. “This album has given us an opportunity to kind of strip those elements back and show we can actually write good songs and nice songs, and there’s more to us than just noise.”

“It’s got more heavier moments than anything on the first album. It’s also got more lighter moments than anything on the first album,” added guitarist Garth Purver. “But then at the same time, I think it all hangs together better as one cohesive piece more than the first one did.” Tracks like the fantastically dark and whimsical Cut Open and the uplifting and soaring This Love Of Mine stand tall in the pantheon of Pit Pony greats, as the band weave a tender tapestry of motherhood, the downsides of social media and the ever-looming dystopian nightmare that is modern life. Vocalist Jackie Purver said: “It’s just got a bit of a different feel to it. I think it’ll be nice to hear people’s reaction to those different types of songs and the ones that are a slower pace.”

It’s got more heavier moments than anything on the first album. It’s also got more lighter moments than anything on the first album

While influences like Wolf Alice, Fontaines DC, The Clash and Ennio Moriconne have helped shape the album, the sound is completely Pit Pony and bleeds the North East. “The Tyne and Wear Metro, the A1, Amble Marina, Shields beach… They’re all featured in little subtle capacities. We often say that we’re influenced by the sound of the North East, our home, and these little elements show that.” Andrew poignantly reflected.

While Dead Stars may be their most ambitious work to date, it truly represents a band firing on all cylinders. There is a unity and real camaraderie that leaks through and only strengthens their resolve. As long as these five people are in a room together, Pit Pony will continue to evolve and push each other to new and exotic places.

As Jackie states: “Someone might come up with an idea, but then it isn’t a Pit Pony song until everyone’s had their input. It’s everybody’s input that makes it come out as it does, which is nice.”

Bassist Andrew Potter has the final word: “We’re very proud of it. I think it’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Pit Pony release their sophomore album Dead Stars on 7th February.