By Lewis MacLean.
The Molotovs are a trio of young musicians who are a new and fast rising band. The name was familiar to me before the Isle of Wight Festival but after seeing a recommendation from The Libertines’ Pete Doherty describing them as ‘F-ing Ace’, I was keen to catch them live at the Isle of Wight earlier this month.
They look good on stage. They sound good on stage. They will sit well with any fans of The Jam, The Who and David Bowie as they enthusiastically pay homage (in both music and fashion). You would be forgiven for seeing similarities with the Jam on stage, particularly when you observe the way Matt ducks and dives like a young Paul Weller.
Yet The Molotovs have their own style and their own songs that project all the excitement, dreams and frustration of being young and heading out into the world to make your own name. My particular favourite is ‘More, More, More,’described by Matt as being about ‘how people should appreciate the good in their relationships and value what they have.’
I had a chance to catch up with The Molotovs after their Isle of Wight set: Matt . . or Matthew? (he doesn’t seem fussed) singer/songwriter on guitar, Issey on bass and vocals and Ice on drums.
Matt cites the band’s influences as The Kinks, Specials, The Jam, The Small Faces, Oasis, Pulp, Sports Team and Libertines.
In some ways to me, the band captures that 1960/70s spirit and actually dress the part too; Matt looking a bit like Sting from Quadrophenia and Issey looking somewhat like Twiggy in a retro 60s style chic outfit. Ice has a bit of a Karen Carpenter vibe.
Though Matt has an admission: “ “I’ve never watched Quadrophenia!”
Issey chips in: That’s a disgrace!”
Matt says he has been meaning to and all agree that he definitely should.
So if they could meet any famous musician, alive or dead, who would it be?
Matt plumps for Steve Marriott (of Small Faces) before adding “I can still meet Paul Weller, we met him but I didn’t really appreciate it and I was only young, . . and the photo I took of him, I was pulling a face so…”
Ice pauses: “Um. I would probably say A.G. Cook, I love what he’s done. He does pop music, but he took it really far. I love what he’s done with his label.”
“I would say Pete Doherty,” adds Issey. “I’ve been fortunate enough to meet him, supporting the Libertines but everyone has their band and the Libertines were the band that got me into music. So probably, just to have a full on chat with him, a dream come true.”
Ice adds some drummers who she finds inspirational. “I love Stella Mozgawa from Warpaint, she’s amazing,” she says. “She’s got such a good feel. She technical but not technical in a showy way, that like, ruins a piece. I love Louise Bartle, she’s the Bloc Party drummer; She’s absolutely amazing . . . and . . I would say, Antonio Sanchez. (American-Mexican Jazz drummer).”
The band perform acovers but with their own spin on them. They have the instruments, the sounds and the talent. Individually, they are all great musicians. One thing that separates them from most bands who play covers – in my opinion – is that they have an understanding of the music you play and what it was trying to achieve.
Matt is quick to add: “We also write our own songs.”
They explain later that they only throw a few covers when necessary, to extend a set of their own songs.
We briefly discussed the legend that Pete Townshend once met the Sex Pistols in a pub and claimed that the Punk rebellion came from a lack of musical legacy left for the next generation. (The inspiration behind their song ; Who Are You?) .
So what motivates The Molotovs when they play live? Anger? Frustration?
“Well, the fact that there’s no bands coming forward, there’s no new Oasis,” says Matt.
“Oasis were the biggest band in the world. There’s nothing like that now, there’s no biggest band in the world, it’s just, it’s so diverse (the music industry), there nothing to cling onto, there no community, there no… everyone enjoys one band, nothing like that . so I suppose we are striving for that, y’know, you can’t dismiss what come before, we like past acts but we want to do it in our own way. .. be part of the future.”
This sentiment can be seen in their song’ Wasted on Youth.’
On motivation, Issey reflects: “I think, bringing young people back into venues, back into rock music, because I think, it’s so lost now. It’s all reunion acts nowadays and it’s so expensive. Also a lot of people can’t get to these venues, it’s so age restricted. We started our own ‘all ages’ music night in Wimbledon and we do that every month. So I think that’s one step towards.”
Ice adds: “I just love playing music in itself, so the opportunity to share it is a bonus, but I think even if it I wasn’t in this band, I would still be doing music, whatever, y’know. So really I am just very grateful to have this opportunity to share it.”
Matt and Issey are sibling and Ice was in a band with Issey before The Molotovs were formed, in June 2020.
“Originally it was just as school mates,” says Issey. “We didn’t really know each other back then, it was just stuff between mates in a band together. Then, when that band split up, we joined this one, The Molotovs, and went from there. I mean, I’m self-taught , we just sort of learnt by gigging lots.”
So were The Molotovs all gigging musicians before this band?
“Er, well Issey was, and I suppose I was,” says Matt. “I was busking loads with one of my mates, that’s when I started playing live, really.”
“I was more into the Jazz scene, doing lots of music theatre and stuff,” adds Ice.
The band have some impressive gigs under their belts.
“We played Cardiff castle last night. .supporting Blondie,” says Matt. “The week before we played Kettering music festival, main stage. . . We’ve played 100 club. We played Kentish Town Forum; we’ve played . . .”
“Hope and Anchor!” chimes in Issay.
“Guildford City Hall . .so we’ve played a lot of good venues for a band,” continues Matt, adding that they’ve played more than 300 gigs, including, of course the Isle of Wight Festival.
And The Molotovs are racking up plenty more dates this summer. It’s a great chance to catch them at a more intimate venue before they permanently graduate to bigger stages.
Check out their Facebook page for upcoming dates.
The Molotovs play The Library in Wimbledon Hill Road tonight (June 30). Their regular ‘Youth Explosion’ gig that they host every month with an all ages welcome philosophy.
Dates for July:
July 13th
The Water Rats, Kings Cross, London, supporting Jo-Jo & the Teeth
July 15th
BBSC, Braintree
July 22nd
Malle Mile Festival, Grimsthorpe Castle
July 28th
Youth Explosion, The Library, Wimbledon
July 30th
High Tide Festival, Twickenham
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Read about The Molotovs and more in our Isle of Wight Festival review: