Norwich Spotlight #3

Introducing Bag of Cans

Nov 20, 2024

Welcome to Series 1, Episode 3 of Norwich Spotlight, a run of articles where I’ll be shouting about an amazing band who do amazing things.

Each Spotlight includes an interview with the artist/band and a Recent and Decent playlist made by the artist!

I’ve gone on about this band a lot. They encapsulate everything great about live music and I am completely in love with what they do. Hope you like them to (you will). I’m utterly delighted to introduce Bag of Cans!

Introducing Bag of Cans

Their Spotify page describes them as: “A quintet weaving through the musical ranks on a sound described as “a gloriously surreal mix of old school indie, Weimar Berlin cabaret and Kinks circa Village Green Preservation Society”. Birthed from the effervescent swamp that is Norwich's music scene in 2017, the band have garnered a reputation as one of the must-see bands in East Anglia with invariably hectic live shows. Sinewy guitar lines glide between a relentless rhythm section and a penchant for indie-pop vocal-harmonies.”

I see that their songs have now been played on BBC Radio 6Music and KEXP, and they’re starting to gig round the country too. It’s so exciting to watch them get the credit they deserve. If they come to you, see them!

In reference to March’s gig at Voodoo Daddys, I said this:

And then came the exuberant and ferociously energetic local punk band Bag of Cans. These guys blew me away and I’ve already booked tickets to see them again in May! Their first song was about washing machines, they played a song about a predatory milkman, they went into the crowd with a trumpet… what’s not to love?!

In reference to May’s gig at Norwich Arts Centre, I said this:

I already can’t wait to see them again. Their energy is infectious, I love how spontaneous they are and, importantly, they are bloody good at writing and performing songs. Add to that a cucumber interlude (where they stopped rocking out to hand out cucumbers) and you have yourself a total experience.

In reference to August’s gig at Voodoo Daddys, I said this:

Third time I’ve seen them this year. Probably won’t be the last. They lit the place UP! Joyous, talented, energetic, spontaneous - everything I want and need!

And now for interview

Firstly, please introduce yourself:

We are Bag of Cans – a ridiculous ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ style situation where a bunch of possessed pre-10p charge plastic bags inhabit the bodies of 5 individuals who go by George Baker, Tom McGhie, George Bryce, Joe Wilson and Sam Watts

No one leaves one of your gigs without a beaming smile. What's the secret?

Threats. In truth most people who come are hemmed in like sheep, and not allowed to leave until they’ve been documented with a “believable” smile.

You record your music videos locally and clearly love performing in and around Norwich. What does performing locally mean to you?

Genuinely everything. We live here and the music scene is lovely. Full of supportive and beautiful people and it’s truly like no-where else.

You have plenty of fun when performing and you clearly have a lot of chemistry with your band mates (not many bands would wear a single shirt together, for instance). How did you guys meet and how did Bag of Cans get started?

We were manufactured from a channel 5 talent show that never got aired. We all auditioned to be members of the next Westlife but unfortunately they forced us to be more of a indie band. We’re contractually bound to carry on living this hellish existence for at least 15 more years and can’t wait for the ongoing nightmare to end. We have families we want to get back to. Help.

I think every time I see you, at least one of you is wearing a band tee from a local artist. Who's on the Norfolk scene now that you would recommend seeing?

Such a hard question. Everyone? Gun to our collective heads – Feasts. [Side note, they have a Norwich Spotlight coming soon!]

Finally (and I've decided that I'm going to ask every band this from now until the end of time), would you be able to create a 7-song Recent and Decent Guest Playlist? 

Glass Cowboy - FEASTS

Skin – Egyptian Blue

BLACK DOG / WHITE HORSE - BIG SPECIAL

Running – Fat Dog

Ramen for 2 – Theo Sayers

Spa – Anna Erhard

Dig me – Gabby Rivers

Sign off

I don’t know if learned too much about Bag of Cans’ approach to recording or performing but I did learn that I love them even more. Thank you so much to Bag of Cans. If you’re local, do consider their New Year’s Eve Party, which will be incredible. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with a couple of my favourite songs, below.