Hayze release EP as a three-piece

By Andrew Woodger
BBC Suffolk

The band lost other guitarist Powers to become a three-piece

Ipswich band Hayze have released an EP which they regard as their first top-notch recording.

Can't Take It Away was laid down at the studio owned by the former Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins.

The production team was Nick Brine and Colin Leggett whose CVs include working with the Arctic Monkeys and Oasis.

Hayze singer Pete Thompson said: "In the past we just had an engineer pressing record without having an input into what we do."

The band became a three-piece in 2009 and the new EP is their first in this incarnation of Thompson (guitar/vocals), Paul Backhouse (bass) and Jim Newstead (drums).

Losing a guitar has focussed the band's sound according to Pete:

"We've been looking at other three-pieces. With The Who, who I know are a four-piece but musically-speaking, it was always Pete Townsend and we've been looking at how [one guitar] bands pick out a solo.

"For me, it's also become about when to play power chords and when not to play, because Paul is quite a meaty rhythmic bass-player and it frees me up vocally."

The new four-track release was recorded at Leeders Farm studio near Norwich with Brine and Leggett, who've also worked with Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

"I think you can tell we've worked with a producer and a lot of thought's gone into it," said Pete.

"When you have a producer there who knows us, he knew when to come up with advice that would work.

"I think it's probably our most artistic work in the sense that we didn't go in thinking 'right we've got eight hours to bang out as much as possible'."

Hayzee memories

The band started gigging in 2003 and have self-released six EPs while putting out 2005's full-length album In The Box Seat on Hi Tom Records.

While their sound could be described as indie, Pete said they're not afraid to use the p-word:

"If you go back and look at some of the biggest bands around they were just considered pop at the time.

Hayze have supported The Stranglers and The Seers (featuring Bonehead)

"I think we write quite melodic rock/pop songs and when we gig the people that are there to see us sing along, while those that are passing by are tapping their feet."

The band have toured across the UK, and in 2009 they made their first foray into Scotland.

"We always dream of getting to play the bigger venues and with this release we've set up our own label.

"[Without a major label] marketing is an area we work really hard at and the songs are out there on iTunes, Amazon, Play, HMV etc.

"At the moment we're taking it as it comes. We've got a four-month plan and we're working towards that.

"We're recording more demos and we'll put together a sampler set of 30 seconds of songs.

"If we get to the point of building a fanbase and people liking the new songs then we'll look at doing an album.

"If it ever got to the point of any of us not enjoying it, then we'd stop the band."