With “Melissa In Action” out now, we took some time to hear from Leazes. Read below to learn more about Leazes, the story behind “Melissa In Action,” and what’s to come.
Hi! Let’s start with how did the band’s name come about?
The name, ‘Leazes,’ draws inspiration from the iconic Leazes Park in Newcastle upon Tyne. As Geordie lads born and raised in the area, we wanted a name that nods to our roots and the local landmarks that shaped our youth, the places where we made our memories and shaped who we are today.
What city are you all from, and where are you all based now?
We’re all proud Geordies from Newcastle upon Tyne. That’s where we grew up, went to school, and discovered our love for music. We’re still based right here in Newcastle today. It’s home, and the energy of the city fuels everything we do. No plans to leave anytime soon!
How and when did the band form?
We formed in 2023. Our first gig was only March 27th 2024! So the journey has certainly been thick and fast – a few of us were already friends or worked in various projects, so there was existing chemistry from the off; everything fell into place smoothly over a pint in the local, brainstorming ideas watching the football and having a laugh.
How would you all describe your band’s sound to readers who may not be familiar with you all?
Our sound is punchy, unapologetic, and nostalgic. Think energetic riffs, euphoric live energy, and a mix of nostalgia and urgency, perfect for sweaty festival crowds or late-night drives. It’s got that raw, youthful abandon, blending nostalgic songwriting with a modern musical punch.
Who are some of your group’s main musical influences?
We’re heavily influenced by North East legends like The Futureheads and Maxïmo Park, who capture that Northern spirit so well. We’d also go for early Arctic Monkeys, for their gritty, storytelling edge. Overall, it’s a cocktail of mid-2000s indie bands.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your band’s music career so far?
Winning the Road to Hardwick competition in July 2025 has to be it! We battled it out against some killer North East acts in heats, semis, and a packed final at Newgate Social, judged by industry heavyweights. Securing that main stage slot at Hardwick Festival alongside household names like Pet Shop Boys, Scissor Sisters, and Olly Murs was massively validating of our hard work and gave us that breakthrough moment.
What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?
Persistence pays off. We’ve put in hundreds if not thousands of hours so we know the grind is real, but staying true to your sound and connecting with fans makes it worthwhile. Also, collaboration (with patience) is key; our different writing styles clash sometimes, but that’s what creates magic.
Now onto the release, ‘Melissa In Action.’ What inspired this song?
At its core, ‘Melissa In Action’ is an autobiographical anthem about the end of Joe’s relationship with a partner who was obsessed with traveling, and eventually left him to see the world. With this song we tried to capture the internal turmoil of whether pursuing the relationship is really worth it or not. We have all experienced the typical ‘puppy-love’ tales everyone goes through in their youth.
What is ‘Melissa In Action’ about?
At its core, it’s a bittersweet anthem about the messy joy of young love, the push and pull of infatuation, the weird thrill of uncertainty, and reminiscing even as life moves on. Melissa represents the elusive, vibrant energy of someone who’s always one step ahead whilst you chase their shadow.
What was the creative process like when making ‘Melissa In Action?’
‘Melissa In Action’ fell into place naturally after Joe brought in the initial lyrics and melody after a late night writing session with Sam. From there, James, Brandon and Ben got stuck in with completing the song. We then experimented with adding additional layers, to give it the Leazes sound.
How long did it take to complete ‘Melissa In Action?’
It was surprisingly speedy! The bulk of the writing happened over one session; recording and production was similarly speedy with the tweaks, mixing, and mastering being wrapped up within a few weeks.
What message or messages do you all hope fans take away from ‘Melissa In Action’ and your band’s music in general?
We would like to think our music is relatable, capturing the messiness and euphoria that we’ve all been through, but always with an uplifting, anthemic twist. Sing along, feel alive, and know you’re not alone in the chaos.
What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
We’re riding high post-Hardwick and ‘Melissa In Action.’ We’re back in the studio as we speak, crafting up a couple more bangers that we can’t wait to share! We have some exciting gigs on the horizon. Our next headliner (October 31st) at The Grove marks our 4th headliner of the year, all being sold out. Next year, we will playing our biggest venue yet, the iconic city hall in Newcastle, with Bad Manners!. Along with further massive announcements!
Where can we follow you all on social media?
Follow us everywhere for updates, behind-the-scenes, and new tunes!
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Leazes-61552562766710/
• Instagram: @leazesband (https://www.instagram.com/leazesband/)
• TikTok: @leazesband (https://www.tiktok.com/@leazesband)
• Spotify/Streaming: Search “Leazes” or head to linktr.ee/leazes
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
