Who are you and where do you originate from?

We are called the Bleedin’ Noses. The name came from a song off a famous band’s album we won’t tell you who it is, work it out for yourself.

We are a six-piece band – Darren Lewis on drums and vocals, Lenny Molyneux on bass and vocals, Paul Julian on guitar and vocals, Kevin Meyrick on guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica, Olly Ashton on guitar, banjo, mandolin and lead vocals and Petr Novak on keyboards and accordian.

Most of us reside in the area of Blackwood, and our keyboard player came all the way from Prague, via Cardiff.

He answered an advert: “Keyboard player wanted must have a great sense of humour and be able to play keyboards he passed with flying colours.”

How did you get interested in music?

This all started as a music project, a bunch of lads getting together to put some ideas in a musical pot to see what we could cook up, the musical ideas then started evolving into a recording project. Now it has become a working band, with an awesome ever evolving fan base. We believe the key ingredients to a successful band is a strong belief in our musical content, abilities and foremost in each other.

How would you describe your style of music?

We have so many story’s to tell there’s no need to play other people’s music but our own. The songs we write have a true and heartfelt story behind them and the music takes you on a journey. Hopefully leaving you with the same feelings we had when we were writing it, some songs are sad, some happy some you can relate with straight away, almost feel like the song is about you.

Some people say we sound like a vicious skiffle band or country-punk apparently.

We believe there are two sides to a coin – we have banjos, mandelins, a harp, double bass, accordian and drums but then we also have electric guitars, an electric bass, keyboards and full on drums, not to mention some great vocal harmonies to help take you through the songs.

What’s your best live experience so far?

We would have to say our album launch at our local music venue, it was to a sell out crowd of loyal fans some travelling from all over the country to share our special night.

Unfortunately we had to turn some people away, we were so overwhelmed by everyone’s help and support. It was truly a night we will remember for a long time.

I suppose another highlight was playing on the main stage at the Greenman festival, alongside the likes of Fleet Foxes, Avett Brothers and Noah And The Whale. Playing at Glastonbury for its 40th anniversary was also a dream come true for us..

As well as watching the legend that is Stevie Wonder – it really was special.

What are your plans for the next few months?

We are in the process of contacting a few recording studios and producers at the moment we’re looking to record our second album soon, we’d like to give it a live feel that seems to capture our sound at its best. But yet again the right producer could take us to the next level and give us the sound that we are looking for. We can’t wait for this new album, it has a
different feel, but the same vibe.

Keep in touch with The Bleedin’ Noses online:

  • thebleedinnoses.com

Catch Them Live in September:

  • 1st : Stroud Fringe Fest @ the Prince Albert
  • 14th: Newbridge Hotel
  • 26th: The Globe, Cardiff
  • 28th: Full Moon, Cardiff