Catching up with one of this years ones to watch: Count the Days burst their way into 2025 with an explosive live set
Photo by Dan Morrison
Glasgow is well known for producing the finest talent in music including their punk scene that’s seen big names come up the ranks making a noise as they go. The city’s latest addition is no different from the bands they aspire to be – Count the Days made themselves known late last year and have quickly built a platform in such a short time. With their debut single ‘Above You’ reaching 1000 plays on its first day, the signs were instantly there that things were serious with this band coming in hard from the get-go and not letting slip since.
Ahead of their opening show of the year at the famous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow, I caught up with the boys in the band gain a little insight into the lives of Count the Days and chat all things music, influences, and even go to meal deals. Fronted by David, William on drums, Arran on guitar and bassist Ross, the boys set their sights on a big 2025.
Where did your name come from?
William: “We went through different abbreviations of Count the Days then we had to go through Spotify to see what was taken and the only one that wasn’t used was Count the Days and we just went with that.”
Wee Div: “There was still that name, there was an old Count the Days band from 2012 but they hadn’t been active since. The original ideas was counting the days towards something hopeful or something to look forward to. Always a thought of giving people hope that there’s something to look forward to. “
How had the reception been since you started the new band?
Wee Div: “I’ve been blown away. I don’t remember a lot of things but I remember this quite vividly, when we released “Above You” our debut single, our page just went wild, I think we went up around 200 followers it was just constant. Since then it’s just went scarily well, I’m not waiting on any downfall I’m just really buzzing this is my second time doing this in a band – it’s doing so well again, with The Wee Reps (The Wee Reprobates) it ended up doing pretty well too. This is beyond anything I’ve done I’m a lot happier doing the tunes that I’m doing. “
Photo by Dan Morrison
Are you sticking to the same influence as The Wee Reps?
Wee Div: “It’s completely different. We played one tune tonight ’24 Hours’ which was wrote as a Wee Reps tune – we just thought fuck it everyone can be doing with a little pop punk energy now and then.”
William: “I think the punk vibe is the only thing that’s been kept, Wee Reps were more like skate punk and now Count the Days is heavier with heavier influences.”
Wee Div: “We like doing melodic stuff with breakdowns. I’ve been listening to a lot more heavier stuff, it’s a lot do to with William. With the Wee Reps is was straight up pop punk and skate punk stuff and then William showed me A Day To Remember and I was like wow this is a mix of both. The way I try and write a tune is to try and have a much fun as you can while hitting subjects that need to be spoken about – having something people can sing along to but also to go wild to. Arran has brought in a lot of Biffy Clyro influence
Is there any meaning behind ‘Above You’?
Wee Div: “The way I would try to word it is when you have relied on someone and you’ve been back stabbed, we’ve all had those situations when someone has turned their back on you when you’ve needed them the most. It’s about rising above it and you’ll never back down. It’s a good song to start off with – this is who we are, we’re just going to have fun with it and play some tunes.”
If you had to book your own festival – who would your three headliners be?
William: “I’d go with Parkway Drive, A Day To Remember and I feel Knocked Loose on the last day would go hard. Sounds like a good Download lineup. “
Ross: “Creeper on the first night, My Chemical Romance and Salem just because I want to see them back again I just miss them. “
Wee Div: “My music taste is just all over the place right now. Green Day because I wouldn’t be me without them. I’d probably say Slipknot – I want to say Foo Fighters but I feel I’m missing a treat, The Vamps are brilliant. I’ll say A Day To Remember – Downfall of Us All blew my mind. “
Arran: “I’m going to say Enter Shikari because I’m repping their t-shirt, I’ll say Bring Me the Horizon – their set would be an Eras Tour type thing, they’d start with their first album and just work through. Biffy Clyro for the last night.”
Photo by Dan Morrison
Is there one song in history you wish you wrote?
Wee Div: “‘Jesus of Suburbia’ by Green Day. That 9-minute epilogue of life is just perfect.”
William: “Carrion by Parkway Drive.”
Ross: “Probably “Mr Brightside",” not because I like it but just imagine the PRS cheques.”
Arran: “I’m going with Biffy again; “Machines” means a lot to me. I’ve covered it at every little acoustic gig I’ve done. It’s a beautiful song.
Wee Div: “Honourable mention: “Roar” by Katy Perry.”
What does 2025 look like for Count the Days?
Wee Div: “Very very cheeky. We love Glasgow but were trying to stay away for a bit. We have very fun things in Glasgow sometimes and other places in Scotland.”
Arran: “We want to release some music, we have a lot of songs written we have lots in the works.”
Wee Div: “The new run of tunes we have are a lot harder hitting I’d say – they are a lot bigger sounding, it’s right in your face.”
Final and biggest question – what’s your meal deal order?
Wee Div: “I don’t really go for a meal deal that much, I’d probably just say your standard Maccies – McCrispy, large chips and a chocolate milkshake. I don’t really buy meal deals like that.:
Ross: “Everything that’s in the fridge because I am a fat bastard.”
William: “Pink monster, hoisin duck wrap and pickled onion Monster Munch.”
Arran: “I’ll go with the hoisin duck wrap, tube of original pringles and just a bottle of water. Nice and simple.”
Wee Div: “I’ve thought of a proper meal deal now, a nice tomato pasta, a yorkie and a bottle of water. Yorkies are banging.”
Photo by Dan Morrison
A huge thank you to the boys in Count the Days for taking the time to chat to us and giving a nice in-depth view to life in the new band. You can catch them on the road over the coming months on the dates below.
1st March – Aberdeen, The Blue Lamp
12th April – House Guest Festival, Glasgow
Stream ‘Above You’
https://open.spotify.com/track/78hk7gdjhSqUJUtv7SyuRy?si=67d321fe6f4d4a7e