Leah Massey (Pest Control)

Summary

HardLore: Stories from Tour – Episode Featuring Leah Massey (Pest Control)
Release Date: November 27, 2024

---

Introduction

In this electrifying episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders welcome Leah Massey, the dynamic vocalist of the burgeoning UK hardcore band Pest Control. The episode delves deep into Leah's journey within the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes, offering listeners an intimate look into the chaotic and exhilarating life of touring in these vibrant music genres.

---

Early Inspirations and Entry into Hardcore

Leah Massey opens up about her initial inspirations and how she found her footing within the hardcore scene. Contrary to many female musicians who cite seeing other women as their primary inspiration, Leah shares a unique perspective:

"I was inspired watching guys do it... As soon as I got comfortable in hardcore, I was quite confident in taking up my space within the scenes." (00:08)

Leah emphasizes her confidence in booking shows and being involved in various aspects of the scene, highlighting her proactive approach to carving out a space for herself in a predominantly male-dominated environment.

---

Band Evolution and Achievements

Pest Control has rapidly ascended the ranks of the UK hardcore scene, with notable achievements that Leah is immensely proud of. A significant highlight discussed in the episode is their feature on the cover of Kerrang magazine:

"It's just like the contrast of our day-to-day life in the band and being on Kerrang is interesting. But yeah, love it. Really happy that it happened." (04:21)

This milestone not only marks a major accomplishment for the band but also underscores their growing influence and recognition within the larger music community.

Leah also touches upon the challenges of getting the perfect shot for the Kerrang feature, sharing a humorous yet frustrating experience with the magazine's handling of their photo:

"They somehow got a version of the photo that wasn't high quality. So I was stressing out because I was like, the photo was not the right one." (05:23)

---

Touring Experiences: UK vs. Mainland Europe

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Leah's touring experiences. She reflects on the differences between touring within the UK and mainland Europe, offering insights into the evolving hardcore scene:

"The demographic of people who go to shows in Leeds is so different now... more people who are non-male and younger." (21:16)

Leah contrasts this with earlier days when she was among the younger attendees herself, highlighting the scene's shift towards a more inclusive and youthful audience. She also discusses the logistical challenges of touring, such as coordinating schedules and dealing with time zone differences.

When comparing the UK's limited culinary options during tours to the diverse offerings in mainland Europe, Leah expresses a preference for the latter:

"I prefer the UK just because give me, like, a Tesco in Stoke." (86:11)

However, she acknowledges the unique experiences and memories that come with touring in diverse locations, even if it sometimes means settling for less ideal food options like jambon sandwiches in Spain.

---

Musical Influences and Creative Process

Leah delves into the musical influences that shape Pest Control's sound. She cites bands like Crumb Suckers, Title Fight, Basement, and Testament as pivotal in their musical development:

"Title Fight and Basement... Outbreak made that kind of click for you?" (14:07)

She elaborates on how their demo was a collaborative effort, with Joe Williams contributing an extensive collection of riffs and Ben Adrama fine-tuning song structures. This collaborative spirit is a cornerstone of their creative process, enabling them to blend elements of punk, hardcore, and thrash seamlessly.

Leah also highlights the addition of a second guitarist, Joe Williams, bringing more depth and complexity to their music:

"We've got second guitar, which is Joe Williams, who plays in Big Cheese as well. It brought more of that hardcore side." (45:01)

This strategic move enhances their live performances, adding layers that increase the band's overall "moshability" and stage presence.

---

Personal Anecdotes and Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Leah shares several personal stories that offer a glimpse into the life of touring musicians:

1. Winning a Thousand Pounds at Bingo:

   "I was sitting with my mom and grandma, and I played bingo for the first time. I didn't even mark the numbers, and suddenly, I won a thousand pounds in cash!" (68:13)

   This unexpected win not only provided a financial boost but also became a memorable story that highlights the unpredictability of life on the road.

2. Ghostly Encounters:

   "I live near a big abbey from Henry VII and there are lots of ghost stories around. Once, a fork I placed in the middle of the room mysteriously appeared under the bed." (99:09)

   Leah recounts a chilling experience that deepened her belief in the supernatural, adding an eerie layer to her personal narrative.

3. Early Band Days and Challenges: Leah discusses her journey through various bands before settling into Pest Control, including Cheap Surgery and Implement. She reflects on the evolution of her musical style and the challenges of being a female vocalist in a male-dominated scene.

---

Future Plans and Upcoming Tours

Looking ahead, Pest Control is gearing up for an extensive tour with the renowned hardcore band Harm's Way. Leah expresses excitement and apprehension about venturing into the US, balancing the prospects of international exposure with the challenges of long-distance touring.

"We have a busy year coming up... I'm going to take it as it comes." (95:25)

Leah also touches upon their plans for future releases, emphasizing a balanced approach to creativity without succumbing to burnout:

"Next year is looking quite busy... making sure that it's still something without burning out." (55:00)

---

Final Thoughts and Advice

In her closing remarks, Leah stresses the importance of supporting local music scenes, especially in the UK. She advocates for attending local shows and fostering community support to ensure the growth and sustainability of the hardcore scene.

"Anyone in the UK who only goes to shows that American bands come over and play... support your scene and you see it working." (117:42)

Leah's passionate appeal serves as a rallying cry for fans and musicians alike to invest in and nurture their local music communities.

---

Conclusion

This episode of HardLore: Stories from Tour offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Leah Massey's journey with Pest Control. From her early inspirations and the band's rapid rise within the UK hardcore scene to personal stories that humanize the often tumultuous life of touring musicians, Leah provides a multifaceted narrative that resonates with both hardcore enthusiasts and general music fans. Her insights into the evolving dynamics of the scene, coupled with anecdotes that range from humorous to haunting, make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of hardcore music and the lives of those who create it.

---

Notable Quotes:

1. "I was inspired watching guys do it... As soon as I got comfortable in hardcore, I was quite confident in taking up my space within the scenes." – Leah Massey (00:08)

2. "It's just like the contrast of our day-to-day life in the band and being on Kerrang is interesting. But yeah, love it. Really happy that it happened." – Leah Massey (04:21)

3. "The demographic of people who go to shows in Leeds is so different now... more people who are non-male and younger." – Leah Massey (21:16)

4. "I was sitting with my mom and grandma, and I played bingo for the first time. I didn't even mark the numbers, and suddenly, I won a thousand pounds in cash!" – Leah Massey (68:13)

5. "Anyone in the UK who only goes to shows that American bands come over and play... support your scene and you see it working." – Leah Massey (117:42)

---

Listen to the full episode to immerse yourself in Leah Massey's captivating stories and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to thrive in the hardcore music scene.

Transcript

[Colin]

Subscribe to the all new Hard Lore Patreon now for early ad, free access to every episode and an exclusive episode every month.

[Leah Massey]

In the time that I was going and I was inspired, like I just felt that way watching guys do it. I was like, oh, they're doing that. Like, I, I didn't necessarily like, need to see a woman. Like, obviously I am inspired by women doing it, but I felt like I. As soon as I got in and like got comfortable in hardcore, I was quite confident in taking up my space within the scenes. Whether that be like wanting to book shows or wanting to just be involved in any.

[Colin]

Hello, welcome. It's Hard Lore time. How are you, Beau?

[Beau]

I'm doing very well. It's so early.

[Colin]

This is the earliest maybe we've ever done an episode. For a very important reason though, today we're on gmt. That's what it's called, right? We're on gmt. She's not for a very. For a very important reason, very special reason, because we have a very special guest. She is the singer of what I can only describe as the UK's next big thing, the Brock Lesnar of new UK hardcore bands. Well, she is also the Kerrang cover star this month.

[Beau]

Oh, wow.

[Colin]

Please welcome from Pest control, the vocalist Leah Massey.

[Leah Massey]

Hello. Thank you so much for having me.

[Colin]

Thank you for being here.

[Beau]

I was trying to think this morning. Have we had anyone else from overseas before?

[Colin]

Chubby and Jimmy?

[Beau]

No, no, no, but I mean, but I mean virtually.

[Colin]

Zuma, Zuma.

[Beau]

That's right. Okay. Yeah, that was another one which they're.

[Colin]

50 hours ahead, so that's it. All evened out. This is, this is an interesting one for Bo. Bo and I both are still waking, rubbing the crust out of our eyes here. And Leah, I just want to apologize in advance. If I do the accent, it's pretty much involuntary. Like if I slip into British.

[Beau]

Yeah, it's pure respect though. It's pure love.

[Colin]

It's 100% out of respect. Is. It's. It's a defense mechanism. It's not an offense mechanism.

[Beau]

It's inequality on our part.

[Leah Massey]

What's the, what's the flavor of British though? Would you go like London or Northern?

[Beau]

You're. You're northern, right?

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

Usually like Americans go London or like straight away. So I think I'm yet to hear.

[Colin]

Or a very embellished combination of. Combination of the two. You know, one of those.

[Beau]

But what's ruined. What's ruined that ambiguity is like Game of Thrones, cuz they're All. It's all northern and so that all.

[Colin]

Can'T help but do this.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

So that, that one, the Scouse, I think is my favorite.

[Leah Massey]

Yes. I cannot do a Scouse to save my life. But I do like it. But I cannot do it. I can't do any accent, to be honest.

[Beau]

You can't do American.

[Leah Massey]

You can't do American.

[Beau]

There we go.

[Colin]

That was pretty good.

[Beau]

That was great.

[Colin]

It's funny that you said that instead of hamburger and French fries like everybody else. That does it. Hamburger and French fries.

[Leah Massey]

Phone call and response might go. Might go a bit better.

[Colin]

That was good. Yeah. So I. Again, I apologize if I become British at any point. Tell me about. Let's go right off the rip here. You're on the COVID of Kerrang this month. How cool is that? As a Brit.

[Beau]

Yeah, right?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, yeah. Kind of like unbelievable. But it was one of these things that when something gets mentioned, but it gets mentioned like weeks or sometimes months in advance and it's like an idea that's come about a few times but it's not actually happened yet. And then sometimes when it comes around to it you're like, oh, this actually did just happen then. And it's a bit of a moment to like take it in and actually realize what happened because I was full on like Quran kid, like posters all over my bedroom.

[Beau]

Awesome.

[Leah Massey]

So to be honest, yeah, it's massive achievement. And it's just like feels a bit insane because we're like, we're on the front cover of Qurang this week but we practice above a garage in Armley which is like quite a not very nice part of Leeds where I'm from. So just like the contrast of like our day to day life in the band. But then also being on Qurang is interesting. But yeah, love it. Really happy that it happened.

[Beau]

Did you do a photo shoot for the COVID like weeks ago and it just.

[Leah Massey]

We didn't do it weeks ago. It came up. So. So the idea of us doing the COVID shoot came up a couple of weeks ago, but the person who was trying to arrange it for us kept getting told that it would happen on X date and then it didn't happen or. And so we were kind of thinking about when we could possibly fit in because pest control are completely on different schedules all the time and trying to get like even an hour or two to take photos. Sometimes it's like the hardest thing to plant.

[Colin]

Pests don't rest, you know?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. So we were kind of waiting to hear on that and then we managed to make it work in such an insane timescale where we had a Tuesday morning free and that's all we had up until like about 1pm on a Tuesday morning. And it just so happened that the photographer that we went to go use also just had that time of time free in, like the next couple of weeks. So it all worked out really well. Yeah. So was pleased with the results of it and everything, but it just was like. It's just one of those things because I feel like part of being a band is accepting that sometimes you're going to get things that come your way that don't necessarily happen constantly, all the time. Yeah. So I feel like it was just maybe one of those things where I was just like, is this actually going to happen? And then the turnover was like, okay, we've taken the photos and now it's going to be on for next week. So it was like that turnover. So, wow. It's quite a lot to digest. And then when it actually got put on their Instagram, they somehow got a version of the photo that wasn't high quality. So I was like. I was trying to enjoy the moment that, like, oh, yes, we're in Kerrang. Amazing. But then I was like, stressing out because I was like, the photo was not the right one. So I was like emailing people, messaging, Karang, like, trying to get it. Trying to get it fixed. And then they didn't reply to like 6 hours later and then deleted it and replied.

[Colin]

But I was like, that's brutal. That intern just downloaded the wrong jpeg.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

But still, I mean, it's a huge accomplishment as any man, not just a British band. That's a. That's a huge thing. I don't think I've ever been mentioned in Karang, so I. Congrats. It's huge. Metal Hammer, also called pest control the UK's most exciting band right now.

[Beau]

Really?

[Colin]

So you guys are. You guys are doing it. I think the proof that Pest control is doing well would be me being able to Google pest control leads and not having a bunch of exterminators come up as the top results. Like, pest control leads. A band comes up first. Somebody with rats is furious.

[Beau]

What the fuck is this?

[Leah Massey]

That was good get. We get tagged in, like, loads of actual, like, exterminating reals on Instagram. Like, people like Pest Control Solutions will tag us. And I'm like, are they using a song or something? Like, over. But it's just like they tag loads of pest control companies. So we do get that and we do actually get, like, random messages for Instagram for people asking genuinely for pest control. Like, have you. Have you had one look at, like, our page?

[Colin]

Or you guys are tapped into the pest control, the greater pest control community.

[Beau]

If the ban doesn't work out, which I think the band's going to work out, but if it doesn't, you got the Instagram, you got to fall back. You know what's funny is, and I haven't thought about this, so Harm's way, it's the same for us. Harm's way is just a phrase that's used all the time. So if you search, especially on like, Twitter without. If you don't search the tag, you just search harm's way, you'll get like Bible shit and like. Like war shit, political stuff, whatever. Pest control is going to be the same. But I would imagine twitching tongs, God's hate.

[Colin]

No, the best one is dead fucking body.

[Beau]

No one's dead body.

[Colin]

No, it's high school athletes tagging people that they've, like, tackled as dead fucking body and they like, we repost every time. So now there's this whole database of high school athletes that love tagging at dead fucking body. It'll be like, you should make that.

[Beau]

Like a highlight on the Instagram page so that they're all dead fucking money. Yeah, that's awesome.

[Leah Massey]

I always find that with, like, suicidal tendencies as well. Well, if you search that up, it will come up with literal helpline numbers and it's like, yeah, yeah, that makes so much sense.

[Beau]

Oh, yeah. If you. If you. Something happened with Instagram, not to derail, but if you search harms. If you type in harm for harm's way in Instagram, it'll pop up with like a. Do you need help? Are you okay? Before you finish it, it's crazy.

[Colin]

Super helpful to bands trying to exist. So, Leah, let's go back in time. Tell me about your. Are you from Leeds originally?

[Leah Massey]

Yes, I am born and raised in Leeds. I am one of maybe a couple of people in the whole of Leeds hardcore scene who's actually from Leeds.

[Colin]

So you're OG Leads?

[Leah Massey]

I'm OG Leeds, yeah. Same area of Leads and everything. So, yeah.

[Beau]

Beautiful.

[Colin]

So tell me about growing up in Leeds, discovering hardcore and metal and like the bands and tours that kind of molded you and. And raised you and. And made you feel like, yeah, this is. This is what I need to be doing.

[Leah Massey]

I say, like, as I said, I grew up like, basically just like an emo. Like a Qurang emo. So I was into Like Fall Out Boy, Paramore, like, all these, like, bands that. Who were, like, big on karang at the time. And then as I started going through school, I started getting a bit into, like, more metal core. And I think this was, like, mainly influenced through. I had a friend who had an older sister who I thought was really cool, and she was just going to like, metal core gigs all the time. So, like, anything that she was interested in, I was like, oh, maybe I'm also interested in this. But.

[Colin]

And what are some bands from that world that. That clicked with you? Because that's kind of. It's like, foreign to Beau and I, so we would love to learn.

[Leah Massey]

But even. Even to me now, like, the bands that I went to go see at that time, it would be. I would see a band on a lineup for a gig, and I would pay to go to this venue in Leeds called the Cockpit, and I would go see the band. But I might not actually know anything about that band prior to going into it. That's okay. Some other ones I can remember are like, Bury Tomorrow, which I. Are a UK band, I believe. So you guys may not have any idea who they are, but, like, not huge.

[Beau]

Huge in Chicago. Buried them.

[Colin]

Very popular in Chaboy.

[Leah Massey]

Apart apart from that, like, I kind of got more into, like, emo stuff as well. Okay.

[Colin]

I heard that you have a very expansive knowledge of Fall Out Boy lyrics and lyrics in general, very expensive. I heard that you are a. A die hard lyric memorizer.

[Leah Massey]

That is true. I don't know how you heard that, but that is actually very true.

[Beau]

Live, prepare yourself for this. Colin.

[Colin]

He's.

[Beau]

He's the. He's the Spider. He's the Master of whispers. I'm all Game of Thrones, I guess, but he. He has, like, figured out this thing. So he knows some stuff.

[Leah Massey]

Okay.

[Beau]

He said, I'm. I'm along for the ride.

[Leah Massey]

The lyric thing is like, I don't know. I've just got something in my brain, like, any. Like, even when I was younger, lyrics would always just stick to me the most about anything to do with music. And it'd be the thing that I remember the most. Or. Which is kind of like a blessing and a curse, because when you've just got, like, you wake up with a certain song in your head and you're singing, like, the lamest song that you could possibly imagine. And you know it word for word. It's like, I don't actually listen to this as often as it seems I do, but I don't know why my Brain just does work in that way. Which really is it.

[Colin]

Is it just like, you'll hear a complimentary set of phrases and be like, oh, that's fun. Or you're really, like, latching on to the meaning of what they're saying?

[Leah Massey]

A bit of both, I think. Like, sometimes, like, it really depends on the context of the song and whether or not I think that there might be something a bit more behind the lyrics, I guess.

[Colin]

Nice.

[Leah Massey]

Or if it's just a case of where, like, it's catchy and it's in my head and my brain kind of can, like, especially if it's like a pop song, my brain just will know what's going to come next because obviously they've rhymed this with this, basically. So, yeah, it's kind of like a. Almost like guessing, but then what's going to come next, but then having an idea because you've heard it before and it's stuck in your head and.

[Beau]

Is Fall Out Boy a particular specialty of yours?

[Leah Massey]

Fall Out Boy is. I'm not sure. I'd say, like, lyric wise. I'd say, take this to your grave. Yes, I could do. I could do that lyric wise, I reckon. I reckon. Yeah. Maybe. Actually, maybe not give myself as much credit, but I could probably do a lot of Fall Out Boy lyrics. Yeah.

[Colin]

Beautiful. We're Fall Out Boy guys here on Hard Lore, so we. No judgment here. We're all in. Yes. So when. When does hardcore come into play here?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Beau]

How do you go from metalcore to.

[Colin]

Emo to what's the band? What's like the singular band that gets you there and who, like, who are the. The people in the community that. That guided you there?

[Leah Massey]

So I would say for me it would be probably bands like Title Fight and Basement, because I think one of the earliest hardcore shows I went to would have been Basement with a band called Breaking Point from the uk. Breaking Point, yes.

[Beau]

From. Hold on, they were Straight Edge band. Louis, right? Yeah. I have a shirt somewhere. Yeah, One.

[Leah Massey]

I saw them. So, like, seeing more. It was more so, like seeing hardcore bands play with bands like Basement, Title Fight or like these emo bands that were like, hardcore adjacent and then getting into it from that. So, like, remember seeing Title fight in either 2012 or 2013, and they were touring with Dead and Path at the time and that was so these kind of shows. And then I got more into, like, I would say the more accessible hardcore bands at that time. So like Turnstile, Backtrack, Whole World, and they were all playing Outbreak that, like, second like, the year after, basically. So I went to go out to Outbreak, saw, like, loads of other bands, realized that there was, like a big UK scene within this as well, and. Wow.

[Colin]

So Outbreak made that kind of click for you?

[Leah Massey]

I would say so, yeah. So between. It was a toss up, really, between, like, Outbreak and the venue, Temple of Boom at the time, which great name. Yeah, yeah.

[Beau]

Well, I was just gonna. I was gonna ask about that. I was almost sure it was gonna come up, but how are you? I just heard that they're officially closing.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. It is like, a massive loss. Like, if Boom hadn't been there for the past couple of years, I don't know what hardcore in Leeds would look like without that venue. So. Although it is kind of positive because apparently they're looking at somewhere new and it's a decent venue and they can take. But it's like all the memories. So when I first started going to Boom, it was literally insulated with flannel shirts in the roof. Like, there was. It was so, like, so far away from, like, pro venues. And that's what I loved. Like, just went there and instantly felt like this was like a space for me and I was quite happy. Again, like, similar to what I did. Going to, like, a different venue in Leeds, which also closed down the Cockpit.

[Colin]

We've all got one that tragically leaves us too early and that, like, the horrible aspects of it are we hold so near and dear to our. Like the Cobalt Cafe here that closed.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

The walls were carpeted and would sweat. There was moisture locked in in a way where if moisture reactivated, the whole room sweated or sweated.

[Beau]

The acoustics at the Fireside, which is a bowling alley, weren't great. And the bathroom, like, the smell. Yeah. And then the. The bathroom. The smell in the bathroom was crazy. We played a really early Outbreak when it was still in Leeds, and Breaking Point played and Dead and Path also played.

[Leah Massey]

Interesting.

[Colin]

It might have been around that they.

[Beau]

Were on the tour with. It was. It was. We were on tour with Brutality Will Prevail, Dead Empath and Us was the Euro tour that we were on. Okay, so it's 2011, I think.

[Leah Massey]

Okay. Yeah. I think that might have been like a year earlier than when I first went to Outbreak. So just.

[Beau]

Just.

[Leah Massey]

Mr. Just missed.

[Colin]

So I do think your trajectory, Leah, is a. Is like a testament to mixed bills.

[Beau]

Totally.

[Colin]

We got to keep mixing these bills because you. She goes to see any metalcore band and title fights there. She goes to see Basements there and Dead End Path is there. Keep this Keep. We gotta keep this going, y'all. We can. We're changing lives here.

[Beau]

Well, a. A testament. Another testament to that is the tour that she and I have coming up with Basement and Knocked Loose and our vans.

[Colin]

Yeah. That's insane.

[Beau]

That's a pretty. Is that full circle for you, touring with Basement? Are you, like, friends with them or is this.

[Leah Massey]

I'm not. I'm not particularly friends with. I don't know any of them, really, apart from James, the drummer, because he drums in Dynamite as well. Like, Straight Edge Band, London. Are they Straight Edge? They might not be Straight Edge. I think I'm just taking.

[Colin]

I. Let's. I mean, if they're British, I wouldn't think so, but I can only. I can only hope so, you know, hopefully we still got one.

[Leah Massey]

I honestly, I'm sorry to tell you, I don't think they are. I think they're youth crew. And so in my head, I'm like, you've proved Straight Edge. But no, they're not.

[Colin]

Oh, it's. That is cultural youth group. That isn't. Straight Edge is cultural appropriation fury. So around this time when you're young and discovering hardcore and Leeds, is this around the time when your grandma Helen would ride around in a tank around town?

[Leah Massey]

Oh, do you know this?

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

No, I was. I wish. That would have been way cooler if I was, like, old enough to actually understand what was going on. By the time I was, like, I was in primary school, Grandma Helen's gonna be absolutely buzzing. She's had a shout out on this podcast. So. Thank you.

[Colin]

Helen's down. She's. Is she with the core?

[Leah Massey]

She's down with the core, yeah. She watches my stats. She watches, like, everything that I do on YouTube. And she always spells YouTube like u, the letter U tube. Separately as well. So that's.

[Colin]

So you C, H, U B.

[Beau]

Tell it. Well, tell her after this is done that at about 20 minutes in is when she comes up.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

Okay.

[Beau]

Now, describe this tank to me. Tell me what. What are we talking here?

[Colin]

Which war?

[Leah Massey]

The tank. All I remember is I didn't have a door on it. Like, it had no door. It was straight open.

[Beau]

Yeah, It's a house.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. My grandma was riding around streets in kirks or where I've lived, and I still kind of live near that now. And I went to school and I told people that this had happened, and not a soul believed me. No one was like, no, that is absolutely not true.

[Beau]

I kind of don't.

[Leah Massey]

I took. I've got photos. I do have Photos. And the act took a photo and I was like, check this out. And that's the truth. You're the real.

[Colin]

The real Tank girl.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I was beautiful.

[Beau]

How did Grandma Helen, like, get a tank? You guys have to have licenses for your tv. She can just get a tank.

[Leah Massey]

She could just get a Tank. Yeah, she. Her husband, I don't know, he was a very strange man and he was just really into, like army and military. So, you know, you go about, you go around and they have like toys that you click a button on and it's like an army marching toy and things like that. So.

[Colin]

Yeah, that's fun.

[Beau]

That's incredible.

[Colin]

All right, sorry. Sorry to derail with the tank. So hardcore in Leeds, how is it compared now to when you were young?

[Leah Massey]

I was. I was actually reflecting on this the other day and like, just the demographic of people who go to shows in Leeds is so different. When I started going to hardcore shows, you could probably count the amount of women on, like, one hand. And now you can see so many people who are non male just like at gigs and taking up space and being there and playing in bands a lot more frequently. So. So that's the main change that I've noticed in terms of the crowds. And a lot of. I'm gonna say a lot of younger people are coming now, but I guess at the time I was the younger person, so.

[Colin]

Yeah, but you might have been in the minority as a younger person. Whereas now there was a period in hardcore where the average age of a new showgoer was like 25. Yes, those were the dark times to me. I think it's always gonna be for the youth. So when it starts to skew younger is when things are going well.

[Beau]

But what's interesting is, is there. And meaning no offense by this, it's just the nature of how stuff goes. They're always like a few years behind over there.

[Colin]

The uk?

[Beau]

Yeah, well, just in. On the other Europe and the uk. Well, Europe, especially the UK is a.

[Colin]

Little closer to behind just what the status quo or the norm or just. Or just what we're used to as.

[Beau]

We'Re seeing Drain and Tsunami play. Sure. Basically arenas.

[Colin]

But then at the same time, you have Outbreak that is doing 10,000 and now this year, 30,000 people in London.

[Beau]

But what I'm saying is, to a vast amount of young people at those shows. I was at Outbreak the last. This most recent year, last year or earlier in this year, Jesus Christ time. And there were young people, but it wasn't like young, young people.

[Colin]

Yeah. But there's a difference between Outbreak and the local scenes.

[Beau]

This. This is exactly my point is. Is seeing how there's going to be.

[Leah Massey]

I.

[Beau]

My prediction, Boastradamus prediction is that in. In the UK in the next couple years, I would be interested to see if we're not seeing really young people coming around, you know, as. As it was 20 years ago for us, you know, it's just like, it's. It's an interesting, an interesting thing with.

[Leah Massey]

With what you said about America, like us being a bit behind. Like, that is true, because I remember at the time when I was looking to more like, women in bands, there was a lot more women in America doing bands and playing hardcore shows than there were in the uk. And it took a while for that to kind of catch up in and there'd be more women doing shows and stuff. And it felt like maybe it was like, inspired by the amount of girls doing it in the uk, in America. And I'm not too sure, or they just. Sometimes it just takes something to see and be like, oh, I. I can do that too. And I didn't realize at first, but actually I can do this as much as this person can. So it might be like, how that works. People just see stuff. But I guess especially more with like, obviously back then, like Instagram, I don't know if it was. I can't remember if it will have been a thing, but it wouldn't have been as big in terms of, like, story sharing and things like that. But now you're constantly, like, tuned in to everyone else's scene. Like, if you meet people from all across the world and you follow them or, you know, of people that you see everything a lot more now, which I think is interesting. And I don't know if that will have an effect on things happening a bit quicker because you can see 100% earlier on.

[Colin]

It's, it's. There's. There's a pro. The pros and cons to all that of just, you know, people recreating what they're seeing. But also it's inspiration. It's beautiful.

[Beau]

I had a question. If there were any particular. If were there any particular women in general who you had noticed that stand out to you as like, oh, she can do that.

[Colin]

Yeah. Did you have that moment essentially that you're describing of like, oh, she can do it. I can do it too.

[Leah Massey]

I didn't really, like, in the time that I was going and I was inspired, I just felt that way watching guys do it. I was like, oh, they're doing that. Like, I didn't necessarily need to. To see a woman. Like, obviously I am inspired by women doing it, but I felt like I. Well, as soon as I got in and, like, got comfortable in hardcore, I was quite confident in taking up my space within the scenes, whether that be, like, wanting to book shows or wanting to just be involved in any way. So I was like. I remember when I kind of was, like, toying with the idea of, like, wanting to start a band. So me and I think four other girls was like, oh, yeah, we can start a band. And we. We started, like, writing lyrics, but I don't think anyone could play an instrument. Like, no one could play an instrument. And we had a name, was going to call it Crossfire, like, Marauder Song. I was like, we can do this. And, like, we had literally everything else, but the like means to be able to play anything or do anything or record anything. But we had the vibes and we wanted to make it happen.

[Beau]

So that's the most punk thing ever, I think.

[Colin]

I mean, now Crossfire seems possible. Yeah, Your world is opening up.

[Beau]

We'll sign it.

[Colin]

You've got five singers ready to go.

[Beau]

Yeah, yeah, we got it.

[Colin]

So does. Since Crossfire didn't pan out, what. Was there a band before Pest Control that you sang for or played in?

[Leah Massey]

I did two bands before Pest Control. So I started doing a band in 2017 called Cheap Surgery. That band was by that time, so I. I was still into hardcore, but I was really, like, in, like, the punk scene a bit more at that specific time, so. And that was mainly because, like, there was actually a lot more women playing in bands. And, like, I know you see, like, how compound can you see it as, like, one scene, but in the uk there was quite, like, different scenes in different venues. You should go to see, like, bands and things like that, so. And it got to a point where, like, in hardcore there was do you know, still, like, shitty things happening with guys or, like, the way that they were treating me or, like, some of the things. Comments and things that got made and I just, like, got a bit sick of it and I was like, moved over. Like, again, it was still interconnected. I'm still within this scene, but I moved over more to that because I was like, there's way more, like, women and, like, in this scene that I feel like I can be more comfortable. So the band Cheap Surgery kind of came on the back of that and it is hung kind of like in, like, a bit like, exit order with loads of, like, delay Vocal vibe. Cool. I listen back and I absolutely cringe and I hate it now.

[Beau]

Well, that's natural. That's only natural.

[Colin]

That's what we do now. Let me ask you something about the. The men or people in the community that were kind of down on you in that time or made you feel like you needed to find another community. Have they ever been on the COVID of Crying?

[Leah Massey]

No, not.

[Beau]

Okay.

[Colin]

Much to think about.

[Beau]

So Cheap Surgery. And what was the other. The other band?

[Leah Massey]

The other band was a band called Implement. Like Weapon Tour. Like, yeah. And that was kind of like metal punk. So that was going more towards the direction that was. Three out of four of us went on to do pest control after that.

[Colin]

Oh, okay.

[Beau]

Pest control. Thrash as the tag is. Right. So that's.

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Beau]

I was wondering where this, where it originated. So this, this is all tying together.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. So it kind of like got more into that. We didn't start Implement with the idea that it would be like a metal punk band. It was just mainly going to be like a how called punk band.

[Colin]

Cool.

[Leah Massey]

But it ended up having some bits that were a bit more metallic. And Joe Kerry, who's our guitarist, he was playing bass at the time because he randomly had like a chapter of his life where he was like, I'm no longer playing guitar. And he just kind of like hung it up and was like, that's me done and I'm only playing bass now.

[Colin]

I mean, I get it, it's the best. But I've heard this man's riffs and that would be a crime if. If we never got there.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I. I don't know. Like I'm not actually. I probably have spoke to him about this, but my memory is like Goldfish memory. I like go straight away. So I probably have spoke to him. I know the reason. And I don't know whether it was like a perfectionist thing because Joe with guitar is very like, he loves guitar is his world. He is a guitar tech, He's a guitar teacher, he plays guitar in a band. He does everything guitar related. So I don't know if it was like a. Like he felt that way about guitars and it was getting too much and he felt like he was putting too much pressure. So he was like bass. And if I'm completely getting this wrong and he listens to this back, he's going to be like you, Leah.

[Colin]

I mean that's. I like your version. If anything, it's really funny. It's funnier than the truth probably. So we're gonna go with that.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, let's go with that.

[Colin]

Just got too close to guitar. I needed. I needed some space.

[Beau]

I needed space.

[Leah Massey]

That's how it goes down in my head.

[Colin]

I like that. Before we get into pest control, Leah, I know you are an avid watcher of reality tv. Are there any shows in particular that you like?

[Leah Massey]

Oh, yes. Yeah. This is my topic of conversation. I have just finished Married at First Sight in the UK version.

[Colin]

Sounds insane. Married at First Sight?

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Colin]

Brutal. So literally, it's exactly what it sounds like.

[Leah Massey]

I'm assuming exactly what it sounds like. They meet on their wedding day, they get married, they see the person for the first time on their wedding day, then they go on a honeymoon, then they live together for like six weeks, and then they decide whether they actually fully want to get married to this person.

[Colin]

Now, are these like cultural marriages or is this like, hey, we're going on this UK reality show to get married at first sight and see if it works?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, it's. It's probably just people who've like, maybe applied for any other reality TV show or any of the chance of fame and this is like the last option for them. So, like, yeah, I'll marry, Marry somebody so I can get on TV for a bit of time. But what you doing, what you doing.

[Beau]

Is all I imagine.

[Colin]

Are there any Married at First Sights that have worked out?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, yeah, I think. I don't know. I can't think of a single one where I'm like, I don't. I mean, I don't fall, I don't like, follow it up after it happens. Like, it happens, I'm there and I watch it. But I'm never like that. Like, maybe for like a day or two after I'll be like, oh, I wonder what's going on. Because sometimes they can't, like, share anything online until, like, the reunion shows happen. Already had, like loads of changes or whatever. Right. But, yeah, so I've just finished that and also Big Brother. Do you guys know?

[Colin]

Okay, so I worked for Big Brother US for like five seasons, six seasons.

[Leah Massey]

I had no idea that existed.

[Colin]

Oh, yeah. Canada is apparently the best one from what I've heard. Like, Big Brother Canada, I guess is the goat. But I know Big Brother UK is much more popular than us. That's a great show. I could say off for off the air. I can tell you what. I can answer any question you got.

[Beau]

The only, the only British rally show I have any idea about is the Only Way is Essex, which is like. Is that like a classic one or is that like Old is that old hat.

[Leah Massey]

That's old for me because I only used to watch it when I was in like high school maybe. But now it's still running at the moment because I saw it when I was flicking through finding my reality TV show of choice the other day. But it's still, it's still going.

[Beau]

Have you ever seen any of that, Colin?

[Colin]

No, I'm. You haven't seen Naked Attraction?

[Leah Massey]

Is that me? To me, me.

[Colin]

Oh, I know you have, Leah.

[Beau]

No, I don't. I don't watch. I. I detest reality tv.

[Colin]

Naked Attraction is probably the craziest thing I've ever seen.

[Beau]

Explain it to me.

[Colin]

Because you're scrolling through network tv.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And then you see balls, but Shaft, boob.

[Beau]

Everything Full nudity.

[Colin]

Full everything. Dude, they're sick over there. There's. They show it all. They're sick.

[Beau]

I'm eating me fish and chips and.

[Colin]

Straight up, dude, I'm having a mince pie. Me mince. Me favorite mince. A saucy on the side maybe. And then this fucking ball comes up. No, tell me about Naked Attraction. Is this a show you like?

[Leah Massey]

It's not a show that I watch a lot, but I've always found the concept like absolutely wild and it's insane.

[Beau]

Yeah, it's perverted.

[Leah Massey]

It's on like big time, like TV channel as well. I think it's on channel four. So it's like. And it's not even probably on at a time that like your kids have gone to bed. Like, the kids are probably.

[Beau]

It is.

[Colin]

No, it's on it. 15, 30. Those people are sick.

[Beau]

Yeah. That's really crazy. But the only way is Essex is basically Jersey Shore there. It's like kind of that, like club going, bottle popping crowd. Nice and then. But the funny thing about it though is, is like now let me, let me ask you something, Leah. How do you feel about the idea that more of these, less of the, like game show type ones, but more of ones, like the only ways Essex and stuff like that are like heavily scripted, if not heavily outlined? How does it sit with you?

[Leah Massey]

I'm like on the side of. If it's entertaining to me, I don't really care. Fair enough.

[Beau]

Hey, we're wrestling fans, so what can I say?

[Colin]

Okay, I can, I can give you some insight into that. I worked in this world.

[Beau]

You worked on a very. But you worked on a more game showy one.

[Colin]

No, but that's. No, no. Big Brother is drama, drama, drama.

[Beau]

I know, I know, I know. But it's based around it's based around something that has to. That it's based around something. Whereas, like, Real World or the Only Way Is Essex, and like, all these older ones are.

[Colin]

So what happens is, though, they're. They're real, but it'll be a producer being like, and how did you feel about what you just did? You know? And then they go, okay, well, how could you phrase that a little differently?

[Beau]

What was the one where it was like, it was either the Hills or Laguna. It was one of the ones where it, like, on the last episode, it was like. And cut. And it, like.

[Colin]

I think that was the Hills.

[Beau]

The Hills. And, like, it showed the crew and people. I remember I was in high school. I remember people were like, what? And it's like, yeah, dude, it's.

[Colin]

All great stuff.

[Beau]

It's entertainment, you know?

[Colin]

Yeah, yeah. Big fan. Okay, let's talk about pest control now.

[Beau]

So how did. Yeah, how did. Hold on. Implement lead to pest control?

[Leah Massey]

So implement just kind of like, fizzled out. At the pandemic, we had, like, a Euro tour booked. And I remember, like, the. The group chat was like, up until, like, all these cases were getting announced. And, like, in Europe, it was in Italy mostly, where, yeah, it got, like, the quarantine and everything happened first. And that was the first place we were meant to go on the tour. Perfect. I was in a group chat with obviously, like, a bunch of guys, and I was like, not to be this person, but it really doesn't look like this tour is happening. And everyone was like, nah, it's fine. Like, we can just. We can just go and just see what the promoter says. And I was like, it doesn't work like that. I was like, obviously, like, I haven't done a pandemic either, but I. I can see that it's clearly not going to happen in the way that we can just rock up, get on the flight fine. And then just be like, oh, hey, like, what's happening with COVID here? I was like, the show will be canceled. And, like, loads of bands who were touring around that same time were having shows canceled. So it was, like, really obvious. So I just put that. And then after that, it was kind of like the band was fizzling out anyway just because we kind of had, like, different ideas. And me, Ben and Joe just really like the idea of doing, like, crossover thrash. And it was like, why not? Why not do this? So Joe got his guitar off his wall, wrote, yes.

[Beau]

Isildur's went to the shards at Narsil.

[Colin]

Yeah. It was like him looking at the Back the Batsuit in the Cave, putting it back on.

[Beau]

Ironically, this tour that we're about to do with Knock Loose, you and I, is the makeup tour for the tour that got canceled with Knock Loose because of COVID Wow.

[Leah Massey]

Okay.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Beautiful. So Pest Control starts and puts out a demo in 2020. Because your other band's tour was canceled because of COVID Yeah. I mean, maybe not as simple, but that's the trajectory. Whereas I thought in my mind, I see Pest Control puts out a demo in 2020, and I'm like, ah, that sucks for them. But in reality, it was, like, kind of by design.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, it was kind of like we had a lot of time. So at the time, I was living with Ben, the drummer of Pest Control and Implement, and we just had, obviously, loads of time to, like, write and think about, like, maybe what we wanted to do. And Joe was the same. So Ben and Joe were just sending demos to each other of song ideas, and we. Obviously, we couldn't practice. We couldn't do anything. So everything was recorded, like, separately and. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So obviously we couldn't do any shows. We put it out and was like, do people like this? We won't have any idea until we get to play a show. Really? Like, so. Yeah, that was pretty much how it all came about and just went. Went from there.

[Colin]

Yeah. I mean, I. And, you know, I'm glad you stuck with it, because these things do take time. I feel like. I think we'll get into, like, the new scp, kind of. We'll go gradually throughout the discography. But I do think you've, like, you've all figured it out now.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And, like, seeing Crumb Suckers mentioned as an influence to me is like, whenever. When I see that, I take that with the biggest grain of salt you've ever seen. Like a. Like, the biggest salt ever. But I can hear it in Pest Control, which is like a miracle to me. I think even Crumb Suckers would be like, how the fuck? How did you find us? Even though the word Crumb Suckers sounds like Charles Dickens wrote it to be, like, a slur against poor people.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

I don't know that anybody I've ever even or even the band Crumb Suckers has heard Crumb Suckers said in a British accent. So it's amazing that not only they made it there, but that you've successfully pulled off one of my favorite bands as an influence. You. My first note when listening to the demo is that you don't sound like a local band. If that makes sense.

[Beau]

Interesting.

[Colin]

It's like, damn, this is straight up good, right off the rip. And I love when I can feel that and listen to a new band and be like, this is gonna do well.

[Beau]

Interesting.

[Colin]

So how much time was spent on the demo and how conscious was the thought of the like crossover vibe? Cause I know there's still a lot of like Boston hardcore type stuff in there too. It's a really cool blend of a lot of things I like. Tell me about putting the demo together. How long it took. Did you immediately start working with Ola and quality control?

[Leah Massey]

Not immediately. We did the demo self released and that was recorded by Ben Adrama. He records everything that we do. He mixes and masters everything that we do, apart from Don't Test the Pest that was mastered by Alpharesk. But everything else he. The demo just came about quite quickly I think because we all knew what we kind of wanted to go for. Like we knew we wanted like. Yeah, like crumb suckers, musical waste, like all these. And like the blending pot of bands that people in pest control like, like works really well. So we've got some bits that are a bit more like punky, a bit more hardcore, some bits that are a bit more like thrash on the side of like Joe loves like Testament and bands like that. So yeah, it was like. And then, yeah, bands like Crums, because I love like Ludicrous and like that kind of style of like crossover. So. And then obviously at the time it was just the three of us and then we've got Jack who joined us shortly after that. So Jack was. He's a good friend of ours. He's always been a good friend and he was in a death metal band with Ben and Joe at the same time called Mortuary Spawn. And he was living in London at the time, but he moved to Leeds. So it was like, great, you're the basis of Pest Control now.

[Colin]

I love it. How jealous is Joe that he gets.

[Leah Massey]

To play bass these days? I probably think he couldn't care less.

[Beau]

Did you say Mortuary Spawn?

[Leah Massey]

Mortuary Spawn.

[Colin]

It's a sick ass name.

[Beau]

Well, it was Mortuary Spawn and I was like respawn. I was like decoding what that was.

[Colin]

Yeah, it's a more interesting.

[Beau]

Yeah. I would love to via you jump into the brain of Joe on where he's getting some of these riffs, some of these like especially later on in the discography, some of the like tricks.

[Colin]

He'S doing and stuff that I'm telling you, Bo, that's all Crumb Suckers.

[Beau]

Well, but, dude, no, there's. I know some Crumb suckers and there's stuff that I know isn't Crumb Suckers where he's like. He's hitting a harmonic and tapping the trem bar and it's making up crazy. Like, just stuff that's like. Well, I. I don't know.

[Colin]

The only contemporary band doing things like that is New World man and Dead Body.

[Beau]

I mean, truly. Yeah. So it's beautiful.

[Colin]

It's a beautiful community.

[Beau]

Do you have any idea where he's pulling some of his guitar influences from? Like, direct riff? You mentioned Testament and more of the thrash stuff, but I'm wondering if there's anything else.

[Leah Massey]

Pantera, Metallica. Like, yeah, he. Joe is like a genius music wise, like, riff writing wise. But also there's a lot of bits that other people do to condense what he writes. Sometimes be like. Sometimes like, Joe's like in Google Drive and he's like, I've just uploaded 25000 riffs to the drive. And then like, Ben's quite good at like, putting bits of songs together and like thinking what might work from one song to another and like actually constructing a song where the producer is the Bob Rock.

[Beau]

Ben Rock.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. So I think, like, it is like a. Like, it's a combination of everyone's efforts in terms of, like, putting together the songs that work. But in terms of Joe's guitar, he's just insane on guitar. And I said, I've literally said to them from just watching Hard Law that when you guys meet on this tour, I think you'll click.

[Beau]

So, yeah, I'm excited to watch. To like, literally watch him play because there's a lot of stuff he does that or. I'm listening. I was like, the.

[Leah Massey]

Is this guy.

[Colin]

Yeah, I'm all in. I mean, that was. We. We were told about Pest control while we were at Outbreak last year and I think you and I met and. And it was like she sings in Pest Control. So I made sure I watched Pest Control. And the first, like, the first thing that stands out is what this motherfucker's doing riff wise. It's beautiful stuff.

[Beau]

Are you a four piece? Is he still the only guitar player?

[Leah Massey]

No, we've got second guitar, which. Who is Joe Williams, who plays in Big Cheese as well. Okay, awesome. So that's. That was like a really, like, interesting addition because it brought more of that hardcore side. So I think, like the most. Obviously we'll go. We'll go on to hear of the past, but with Year of the past. You can see how it's like the influences through having another guitarist on it has like fine tuned it and like condensed it to I think more like what we actually want to go for and what we want to sound like.

[Colin]

So there's a certain moshability that has been achieved now which is important for live.

[Beau]

Think about it, Joe. Joe A can solo while Joe B is playing the pit rib, you know, so it really does. It does make sense.

[Colin]

It adds great stuff. You really did it. And now how. When are you first touring? How far along into this journey?

[Leah Massey]

Our first tour was probably a Euro run that we did with a band called the Scene, who are like.

[Beau]

Yeah, yeah, they've.

[Leah Massey]

I think they've played. They've played maybe like United Blood and I don't know if it was.

[Colin]

They've been here a few times.

[Beau]

Are they.

[Colin]

Yeah, they like kind of cross over in a way that a lot. A lot of European bands don't.

[Beau]

Where are they from? That does.

[Leah Massey]

Helsinki. Finland.

[Beau]

That's right. Finland. I think. I think we've actually played with them or in. In Finland. Yeah. Awesome. Cool.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. How was that? Yeah, it was great. They took us out on our first Euro run and I think we did like a couple of headline just DIY shows like in the midst of that. But the whole tour was obviously like diy. It was no, like big shows were both like at the time, but like smaller bands that would just play like maybe like 200 capacity venues or whatever in Europe. But it's really fun like playing with those guys. They're great people. We're actually playing their 15th birthday party in January in Finland, so. Oh, that's our. Yeah, it's going to be absolutely freezing. So.

[Colin]

So that first tour with Foreseen, is your. Is that all your first experience as a. As a musician in mainland Europe?

[Leah Massey]

No. Is it as in like with the only band we've done it with with Pest Control? Yeah, no, we're Todd. We've all been in like bands before and Todd in Europe. So even with the first one that I did, Cheap Surgery, we went.

[Colin]

So Cheap Surgery got around.

[Leah Massey]

It did get around. Yeah.

[Beau]

We did pre Brexit, dude. It was easy. They could go. Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

And then obviously like Ben was. Had been in a grindcore band called the Goober.

[Colin]

I would hope so.

[Beau]

Yeah, yeah, there's. Yeah, yeah, right.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Because, God, like, you know, we may have. Hardcore is maybe this uniquely American thing. Grindcore. Thank you. Thank you to. To the King and the Queen, whatever. Whoever made this possible.

[Beau]

It's Birmingham. Is whoever Birmingham.

[Colin]

Thank you for. For Ryan Core. So on. So how do. How do you like touring in the mainland versus the uk? And is it difficult for you now to leave behind your two cats, Echo and Luna?

[Leah Massey]

Yes, literally. I was. I was thinking this earlier. I was like, if. If it gets brought up about what I. What is most difficult about going on tour or being away? It's being away from my cat, Seko and Luna. So. Yeah.

[Beau]

Do you have house housemates to take care of them?

[Leah Massey]

I live with my partner, so. But he sometimes is away at the same time because he plays in a band called Stiff Meds and he's sometimes away when I'm away. So. Yeah, I just feel a bit bad when I have to leave them in that case. But. But they do get looked after, so it's fine. But I just feel like. Because, like, with anyone else that you're leaving at home or whatever when you go away. And to be honest, I've not toured for, like, a massive duration of time. Like, the longest that I've been away for was three weeks, and that was in the uk. Okay, but. So it's like, just because, like, obviously, like friends and things like that, if you miss them, you can just send them a text. But like, your animals, you're like, what are they doing? What are they thinking?

[Colin]

Can you imagine texting a pet?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Beau]

I would be like, food, food, where's the food? Food?

[Colin]

But I would have no problem. I would get that and be like, that's so cute. He starts, she's starving.

[Beau]

Well, the good thing is they don't. The cats. I also have two cats, so I have to leave and I have to have someone come to take care of if my girlfriend doesn't take care of them. But they don't know. They never remember they're, oh, you're back. Can we. They don't know. Fine, it's fine.

[Colin]

But that's. That's different for me, you know? Yeah, but you love me for real.

[Beau]

I. I know they do, but they. Yeah, I know.

[Colin]

They don't know if I'm gone for five minutes, they think I'm dead, you know, And I. And it makes me feel bad as well. So are there any tales from those tours that come to mind or. Or special memories or specific instances that have stuck with you?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, like one of my first. Like, obviously, this was my first ever Euro tour that I did when it was a cheap surgery and we rocked up to the venue and it was like rural Slovenia and the venue was literally a shipping Container in the middle of nowhere, like, literally. And that's where you played. That's where you slept. There was no toilet. There was literally no toilet. So the next morning, leaving that space was, like, gross. To put it not explicitly.

[Beau]

Oh, my God.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. Yes.

[Colin]

So to put it explicitly.

[Leah Massey]

Poop.

[Colin]

Everywhere.

[Leah Massey]

Everywhere. Human poop. Literally everywhere. Holy.

[Beau]

Literally. Just don't. Oh, my God. I don't get it.

[Leah Massey]

I don't get it. Everything about that show was just so strange. Like our driver and our friend Baron, who was filling in with us at that time, he had somehow managed to steal a. From a service station, a bottle of wine that was shaped like an AK47.

[Beau]

Oh, sure, sure. Classic.

[Leah Massey]

So during the set, we was all like, oh, we can drink this massive, like, wine bottle shaped like a gun. And they had a tradition that whenever you go play, it was called a Contechna was the venue. Whenever you play that, they lift up everyone's the contagion. I think it's still going. I. I like the page of it on Facebook for some reason. And I see that you still have gigs going on.

[Colin]

There was a Paris venue that was a boat for a while.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And it was called On a Boat.

[Beau]

We're playing on a boat.

[Colin]

That reminds me. That's got. That gives big contentioner vibes.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Beau]

I wonder. You think they got toilets? I wonder how much a Porta Potty is.

[Leah Massey]

Probably not that much, but these guys were like. I don't even know how people came to that show because it felt like we were like, literally in like the woodland. Like, there was nothing about. We were like ages away from the town. And to be fair, it was a container. So Even if, like 10 people came to the show, it was packed.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Beau]

Yeah. Ask a Slovenian punk. Jesus.

[Colin]

Ask a dock worker where the show is. So do you. Do you immediately start writing an LP after the demo because you had a couple singles that were like, demos for the lp kind of, or singles for the LP is. Are you. Do you immediately go into it like, all right, we're going LP1.

[Leah Massey]

No, we. We didn't really have a plan. Like, I think the thing about post control is we never have a plan. We don't do anything until, like, we don't really, like, think ahead of, like, we're going to do this here and this is going to be the release date. We just go with what we're doing. And, like, if we're practicing and a song feels good, we're like, oh, maybe we should get that. Or this would work with this song. So Straight after the demo, we just did two other songs like Rat Race and Infestation, which I think was just because we were, like, just playing, like, local shows at that time. We just thought, let's get some more music out. And that was it. There was no more thought behind it.

[Colin]

I love how hard you stick to the pest theme.

[Beau]

Yeah, you're so clever.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. I literally. It gave me so many ideas of being able to write lyrics. And the song the Pest Control was actually a song before. It was the band name as well, which was literally because me and Ben had fleas in the house at the time. Get rid of them. Yeah. So, yeah, that's how the name Pest Control came about. And after the two songs we did, that's when we thought, right, okay, we can do an LP now. But even still, it wasn't planned. Like, we weren't like, we'll do, like, a set amount of songs or we'll have it out by this day. Or, like, it wasn't that we was already working with, like, Ola or Quality Control and being like, oh, we'll have it out.

[Colin]

Oh, interesting.

[Leah Massey]

We just. We just started writing songs and just kind of, like, worked on it. And then it came up eventually with Ola to put out on Quality Control and was like, yeah, we can make that work. And similar to how this EP came about, really, with Triple B.

[Colin]

Right.

[Leah Massey]

It was just like. Just like we were just kind of going with the flow, which we tend to do a lot of the time. It's like, we did, like, obviously now we do have a bit more honors that we have to plan and prepare. And, like, I should think more about.

[Colin]

Like, if you got a team and agents, do you guys have a manager?

[Leah Massey]

Yes, we have a manager.

[Colin]

Nice.

[Beau]

Who's doing all your. All your Spotify stuff. All the syncing and all the links and stuff.

[Colin]

All your shows are there, your merch is there. I don't know how to do any of that.

[Leah Massey]

We do that. We just do that all ourselves.

[Beau]

Well done. It looks really very pro. Very good.

[Leah Massey]

I. Sometimes I look at other people, so. And I'm like, this looks amazing and ours doesn't look as good. And I don't know how you've done this. And, like, do you know, with bands that have, like, members created playlists and things like that, I'm like, yeah, yeah. But, yeah, so, like, we. The planet, like, yeah, we do need to plan a bit more now because, like, next year is looking quite busy for us. And it's like, if we don't start thinking about when we want to start writing then LP2 may just not happen for a while, but we obviously want to make it happen. So it's about balancing that without burning out or anything like that and. But making sure that it's still something. I think that comes like naturally to us. I don't think anyone in the band is like people who like the idea of feeling forced into writing or doing anything music, it has to just be like, you feel that way so you're gonna. You're just gonna do it. And that's how it works out.

[Colin]

Totally. Yeah. And I mean that's the way to do it is the bet the best ideas come to you that you, you. You can't seek them. So three years into the band's career, you put out an LP that summer you get asked to play Outbreak. Was that your first. Did you play 2022 or it was 2023 your first time?

[Leah Massey]

We played 2022 on the. Oh, that's awesome stage. So because we. We got a message from someone at Outbreak basically asking if Implement wanted to play like after, during the. During the. Like, I think this might have been before or like at the time we were still working on it or I can't really remember what it was, but we got a message asking if Implement wanted to play Outbreak. And we was like, oh no. But we've got this newbound actually pest control. Like I can send you the demo. It might actually go down a bit better than Implement would at Outbreak. Right. Didn't hear anything back for a bit. Sent them demo. I was like, they absolutely hate this. That's great. And we're never going to play Outbreak now. And then they asked us to play. So we played on the second stage at Bowler's Exhibition center. So the same place it was this year. This year, this year. And yeah, that was like one of the gigs where I was like, holy, this is great. Like people have not even like been a band for that long and people seem to know and are responding well and people who maybe didn't even know the songs like enjoyed the set. So that was like quite a big moment for us to play that show and be like, oh, that was actually a lot better than. I think we anticipated it in our head at the time. Just thought that we'd go on and we'd just be like, oh, like no one really. No one's really bothered about watching us or no one like knows us at this point. So I'm full of self doubt all the time, obviously. So I think that about like Any gig ever.

[Colin]

Self doubt's good.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

When things are. Things rock, you're like, I didn't. I doubted that that was going to be good. And it was really good. And it's nice and surprising.

[Beau]

Sure.

[Colin]

So that's. That's really. I feel like for somebody who grew up in Leeds and you went to Outbreak and it kind of helped shape you as a. As a musician and as a fan, that's a really special thing to get to do. That was where Beau and I first heard you. So there's a lot of full circle stuff with Outbreak. And I do think lately there haven't been a ton of British bands on the festival at all. Which. Which, you know, that happens. You know.

[Beau]

Yeah, of course.

[Colin]

So for you guys to be amongst that short list of British bands on there two years in a row and then did you just play the, like, October mini version? And then to do that, then it's like they. They. Outbreak as a unit seems to really believe in pest control, which is. Which is huge for a growing band. Oh, fuck. What was that like playing the second year and then how was the thing last month?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, so my first experience playing Outbreak, I played with Cheap Surgery, my first ever band, but that was when it was at Canal mills in like 2018 as well, so.

[Colin]

But I think that's the one I played.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, Switching Tongues played that one.

[Colin]

Okay. That was awesome.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, that was. So that was my first time playing it. But that went down like an absolute lead balloon because it just wasn't the band to be playing at Outbreak. And I knew it going into it, so I didn't expect anything. The show that we did last year, Outbreak was it last year. Like, what year are we in? Yeah. So when we played like the main stage for the first time, that felt crazy because we opened it. So we were playing at 1pm, so we had to be there super early to like, sound check and do everything else. And we started playing like. And they're like, obviously really struck with the timers Outbreak, that you need to start at one. But they have obviously that like gate through the mosh. For the mosh bit. Yeah, around.

[Colin]

We didn't like that, but. Not a fan, but I get it now.

[Leah Massey]

So when we started playing, the gates were so locked and like we started playing like the intro from the intro that's on Don't Test the Past. And it was like the instrumental and we weren't playing. It was just like.

[Colin]

Is that the opener on the album?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I think so.

[Colin]

Maybe it's not with the like harmonized.

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Colin]

Instrumental lead thing. Yeah, that shit's awesome.

[Leah Massey]

In my head I was like, is it. Is it the opener or is it halfway through? I really can't remember, but it might be halfway through.

[Colin]

But.

[Leah Massey]

So that started playing and we was like, oh my God, like people are still trapped behind these gates. So like, are people going to be able to get in in time enough for like when we start our set and everything like that? And it was actually a really special moment because people like running to try to get to the front in time to be able to watch it. And like, amazing. Again with that set, we didn't really expect it to go down as well as it did, but it was great, especially being the first band on where like people have literally just got here. It's. It's 1pm so let's see. Yeah, Outbreak just gone even better. Like even better than that one. I would say we did it as like the year of the past release show.

[Beau]

Oh, cool, cool, cool.

[Leah Massey]

Because we originally. We weren't originally on the lineup for Outbreak and we was going to do a release show, so we was like looking in Leeds to do a release show. But the venues that we wanted to use were just like full and it was a really busy time of year for like touring bands and everything like that. So I was like sent an email, just basically be like, oh, what about doing like Year of the Pest release show as an Outbreak pre show in Manchester? Because obviously it was one day and it was on a Sunday this year. So I was like, maybe we could do that on Saturday. And they were like, oh, do you want to just do it at the actual fest instead? And was like, yeah, sure, yeah, yeah.

[Beau]

So is. Is the one that they do, the one that they just did in October, is that like the same scale or is it. Like you said, it's a one day thing. So is it the same size or is it smaller or it. What. How does it differ?

[Leah Massey]

It's. It was that Bowers Exhibition Centers again. So it was like the same size and scale.

[Colin]

Jesus.

[Leah Massey]

The other ones. But the one in summer that they just had recently was even bigger because they had the. They had the stage set up outdoors so they had that extra bit. So yeah, it was the same. Same scale, like absolutely packed. Still, I don't think it was sold out, which I think the other one was maybe. But it this. That one was way more like emo kind of vibes that then like there's a few hardcore bands playing, but it was definitely more like few and far between. To like more slow and like softer emo kind of like music. I use emo to generalize. Like anything that's like, slow. So, like, so does my mom.

[Beau]

Yeah, so does my dad.

[Leah Massey]

But yeah, it's great. We played. We played a bit later on on that one. So we played at like 4pm and it was just. Yeah, it was a great time to play.

[Beau]

That's the sweet spot right there.

[Colin]

That's midday. And now everybody's too tired. Nobody's tearing their ACLs yet. Everybody's still ready.

[Beau]

Yeah, that's a good.

[Colin]

Beautiful. So that rocked. Okay. Awesome. I hope that. I hope that you play next year and I hope that somehow I get to be there and get to see you guys. Which reminds me, do you have plans to tour the US soon?

[Leah Massey]

Maybe.

[Beau]

Okay.

[Leah Massey]

I'm not. I don't know how much I can. Yes, yes, we do.

[Colin]

Say no more. I think you've said enough.

[Beau]

I think you've said.

[Colin]

Something you're really gonna enjoy when touring the States is we have incredible chicken Caesar salads. And I know that you love a chicken Caesar salad. Is that true?

[Leah Massey]

I absolutely love a chicken Caesar salad. Yeah. So great music to my ears.

[Beau]

Do you know where the. Where the Caesar salad was invented?

[Leah Massey]

No. I do think I. That rang a bell though, because I remember it was actually like National Caesar Salad Day, semi recently, and I was looking at some facts. I was like, trying to scan my.

[Beau]

Brain, but it was invented in Tijuana, Mexico.

[Colin]

Really?

[Beau]

Yeah, by a man named Caesar.

[Colin]

Dude, Mexico does everything.

[Beau]

It was. It was at a hotel. We. We stayed at the hotel where it was. Didn't get it, but.

[Colin]

Yeah, but that's beautiful. So you're going to love the American Caesars, Leah. They're great.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Colin]

How often are you eating a chicken Caesar salad?

[Leah Massey]

I get like, hyper fixated on food. So I will eat a lot of something in one go and then maybe not eat it again for a couple of months and then eat it all. All in one go. But I recently got like, re. Triggered for my. My Caesar obsession because I saw it in like a burger form, like, chicken Caesar burger.

[Colin]

There's a place called Giada here, an incredible sandwich shop that does a chicken Caesar rap.

[Beau]

Yeah, rap that.

[Colin]

That they are like now world famous for. So when you play LA finally, I'll take you. I'll take pest control to Giada. We'll get you the rap. You'll never be the same.

[Leah Massey]

Oh, yeah. I look forward to it.

[Colin]

Good. Pardon this interruption. It is so important we interrupt this amazing episode to Tell you all about Manscaped.

[Beau]

Every single day I use a product from Manscaped. Often, multiple and every single day. I'm so happy to have manscaped.

[Colin]

Exactly. Whether you're just walking the streets stanking, whether you're performing, there's something for you. Manscaped.com use code hard though. You're gonna get 20% off and free shipping site wide. I don't know that that works internationally, but to our international listeners listening to this episode, give it a shot and let us know because honestly, it would be very helpful. The crop reviver, the crop preserver, the crop duster. These are all things we swear by.

[Beau]

Scrubber, the body scrubber, the body wash. I use the beard trimmer all the time. Number three, no problem.

[Colin]

Also, you go to Target. The trimmer alone is like 100 bucks. You go to manscape.com use code hard lore. You wouldn't believe what you get with 100 bucks. Christmas is literally around the corner now to our British listeners to I know you love Christmas more than we do. Perhaps we just did an edit and Beau is still laughing. We'll continue. I know that you guys love Christmas and it's right around the corner. And Manskin skip's really good. So try to use our code, okay?

[Beau]

Yeah, please. And just let us know. But for anyone at home, you. You got everything you need. Male, female, other. Doesn't matter. We all got hair.

[Colin]

We all got hair. We all got escape it. And that's the truth. Okay, so you use code hard. Lord. Get 20 off. This episode is also brought to you by Mad Vintage.

[Beau]

I'm talking to everybody. I'm talking to each one of you out there. Yeah, my closet's getting full. I need you people out there buying from Mad Vintage, please.

[Colin]

Gotta get it before we have to you. It's on you now. We've already fulfilled the prophecy. We've brought Mad Vintage to the epicenter and we've unfortunately become his number one customers. So this must end. Okay, get the shirts before we do. If you're listening to this episode, you like good stuff. That's a fact. You know, they had. He's got everything you're looking for. You can sort by most expensive now. We know that option. And you'll see the coolest shit you've ever seen in your whole life. So quit messing around. Okay? You use code hard lore.

[Leah Massey]

15.

[Colin]

You're getting 15 off. And listen, this stuff adds up.

[Beau]

Yeah, it might not sound like a lot, but boy is it. And he's got everything he's Got metal rock, hardcore rap, movie, like miscellaneous stuff. And Luke is always willing and looking to buy. So if you got stuff you need to offload, reach out through Instagram, reach out through the website, whatever.

[Colin]

And then he'll reach out to me and then I'll buy it from him and everybody. Okay, back to this incredible episode. Tell me about. So we're big gamblers on the show. Oh, tell me about your thousand quid win when you played bingo.

[Leah Massey]

The only time. Yeah, the only time I played bingo and I did absolutely nothing to deserve that win. Because not that you. Not that you ever deserve to win.

[Colin]

Bingo, but even a couple senior citizens I know would beg to differ. Just be like, yeah, oh, I deserve this bingo.

[Beau]

G24.

[Leah Massey]

It was actually like, it was my first time playing it. And you get screens like iPads almost, and you don't even need to circle it. It does it for you. So that's what I mean about. I didn't even dot the numbers. I was sat as like, like a moody like 17, 18 year old with my mom and my grandma.

[Beau]

Slot. That's a slot machine.

[Colin]

Is this Grandma Helen?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, dude, Helen.

[Colin]

She's awesome. She's taking the. Taking my grandkid gambling in the tank. Sorry.

[Leah Massey]

She's absolutely insane. She's like the craziest, this woman, but like in the most. Like, she's just so blunt and like straight to the point with everything that it's just insane to be around because you don't meet many people who are like that really. And then when someone just says exactly what, like someone's like slow in front of her at the supermarket. She's just like, what's she bloody doing? And all this. And I'm like, oh. And you're like, grandma, you can't say this. Yeah. And she like does that thing where someone like talks loud so per. People can hear that they're talking about them as well. And I just like, I stroll up and I'm like, please stop it.

[Colin]

My wife's the same way talking. She wants the in front of her in the grocery store to hear all of her grievances. Now tell me about the bingo win.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, it was, it was basically I was sat on my phone like not even paying attention to whatever was getting called. These numbers were getting circled on this iPad in front of me. And then I was like, it just came up like full house. And I was like, okay. Yeah. And I was like, okay, like, what does that mean for me? Thinking like I might get like 20 quid, like maximum.

[Colin]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

And Then over and they literally just like, handed me a thousand pound in cash. And, like, I've never seen so many older women look so jealous in my whole life. Like, literally, like, they. They knew that I'd only been there once. You could see it in their eyes, like, I know you don't deserve this and you've got this.

[Colin]

That's incredible. And Helen is sitting there like, yeah, that's my granddaughter, bitch.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Hell, yeah.

[Beau]

That's amazing.

[Colin]

Wow. Congrats. See, that's the joys of gambling. You never know. It just takes one chance to win.

[Beau]

Is that like, have you taken up gambling since then? Or is that. Is that. Are you a one and done?

[Leah Massey]

I'm one and done. I'm not going to push my luck. That was the close look I could be. So I did attempt to try to, like, play some bets on England in the World cup recently by, like, literally there and then just asking what people were, like, betting on and things like that. But I went on the website and I was like, I had no idea how this is working and just didn't do it. So.

[Colin]

Okay, so. Well, it didn't come home.

[Beau]

It didn't. Yeah, but I. I bet I. I thought it was coming home.

[Colin]

I thought it was coming home. Yeah, we all thought it was coming.

[Beau]

We were watching it. It's out of fury. Yeah, it was off in the back. Everyone was watching. Yeah.

[Colin]

So you're up a thousand.

[Beau]

Lifetime. Lifetime.

[Colin]

Which is. You're killing.

[Beau]

Yeah, killing.

[Colin]

Keep it. Keep it up. You're doing good. So we mentioned reality TV earlier. Did your love for reality TV come from being in a children's game show when you were young?

[Leah Massey]

I'm not sure if my love for reality TV show, but I think maybe that was started off my want to be, like, center of attention, like on. On things. Like, when I was a kid, I would always want to be in all, like the plays and the musicals and, like, dances and things like that. And I don't even know. I literally. Shocking. No idea how. Because it was a Cartoon Network program and I have no idea why. They came to my primary school in Kurzel in Leeds to interview kids to be on this show. I didn't apply for it. They were just going around schools and.

[Colin]

They'Re looking for real kids, like, real, real experience, you know?

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Colin]

Rugged, Raw. You were beating ass at the time.

[Beau]

Riding tanks.

[Colin]

Yeah. Leather jacket.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was so strange that I think they had no option but to put me on because I was like, this kid's weird and she Needs to be on the show. And I ended up going on with my. My best friend and she won and I got bunked. I got, like, covered in, like, goo.

[Colin]

You got slimed? Slimed, they call it gunked there. Interesting. Interesting.

[Beau]

We're learning a lot cultures.

[Leah Massey]

Slimed gun, which was quite interesting because, like, obviously you see it on the TV and you're like, oh, the ceiling's opening up and the slime and gunk is falling down. But really it's just like people chucking it over you. So, like, as a kid, like, having grown ass, like, just cover you in gunk, and you just sat there like, not only have I lost, my best friend won, and I'm jealous and pissed off about that, and I'm now covered in gunk. So it was a terrible.

[Colin]

That was. That was maliciously poured on me by an adult.

[Beau]

An adult person. What color was the gunk?

[Leah Massey]

Green.

[Beau]

Okay. Perfect.

[Colin]

Oh. So, yeah, we're two.

[Beau]

Two cultures divided by two languages. You know, it's true. That's all it is.

[Colin]

I can't believe. See, here's what you're not thinking about, Leah, is what an honor it is to be slime.

[Beau]

Yeah, true.

[Colin]

You're amongst greats, you know, such as John Cena, Katy Perry, etc. They've all been slime.

[Beau]

Katy Perry was historic.

[Colin]

Katy Perry's was absolutely fucking brutal. That you want to talk malicious sliming.

[Beau]

Yeah, that was gunking for sure.

[Colin]

What did it taste like?

[Leah Massey]

I haven't. I was too busy, like, probably crying. And I think.

[Colin]

I think it's in the moment. Were you crying?

[Leah Massey]

I was crying. I. I then had to. I was only a kid and I was covered in gunk and then I had to, like, get a shower in this. This back room of the studio and I had no idea what was going on.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

And my friend had won, like, you know, like the first ipods. Like, that was surprised at the time.

[Beau]

That's a good prize. Damn.

[Colin]

Yeah, that's a great.

[Leah Massey]

It was exactly that. That's what made it even worse and made my tears even more. More, apparently.

[Colin]

Are you still friends?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, she's still. Yeah. That. That was a bit of a make or break for us.

[Beau]

But yeah, to answer your question, it's. It's made with, like, oatmeal and stuff. It's.

[Colin]

Oh. So it's like the Big Brother slop. Do they have slop in Big Brother uk?

[Leah Massey]

Not that I've seen.

[Colin]

One of the punishments in Big Brother US is you have to eat this thing called slop, which I've had to personally prepare.

[Beau]

What is it?

[Colin]

And it's basic. It's like a combination of like, oats and. And different kind of. It'll sustain you, but it's flavorless gunk. Oh, so that makes sense.

[Beau]

The Matrix.

[Colin]

Yeah, exactly.

[Beau]

Yeah. Okay. Okay.

[Colin]

It's just like that.

[Beau]

But I was gonna say at the. What would you do? Filming it was at least hidden and. Well, it's a studio, but it was, you know, like a trapdoor and the person got slapped.

[Colin]

Yeah, A guy named Dave.

[Beau]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Colin]

Best part of his day. All right, so we're at Year of the Pest now. This came out on quality control in the UK and Europe and Triple B in the us. First proper US release for pest control.

[Leah Massey]

Yes. And we didn't. We didn't have it planned to do a release at all. Like, I think Sam just hit up. Joe Williams was like, do you have anything, like, even. It's. It's a song or a single or anything that you want to do on Triple B. And we hadn't been planning a release or anything. We're just like thinking maybe album two, not like an EP in between that. So it's like, yeah, sure, like, we can get some bits together. We had some songs that we had been working on, so it's like, let's use that for this. And then Ola obviously started getting involved with it and that was about it, how it came about.

[Beau]

Beautiful.

[Colin]

Yeah, I know. Sam still has copies available, so go over to the Triple B store, pick up some of those. I think these four songs. This is the. This is pest control.

[Beau]

I agree.

[Colin]

This is like, yeah, you guys have. You're dialed in. You're locked in. You know who you are. The Crumb Suckers influence is screaming at me in a way that makes me respond, yes, thank you, I'll have some. Your voice has progressed into this monstrous, locked in thing. I feel like everything is in place. Do you feel the same?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I. I think sometimes it takes me to like, reflect on the past and like previous releases to like, realize how much different it does sound. And like, obviously it's not like different band or anything, like, sound and it still sounds like pest control. But vocally, when we first did the demo, I didn't really know like, what style of vocals I wanted to go for. I just knew that I was going to shout and see, like, how it. It sounded. So, like, it's a lot more fine tuned for me in terms of, like, what I want to do. So I think. Yeah, I agree. I think that it all was just like, typically, like, it's just what we wanted to go for and we managed to make it happen. So I'm hoping that album two will just be a continuation of that as well.

[Beau]

You're in the best area for a band, in my opinion, where you're kind of like, we really like what we're doing. And it seems like people really like what we're doing. And that can be the most inspiring. Like, the ball's rolling, you got the motion, you got the momentum. You know, it's. It's like a really exciting time. Question for you, what does the P in PMC stand for?

[Leah Massey]

Parasitic Thought so Mike thought.

[Beau]

I knew it was something yucky.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, there was something in there is about something. Yeah. Literally called Parasitic Mind Control pmc, which is like, when an insect dies, they can go like, basically infect another. I don't know if it happens to all insects, but they can, like, affect another insect's brain and make them feel insane. So that's what that song's about.

[Colin]

But your lyrical journey in Pest Control has turned you into a Batman villain.

[Beau]

Yeah, you're. You're. You're a half Batman villain and half Edgar from Men in Black.

[Colin]

Just your Poison Ivy learning about, but, you know, being on the average insect. And it's really cool to be able to apply to thrash metal lyrics and like the. I. I like you're talking about pest mind Control, but it's like allegories about life that can apply to everything. This is next level stuff, you know.

[Leah Massey]

For me, it was actually quite like a. Like, it was a good thing that we named the band Pest Control. And I had the ability to do this because looking back on previous bands like Cheap Surgery and Implement, one thing that I regretted about, like, the vocals and the lyrics was having serious words that didn't really mean a lot to me. They just sounded cool to have down, if that makes sense.

[Colin]

Of course, there.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. So, like, lots about like, you know, like sinning and things like that. And it was just like words that just sounded like, good to write down and to like, scream or whatever. So for this, it was really interesting to go from, like, the opposite perspective of writing about things that are more serious. But the lyrics sound really, like, jokey and silly, but they're about, like, quite serious topics, really. So the dynamic of switching between those really helped me when it came to, like, getting out of what I didn't like about my previous bands. I'd done Gotcha.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

So, yeah, I love it.

[Colin]

You're killing it. I Mean, your voice has come into its own. Your lyrics have come into its own. The band is coming to its own. These are your hardest songs yet, I would say, too, which I think should always. For any. Any like, anything metallic.

[Beau]

Yeah, you should.

[Colin]

The goal to be. Should be to get harder, you know, Be. No pun intended. The harder you get then, like, the more extreme you get.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

The more people will follow and be like, damn, they're not just out here for, like, commercial gain or something.

[Beau]

They are the Pantera. The Pantera, exactly.

[Colin]

The Pantera blueprint is just. Get more insane and the people will follow. And I think you've done that. Time Bomb. Certified spin kickable masterpiece.

[Beau]

I know it's. It's. It's an obvious thing, but the. The ticking in time bomb is.

[Colin]

Oh, that's fantastic.

[Beau]

Really cool. How do you do that live? What does Ben do?

[Leah Massey]

I'm not too sure I count it.

[Beau]

Yeah. Hold up a clock.

[Leah Massey]

I literally have no idea what he does live. I don't really pay attention to anything other than what.

[Beau]

You're in your own bug world. You're bugging out. Yeah. You say that in a lyric, don't you?

[Leah Massey]

I'm bugging out, yeah. So everything came on the back of. I don't know if it's a sample or it's a bit of audio before a war zone song where they're like, I can't take it. I'm bugging out. Like that. It's like. So that got brought up and I was like, imagine having that as a chorus. But you're in a band called Pest Control. Like that. You can't beat that. And that's, like, one of my. The funniest songs that I like. I really like doing Bugging out for that reason because it's just so stupid. It's fun and catchy, and I love it.

[Colin]

Do you. I look forward to whatever pest bug things you continue to come up with. They're fun for me every time.

[Beau]

Arachnophobic nosebleed. There's all kinds of stuff. Do you like, like, bugs, Leah? Is that, like, a thing? Are you a bug person?

[Leah Massey]

No, I absolutely don't. Like, literally with. With the song PMC, I. I was on YouTube, like, looking at videos on how it all works.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Writing down research.

[Beau]

I'm gonna get sick.

[Colin]

Yeah. Got to be sick.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. I don't like anything like that. Like rodents, like fleas, bugs. Anything like that, I cannot stand, so.

[Beau]

Well, that's PTSD for you.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Beau]

Yeah, totally.

[Leah Massey]

So it's like. It's really Funny, like, giving it, like the big guns on stage. Like. Like about, like eradicating the person doing this. And then like a spider walks in front of me and I'm like, holy.

[Colin]

Well, you want to eradicate it. So that's real. You being scared of the spider shows that you're trying. You got to get rid of them.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Colin]

I didn't think pests were a big problem in the UK for some reason.

[Beau]

Are you kidding, dude?

[Colin]

I guess. Yeah, I guess the plague.

[Beau]

Yeah. I mean, but that was.

[Colin]

And that was the fleas. So. Yeah, you're right to be scared of the fleas. It wasn't the rats. Blame the fleas.

[Beau]

Well, it was the fleas on the rats.

[Colin]

Yeah, but justice for the rats, man. They were just trying to get by. And then these fleas ruined the fucking world. A third rats can cook and we're giving them all this, you know, I.

[Beau]

Had a pet rat. I'm pro rat.

[Colin]

I, like, I'm pro rat, man. Leah.

[Leah Massey]

No, I kind of. I. I worked in a pet shop one time and I had to deal with rats. And it was the most terrifying experience of my life. Like, pets, Even the friendly ones. Yeah. Yeah.

[Colin]

Trust me. When you guys tour next, when you go to Paris, there's a restaurant I'm gonna send you to and you're gonna have an incredible meal and you're gonna thank me later. Tell me about this tour you got with Harm's Way coming up. Are you excited for that?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I'm really excited.

[Colin]

Huge.

[Leah Massey]

It's huge. And it's like the ideal kind of tour that I would want for Pest Control to do because we've done, like, outside of doing, like, tours with bands like our friends, like, Foreseen and High Vis and things like that. Like, the longest tour we did was the three week UK run that we did with Obituary, so.

[Colin]

Jesus.

[Leah Massey]

So that I can't.

[Colin]

How was that? You're just gonna breeze past that? How was that?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, it was great. I was speaking to Ben, our drummer, about it earlier. I was like. Like, the Obituary tour to me was a bit of a blur because it was three weeks in the UK and the UK is a not. Is not a massive place. So it was. We shared a bus with Obituary and it was like. We're doing overnight drives, but the drives were only ever like three, four hours. And then you're just outside the venue for like, the foreseeable until you go again. And that was my first experience in, like, a bunk or staying anywhere or, like, sharing that intensive space with like, another Band and obviously they're all their crew.

[Colin]

But what are they like to tour, to share a bus with? Are they awesome?

[Beau]

Yeah, they fit all the hair.

[Leah Massey]

They stayed up way later than me. I. I didn't get to see like as much as like the party side and then being out and about because I was already. I was always like, straight in my bunk. Go to bed. Yeah, I will. I was working a lot because I work remotely. So I was working and trying to tour and doing everything. So I was just feeling quite burnt out during that run. And then my brain. So like literally what time bomb is about my brain and do anything or like focus on just like enjoying something if I know I'm waiting around for something to happen, if that makes sense. So like being at the venue from like literally being parked outside a venue from 6am, waking up there and not moving and just waiting to sound check and everything like that. It sends my brain into like overdrive and I just spend my days on like waiting mode, which I think then leads me to end up feeling a bit more burnt out on tours because my brain's so like.

[Colin]

I'm the same. I. I could. I've never related to anything more. I'm the same way. This. I barely slept last night because I knew this was the first thing I had to do today.

[Beau]

Sure.

[Leah Massey]

Yes. Yeah.

[Colin]

So if I seem insane, there's a. It's. It's because of time bomb.

[Beau]

It's your fault. Yeah. You know what? And the worst of that is when it's when you are playing a fest and you play at like 7.

[Colin]

But you're there, you're there, you're there at 10am sometimes.

[Beau]

You want to know what's interesting, Colin? I just looked it up. The. All of the UK like put together is about the same size as Oregon. So imagine touring Oregon for three weeks.

[Colin]

I would have the best time.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

But dude, I would know every Taco Bell in the state. I'd be like, that one's good. You want to stay away from the beans at that one.

[Beau]

What was the smallest city you played on that three week UK tour?

[Leah Massey]

Probably. I don't know, I'm not like great at geography, but I think it was Stoke which was really funny. Like Stoke in general is not a nice place to be.

[Colin]

And Stoke on Trent.

[Leah Massey]

So can Trent.

[Colin]

Yeah, they gotta leave Trent alone. What did Trent do where he's constantly getting focused?

[Beau]

No, they're stoked on him, dude.

[Colin]

Okay, okay. I played there, I think no memory of it.

[Leah Massey]

Trying to look up like a cafe to go eat breakfast or like somewhere nice to eat. And the highest rated place was the Tesco Cafe.

[Beau]

See, dude, that's rough. And then you're there. The overnight drive was nothing. So you're there all day.

[Colin]

They got Greg's there.

[Leah Massey]

They did have Greg's. Yeah.

[Beau]

Okay, you're fine, you're fine.

[Leah Massey]

But that was like, that was the last day of the tour. So it was like, oh, you like, just finished his three week run, but now I'm in Stoke and there's absolutely nothing to do. And I bought out my brain and it's like, it's like a Sunday night or like maybe a Monday night. I can't remember what ended. And I have to go eat my lunch at Tesco Cafe because it's the highest rated food place.

[Colin]

Our one Stoke listener is like, I know that Tesco Cafe.

[Beau]

That's quite good.

[Colin]

That's more a small. A small Tesco.

[Beau]

So I think we're sharing a bus on this tour coming up. I think that's, that's how it's working. I think it's us and you us in basement or on one bus. Because. Okay, I, I think, I don't know, I could be. It could change.

[Colin]

Yeah. Best friends.

[Beau]

You guys party or she stay up late. I know you don't, but. How about the lads?

[Leah Massey]

Not really. Like, I, I probably like, I party, but not on tour. Like, I never really go out late or stay out. Like, I drink, I'll drink and like have a drink and be around, but I won't be like, I'm going out until like 2, 3am and then coming back, I'm gonna be on the bus and feel.

[Colin]

Do you do that at home?

[Leah Massey]

Home, yes, I do that at home.

[Colin]

The pub is like, that's culture is like, well, I've done my work, I've eaten my roast, I've gotta hit the pub.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. That's how I spend every single day. I'm like.

[Beau]

Honest question because I, I truly don't know. How often, how often does the average Brit go to the podcast pub?

[Leah Massey]

I would say, like on average, probably once a week. I would say they ask, oh, that's.

[Colin]

Not bad at all.

[Beau]

That's nothing.

[Colin]

No, that's not bad.

[Leah Massey]

Well, we're in a cost of living crisis. People just can't afford to go to the pub any more than us.

[Colin]

That's up. They need an AMC Stubs type subscription for the pub.

[Beau]

Yeah. That is called mass alcoholism.

[Colin]

Ah, well, I think they are already dealing with that. So maybe this cost of living crisis has one great perk.

[Beau]

Wow.

[Colin]

Anyway, yeah. Do you eat at the pub a lot or do you eat at home generally?

[Leah Massey]

I don't. I don't really go. I won't say that I go to the pub that. That often. Like in summer, maybe a bit more. Because it's just like. Even if people don't drink in the uk, like, you could be out with people who are like, straight Edge, but they'll go to the pub because it's like the place where everyone meets up. Yeah.

[Colin]

And they break edge in a couple years. Like everybody in the UK that I know.

[Leah Massey]

Yes. Yeah, very true.

[Colin]

Do you have a favorite tour that Pest Control has done yet?

[Leah Massey]

I would say the High Vis one that we did because. Oh, that. I think that came up after. Just after the obituary run. I think it was either before or after, but I'm pretty sure that it was after. But it was just nice to just it. We'd done quite a big. A few, like, metal things in the, like, recent years, so we did like a short run with like, Creator Mutable Waste. Jesus Christ. We did some, like, Metal Fest. So it was just nice to like. Because hi Vis are another band who've, like, come from hardcore. They're all like hardcore, but they don't play hardcore anymore. So even though where I'm playing, like, we're playing crossover thrash, High Vis are playing like post punk almost with like, other, like, influences in there. And it's like, well. But we all come from the same scene. So, like, people who maybe were like, High Vis fans but not into hardcore would probably be like, why. Why is this band playing with High Vis? Like, it makes no sense, but to the people who got it, it just made loads of sense.

[Colin]

It makes sense.

[Beau]

Well, that's. That's what we say all the time. That's the beauty of this genre of music, is that exactly what you just described can happen. And I mean, the tour we're about to do, it's the same thing.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, sure.

[Beau]

It's very much the same thing. Even though it's going to be probably one of the. It's going to be the biggest Euro tour we ever do. Right. You know, for sure.

[Colin]

Did you get on with Martin from High Vis?

[Leah Massey]

Well, with who, sorry?

[Colin]

Martin McNamara.

[Leah Massey]

Oh, yes. Yeah, Marty. Yeah, yeah, he's the best. Yeah. They all, like. One of the things that was so nice about that tour, like, not even it being about us, was just so great to see how well they were doing. Like. Like, we played the first show in Belgium, I think, and, like, I Fully went into it thinking that it would be like maybe like 200 capacity venues, kind of DIY shows. Like.

[Colin]

Right.

[Leah Massey]

I didn't, I didn't realize the scale that High Vis had grown in Europe at that time. So like going out and I think the first venue was like 1500 capacity and it was sold out and it was packed and this, it was like massive stage catering, like amazing food. Like, I just didn't expect that going into it. Like, I just thought that it was just going to be like, like standard, kind of like hardcore. So yeah, it's just really nice. We got along with them guys really well. We had like one of our best friends, Baron driving us, so he came along to it and it was great. But then I got covered at the end of it, so.

[Beau]

Yeah, yeah, I, I just missed that High Vis tour that was here like by a couple days every week. They, they crisscross with our tour the whole time. Time.

[Colin]

You guys were on the same tour at the same time.

[Beau]

They were in Chicago two days after us. La, the same night as us, like the whole time. But I love that record. I love that band.

[Leah Massey]

Me too.

[Beau]

Let me ask you a question. How many people named Sam?

[Leah Massey]

Do you know how many people named Sam?

[Beau]

Name them, Think of them.

[Leah Massey]

Some lay cook. One. One. I'm gonna, I'm gonna have like all, all the sums in my life now are gonna be like, Leah, the reason.

[Beau]

I ask is because you mentioned someone named Baron and I was like, I've never met anyone in my life named Baron. But every British guy I've ever met.

[Colin]

I know one Baron. He's a huge piece of Jesus.

[Beau]

I was just gonna say every British guy I've ever met in my life is named Sam. All of them. Every single one. Even Graham from High Vis, his name is Sam. It's unbelievable.

[Leah Massey]

True actually, if you think about it like that. Yeah, I can, I can. Everyone being called Sam. Our friend Baron is actually called Tony like Anthony. So I'm not too sure why he gets called Baron, but I don't know where he's the Baron.

[Beau]

He's the Baron.

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Beau]

It's a great name.

[Colin]

You know you, you said you, you know, you didn't know what to expect with that High Vis tour and it ended up being this huge, amazing thing. What are the expectations and plans for pest control? As you, you said you've been going with the flow is. And I, I think that that the, the longer you do that, the more successful you will be. Is like to just never get ahead of yourself and always just Be like we just rock.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

And we've got to kill these pests.

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Colin]

And that's. And then we're good to go. I think that's the plan.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, the plan. I think the plan this year has to be like a bit more structured because I said we do have like a busy year coming up. Like, like the Not Lose tour goes straight into another huge like five, five and a bit week tour. Like oh, break. And then we're straight doing that and it's not in the UK or Europe so it's going to be different time zones and everything like that. So.

[Colin]

I see.

[Leah Massey]

Yes. So I'm feeling a bit like apprehensive because I don't know what it's going to be like. And obviously their first experience so of going out of Europe and the UK is a long ass time to be going for as well. But I'm just going to take it as it comes.

[Colin]

And five weeks of incredible chicken Caesar salads.

[Beau]

Yeah. Five weeks in a place I can only imagine where you could tour for.

[Colin]

Five weeks but South America. You're finally coming to Brazil, baby.

[Beau]

One thing, one thing I can assure you is the five weeks in a place that I can't imagine that you'll spend. You'll have. Have just the greatest food amenities and.

[Colin]

You'Ve got us for availability.

[Beau]

Yeah. References you need.

[Leah Massey]

Yes, yes.

[Colin]

We've both been to Brazil so you know what to expect. Let me.

[Beau]

Let's.

[Colin]

Let's get into some of the kind of like stock hard lore questions here and you can take your time with this one. That's a big question. What are your four favorite hardcore records of all time?

[Leah Massey]

I would definitely say Life Dreams, Crumb Suckers. If are we casting a Crumb suckers as. As crossover or can we just say.

[Colin]

Crossover is a hard is hardcore and trash model.

[Beau]

So 100.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. Life of dreams, Whole World Ice Grills. Probably one of my favorite.

[Beau]

They just played their 15 year. 20 year.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, 20 years. I had no idea like that record's got two names and I have no idea why. Like it's no way no Omega. But then also Ice Girls.

[Colin]

No Omega was a compilation LP that had. It was like a collection of everything.

[Beau]

Right.

[Leah Massey]

Oh okay. That makes sense.

[Colin]

Pre the first lp.

[Leah Massey]

Okay. Because when I look at those songs that's the most songs from it. So when I on Spotify they don't have Ice Girls but it's got the artwork from it. It. So anyway. Yeah. So two.

[Colin]

Doing great.

[Leah Massey]

Marauder Master Killer.

[Colin]

Classic Y Master Killia. I saw that in the media was like, nah, she's cool.

[Leah Massey]

The fourth, I would probably go with. Oh, it's the last slot. I don't know, because. Good night. Trapped Under Ice.

[Beau]

Wow. Yeah.

[Colin]

Listen, they're the greatest British hardcore band of all time, so I totally understand. Great answers.

[Beau]

Yeah, that was great.

[Colin]

Fantastic stuff.

[Beau]

And it all kind of fits like. Like with. With what I hear in pest control. That all fits.

[Colin]

I hear a lot of justice in your voice.

[Beau]

Yes.

[Colin]

There's little. There's vocal inflections that you do and even cadence. Yeah, it's cool. I mean that completely compliment.

[Beau]

Yeah, totally. Totally.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah. I'll take it.

[Colin]

So the uk, Pretty scary place in terms of supernatural history. You know, a lot of old stuff, a lot of Shakespeare, Hamlet, Jack the Ripper. Jack who we don't. Who we think was multiple guys. We have our own theory about it. But. Have you or do you believe in the existence of ghosts?

[Leah Massey]

Yes. And I have had experiences that I feel like have made me more believe in ghosts.

[Beau]

Can you tell me.

[Colin]

Talk to me.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Can you talk about. Don't talk to Bo. Talk to me.

[Beau]

Talk to Colin.

[Leah Massey]

So I live in Kurzel, where there is a big abbey from Henry vii, Kurt's lobby. And there's lots of ghost stories around, like the Kurt's lobby in general. And my friend lived in a house like opposite that.

[Colin]

Now, for the listeners at home and for one of the hosts of the show, what is an Abby?

[Beau]

It's not a big, big gal.

[Leah Massey]

I. And Abby is like. I don't know, it's just where monks kind of went to hang out. And I don't.

[Colin]

Just a chill, chill, relaxing.

[Beau]

It's. It's like seminary. A monastery. It's.

[Colin]

It's.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, I did. I don't think I've touched on anything to do with like abies or that side of history since being in like high school. So that my knowledge of that is so like, I got you.

[Beau]

Don't worry about it.

[Leah Massey]

So she lived in some houses opposite there that had been there for a long time because they were built around like around the same time. And we were sat in the living room and we'd already thought that there was something kind of strange about the house that she was in. There was a basement, which is straight away. You don't want a dark basement near the abbey. Terrible. And we already felt like we both, like, young and we already felt like there was something strange about this house. So we used to do little tests. And one of them, one time we had a fork that we Were using for our lunch at the time. And we've put it in the middle of the room and we put it in the middle of the room and then went downstairs and was like, if anything, if. If there's anyone here, then move this fork. Went downstairs, like, did whatever, came back up and I shit you not, the fork was under the bed, like fully under the bed. And no one was. Else was in the house apart from us too. And she was with me the whole time, so I know that it wasn't her and it wasn't me, I believe. And.

[Beau]

Well, question for you. Question for you.

[Colin]

Irrefutable proof, Bo. There's no question you can ask.

[Beau]

Had that. Had that fork ever been used to consume food?

[Leah Massey]

Yes.

[Beau]

Okay.

[Colin]

What does that have to do.

[Beau]

Yeah, a rat grabbed it and dragged it under the bed to fucking.

[Colin]

There's no rats in the uk. We've talked about that. They're in Paris cooking meals. That's great. So the fork moves. Did you run and scream for your life or did you conduct more tests?

[Beau]

What was the moment of finding it under the bed?

[Leah Massey]

The moment of finding it was just like. I don't think we fully believed what had happened. So we just kind of like went about stay downstairs for most of the night and then just kind of forgot about it. I didn't sleep a wink at night. I was staying over at my friend's house and I was like laid like this, thinking, oh, my God, this is the end for me. But it was that, funnily enough, that wasn't the moment that made us run and scream out of that house. There was another moment in this house that made us run and screw out the house. So it's a terraced house in the uk, so you've got a house either side and house at the back. And the stairs are always the same. They're usually like three floors and it stairs all the way up to the top room. And that's a lot like how a lot of the layout is in the UK and in Leeds. And you can never be sure where you're hearing sounds from. Basically like people running up and down the stairs. So we were sat in the living room at one point and from the top room, which is where the fork incident happened. So that's. That's important to remember as well. So from the top room, it sounded instantly like someone absolutely just like running down the stairs. And you're having that moment of being like. Like, it sounds like someone is running down the stairs, but I know this is probably EVA house or Whatever.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

But at the bottom of the stairs, it's a door and that just absolutely pushed open and the running stopped. So it did sound like someone running over, running down, like kicking the door down. And I screamed, ran through the scary basement and then refused to go back in the house. And I was like, I am. I'm done there.

[Colin]

And that was it.

[Leah Massey]

That was it. Unless it was like daytime and like, all my friends, family was in at the same time. But when you're just two, like, younger girls and you're sat there, you're like, not a chance. My spending any time.

[Colin]

I'm not going. I'm not a younger girl. I'm not going in there. I'm with you. I'll go in now. Was there. Now, to play devil's advocate here, I have a very fat cat. Huge. When she walks down the stairs, I'm. I'm positive it's human. Until she turns the corner.

[Beau]

And these are. Are they. No, they're not carpeted, but yeah, you can hear her coming down.

[Colin]

It is insane.

[Beau]

Yeah, she's.

[Colin]

That's a whole other thing.

[Beau]

So is there.

[Colin]

Is there a cat in the building.

[Beau]

Who knows how to open doors?

[Leah Massey]

No, nothing. Nothing at all. Just terrified.

[Colin]

With you. All right? It's haunted. It goes for real, this. Abby needs to go. We need to get rid of it.

[Beau]

Listen, it would makes sense out of. Out of all the places on earth for the UK to be among the most or. Sorry.

[Colin]

So much conquering, the most haunted and strife. Tea spilled.

[Beau]

What do you think about Jack the Ripper, Leah? You have any opinions on. On that fella?

[Leah Massey]

No, no. Are you against being like. Yeah, yeah, I am fully. I would like to make it apparent on Hard Law right now, I am against question.

[Beau]

Do you think Jack was multiple people or one guy?

[Leah Massey]

One guy.

[Beau]

One guy. You think one guy was just. He's just on a tear.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, because it was like. It happened right before. Like there was like CCTV or anything like that.

[Beau]

Yeah, way before.

[Leah Massey]

Way before. And I just feel like anything like that, like when you're. When I just. I feel like there's so many people who got away with so much in that era and they could just go around.

[Colin]

We agree. And that's why.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

When we were doing our own research. Yeah. We were kind of feel like it's multiple guys.

[Leah Massey]

Oh. I. I probably not as well researched on it as you guys are. I just kind of like it's obviously something that people talk about. I've seen like the odd, like, Channel 4 documentary on it.

[Beau]

Yeah. Of course.

[Leah Massey]

But nothing like in depth about. About Jack the River.

[Colin]

If you look up the separate crimes and methods methodology, each one was a little different.

[Beau]

Yeah, there's a lost. There's a lost haunt lore episode of Colin and I investigating Jack the Ripper that maybe someday. Maybe someday. There's also a theory that Jack left the UK and came to Chicago and is HH Holmes is the same. Literally the same guy because the time frame lines up and the murder house lines up and all this shit. It's interesting.

[Colin]

So ghost real and we believe them. That's a fact. Even both y. So touring in the UK versus the mainland, how do you find those experiences differ and how do you find the culinary differences differ?

[Leah Massey]

Differ. Like the uk, I get bored in a lot easier because as you know, the places, a lot of the places that you go to play in the UK are going to be like shopping towns. Like, there's not much to see or do. Like, it's just like shops and cafes, which. Yeah. But then you can go to like, you can go to like Venice and see like all the canals running. So it's like, you know, of course a lot more to see. So because I've lived in the same place and obviously not moved out or not even been away from the UK for like a duration of my life, like, I prefer just the options to see and do and experience more cool new stuff in Europe because the option there for like, even when I was like bored as hell, like on the last day of the arbitrary tour, I was like, there's a water park like 20 minute Uber ride away. I can go to this indoor water slide. And I was like, do I really want to go to like a water park in Stoke just because I'm bored? Like, I was like, I don't want to do that, but I'm so.

[Beau]

Talk about a haunted. It's brutal there there.

[Leah Massey]

So, yeah, the option like, of, of course the UK is nice and like, especially on those shows because we could get our friends in to come and watch Obituary. And like, they didn't want to care about watching us, they just wanted to watch Obituary. So that's fine. But it was like, it was a nice thing to be able to have friends at some shows. But like, the same goes for Europe. Like, we know enough people now in Europe that you go and you will bump into like friends and friends will come to shows. So I would say a couple of days in my ideal tour would be kind of like that not loose tour where it's like a couple of days in the uk, Mainly Europe. Because I don't want to, like, completely avoid the uk. And I think that it's good for.

[Colin]

But you can't overdo it, you know?

[Leah Massey]

But you can't overdo it. Yeah, yeah.

[Beau]

Three weeks. That's a lot. Three weeks is my only beef with the Knock Loose tour is. Is how short it actually is. It's only like 10 shows. It's not very long at all.

[Colin]

Interesting.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Now, when. When you're eating on these tours, when you're eating on the road, do you prefer your home eats or the mainland eats?

[Leah Massey]

I get it really depends where in the mainland. Because we recently did, like, a couple of shows in Spain and all. Literally all I could eat at that time was. Was, like, ham sandwiches. That's all they had, like, jambon sandwiches. And we all became, like, obsessed with eating these jambo, like, sandwiches. And, like, it was. We was driving back from, like, Balencia Valencia to Barcelona, and it was the only, like, stops on the way. So something like that. Like, I would prefer the UK just because. Give me, like, a Tesco in Stoke.

[Beau]

Oh, I see what you're saying. I see what you're saying.

[Leah Massey]

Okay, I got you. But then somewhere like Italy.

[Beau]

Okay, sure.

[Leah Massey]

Oh, yes.

[Beau]

What about a little play a little tiny economic country called Germany? Yeah, that's. That's all you need to say. That was kebabs.

[Colin]

Get it done, man.

[Beau]

Yeah, but not for weeks at a time, dude.

[Colin]

Yeah, not when it's the only thing open after the show for the rest of your life.

[Beau]

Let me ask you this. Here's a question. If you were to hypothetically spend like, five and some change weeks in the us, Is there any place in particular you are looking forward to trying?

[Leah Massey]

Not trying, but to have again? Because I've been to LA before. Chick Fil A. I absolutely love Chick Fil A.

[Beau]

God's chicken.

[Leah Massey]

But that's also one of the ones that we can't get in the uk. Like, a lot of. A few, like, American chains are moving over. So it would be anything like Chick Fil A. In and out burger you can't get. So things like that.

[Beau]

Yeah, yeah.

[Colin]

You guys got. We could not believe that you guys have Wingstop now.

[Beau]

Oh, yeah. And it was good, too.

[Colin]

It was good. You go. You don't. These new bands touring, like, American bands going there don't know how good they have it.

[Beau]

Colin and I spent. How long were we in Manchester?

[Colin]

Like, five days.

[Beau]

Five days. And one of the first nights we went to Wingstop and it was like. Like, we Were at. Brought a tear. Yeah, we were at home. It was great.

[Leah Massey]

I've never had it. I'm yet to try it, but I got instantly put off of it because I saw like something get shared online where some guy somewhere in the UK was working at a Wingstop and he was making the food but he had no shoes and socks on.

[Beau]

Well that may have been the one in Manchester.

[Colin]

Well you guys have different rules and regulations regulations than us. You know, we get to put all the fat.

[Beau]

Oh yeah, yeah.

[Colin]

Stuff in ours that makes you huge.

[Beau]

It makes you addicted, which keeps the money coming in, which means you guys.

[Colin]

They have the shoe thing and that's fine, we'll get there. What is. What is pest controls number one fast food of choice?

[Beau]

Any, anywhere in the world. Just where would you guys like to stop? Stop.

[Leah Massey]

It's gonna have to be like where we actually do stop often, like most times. And it's gonna be McDonald's.

[Beau]

Yeah, it makes sense over there because over there it's like you don't have Taco Bell.

[Colin]

It will really save your life.

[Beau]

You don't have Chipotle everywhere, you know.

[Colin]

Yeah, very true.

[Leah Massey]

Mostly like admittedly like on. On the way to places where like meal deal, like supermarket kind of people will get like food for the van and stuff. But if we're finished the show, it's usually almost always heading to McDonald's and then feeling horrible all through the night and in the morning after.

[Colin]

But that's really need that.

[Beau]

Itis the, the last, the last time we were in Europe, this most recent time, tour manager extraordinaire Nikki Kilroy from Leeds. Actually she had us go to like Aldi and stuff often to get groceries. We've never done that before in Europe. But it was, she was very much like ah, kind of. It was, it was nice to just like have my stuff. But it's like it was summer. Shit gets hot.

[Colin]

I don't want this fucking bread right now. Yeah, Leah, you can take your time with this one too. I would love for you to tell me one big pet peeve you have.

[Beau]

Oh, I like this. This new question. Colin. This is good. I like it. Snoring okay, Leah, here's the thing. If we, if we share a boss, you and I, you, me and Casey, our bass player are going to be just complete opposite ends. We'll just make sure that happens and then you'll be.

[Colin]

Harm's Way is a symphonic collection of snor.

[Beau]

It's, it's.

[Leah Massey]

This is what. So we have constructed in pest control a Snore zone and a no snore zone. So. Yeah, and there's people in the snore zone that are unhappy that they're in the snore zone. But then like, where else are you going to go? Because you can't go in the no snore zone.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Colin]

It doesn't work.

[Beau]

That's how it is with us too.

[Leah Massey]

So it's me and Ben, the non snorers and the rest of pest control have the most insane snoring that you will hear. Like Jack, the bassist is like really high pitched, like, like snoring, but then joke, joke.

[Colin]

So he's more of a me, me, me, me. And the rest are kind of more of a honk, honk shoe.

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, exactly that. Sometimes with like a kind of like lip roll as well. Like, like that kind of snoring.

[Colin]

Yeah, just like, get a hold of yourself, man.

[Beau]

You're telling me that Joe the. The Ripper. Joe the Ripper, he likes. He likes Metallica and snores.

[Leah Massey]

He does, yes.

[Colin]

You guys are gonna be.

[Beau]

I can't wait to meet this man. I cannot wait.

[Colin]

Best friends. Wow, Great answer. You really good answer there. And I'm sorry, one last question before we get to the closing remarks here. The question we ask is, who do you do? And it's about while you're on stage performing, the kind of the musicians that you consciously or subconsciously emulate and take with you, even if it's just their moves or their rhythms or their patterns or something, who are the few people that you found yourself being like, oh, I'm kind of a combination of these people for?

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

I would say for me personally, like, one of the biggest, like, vocal inspirations for pest control. Based on, like, the fastness and the lyric content is probably Tony Festa from Use Po Waste, because it's just similar delivery. I love that band. I love that they don't take themselves too seriously or they seem that way on stage. And that's how it comes across. So that's something that I. I also like to get through.

[Colin]

Have you met Tony?

[Leah Massey]

Yeah, we played. They played. They were like on a run, a bigger tour runner and they wanted to do like a kind of DIY show in Bristol. So they did a show and we played that. And then Tony Fresh Rachi helped get us on that Crater Municipal waste run. So he was like making it happen behind the scenes.

[Colin]

So he's in. Incredible.

[Beau]

He's the man. Yeah, Always been cool forever.

[Colin]

Yeah, So I love that answer.

[Beau]

Yeah, good answer.

[Leah Massey]

So, yeah, I can't I can't say anybody else apart from him really, because when I came around to like, okay, we're going to do like a crossover thrash band, like who am I going to listen to the most to inspire me to do this? It's going to be like lyrically and delivery wise, it's going to be musical ways, because why would it not be?

[Colin]

I love it. I love that answer.

[Beau]

What about like, like stage presence? You think you, you see yourself doing Tony as well?

[Leah Massey]

Stage presence? For me, like, I don't really have anyone that I like. I know it's boring and it's not the answer, but. No, but really when I'm on stage, like I don't have anyone who I look at and I'm like. Because I think the most interesting thing about people being vocalists and especially vocalists recently is like people are becoming more characters than maybe like obviously there's like a whole load of characters from vocalist, but like in hardcore, but now it seems like a lot of front people are really putting that effort into like make their own movements and whatever within hardcore. So yeah, it's not that I'd ever want to take that away from someone. I do it so when I'm on stage it's more so I just like to think when I was like in school and I was doing these plays and I wanted to be like center of attention as a kid, like do it for that, that girl there and like forget all my adult anxieties. Really, like forget like I'm a grown ass woman now and I'm shy and probably a bit more reserved than I was when I'm a carefree kid and I just kind of like, yeah, basically try to channel that and remember that.

[Beau]

Yeah.

[Leah Massey]

And that's just try to try to do her justice.

[Colin]

I love that. That's a great answer.

[Beau]

That's a great answer.

[Colin]

Anybody can play a show, but not everybody can perform. And that's, that's what makes the difference of like, yeah, I'm gonna go see this band or seeing that band and going, I gotta see them again. Yeah.

[Beau]

Or I gotta do that is giving.

[Colin]

Them something a little something that somebody else isn't doing.

[Beau]

It's beautiful.

[Colin]

Fantastic answer all around.

[Beau]

Well done, Leah.

[Colin]

This was such a treat, such a, such a pleasure to have you had such a great time. I know the listeners are gonna love this one. Are there any kind of closing remarks you would like to leave the Hard.

[Beau]

Lore world with Hardball World?

[Leah Massey]

Anyone in the UK who only goes to shows that American bands come over and play go to local shows, do what you can to support your scene and you see it working. When people put the time and effort into their scene in the uk, it grows and it grows and it's important that happens. So do that. And that's all I've got to say.

[Beau]

Beautiful. Beautiful.

[Colin]

Another fantastic answer. She don't miss. Listen to pest control. Year of the Past is out now via quality control and Triple B, so you can get it literally anywhere. They're going to be on tour soon for so many weeks in so many places and you're going to need to see them. Trust me, this band rocks. We are pleased to have them on. Leah, thank you so much for coming on. Thank you. We're so happy for your success and we are invested in the future and we hope nothing but the best.

[Leah Massey]

Thank you, guys. Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure, of course.

[Colin]

Absolutely. Anytime. Thank you, Leah, for being here. Thank you all for watching and listening. We will see you next week. Bye.