Footprints in the Custard

Footprints in the Custard

Footprints in the Custard, also called Footprints, is a UK hard rock and metal group from Crewe, England, active since 2006. The band is known for a deliberately humorous approach to heavy music, combining riffs, solos, drum fills, bass lines and catchy hooks with a sense of irony. Its style is described by one comparison as “the Clash meets Napalm Death”.

Formation and early line-up

The group forms in August 2006 from the remains of vocalist Russell Gregory and guitarist Kyle Mcsweeny’s earlier band, All Greased Up. Gregory and Mcsweeny set out to make something that “takes the piss”, and the early result includes the song Wank. After a run of demos, former All Greased Up vocalist Jake Madeley joins to add depth and a more growling vocal style. The band then develops further through the addition of second guitarist Ian Fraser and bassist Matthew Evans, whose playing brings a different sound to the material.

At first a drummer is needed, but Fraser proves well suited to the parts and moves to drums. Rhythm guitarist Matthew Whitworth, also known as “Goddamnit Whitty”, then joins, completing the line-up. The band’s first gig takes place in January 2007 and receives a strong reaction, helping establish its reputation in the local scene.

Recordings and line-up changes

Footprints in the Custard completes its debut album, Oh God, It’s Warm, in 2007. The band then goes on hiatus around the beginning of 2008, with several members leaving for university. Russell Gregory and Kyle Mcsweeny later form the progressive punk metal band Beneath The Mansion.

The group returns to the studio in 2010 to record its second album, Every Hole Is a Goal. For this recording, Ian Fraser switches to bass guitar and programs the drums. The album is released in October 2011. After that, Mcsweeny leaves the band to pursue other projects, including Cojko Dial, Phalligajtor and Vandal Hearts.

Later members, releases and activity

Following Mcsweeny’s departure, guitarist Ross Vickers and drummer Thomas Walker join, and the band starts gigging again in November 2011. In December 2011 it releases the Christmas single When Santa Spaffed In My Stocking. The video for Every STD In The Book follows in March 2012, later being voted video of the month by Rock On Promotions and broadcast on SKY channel Propeller’s MetalTuune programme in July.

In spring 2012 the band enters Preston’s first Metal 2 The Masses competition, aiming for a place at Bloodstock Open Air 2012. During this period Thomas Walker leaves because of an injury involving severed fingers and a deckchair. He is replaced by New Deity drummer Paul Linsley, who initially fills in for touring and later joins permanently. Sam Buchanan of the Bathroom Crooners and Model Sister also occasionally joins on keyboards and drums. Footprints in the Custard reaches the final of the competition but does not win the Bloodstock slot.

Style

The band works in hard rock, metal, death’n’roll and progressive-leaning territory, with a sound built around heavy riffs, thrashier sections, funk-influenced bass and a prominent comic edge. Its lyrics and stage presentation avoid conventional image-conscious rock posturing and instead lean into overt humour.