Tim Hughes meets a band of musicians who once screamed their heads off in metal groups

Banging out big, joyous slabs of grinning indie-rock, Eliza & The Bear are one of those bands which seem made for good times.

So it comes as something of a surprise to find out that the five-piece of mates James Kellegher, Callie Noakes, Martin Dukelow, Chris Brand and Paul Kevin Jackson, all started life in a less cheery setting – yelling their lungs out in heavy metal groups.

“Yeah, me, Chris and Paul used to be in a real ‘screamo’ band, and James and Callie were in a post-hardcore band,” says guitarist Martin in the kind of heavy Essex accent usually associated with heavy-built men with lock-ups, strip clubs and, possibly, shooters.

“We played lots of the venues we are going to now, but to just two people! We still listen to some of that, but, it’s fair to say, our tastes have moved on.

“We started getting into pop – which is harder to write. We’ve all get eclectic musical tastes, but the excitement that comes from our songs is what sets us apart. You can feel that happiness in the room.”

Martin is talking from a dessert shop in Guildford – a setting, I suggest, which could not be less heavy metal. He is tucking into a banana and Nutella pancake.

“We seem to be finding these places in towns all over this tour,” he says, after another mouthful. “We can’t leave them alone. I’m going to weigh 40 stone by the time we finish.”

It’s not exactly Spinal Tap is it?

“Don’t worry,” he laughs. “We still party – but we leave that until after the show!”

The band, who take their name from a collection of fairy tale-influenced poems by Eleanor Rees, are seeing their star well and truly in the ascendant, helped by support slots with Imagine Dragons and Paramore as well as their own headline tours.

The message seems to be getting through, and they are on their way to becoming one of the year’s must-see bands.

Their live shows have become so popular, they pushed back the release date of their debut album, which is out on Capitol Records on April 1.

Their latest single, It Gets Cold, has already seen them regulars on BBC Radio 1and elsewhere. Clearly all the hard work has paid off.

On Saturday they come to The Bullingdon. Martin says he can’t wait to get back to Oxford.

“We have ended up playing Oxford quite a lot,” he says. “We’ve done a couple of uni summer balls as well as other shows. There’s always a nice atmosphere, good food, and lots going on to keep us entertained.”

The Cowley Road venue is a relatively intimate one for the lads.

“This tour has been really exciting, and it’s been nice playing hot sweaty shows,” says Martin. “There’s something good about coming back to venues we played as kids to a handful of people, but which are now full. And most of the shows are sold-out.”

Their folk-pop inspired sound has been likened to Flaming Lips, Arcade Fire and Dry the River, and is augmented on record by trumpets with increasingly big production values. It’s big-hearted, rousing, sing-along stuff.

“As far as we are concerned, being in a band is all about playing live,” he says.

“When we are writing songs, it’s always with a live agenda in the backs of our minds – and it is becoming more theatrical and bigger. That’s my favourite part.

“Maybe soon, when we can afford it, we’ll be on tour with a choir and brass section!”

The tour is proving fairly intense, but, says Martin, they are still finding time to party.

“We always like a beer and it’s good finding different places. We don’t go too mad when we are on tour and try to keep it relatively civilized, but sometimes you can’t help yourself!”

While the band are famed for their exuberance, there may be a darker Eliza and the Bear in the pipeline. “Lyrically there’s a darker twist to our music, but that’s the way we are – and we are excited for people to get the full 3D view of the band and also play a few darker, heavier songs,” he says.

And finally… the question of that name. “Yes, the name is a bit unusual,” he admits.

“We have had T-shirts made saying ‘No one in this band is called Eliza’ – which are going down really well!

“When the band came out we didn’t expect people to really listen to us, so we didn’t think about the name. Still I can’t complain, and we have escalated for the good – and it’s too late to change it now!”

SEE THEM
Eliza and The Bear play the Bullingdon, Cowley Road, Oxford, on Saturday. Tickets from wegottickets.com