Pest Control (band)
{{Short description|English band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = group_or_band
| name = Pest Control
| image = Pest Control band.jpg
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = Pest Control live in 2024
| alias =
| origin = Leeds, West Yorkshire, U.K.
| genre = Crossover thrash, hardcore punk
| discography =
| years_active = 2020–present
| label = Quality Control HQ
| spinoffs =
| spinoff_of = Implement
| current_members =
- Leah Massey-Hay
- Joseph Kerry
- Ben Jones
- Jack Padurariu
- Joe Sam Williams
| past_members =
| website =
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
}}
Pest Control is an English hardcore punk band from Leeds, West Yorkshire. They have released one studio album, in addition to their 2020 demo. A 2023 article by Metal Hammer writer Dom Lawson called the band "the single most exciting band in the UK right now".
History
Leah Massey-Hay, Joseph Kerry and Ben Jones had previously been a part of the hardcore band Implement, which disbanded amidst the COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom. Soon, Kerry began sending ideas for songs to Massey-Hay and Jones. This culminated in the first Pest Control demo, which was recorded in September 2020, by Massey-Hay on vocals, Joseph Kerry on guitar and Jones on drums.{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Olly |title=Pest Control: "We said, 'Let's go for it: let's do the thrash band that we'd always talked about'" |url=https://www.kerrang.com/pest-control-interview-dont-test-the-pest-debut-album-leeds-thrash-hardcore-metal-joe-kerry-vocalist-leah-massey |website=Kerrang! |access-date=12 September 2024}} The release was followed shortly by the hiring of bassist Jack Padurariu.
The band began recording for their debut album in 2022. During this time, the band recruited second guitarist Luke Schoonbeek for recording. Once the recording process was completed, they hired Big Cheese bassist Joe Sam Williams as a permanent second guitarist. On 10 February 2023, the band officially released their debut album, titled Don't Test the Pest.{{cite web |title=LEEDS CROSSOVER THRASH PACK PEST CONTROL UNLEASHES WILD NEW LP "DON'T TEST THE PEST" |url=https://idioteq.com/leeds-crossover-thrash-pack-pest-control-unleashes-wild-new-lp-dont-test-the-pest/ |access-date=12 September 2024}} During February 2023, they opened for Kreator on their United Kingdom headline tour, alongside Municipal Waste.{{cite web |last1=Pountney |first1=Phil |title=LIVE REVIEW: KREATOR / MUNICIPAL WASTE / PEST CONTROL – LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY, LEEDS 09.03.2023 |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/live-review-kreator-municipal-waste-pest-control-leeds-beckett-university-leeds-09-03-2023/ |access-date=12 September 2024}} On 11 August, they released the single "Enjoy the Show", accompanied by a music video. Between 22 August and 11 September, they toured the United Kingdom supporting Obituary.{{cite web |title=Watch Pest Control's new video for Enjoy The Show |url=https://www.kerrang.com/watch-pest-controls-new-video-for-enjoy-the-show |website=Kerrang! |access-date=30 September 2023}} On 6 January 2024, the band played a benefit show for the Leeds venue Boom, alongside Higher Power, the Flex and Static Dress.{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=Boom Leeds: why the UK hardcore scene is fighting to save a vital grassroots venue |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/boom-leeds-venue-closing-save-our-home-benefit-show-radar-3565053 |website=NME |access-date=12 September 2024}} On 18 May, the band performed at Desert Festival in London.{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Matt |title=London doom/stoner metal festival Desertfest announces 32 new bands |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/desertfest-2024-32-new-bands |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=12 September 2024}}
The band were originally scheduled to play the June 2024 Download Festival. However, on 10 June, four days before the festival, the band announced they had cancelled their appearance due to the festival's sponsorship by Barclaycard who were connected to Israel's role in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In the following hours, the band's statement led to Scowl, Zulu, Speed, Negative Frame, Overpower and Ithaca to cancel their appearances at the festival too.{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=Scowl, Speed and Zulu drop out of Download Festival over Barclays sponsorship |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/scowl-and-speed-drop-out-of-download-festival-over-barclays-sponsorship-3764270 |website=NME |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web |title=Pest Control, Scowl, Speed, ZULU and more pull out of Download 2024 |url=https://www.kerrang.com/pest-control-scowl-speed-zulu-and-more-pull-out-of-download-2024 |website=Kerrang! |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |title=Multiple bands pull out of Download festival over Barclays' Israel ties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/12/multiple-bands-pull-out-of-download-festival-over-barclays-israel-ties |website=The Guardian |access-date=12 September 2024}} Instead, over the following days Pest Control, Scowl, Speed and Zulu organised a fundraising for the Palestinian cause, which was held at Centrala in Birmingham on 14 June. The show included support from Cauldren, Ikhras and Transistrrr.{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=Bands who are boycotting Download 2024 come together for Palestine fundraiser gig in Birmingham |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bands-who-are-boycotting-download-2024-come-together-for-palestine-fundraiser-gig-in-birmingham-3764622 |website=NME |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web |title=Scowl, Speed, ZULU and more announce Palestine benefit show |url=https://www.kerrang.com/scowl-speed-zulu-and-more-announce-palestine-benefit-show |website=Kerrang! |access-date=12 September 2024}} The sponsorship was dropped from the festival on the same day, with negotiations initiated by Enter Shikari.{{cite web |last1=Pilley |first1=Max |title=Enter Shikari speak out as Barclays pull out of Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight festivals after boycott |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/enter-shikari-speak-out-as-barclays-pull-out-of-download-latitude-and-isle-of-wight-festivals-after-boycott-3765821 |website=NME |access-date=12 September 2024}}
On 12 August 2024, the band released the single "Time Bomb", announcing it would a part of their Autumn 2024 EP Year Of The Pest.{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Matt |title=Hear Pest Control prove why they're the UK's most hyped young thrash band with scrappy new single Time Bomb |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/pest-control-release-time-bomb-single-announce-year-of-the-pest-ep |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=12 September 2024}}
Musical style
Pest Control have been categorised by critics as crossover thrash{{cite web |last1=Boilen |first1=Bob |last2=Gotrich |first2=Lars |title=New Mix: Anna B Savage, Daisies, Neil Gaiman & FourPlay String Quartet, more |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/02/22/1158809784/new-mix-anna-b-savage-daisies-neil-gaiman-fourplay-string-quartet-more |website=NPR |access-date=12 September 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Lawson |first1=Dom |title=10 up-and-coming thrash metal bands every self-respecting metalhead should listen to |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/up-and-coming-thrash-metal-bands |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Breiham |first1=Tom |title=On The Show Me The Body Tour, The Bodies Hit The Floor |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2213777/show-me-the-body-tour-review/columns/let-the-roundup-begin/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote=A few years ago, it seemed like old-school crossover thrash was a trend within hardcore. Bands like Power Trip were really into the late-'80s moment when punk and metal fused into fast, mean skate music. The original crossover thrash moment didn't last long, so why should the revival be any different? But Power Trip turned out to be one of the greatest bands in the world, and tons of other bands took off running with that style. We're still getting great crossover thrash shit all the time. Cast in point: Pest Control, who formed in Leeds during the pandemic and who absolutely understand how to build fast and brutal riffs into something vast and epic. I played the Pest Control album for the first time while driving through a freezing rainstorm on the way to a Super Bowl party, and it made me feel invincible.}} and hardcore punk,{{cite web |last1=Mikardo-Greaves |first1=Fred |title=A Guide to the Burgeoning Punk Scene in Leeds |url=https://daily.bandcamp.com/scene-report/leeds-uk-punk-scene-report |website=Bandcamp Daily |access-date=12 September 2024}} while also making use of elements of death metal. The band's music incorporates tight and grooving thrash metal guitar riffs and raspy, shouted vocals.{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Wyatt |title=Anachronism Focus On What You Feel |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2215067/anachronism-focus-on-what-you-feel/columns/the-black-market/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=30 September 2023}} The band often avoid the political lyrics commonplace in hardcore and crossover thrash. Instead, lyrics discuss personal themes and mental health, many of which are told through metaphors of insects and infestations.{{cite web |last1=Alderslade |first1=Merlin |title=Essex deathcore, Mumbai post-metal and an underground noise supergroup: these are the best new metal bands you need in your life this month |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/new-noise-metal-hammer-oct-2023 |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=12 September 2024}}
They have cited influences including Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, the Crumbsuckers, Municipal Waste, Metallica, Testament and Ludichrist.{{cite web |title=LEEDS CROSSOVER THRASH PACK PEST CONTROL UNLEASHES WILD NEW LP "DON'T TEST THE PEST" |url=https://idioteq.com/leeds-crossover-thrash-pack-pest-control-unleashes-wild-new-lp-dont-test-the-pest/ |access-date=30 September 2023}}
Members
- Leah Massey-Hay – vocals (2020–present)
- Joseph Kerry – guitar (2020–present)
- Ben Jones – drums (2020–present)
- Jack Padurariu – bass (2020–present)
- Joe Sam Williams – guitar (2022–present)
Discography
Albums
- Don't Test the Pest (2023)
EPs
- Year Of The Pest (2024)
Demos
- Demo 2020
Singles
- "Infestation/Rat Race"
- "Enjoy the Show"
- "Time Bomb"