Achers, a do-it-yourself (DIY) quartet with roots in the stylistically variegated subcultures of post-hardcore, noise rock, and ’90s emo, formed to play at the First Timers Festival, a unique space that celebrates each band’s inaugural set.Two of the band’s founding members, Pat and Sabrina, already had a musical rapport from their days in a prior project. They soon found their missing pieces—Pavel on guitar, discovered online, and Ilia on dr ums. The chemistry was instant, a volatile yet harmonious reaction that would define their unique soundscape.
One listen to their demo, and it’s palpable that Achers are children of divergent legacies. Their music evokes the anguished restlessness of Unwound, the Revolution Summer movement in Washington D.C., and San Diego’s Drive Like Jehu and Heroin. But they also nod towards their British heritage, incorporating echoes of UK post punk legends like Gang of Four, Wire, and Magazine. It’s as if each strum of the guitar and pound of the drum speaks in the accented tongues of their varied influences.
[UPDATE, September 22nd] Now available on your preferred streaming platforms, and impeccably timed for Bandcamp Friday, we present the inaugural single/demo from Achers.
The band members themselves wear multiple hats, musically speaking. Sabrina, the bassist, moonlights in the recently reformed ’80s post-punk pre-goth band Wasted Youth. Pavel has a solo electronic endeavor called Frailtynine, and both projects have been on the road recently. This duality enriches Achers’ work, lending an edge of genre fluidity that elevates them above any singular musical identity.
The band has opted for an ‘Albini style’ live recording, capturing the essence of their shared rehearsal space—a ‘cupboard’ in Cable Street, East London. The two-track demo, slated for release on October 6th, includes two songs that orbit around the theme of confronting and transcending anxiety.
“Go In” throws the listener into an emotional maelstrom, encouraging them to face life’s uncertainties head-on. “Asahi Bear,” on the other hand, advocates for personal accountability and continuous learning as pathways out of mental turmoil.
“Both ‘Go In‘ and ‘Asahi Bear‘ aim at helping you out of your anxiety—whether it’s by seizing the reins of your life or holding yourself accountable.”
In a conscious effort to support the underground music ecosystem, Achers have joined us to spotlight eight under-the-radar bands from London—a testament to their commitment to a scene that thrives on collective growth.
Check it out below.
Ritual Error
Throw some Kirsch, DLJ,Ten Grand into a blender and you might get Ritual Error. They quite literally wear their influences (or you can) with merch based on the Ebullition and Dischord influences, so you know what you’re getting.
tethered
Driving punk/emo/hardcore with fierce vocals that takes Rev Summer influence but also reminiscent of the best emo/hardcore of the early 00s. Will add some fuck you swagger in your step.
The Silence
Brooding Post Punk grooves. If you like The Sound’s ‘From the Lion’s Mouth’ with a bit of Indie influence too you’ll enjoy The Silence. No pun intended.
Gorgers
Post Punk, Indie again but more Gang of Four than gothy and a bit sunnier in their music. Danceable, piss taking, class politics and parklife observations.
55 Deltic
Slowcore vibes in the vein of Codeine, but they also don’t mind going from glacial to.. midtempo, or Duster Style perhaps. It’s lovely music for an early morning walk or late commute home.
Gross Misconduct
70’s Punk vibes, ala X-Ray Spex with a tinge of 80’s goth about em.
Liquid Shit
With a name like that you know it’s going to be something gnarly. Sludge with hardcore inspo. Think Melvins, My War Blag Flag, and as they call it ‘Sonic Misery’. Good shit.
Shake Chain
How to describe this lot? Post Punk sure, but the vocals are so brilliantly apeshit you forget The Fall or The Birthday Party (sometimes Enablers) because you could only be listening to Shake Chain. Unpredictable and quality.
