By Darren Grayer.
Southampton’s Interesting Wallpaper have been playing their infectious blend of indie pop music locally since forming in 2021. Their melodic and thought- provoking tunes take in a number of influences that include a hark back to the classic C86 sound that gave us bands such as The Brilliant Corners, Mighty Mighty, The Chesterfields and McCarthy.
The band have released a number of singles since then, including two that topped the South Coast Music Chart last year, and live performances have included appearances at the Isle Of Wight and Wickham Festivals, plus support slots alongside Rozi Plain, The Hanging Stars and The Monochrome Set. Friday night (16/1/26) saw them headline a packed Heartbreakers Bar to celebrate the release of a debut album, Rockpools.
Fronted by Southampton music scene stalwart, Pete Harvey, along with co- vocalist Leyanne Coombs, bassist Alex Parent, and drummer Ruby Parent, along with guest guitarist, Damian Cook for the purpose of tonight’s show.
Set and album opener 51 Western Road sees Interesting Wallpaper immediately hit their stride and highlights their strength, with Pete and Leyanne’s delightful, shared vocals, driven along at foot-tapping pace all with little snippets of harmonica.
Rabbit’s groovy bassline sees the band veer into slightly more pop/jazz territory that insists on a desire to throw a few shapes, something Leyanne Coombes needs no second invitation to do, in between carrying out her lead vocal duties.
Vesper’s more reflective country pop sound sees Pete Harvey take on vocal duties and deliver in fine style, all topped off with nice twangy guitar solo, before Obvious steps things back up a notch with its Can’t Explain style intro.
Sunny Side Up builds into a delightful harmony driven piece of pop, full of melodic guitar hooks and thoughtfully constructed lyrics that are lapped up by the appreciative Heartbreakers audience, who are enjoying every minute. The band are clearly enjoying themselves as well, there are smiles all round and seeing these songs go down so well makes everything very worthwhile.
Window’s more conventional rock/pop sound provides a standout moment for the vocals of Leyanne Coombes, with drummer Ruby Parent providing lovely backing vocals as well as featuring some excellent guitar phasing, giving things a psychedelic tinge. That in turn leads into Tokio Express, with guest flautist Christopher Townsend invited on stage to expand the sound a bit further and provide some eastern mysticality.
Set closing tracks Forty Days and Righteous Sound reflect perfectly the sound of Interesting Wallpaper and that C86 influence, and the added brass on the recorded album even leans into Dexy’s Midnight Runners signature sound of the early 80s.
45 foot tapping, head nodding and highly engaging minutes come to an end with rapturous applause and calls for more, so the band treat us to a bit of girl power pop perfection with a cover of The Sugarbabes Overload. It sees Leyanne Coombes in her element, long flowing hair flying everywhere a beaming smile that fills the room. To be fair, she’s been like that from song one!
So a highly successful evening for local Southampton music, with support bands, Pegasuses and Watching The Buzzards providing excellent back up and value for money for a good turn out of the city’s music fans.
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