When the unpeople rock band first formed three years ago, they received a piece of advice that would fundamentally shape their identity. Guitarist Luke Caley recalls his partner, Bethany, challenging the group’s lack of visual intent. She pointed out that after pouring countless hours into their art, packaging it with a “don’t care” attitude was a disservice to the music. This realization sparked a transformation, leading the four-piece to embrace a technicolour aesthetic that stands in stark contrast to the traditional dark palettes of the heavy music scene.
The band—comprising Caley, bassist Em Lodge, drummer Richie Rayner, and vocalist Jake Crawford—has quickly moved from bedroom rehearsals to the big leagues. Their name itself is a reclamation of an old-fashioned term used to describe everyone outside the political elite. For unpeople, the mission is simple: radical inclusivity. They view music as a rare medium where 80,000 people can stand in a field, setting aside opposing views to share a genuine human connection.
The Evolution of ‘We Are unpeople’
The journey toward their debut album, We Are unpeople, has been defined by organic growth and authentic expression. Caley and Crawford, who have shared a musical chemistry for years, began the project without any preconceived notions of what the sound should be. The result is a continuation of the lessons learned during their early EP cycle, refined by the shared experiences of a band that has already ticked off major life goals in just three years.
Bassist Em Lodge notes that the buildup to the release has been a mix of nerves and excitement, emphasizing that the band took their time to ensure the record was exactly what they envisioned. Drummer Richie Rayner likens the feeling to holding a perfectly wrapped Christmas present, eager for the world to finally open it. This sense of pride is mirrored in their visual presentation. While previous projects may have ignored the “shop window,” unpeople intentionally use bright colours to juxtapose the heaviness of their sound, making their live shows a fun, multi-sensory experience.
From AC/DC to the Metallica Stage
The bond between Crawford and Caley dates back to 2015, when their previous bands, Dakota and Press To Meco, toured together. A mutual adoration for AC/DC cemented a friendship that Crawford describes as a “Step Brothers moment.” This long-standing connection provides the foundation for the band’s tight-knit dynamic, which was recently put to the ultimate test when they supported Metallica.
Opening for a legendary act like Metallica was a full-circle moment for Crawford, who first saw the band at Download Festival in 2004. Meeting James Hetfield backstage—who Crawford describes as an incredibly down-to-earth individual—validated the years of hard work. While Crawford and Rayner were busy meeting their idols, Caley jokingly admits he was off finding ice cream, a testament to the band’s grounded and humorous nature. This eclectic mix of influences even extends to Crawford’s personal fandom of XTC, having previously performed in a premier tribute band for the group.
Ultimately, unpeople are driven by empathy. Their ethos is built on the belief that equality and unity are the starting points for progress. By using their platform to foster connection rather than division, they are proving that heavy music can be a home for everyone, regardless of the colour they wear or the background they come from.