Interviews: Common Tongue
On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Common Tongue from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their INSTAGRAM PROFILE.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or did it just come out like that?
A bit of both really, after jamming and just playing around we got to the point that we actually needed a band name. With us both being called Matt we regularly get the “Matt² and Two Matt's” reference, but John has already taken ownership of that idea. So we became Common Tongue - the voice of everyday life.
Writing songs about day-to-day happenings, annoyance with unjust situations and politics; love, loss, heartbreak; celebrating at the end of a long week, having a beer with a mate - that turning into one too many! Just a general look at modern society and what is going on in the world.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Despite enjoying music from a variety of genres, hard rock is where we find our sound. There’s no better feeling than being in the groove, looking at your best mate after a sweet guitar lick or a drum fill and just being in that moment. For us playing rock music gives us those moments and that’s just in the rehearsal space. Being able to do that on stage in front of friends, other bands, and complete strangers and all being in that moment together is EPIC!
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Strangely we actually both grew up in Chatham in Kent. We went to different schools but played hockey at the same club. As kids, we were never close friends, but knew of each other and played in teams together. Fast forward nearly 10 years and we found ourselves living in Portsmouth, we'd both ended up down here for various reasons (uni, relationships, work) and overheard each other talking about being “from Chatham” After a conversation the friendship grew and it eventually turned into Common Tongue.
4. Each band member's favorite band?
Such a hard question and to only pick one, let’s say top 3?
Matt W - Chewie, The Menzingers and Green Day
Matt T - Tigercub, Dear Poets Society, Muse.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
We take inspiration from a huge wealth of spaces. Sometimes the theme comes first and the music follows, other times it's the other way around. In the most recent song we've written, Guitar Matt came up with the guitar part and vocal melody, Drum Matt then had an idea for the theme of the song and a vocal hook. Guitar Matt then took the idea of the hook and turned it into a whole different song still keeping the key riff and melody at the heart of it.
6. Where was your last gig?
We played an awesome show at The Edge of the Wedge (Wedgewood Rooms) in Portsmouth supporting Jaws the Shark. It was a great honor to be on the support slot as we’d both been absolutely nailing “Wasteland” since its release earlier this year.
7. Where would you like to play?
We’d just want to keep gigging and building our fanbase. We’re looking to play new shows, in new venues to new people! Our next goal is to play at the Victorious Festival next summer. Not to seem like a perpetually local band, but we’re also proud of where we’re from and we’re always looking to expand and travel while playing all of the cool places on our doorstep. Long term though, after growing up in Kent, we both went to loads of London gigs. We would love to play Kentish Town, Brixton, or one of the old converted theatre venues. For now, though we’ll keep building… Southampton, Brighton, Bristol, then the world!
8. Who would you like to support?
Some of the bands we’re into at the moment and we’d musically be a good fit for include Dead Poet’s Society, Tigercub, and HIMALAYAS. Drummer Matt has been really into Soft Plays' new album and although we do use a hi-hat, opening for them would be mad! Also, their girls-only mosh pits are a lush idea and it's so important for women to feel safe and be able to have a great time and traditionally male-dominated rock shows.
9. Who not?
As long as they're up for a noisy, riff-heavy, two-piece rock band, we’d open the stage for anyone who wants us. Saying that though, there are unfortunately people in the music industry with sketchy values. We're definitely a couple of guys with a strong sense of self and freedom. We wouldn't want to play with/for anyone that doesn't align with that. Equality is above all else and we stand with and in support of marginalized communities. Easy of course to say as two white cis men, but we hope to keep playing shows and supporting a variety of people/causes in the industry.
10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?
We quite often joke before a show and look at each other and say, “I can’t remember how to play.” luckily by the time the lights come up, and the amps are on, we're back in the groove and ready to rock.
I suppose stage fright is largely the fear of it going wrong. When it goes wrong, most recently drummer Matt coming in too early after a breakdown, we just laugh it off. We're lucky enough that we're tight enough as a band that most of the mistakes made are only known to us. Also, a public apology and asking for a lift home from the audience after apologizing to your bandmate on stage always gets a laugh! We're only human.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
We tend to cite Royal Blood, Muse, cleopatrik, Tigercub, Queens of the Stone Age, and Biffy Clyro as sound references and “for fans of”. They're probably bands that on a brief listen we sound like. But we definitely take inspiration from a wide range of music. We're constantly WhatsApp-ing random Spotify links of songs we've heard and liked, or have cool bits of production. It's great as deep down you can often hear what Matt T has been listening to at the moment when writing riffs and crafting songs. Get ready to see how MRC influences the CT writing process next year!
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
A little while ago we were asked to sign our first piece of merch! A moment I don't think either of us believed would come. Luckily we had a gorgeous gold Sharpie in the Rock and Roll Suitcase - where we keep our ts and Matt's drum bits for easy transportation and we happily obliged. I don't think it was on eBay the next day, perhaps they are playing the long game. Hopefully they just really liked our sound.
13. What do you think of your fans?
We love our fans, to be fair most of them at the moment are friends! But as we grow as a band, play new shows, and meet new people we love meeting new people. It's awesome meeting people with a love of music, sharing stories over a beer, and exploring new bands and recommendations.
We don’t have a collective name yet, Swifties, Sheerios, maybe the Tongues? We also haven't had chanting before we come on yet “Com-mon Tongue” football fan style. A friend suggested “We Want Tongue.” not sure how that one sits or if it will age well though!
14. What do you think of our site?
What a great site full of awesome heavy music! It was new to us before this interview, but we will for sure be back, checking in and keeping an ear out for awesome new tunes. The rock hand cursor is also very cool!
15. Something to add?
Thanks so much for reading. Come say hi on Instagram @commontongue.band and have a listen on Spotify!
Please listen to our new single, Done, and keep an eye out for even more new music coming in 2025
If you can't wait that long, and why would you, check out our Debut EP - Commence to hear what we're all about.
If you like videos to go with your music then we’re on Youtube too, https://www.youtube.com/@band.commontongue
Say hi on the socials, listen to some music, enjoy it, and stay safe!
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