Munch Munch

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Munch Munch will be playing Saturday on The Last.FM/Presents Stage

After being cherry picked to appear alongside the likes of Franz Ferdinand, TV on the Radio, Grizzly Bear and Liars on David Shrigley LP “Worried Noodles”, Munch Munch return with a new release. On the 26th November ‘Weddings’, together with B sides ‘Endophlins’ and ‘Wet Nightmare’ will be released on seven inch through Tomlab, home of musical experimentalists Final Fantasy and The Books.

The A side, ‘Wedding’, blends together the quirky sounds of Of Montreal and the Mystery Jets and is a raucous DIY number which defines Munch Munch’s sound. First B-side ‘Endolphins’ follows:- starting with jingle synths it progress into more complex sounds before moving into the realms of charming pop ditty. Like Architecture in Helsinki, Munch Munch also manage to add an element of funk to proceedings. ‘Wet Nightmare’, the final track on the 7”, comes on like a Christmas carol on speed, grabbing you by the jugular before tumbling into a crescendo of artificial gusto.

The core members of Munch Munch are Thomas and Richard who met in 2005, and instantly bonded over a love of Maple Pecan Crunch cereal and a shared appreciation of the Lighthouse Family. Accepting the unresolved musical tension between them early on however, they scrapped their intended direction (starting a Lighthouse Family covers band) and set about writing some of their own songs.

They now record in their bedrooms, channelling all kinds of influences into epic pop explosions. As musically informed by Robert Wyatt as they are by J Dilla and Madlib, their eclectic approach to song-writing is filtered through a DIY recording ethic comparable to Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective and Gang Gang Dance. This is evident in the prominent synths, abstract lyrics, unpredictable structures and ecstatic playfulness within their songs.

Live they are joined by their friends Jack and Sarah who bringing a Man Man style party vibe to their performances. Gigs tend to involve frenzied instrument swapping and juggling of keyboards, two drum kits, glockenspiels, xylophones, melodica, and anything else that happens to be at hand. Bands such as Arcade Fire, Make Say Think and The Mae Shi are brought to mind. Unlike these bands Munch Munch are not afraid to make the most of their penchant for pop.