A few days before the release of their third album, Boys These Days, Sports Team’s drummer, Al Greenwood, sits on a sofa in their north London management office, proudly displaying a prominent bruise on her leg. This colorful mark didn’t come from an intense night of drumming but from eagerly being pelted by paintballs at the hands of fans—a playful stunt aimed at boosting album pre-sales.
With both of their previous albums, the Mercury-nominated debut Deep Down Happy and Gulp!, breaking into the top three, the paintball event was an absurd yet fitting way to promote their music: buy five albums and take a shot at a band member. “I thought it would be a clever social critique, but instead, it was just painful and humiliating,” Greenwood jokes. To which guitarist Rob Knaggs adds, “I guess that is the critique!”
Emerging at the end of the 2010s amidst a wave of politically charged post-punk bands like Idles and Fontaines DC, Sports Team brings a refreshing alternative to the scene. While they remain socially aware—having met while studying at Cambridge—they channel an open-hearted sense of fun reminiscent of Britpop’s heyday, evoking a time when bands didn’t shy away from silliness.
As they continue to navigate the music landscape with their third album, frontman Alex Rice reflects, “We entered a world that was quite serious, but now being extroverted is essential for any successful band.” He points to groups like The Last Dinner Party and Wet Leg, who embody a spirit more akin to their early work than the bands they once shared stages with.
Both The Last Dinner Party and Wet Leg have ties with Sports Team; the former used to be fans attending their shows, while the latter supported them during a performance at Brixton Academy in 2021. This sense of community is central to the band’s mission, as they strive to create a welcoming environment for their fans, whether through a WhatsApp group or their annual party bus trips to Margate.
“We focus on building meaningful connections,” notes Knaggs. “It’s about doing activities that are engaging and memorable, unlike the fleeting nature of platforms like TikTok.”
Boys These Days tackles modern life’s incessant distractions, where “you wake up to 18,000 crazy narratives before getting out of bed,” according to lyricist Knaggs. Underneath its catchy, indie sound are insightful social observations.
Tracks like “Head to Space” critique billionaire excess, while the title song questions nostalgia culture, and “Bang Bang Bang” uses a cowboy narrative to address gun violence. “I’ve got no problems with nobody / He had no business in my drive,” Rice sings over a lively, twangy tune.
After a harrowing experience involving a gunpoint robbery during their US tour, the band found themselves amid a heated political debate on gun reform. “The Left-wing press wanted our anti-gun stance, but suddenly the Right came knocking,” Rice recounts. “We were invited on primetime Fox News, but when we talked about stopping gun violence, they turned back.”
Recent collaborations with charities like Trans Lifeline and immigrant resource organizations reflect Sports Team’s commitment to advocacy, even if they find themselves at odds with regulations—especially concerning U.S. border patrol.
Despite navigating various challenges in their career, there’s a sense of camaraderie and humor among the band members, forged through years spent on the road. They’ve reached their third album partly due to the undeniable depth beneath their playful persona. Greenwood has been active in promoting access for women in sports, while the band supports grassroots music venues.
“It’s difficult for indie bands because they rely on specific venues, which can be costly,” Rice observes. “Despite the challenges, platforms like TikTok provide an opportunity for music to thrive in a democratic way.”
Looking ahead, Sports Team are eager and ready to adapt, undeterred by the uncertainties they face. Release week has arrived, and no injury will deter them from promoting their new album. “This week is all about engaging with our fans,” Rice quips, “You have to set aside any notion of credibility and just sell!”
With their humor intact and priorities clear, Sports Team is less interested in selling out and more focused on genuine engagement with their audience. Their new album, Boys These Days, is out now, and they are on tour, with a performance at the 100 Club on July 18 (sold out—join the waiting list).
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