Interview: cheerbleederz @ Deadpunk Special
cheerbleederz
For our latest Deadpunk Interviews feature, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant world of cheerbleederz, three stalwarts of the DIY scene known for their tireless dedication both as a band and through their involvement in other musical endeavours such as Fresh, ME REX, and Felicette.
Comprising Kathryn Woods, Phoebe Cross (Pheebs), and Sophie MacKenzie—close friends whose infectious musicality springs from a shared passion for collaborative, unfiltered creativity—the band epitomises a refreshing fusion of no-frills punk and earworm melodies.
Fresh from their exhilarating performance at Deadpunk Special, where all three also showcased their talents with their other musical projects, we caught up with the trio for an engaging chat. Join us as we delve into their journey, influences, and uncover the "power of FROGSHIP" that fuels their friendship and musical prowess, all while exploring hints about their potential new material.
So you've all played multiple sets over the weekend. How are you feeling?
Kathryn: Really good! Every set, we feel like we're getting bigger, stronger, and more powerful!
How would you describe Deadpunk to someone who hasn’t been before?
Kathryn: It's a very low-key DIY punk festival at its core, where nobody has to worry about looking cool.
Sophie: But everyone ends up looking cool anyway.
Kathryn: Exactly! Embracing a bit of nerdy is the vibe here.
Who have you managed to catch?
Pheebs: I saw PREDECEASED. Does that mean they're still alive?
That's what we were wondering too.
Pheebs: They were fun, and it’s been great hanging out with people from different bands; everyone's been super lovely, so can't ask for more than that.
Sophie: GHUM are playing now, and I wanted to catch them, but I had to pack away my stuff. I'm gutted to miss them; I've seen them before, and they're amazing. But earlier today I caught dream phone and Dividers, and yesterday I saw Fresh and ME REX.
Kathryn: dream phone absolutely rocked! We're really looking forward to seeing Tripsun and Fortitude Valley, and then catching Toodles & The Hectic Pity.
What does the rest of your year look like?
Pheebs: We're off to Copenhagen next weekend for a similar kind of punk fest there. It's a great excuse to explore another European city, and we're really excited about it. After that, Kathryn will be in America with Fresh, doing things with Los Campesinos!, which is amazing. So we've got a bit of a break over the summer, but we also have Truck Fest coming up where I'll be playing with ME REX as well. There might be some recording booked too; we're just going with the flow.
Kathryn: Writing and recording are definitely on the cards for this year.
Sophie: It's been nearly two years since our album came out, so we're keen to get some new songs out there.
For those who haven’t heard cheerbleederz before, how would you describe yourselves?
Sophie: Bouncy!
Kathryn: Very bouncy.
Sophie: Sometimes jolly, sometimes cheeky—cheekbleederz!
Pheebs: Yes, bouncy and fun. Sophie's really into The Breeders, so I think there's some Breeders-esque vibes. We all have different musical tastes, but the highlight is that we sound carefree and fun. It's great playing with Kathryn and Soph; it always feels like none of us are that nervous, and we just have fun. When we first started out, it was scary, but now we just let go and enjoy it. It's a fun band to be in.
Do you think that’s a result of years of playing together or just age?
Pheebs: Both. I used to worry more about mistakes. But in the last few years, I've had a revelation that connecting with the people on stage and being creatively in sync with my friends is rare and special. So I've let go of those nerves. I still need to get my head in the game and do some breathing to stay focused, but playing at venues like the Exchange with its great sound makes it fun every time.
What is the creative process like for cheerbleederz?
Pheebs: It varies. Sometimes someone will bring voice memos, and we'll jam it out with me on my little practice pad. For a track like "nail biters," that was written in the practice room. During lockdown, Rich Mandell (producer and also in Happy Accidents and ME REX with Pheebs and her husband) was fiddling around in the studio where we were rehearsing for free. We started to play along to my drum beat, so my beat led that writing process. Personally, this has led me to do a lot more writing and lean into co-writing and get more confident with that. As a drummer, you can sometimes be like, "I don't know how to write chords or melodies," so you sit back. But now I'm like, "I want to do a song with this drumbeat or these lyrics." I write a lot of lyrics, so now I'm more like, "Can we do a song based around this phrase that I wrote?" It's a lot more fun now.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received at the start of your careers?
Kathryn: In my long, storied, and very successful career, I would say worry less! But, to be honest, that's easier said than done with generalized anxiety disorder. But worry less and enjoy the travel, the fun, and the friendships.
Sophie: I would say, trust your instincts. If you think something sounds wrong on stage, you're probably right. If you're not sure, ask someone. There have been times when I thought something was off and played a whole show, only to realize at the end that I was out of tune or my monitor wasn't on.
Kathryn: You assume the sound guy knows more than you, so of course, the monitor must be on. But sometimes, you'll be surprised—it isn't.
Sophie: Be more confident in your own judgment.
Pheebs: Start earlier. I had been playing drums for ten years in my bedroom before I started jamming with people. My dad was a drummer, so he was okay with me having a drum kit in the attic. But when I decided to start jamming with others at uni, I was so nervous. I remember standing outside the door with my drumsticks, about to join a jam session with a bunch of guys playing Red Hot Chili Peppers. I did it, and it was a good start, but I wish I'd been more confident from the beginning. Confidence comes with experience, and there are a lot more initiatives now. I've been giving inclusive drum workshops called First Timers, where anyone can come along and try drumming for about five pounds. Drums are usually seen as inaccessible because they're big, heavy, and loud.
Could you tell us more about these inclusive drum workshops?
Pheebs: Sure! First Timers is a workshop where anyone can join and try out drumming. It's designed to be accessible and welcoming, similar to Girls Rock London. Participants can experiment with different instruments and even form a band. I've also collaborated with Landie from Muncie Girls on her School of Frock workshops, which aim to empower young musicians. Running these workshops has been really rewarding—I used to be nervous, but now I feel confident helping others discover their musical talents in a relaxed environment.
What sounds are you loving right now?
Sophie: I know this might sound basic, but I'm really into the new Sabrina Carpenter song “Espresso.”
Kathryn: I'm more into “Nonsense” by Sabrina Carpenter, but “Espresso” is cool too. Lately, I've been diving deep into Chappell Roan—“Naked In Manhattan” is a banger. And I've rediscovered Hop Along's album Get Disowned—it's been a blast revisiting that.
Sophie: Recently, I stumbled upon an old of Montreal record that I'd never heard before, and it's blowing my mind.
Kathryn: Also, I've been really into Tom Petty lately.
Pheebs: I listen to such a variety of genres. On the way here, we were jamming to the Spanish artist Rosalía—her music is just so much fun. I'm into everything from that to Steve Albini's iconic sound that influenced bands like The Breeders and Nirvana. I appreciate both gritty and clean sounds, but ultimately, I'm drawn to lyrics the most.
Anything else we should have asked or anything else you'd like to add?
Kathryn: I just want to say how much I love and appreciate Phoebe and Sophie.
Sophie: And we tolerate Kathryn... laughs... But seriously, Kathryn's awesome, Pheeb's awesome. It's a blast being in this band, wouldn't have it any other way. It's all about the power of friendship—no, no, no—the power of FROGSHIP!
cheerbleederz debut-album even in jest is out now via Alcopop! Records, catch them at Truck Festival in July and keep your eyes peeled for more news later in the year.
