W: Zac Lewis
If you don’t know, get to know, CARSICK. One of the most raucous live bands in the UK right now. Channelling colossus yet charming guitar riffs, basslines and witty lyrics. A four-piece hailing from Salisbury that are already making waves across the South West, the UK and Europe.
Over the past few years, they have garnered a reputation for their boisterous, humorous and exhilarating live shows. I sat down with Jack Richardson (lead guitarist) and Tom Armstrong (drummer) just days after releasing their latest EP, Tough Luck. Jack’s brother Joe Richardson (lead singer) and Jack Hardiman (bassist) were on holiday at the time of the interview.
The lads ironically popped up on Facetime in the garden of their local pub. CARSICK’s music revolves heavily around the complexities and simplicities of British pub culture so to see the pair with a pint in front of each of them was only fitting. When asked why their music has this recurring theme. They explained that song ideas often come from events on nights out and their day-to-day life.
Jack said, “where there is fuck all else other than pubs, you’ll always see the negative sides, every single night, you’ll always see something bad”. Tom continued this sentiment by saying, “everyone can relate to nights where they have run into one guy or girl or anyone that is just horrible”. The boys themselves have been in sticky situations over the years with both brothers, Jack and Joe having found themselves on Pub Watch much earlier on in their lives. One of the singles on their new EP is titled ‘Pub Watch’.
When asked about the intention of their music, the boys explained that they want their music to be fun and enjoyable and they want their live sets to be a safe space for people to let go.
In the midst of great political turmoil, music has become a loud voice for the voiceless, the boys spoke about where their music falls. Tom said “I think we want people to enjoy the music and have fun, you can forget about all the bad shit that is going on and go and enjoy it”. Jack added, “I don’t think we would be any good at writing political music”.
Instead, the band offers a much needed light-hearted, humorous and playful energy which oozes through the screen as I speak to them, cracking jokes left, right and centre. When asked about how they have developed such a high energy stage presence, Tom immediately lifts up his half empty beer glass and proclaims, “the answer my friend”.
A bands success in 2025 can often be put down to virality and social media. When asked about whether this is frustrating or difficult, the boys had a mixed response. Jack explained that they had been to see a few ‘TikTok bands’ live and because these acts haven’t had the time to put the work in, they simply weren’t very good. “I don’t feel frustrated because… any small little victory, we have earnt. It’s not like we’ve just gone viral, we’ve been doing it for fucking ages.”
They did also recognise that TikTok and social media can be a brilliant way to reach a wider audience and grow your band but Tom admitted “we hate doing TikToks, they're horrible”.
They spoke about the hardships of funding a band, particularly at the beginning of their career. Jack said “we were funding the tour out of our own pockets, everything we have to pay for, we were like, what the fuck are we doing? We were basically burning money.” The love for performing kept the fire burning as Jack followed up by saying, “but then we would get on stage, and even if there’s 10 people, we have fun.” When asked what was motivating them, Tom responded “free beer”.
The boys have now got to a point where the band is self-sufficient, and they no longer have to be concerned about going on tour. Their current state puts into perspective the heights British bands must reach to do this dream career for a living. Tom said, “I want to be able to say my job is something I love, that’s the goal.”
CARSICK currently have over 30k monthly listeners on Spotify and are playing headline tours and festivals across Europe yet are still on the brink of being able to quit their day jobs. The success of their new EP as well as an exciting year makes this goal very achievable.
Tough Luck is out now and CARSICK are playing their biggest show yet at the Dome in London on November 21st. Be there or be square.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carsickofficial/