Clickbait - 12.03.2021

With influences from The Sex Pistols to Oasis, Berlin-based Ponte Pilas brings to the fore what rock 'n' roll is really all about: unhealthy amounts fun. The Scottish-Ecuadorian quartet place sharp-edged riffs next to irresistible melodies to make their songs highly infectious. This is true of new single "Clickbait”, a song written about the ominous murky depths of the internet.

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“Inspired by the rise of on-line trolling and the wild spread of conspiracy theories such as QAnon, Clickbait paints a chilling portrait of ‘incel’ culture and drags the listener into this paranoid and isolated world. Veering from anxious synthesisers to guitar-led hooks, it is a breathless ride.”

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Driving guitar riffs and an aggressive staccato delivery from singer Bolland drive the verses into a manic pre-chorus with echoes of Black MIDI. This is punctured by a fuzz-laden chorus line proselytising an end to this dark spiral. A bridge affords the listener some much- needed breathing room before building to an explosive angular guitar solo. Clocking in at just under three minutes the song demands to be replayed.

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For the video, the band enlisted up-and-coming German director Lisa Hürtgen, who along with her team brought this idea to life. Starring Mario Klischies, the video depicts the life of a solitary man who becomes radicalised on-line. Driven by fear and anger, he trains for some unforeseen cataclysmic event, honing his physical strengths whilst rational thought leaves him behind. What he trains for remains unclear, but his dark intent is well apparent.

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The four members of Ponte Pilas have been recording music together since 2017. The latest recording was done exclusively with original 60s and 70s equipment at Impression Recordings in Berlin. Together with recording engineer Robbie Moore (Florence & the Machine, Babyshambles), mixing engineer Andy Baldwin (Björk, Oasis, The Who) and mastering engineer Mandy Parnell (Paul McCartney, Depeche Mode), a new single of massive power has been created, generating much excitement. 

Biography

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Berlin-based rock ’n’ roll band Ponte Pilas, namely Scottish frontman Calum Bolland and Ecuadorians Daniel Rivera (drums), Ismael Rivera (lead guitar) and Alejandro Iturralde (bass), formed in February 2017. With catchy guitar riffs, a driving rhythm section and anthemic choruses, the band’s chaotic live shows quickly earned them a reputation as one of Berlin’s most exciting up-and-coming groups.

    Drawing comparisons to Oasis, the Hives and the Stooges, Ponte Pilas’ music shows a keen ear for musical hooks and combines elements of both contemporary and classic rock. Their lyrics are cinematic in scope, with influences such as Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski. These songs are performed live with an intensity and energy that works audiences into a frenzy.

    Having played legendary Berlin venues such as SO36, SAGE Club and selling out a headline show at Musik & Frieden, last year Ponte Pilas toured throughout Germany and Europe. With a very simple philosophy, to make each show as wild and unique as possible, Ponte Pilas make the music that they love. Support tours with The Wedding Present and The Legendary Tigerman followed.

    Awarded the 2019 ‘Listen to Berlin’ Public Prize by the Berlin Music Commission, along with a showcase at the Most Wanted: Music convention, the band are garnering industry acclaim. Having enjoyed a German tour with post-punk starlets King Nun, the band recorded a new E.P. ‘So It Goes…’ with Impression Recordings’ Robbie Moore in June 2020. This will be released, following singles from the record, in early 2021.

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