In conversation with Fuzz Lightyear's frontman and guitarist, Ben Parry, along with bassist Varun Govil, about their EP ‘Zero Guilt,’ it's evident they long to return to their rightful place – playing loudly on a stage too small to accommodate the four-member band.
This latest project, however, was developed without the interaction and feedback from an audience. Most tracks were composed during the lockdown in 2020, which they believe gives ‘Zero Guilt’ a sense of being a time capsule—capturing their final attempt to present themselves as a traditional guitar band. Now, their sound incorporates more electronic and industrial elements, with Alex Calder joining them to contribute synths.
The band began in 2018 as a trio at Leeds Conservatoire, consisting of Ben, Varun, and Josh Taylor, their drummer. Prior to the lockdown, they shared a nine-bedroom house with various other DIY bands in the city and spent significant time during the lockdown watching live sessions and rehearsing in their individual rooms.
‘Zero Guilt’ delves into themes like incubation, isolation, and, more concretely, the 1966 Aberfan disaster in Wales, where a waste tip collapsed, claiming the lives of 144 villagers—mostly children. As a Welshman, Ben felt it was crucial to explore this history. This project is unflinching and honest.
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What does your music-making process entail?
Ben: A lot of the components we create happen on the spot and tend to stick. We typically invest more time refining the structures and determining whether a section is necessary, essentially cutting away the excess.
Varun: The writing of ‘White and Green’, the EP’s opening track, involved many revisions. However, many of the songs come from instinct – laying down the essence and meaning of the song – then we spend considerable time fine-tuning. We aim for a solid live take to capture that energy, and after that, we explore how experimental we can get, pushing certain elements. Once we’re holding guitars or drumsticks, we’re eager to dive in and create.
Do you view Fuzz as a band designed for live performances? Is that aspect more significant than releasing albums?
Varun: We appreciate both equally, but live performance is our true home. When we write songs, if they don’t sound good live, we feel it’s not worth pursuing.
Ben: Live music is a more effective medium. Digital or physical formats impose limitations: there's a cap on volume, frequency response, and emotional engagement. People react much more intensely at shows than when listening through headphones, as your body has an innate, emotional reaction. This feeling is irreplaceable; witnessing that emotional response shows you’re moving in the right direction.
How do you connect your band name to your music? The name seems so laid-back, while your music is heavy and gritty.
Ben: For some time, I probably disliked the name, but we started as a garage rock band, which felt more casual. Nowadays, I think of bands like Ringo Deathstarr that strike a balance between being playful and serious. When you hear ‘Fuzz Lightyear,’ you envision a loud band, and that’s ultimately what we are.
What influences were you sharing during the EP's creation, and what inspires you now?
Ben: We were immersed in some crowd rock and noise rock. It was a period when post-punk was incredibly popular – bands like Squid were everywhere.
Living with several musicians from the Leeds scene meant we had a vibrant environment that encouraged constant creativity. Our excitement often stemmed from witnessing a friend unveil a new song, realizing it was phenomenal, and feeling motivated to elevate our own work.
Varun: Some enduring influences from the beginning to now include Gilla Band, Show Me The Body, and Sonic Youth. These three have remained constants because they offer a diverse range of sounds, presenting something new to explore.
Is it a natural evolution to transition from guitar-based sound to a more electronic style?
Virun: Yes, I believe it reflects the times. Nowadays, there’s a greater focus on club culture. Living in a big city where nightlife thrives exposes you to innovative music, from mind-bending dance tracks to the sheer thrill of being out at three in the morning.
Ben: Part of us will always embrace being a loud rock band; we love cranking the volume and experimenting with new pedals. However, digitally manipulating sound opens up many more possibilities. At some point, there’s a ceiling—the amplifier can only be so loud, and guitars can generate only a limited range of sounds. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a year, we find ourselves revisiting punk music.
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My favorite song from the EP is ‘Aberfan’; I was unaware of its specifics until I researched it afterward. What inspired that track?
Ben: During the lockdown, I had ample time to delve into Welsh history, exploring
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In a conversation with Ben Parry, the frontman and guitarist of Fuzz Lightyear, along with bassist Varun Govil about their EP 'Zero Guilt', it's evident that they are eager to return.