AN ISLE of Wight punk band are soon to release their third studio album.
Grade 2, comprising Jack Chatfield, Jacob Hull and Sid Ryan, have consolidated the essence of their live shows for their newest release – "a record to rattle your bones, stir your heart, and have you singing ‘till you’re hoarse like it’s the first day of punk".
All three band members studied at Ryde Academy and took music as a GCSE.
They formed the band during the last year of high school, in May 2013, honing their craft covering punk pioneers before creating a sound uniquely theirs.
Sid said he bought a bass guitar off a friend for the nominal fee of £5, and the idea to start writing music together came during a New Year’s Eve party.
The trio discovered they all had a similar taste in music, and over the years they found their own sound.
They started rehearsing at Wight Rock, briefly at Ryde Youth Club – before being told they were too loud – and latterly at St Michael’s Church.
“We came into our own, naturally developing over time,” said Sid.
The three-piece's hotly anticipated self-titled album – their third offering to date – drops on February 17 through Hellcat Records.
Their most representative work yet, the record is a thumping 15-track tour-de-force melding the uncompromising ethos of punk with the howl of contemporary injustice, personal identity and frustrations of Gen-Z youth.
The band had been working on the release since 2019, and recorded the content in LA.
Due to Covid-19, they said it was the most time they had ever had to work on a single album, and described it as ‘the final evolution of Grade 2’ – hence the eponymous title.
Ahead of the release, on January 23, single Midnight Ferry became available on all major music platforms.
It follows in the slipstream of high-energy track Under the Streetlight.
“We’re very proud of this album,” said Sid.
“After having so much time to write, analyse and perfect the songs.
“We’ve come a long way, and the production quality is so much better than our previous records.”
The band said they unintentionally take inspiration from a wide range of music, and the album has elements from the likes of The Jam, The Clash, Slaves and Arctic Monkeys.
Asked what song new listeners should indulge in first, Sid said Fast Pace, which is track two on the album.
He said it has a touch of British pop, and Jack agreed.
“I love that song,” said Jack.
“It’s a great one to get people hooked.”
The trio are heading out on tour in March, returning to the Isle of Wight for a charity gig at Strings Bar and Venue on June 24.
“Come to one of our live shows,” said Jack.
“It’s going to be mega, and we have some great bands supporting us.”
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