Make Do and Mend
Hailing from the East Coast of the US, Make Do and Mend create music, which is as melodic as it is fierce. Combining the depth of Hot Water Music and the youthfulness of Jimmy Eat World, Make Do And Mend piece it all together perfecting a sound that's more than able to convince you that aggressive emotion and heartfelt honesty are not dead in punk music.
Since releasing their Bodies Of Water EP in 2009 (for free) and a split 7" with Touche Amore in 2010, Make Do And Mend have been hard at work. With five North American tours in the books with bands such as Comeback Kid, Set Your Goals, and US label mates, Shook Ones, the band recorded End Measured Mile between cross-country runs.
“If recording the EP was like making a fort out of pillows in your living room, recording the LP was like building the Empire State building” Carroll admits. “We were under a strict time limit because we literally left for tour the day after we were scheduled to finish the record. The time constraint acted as a stress, but really kept us in line and working hard. It also brought to fruition some really cool ideas.”
The result is their debut, End Measured Mile, co-produced by Nick Bellmore (Hatebreed, Kingdom of Sorrow, Death Threat) and Jason Maas (Bane, Verse, Title Fight). The records ten tracks range in subject matter from isolation, to the trials and tribulations of playing in a touring band. Make Do And Mend pushed their musical boundaries on the new album.
“We really flexed our melodic muscles on ‘Transparent Seas’ and ‘Stand Stagger.’” Carroll adds. “Both of these songs explore extremely varying structural, musical, and lyrical dynamics. It is really nice to listen back and feel like we took a bit of a leap and landed firm on our feet.” The album will get a UK release this Spring in support of a UK tour with Fireworks. Full dates below:
Tour with Fireworks:
Mon 21 March - Birmingham Club Academy
Tue 22 Mar – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
Wed 23 Mar -Exeter Cavern
Thu 24 Mar - Nottingham Rock City - Basement
Fri 25 Mar - Newcastle Academy 2
Sun 27 Mar - Glasgow King Tuts
Mon 28 Mar - Sheffield Corporation - Small Room
Tue 29 Mar - Leeds Cockpit
Wed 30 Mar - Manchester Moho
Thu 31 Mar - Oxford Academy 2
Fri 01 Apr - London Borderline
Sat 02 Apr - Kingston Fighting Cocks
Doors 7pm. Tickets £7.50 regionally and £9 London.
Make Do And Mend is James Carroll (vocals/guitar), Mike Poulin (bass), Matt Carroll (drums), and Mike O'Toole (guitar)