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Mass Lines: UK Dance-Punk Outfit on Their New Record & New Japan Pro Wrestling (?!)

Photo: Lucy Foster

"We were conceived as a cross between Burning Love and Cloak/Dagger roughly a decade ago," says Chris, vocalist of Mass Lines. The UK outfit was bound by a shared desire to go down a different musical path compared to many of their contemporaries in and around Kent. 

"Older members of the scene were venturing into more post-punk and ambient stuff. What they were doing was great, but we just wanted to celebrate riffs. Since then, we’ve had periods of activity and inactivity. We've released records via Hot Salvation and Rip This Joint. Our lineup has changed from record to record. But we still love it."

Mass Lines recently released Enlightened Age, a 7-track record that showcases their eclectic sonic approach. "That Burning Love and Cloak/Dagger sound underpins everything we do," Chris tells No Echo. "But as time's gone on, we've become more comfortable drawing from all the music we like: post-hardcore, garage rock, desert rock, electronica, and more. As such, anything goes. Our only rule is that every song needs to have enough swagger to be danceable." 

Chris shares some background on the lyrical themes explored on Enlightened Age. "The record was written and recorded a few miles from the Kent beaches where migrants fleeing war-torn countries arrive in the UK. The song ‘(There’ll be Gun Turrets Over) The White Cliffs of Dover’ explores their demonisation by our politicians and how this has permeated the national mood.

"And some band members’ experiences of being charity workers inspired other songs. ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘TOIL’ are about people struggling to keep their heads above the breadline and those who rules over them.

"Enlightened Age was recorded by our friend Jason Frye, who runs the Century Audio recording studio. Jason’s a production legend and he’s played in bands like Harrowed, Coder, Temple Guard, and countless others. He made us sound better than we have any right  to be."

Photo: Robina Jaffri

No Echo asks Chris how the local scene in Kent is doing right now, and as always, for some hot band tips! "There are ebbs and flows, but right now seems to be in a resurgence. Lots of people are putting on cool shows in Kent - Mother Brain, Blood Soaked Style, A Bunch of Flyers, Do It Ourselves Collective, Smugglers Records, WhereElse, Ramsgate Music Hall, The Lady Luck and others I’ve forgotten.

"And there are some great bands that cover all corners of the punk and hardcore spectrum. I'd encourage everyone to check out Harrowed, Coder, Moron Butler, Tarmac, Well’Ard, Mindless, Sarah Tonin, Clusters of Eyes, The Hellfire Orchestra and The Saw, He Found. Again, apologies to those I've accidentally missed off the list."

As our conversation with the Mass Lines vocalist draws to an end, he mentions the following tidbit which definitely gets our attention. "Enlightened Age comes hot on the heels of our song ‘Young Punks’ unexpectedly becoming the entrance music for New Japan Pro Wrestling champion Zack Sabre Jr. 

"We’ve known Zack for years... in fact, he was a school friends with my brother Nick, the original Mass Lines bassist. Zack's a great guy, has a very cool taste in music, and tries to apply the lessons you learn coming up from the DIY scene to what he does now. When he asked to use our music, it was easy to say yes.

"It's been wild to hear it played at his matches and to know that it's led to people from across the world checking out the band. On the weekend that Enlightened Age came out, Zack had a match at Wembley Stadium. Our music was played to 80,000 people at Wembley.

"It has meant that some people who've discovered Mass Lines through wrestling believe we're a bigger deal than we are. I remember a guy from New York reaching out on social media to say he'd discovered the band via wrestling and that he really enjoyed our stuff. He couldn't believe we messaged him back to say thanks."

Zack Sabre Jr. proudly flexing his vinyl tribute

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Enlightened Age is available now on cassette and digital.

Mass Lines on social media: Facebook | Instagram

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