PINS: “We want everyone to think we are tough, because we are. Girl gang for life.”

Mancunian post-punk quartet PINS have come a bloody long way in the year since we last spoke to them.

They’ve lost original drummer Lara Williams and brought in Sophie Galpin (also of My First Tooth) to replace her on percussion duties. Double A-side single ‘Stay True/Get With Me’ was released recently to rapturous plaudits, and they’ve signed with esteemed label Bella Union. They’ve toured relentlessly and whipped up a debut LP for us to enjoy come September. It’s been a busy year, but none of the four would have altered it for the world. “I wasn’t in this band then and now I am. So that’s a big change for me,” muses Galpin, recalling the past 365 days. Vocalist/axe-wielder Faith Holgate chimes in excitedly: “Getting a record deal was a dream come true, it happened so fast! Getting our music pressed on vinyl and in real record shops was a huge highlight for me, but touring with my band is the best experience I’ve ever had.”

The foursome spout a noise which combines their self-proclaimed love for Hole, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Beach House – it’s a style that definitely errs towards the darker end of the spectrum. It’s a fuzzy, effects-laden concoction which borrows from C86, punk, shoegaze and pop. There’s a late ’80s DIY feel emanating from the outfit, with twinkling angst-riddled guitars, skewed, churned-up bass and riotous beats. Holgate’s vocals howl into the ether, smothered by echoes. As brooding and sinister as their music sounds, PINS manage to cultivate a healthy pop streak; it may appear as dour as Savages, but there’s an element of fun than will keep you reliving their choruses in your head for days to come. Their signature sound is created by some very precise and preconceived elements: “TWO FLOOR TOMS NO HI HAT,” contributes Galpin eagerly. Holgate’s more eloquent. “We’re fans of reverb and fuzz and we’re not sorry for that. I play a Fender Telecaster, it goes out of tune all the time, but it has a great sound, and I use a Vox amp. I like the old, garage sound.”

For many, ‘Stay True’ or ‘Get With Me’ would’ve been the first insight into the world of PINS, but the latter was very nearly binned. “They’re the first songs we have released from the forthcoming album so they were done in the same week that we recorded the rest of the tracks at Parr Street Studio in Liverpool. ‘Get With Me’ almost didn’t even make it on the record, I never liked it but Anna wanted to do it, so I said okay… and we recorded it. When I heard it back I fell in love with and we were like, it has got to be a single!” There’s been a sizeable buzz around the two singles, which Holgate and Galpin are blushing over. “It’s flattering really, I think we’re all always taken back when we get such good reactions from people. I never consider if anyone is going to like a song, it’s easy to forget that the records aren’t just for us. It’s really humbling that people listen and seem to enjoy what we’re doing!” As appears to be an emerging theme, Galpin flippantly chirrups afterwards, conveying an essential energy: “It’s been amazing! It’s always a bit of a gamble when you release something that you’ve been working on for a while so it’s turned out okay for us!”

At the core of their music, away from the buff of woozy goodness and pedalboard shenanigans, are the lyrics which are “usually written at home alone, in bed.” The themes behind the smoke are intrinsic to their eponymous debut. “The lyrics are personal to me,” begins Holgate. “It’s centred on my relationships with other people, whether that be relationships with friends, strangers, the audience, boys… a lot of it is tongue in cheek. Our old drummer Lara wrote the lyrics for the spoken word song ‘Velvet Morning’, it was a short story that she did and we played it over a bit of music we wrote when we first started the band… it was a perfect match, it was really sweet of her to let us use her words, it felt like a bit of her made it on to the record which meant a lot to me after the crazy year she shared with us.”

Although the album is still a few weeks away, PINS are getting antsy. “I’m just excited to get it out there, I can’t wait to see it in record shops, I can’t wait to tour it. We got the test pressing a couple of weeks ago.. we all went round to my flat, turned it up loud, drank cheap lager and danced to our own songs.” As if on cue, Galpin bursts in: “Yeah, we danced to the test pressing twice in a row. It feels like we’ve been sitting on it for ages – we just want to get it out there!”

“I’m excited to get my copy of it on vinyl,” replies Holgate.

“Definitely that… and playing live.”

“Ther’ll be a Manchester show . It’s still to be arranged though.”

“TOUR!” yelps Galpin.

PINS’ electric performances are the catalyst for their current circumstances. Playing with incredible focus, precision and with a blatant kinship onstage, they frequently impress. However, considering the vigour that develops on the stage, Holgate wishes for a little more zest. “The more that we release the better response we get, I still wish people would loosen up a little, I mean, I don’t stand there all stiff and awkward so why do they?! People forget that they are there to have a good time… it’s not everyone, the kids at the front are the best.” Perhaps their desire for feistier crowds comes from the galloping enthusiasm they exude. “Our confidence has definitely grown and we’re always learning, every show we play,” says Galpin, before Holgate adds: “I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I used to get so anxious about going on stage but now I feel that I own it when I’m playing, I can see it in the other girls too. When I look over to them and they’re really into it I just feel like yeah, we’re doing this!”

They’ve managed to find themselves in the right place and the right time. Manchester is once again becoming a hub for musical genius, and some would argue, replicating its 80s/90s legacy. “In Manchester there’s a lot of really great bands, some that have been around for a while and a bunch of new ones, there’s always a gig to go and see, at the moment I am enjoying Mistoa Polsta, very energetic, raw and loud. I think I’m photographing them soon which I’m looking forward to.” They’ve got some highlights for us to watch out for, too. “Well yeah, Mistoa Polsta, also I got a sneak peak of the next Brown Brogues album which is really incredible,” says Holgate. “Base Ventura, Kult Country,” Galpin notes. The Manchester venues are something special too, not just the bands. It’s important to have an area that the fledgling scene can thrive in. “The Bunker, even though it’s cold and damp it has magic.” Galpin pipes in: “Agreed. Also Deaf Institute. It’s great!”

In Best Fit’s last meeting with PINS, they were keen to ensure they had an image. That M.O. has remained the same. “We want everyone to think we are tough, because we are. Girl gang for life.” Although they want to retain that façade, it’s becoming increasingly difficult as they ascend into fame. They get recognised in the street now, like proper celebs. “You can’t miss us,” Holgate says, before Galpin tacks on: “Especially when Faith has her pilgrim hat on.”

It’s clear that PINS are ludicrously confident – and why shouldn’t they be? – and firm friends. If there’s anything that Foxygen are currently teaching us, it’s that bands who get along well are infinitely more awesome. PINS’ debut is shaping up to be an impressive one, and if their already-released teasers are any indication of what to expect, you should be very, very excited – though however excited you get, it won’t be nearly as much as Galpin and Holgate.

The debut album from PINS will be released on 30 September through Bella Union, and the band will be playing the following tour dates:

October

05 – Sheffield, Harley
07 – Bristol, Louisiana
08 – Brighton, The Hope
09 – London, Birthdays
10 – Norwich, Hog in Armour
11 – Newcastle, Cluny
12 – Glasgow, Broadcast
15 – Liverpool, Leaf
16 – Birmingham, Bull’s Head
17 – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall