Lip Filler Witchescrew

From anarchy to innovation | Lip Filler share track-by-track breakdown of new EP Witchescrew

From ‘Carling’ to ‘Limelite’, Lip Filler shares the stories behind their latest tracks.

“We are Lip Filler, aka Witches Crew…” – these were the preemptive words uttered by Lip Filler’s energetic frontman George Tucker at the band’s debut live performance on St Patrick’s Day two years ago. Joined by guitarists and vocalists Verity Hughes and Jude Scholefield, bassist Theodore Pasmore, and drummer Nate Wicks, the band’s hotly anticipated second EP, Witchescrew, is on the horizon, set for release on 24th May 2024 via Chess Club Records.

The London via Somerset band’s self-titled debut EP released in the spring of 2023 immediately suggested a bright future. Written predominantly in the blissful chaos of the west London flat Lip Filler all shared, the EP moved between caustic indie rock and raucous dance-punk, addressing personal image, self-validation, and adjusting to life in a new city.


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Quickly gaining traction on its release, the band enjoyed a hectic run of festival appearances and sold-out headline shows across the capital, culminating in a secret house party show in their own west London flat. Lip Filler have since moved on from their shared flat, venturing into new homes and full-time jobs, all while channeling their experiences into the creation of Witchescrew.

New EP Witchescrew exudes a nervous, disoriented energy, with notions of paranoia and anxiety instinctively veiled by lyrics revolving around nighttime and the paranormal. Sonically, the EP showcases a band insistent on taking more risks than ever before, with influences ranging from UK dance and grime to Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.

Carling

“Carling was originally used as an interlude to fill up time when we hadn’t written enough songs for a whole setlist. The lead synth was ripped from a B section of a criminally early demo we had called ‘I got my hands’ – a song about w*nking (I wish I was joking). The lyrics were recycled from a mixtape I dropped when I was 17 (the original has a second verse regarding Fosters). Evidently, this was a very anarchic time for us. It became a crowd favourite in our live set, so we kept playing it, now here we are. The mystery of life.”

It’s Not Deep

“The recording of this EP felt very much like lighting a cigarette in a petrol station. ‘It’s Not Deep’ does a better job of representing this than any. We wanted a real step-up in production from EP one, disturbing the waters rather than testing them with how bold we could be. This resulted in most instruments being recorded out of metal dustbins (courtesy of St Francis Hotel), some twisted DnB breaks and a beat switch. The song is about pretending you don’t care when you really do. Denial is bitter, but it sure makes you look cooler.”

Ashtray

“This is the most personal song we have released thus far. Unlike previous songs we’ve written, ‘Ashtray’ is a constant stream of consciousness. It’s cyclical in its nature and leaves very little space for an afterthought or breath, which is very psychologically telling. It isn’t hard to decipher that this song is about a particular person and a particular story. It might not feel particularly special to you, but I know it feels particularly special to me.”

Followup

“This song feels like a big turning point for us. I think we all agree that this is the closest we’ve ever sounded to how we always wanted to sound. We’ve always tried to add an element of unpredictability to our music which followup captures really well. It’s always felt like a Frankenstein of a song; stitching it together was a nightmare. But what we ended up with feels like our most accomplished track to date.”

Limelite

“‘Limelite’ is very much an embodiment of mixed emotions; Not being sure what the best thing is for yourself and projecting these uncertainties onto someone else. Being caught between two minds, acting impulsively yet irrationally. I feel like this song captures an adolescent naïveté which is self-ashamedly honest. This is the first song that we ever wrote as a band – I think that’s it very fitting of that (in a funny way).”


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