Take the Palm Desert rock scene, add Batcave hoodlums Alien Sex Fiend and, with a flash of the psychedelic ‘Smile’, an image of O. Children is captured.
Measured up to countless bands from the ’80s and ’90s, this London four-piece have a list of influences as long as their front man’s arm, who at 6’ 8” boasts a considerable sleeve-length.
“It’s not so much the era but the sound,” says vocalist Tobi O’Kandi when asked to explain his band’s influences. “We gravitate towards the production style and anything that sounds good comes out in what we make… and I have a deep voice.” O’Kandi’s rumbling baritone aside, the band’s self-titled debut album encompasses post-punk sensibilities, surf-pop riffs and above all a refreshing homage to goth rock, though drummer Andi Sleath reckons the post-punk tag is odd.
“I think we can play our instruments pretty well,” says Sleath, questioning the integrity of such genre musicians. “I don’t know if anyone has actually written that yet.” O. Children have grown up from the celebrity bating Bono Must Die, the band that hated the night bus and later became Orphans via their controversial moniker. Completed by guitarist Gauthier Ajarrista and four-stringer Harry James, O. Children touched base at this year’s summer festivals Glastonbury, Latitude and Lovebox, and look forward to Bestival this month.
“We didn’t really think we would be doing festivals or anything like that,” admits O’Kandi. “But it’s good that we are. We’re grateful I think.”
Words by Jake Young
WHERE: London
WHAT: Pop-tinged goth rock.
UNIQUE FACT: O’Kandi snuck into the band “like a ninja”.
GET 3 SONGS: ‘Dead Disco Dancer’, ‘Fault Line’, ‘Smile’
