Billycock has nothing to do with any sexual, unless you’re talking about really sexy music, then they’re guilty as charged
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
Even though the name Billycock gets easily mistaken for something sexual by splitting it in two words, it has actually nothing to do with that.
The story is rather straighforward actually. After we wrote our first song, our singer Alberto called it “A little bomb”. Since we are Italian, the word he used was “bombetta” (little bomb). So then he asked what Bombetta translated to English was like and Google said…billycock. There you go, we have a band name.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
We’ve been playing for about 4 years now, and the scene hasn’t changed much since. That might sound weird considering the pandemic we went through, but it’s not because of that that it’s complicated to come out as a band here in Italy. It’s because it’s not trend anymore, but we won’t give up trying…cause it’s too damn fun.
How would you describe your sound?
I guess it depends on the song, but generally we follow the Californian punk line as much as sound is involved. Loud distorted guitars and mid-oriented bass tones get the most of it. Still, we’re trying to experiment a bit with pedals and effects at the moment, and that will have an impact on our next ep coming out next year.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
We all have different music backgrounds and different tastes, but we found in punk rock a common ground. I think some influences can be spotted in our songs here and there, since some of our favorite bands are not punk at all, such as Foo Fighters or R.E.M.
Still, the main line follows the most iconic bands in the genre, such as Green day, Blink…
What’s the last song you listened to?
That’s a rather unexpected question. According to Spotify, the last song I listened to is Narcotic, by a German band named Liquido. If you don’t know it I suggest listening to it and being stuck with the keyboard riff in your brain for weeks.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Mainly Spotify. I have to admit that it works very well in finding something new according to one’s taste. Playlists work wonders. If liked a song, then just go to the radio of that song until you find another that suits you and so forth until you feel like it. Awesome.
Who is your dream producer?
It’s honestly something we don’t think about much. So far we’ve had contacts with small local labels, but it’s all very much base level. Truth being told, at the moment considering how impossible it is to promote punk rock here in italy, especially in our hometown, thinking of an actual big producer considering us would appear naïve. Still, dreaming is free right? Even then though, I don’t think I have a proper name, any big and serious label would do.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
There are so many ways of answering to that! Personally I’d die to play with Michael Stipe from REM. I’m sure Alberto, our singer, would feel the same about Dave Grohl.
Still, on a more down to earth scale, I’d love to write a collab-song with another local band named The Ammonoids. Those guys are great and I think that something coming out from the best of our efforts would kick ass.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
We all grew up, despite age gaps, listening to the upmentioned bands. That’s what made us all pick up guitars and drumsticks. The reason we keep doing that, despite an environment that hardly pushes against you, is that it feels great. Practicing feels great. Playing gigs feels great. “Do you like this song? Yeah, that’s mine” also feels great. We want to leave a mark by telling our stories very very loudly.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
Different songs call for different writing processes. The general approach is that one of us comes out with a general idea for a riff or a vocal line and the follow-up is often almost automatic. We’re a well oiled machine.
We also have different writing styles and it’s not that hard to spot who wrote which song knowing us personally. Dominant bass line? It probably came from Francesco (bass player). Very Foo Fighter-y track? It came from Alberto. Not so clear lyrics and punkish attitude? Luca’s work.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
Social media work wonders. We’re rather proud of our Instagram page and we take care of it quite effortly. So that is mainly how we connect with fans. Because of that we have way more listeners abroad than in Italy. We think that’s because other countries are much more open to this genre of music or at least more keen on listening to new music.
What’s next for you?
We have an EP on the stove! Almost ready.
I think this is going to be our best work so far. We all did our part in the writing process and there will be something for everyone, so be ready for that!
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Just wanted to state how much fun I had answering these questions.
I deeply apologize for any mistake, but hey, English is not my mother tongue, may I be excused!
Jokes aside, I really had a good time and I hope you will too while reading the answers.
I tried to give answers that work for the whole four of us, with a few personal touches…which will make no difference since you don’t know who I am!
Have a good day and please keep doing this.
Billycock
Bio:
Billycock is a punk rock band from Latina, Italy.
We are 60% made of water, ad the rest is:
Alberto (vocals / guitar)
Luca (vocals / guitar)
Francesco (bass / bass)
Stefano (drums / backing vocals)
The project started in 2018 and so far we count 2 EPs and we are preignant with a third one.
Our first Ep “Gentlemen & Shadows” is full of dualities and focuses on different aspects of the human soul. We’re not philosophers, we just take a look at the world out of the window and sing about it.
Our second effort “You’re Not Punk Rock!” took its name from a very drunk guy screming it at us while we were attending a gig. The themes here are pretty serious though. It goes from the loss of a family member to the feeling of failing at life.
We like to say that we are non-serious people who take music seriously.
