Sunderland’s teenage punk outfit Trivia are rapidly shaking up the local scene, refusing to be defined by their age or dismissed as a novelty act. Backed by the legendary Serial Bowl Records, they’ve moved from rehearsal rooms to major stages, earning serious respect from established local heavyweights. Their debut EP, ‘Home’, is a triumph of melodic punk rock, driven by relentless drums and textured walls of guitar. John Curtis sat down with Trivia to talk lyrics, the teenage prodigy label, and sharing stages with heavyweights of the scene.
You’ve quickly gone from rehearsal room to sharing stages with established Sunderland bands like Red London, Claudia, Slalom D and Tearjerker. What has it been like navigating the local scene as teenagers? And how have those older bands treated you?
Honestly, it’s been surreal but amazing. Navigating the scene as teenagers can definitely feel intimidating, but we’ve done enough gigs now that we think we’re starting to hold our own. We’ve had so much support from bands like Claudia, Red London, Slalom D and Tearjerker. They’ve been brilliant and treat us as a serious band rather than a “teenage band”. They’ve actively shared advice and made us feel welcome. There’s a massive sense of community in the Sunderland music scene, and having that backing gives us a huge confidence boost.
Looking at the lyrics for ‘Home’ and ‘Fade’, there is vivid imagery about time, memory and being stuck – lines like ‘I’m watching time slip through the cracks of yesterday’ and ‘memories from my mind… never seem to fade’. Where does that sense of looking back and feeling trapped come from?
I think that feeling comes from watching what’s going on in your own town. In places like Sunderland, there’s a lot of history, but also a real sense of restlessness among young people. You see people clinging to old memories because the present feels stuck and the future feels uncertain. Those lyrics are about absorbing that, and how hard it is to break from old habits and mindsets. We’re trying to capture the mood you feel walking the streets here.
Serial Bowl Records is known for its DIY punk ethos. How did the connection first come about? And what does it mean to have their backing?
We’ve been part of the Sunderland punk scene since we started, and it’s definitely shaped our sound. Serial Bowl Records really helped us from the beginning and were the first people who recognised we weren’t just a “young band”, but that we were willing to put in the hard work. We’re just happy they’ve put their faith in us for the EP. They’re just as excited about it as we are.
The EP tackles mature themes like toxic lifestyles, restlessness and mental strain. Is songwriting therapeutic for you? Or are you drawing from outside experiences?
It’s a mix of both. Young people right now are under unbelievable pressure. You see people dealing with heavy things – pressure to fit in, toxic relationships, mental strain – and you absorb that when it’s happening around you. Writing these songs is an outlet for us, but also a way of processing those observations. We want the music to feel like a voice for those experiences.
You’re often described as “teenage prodigies”. Does that label ever overshadow the music? And how do you push past it?
On one hand, it’s nice when people think we’re beyond our years. But a “prodigy” label can make it feel like we’re being graded on a curve. We want people to love the EP because the songs are genuinely good. We push past it by out-working the label – putting everything into songwriting, rehearsals and live shows so our age stops mattering on stage.
You’re celebrating the EP launch with a show at Independent on Saturday 18th July. What can people expect?
We love playing live and the connection with the audience is everything. This gig feels like a new chapter. Expect loud energy unlike anything we’ve done before. To increase capacity, we’ve recently moved it from The Ship Isis to The Independent, and we’re thrilled to play a venue that’s always been good to us.
Tickets for Trivia’s Independent date, priced at £5.00 in advance, are available at independentsunderland.com.
