Great name for a band
Previous Strain
The story
Formed in the winter of 2017 in Manchester, England, Previous Strain started out as a group of roommates who bonded over their love of obscure post-punk records and late-night jam sessions. Frontman Eli Watkins first met guitarist Zoe Lane at a vintage record shop, and soon after, drummer Marcus Young and bassist Priya Singh rounded out the lineup. Their name, Previous Strain, came from a line scribbled in Zoe's lyric notebook—an ode to the past aches and the lessons that shaped them.
They began playing tiny basement venues, quickly gaining a reputation for their electrifying live sets and vulnerable songwriting. Their debut EP, "Echoes on Repeat," caught the attention of indie critics for its raw energy and melodic hooks, and their sound evolved into a fusion of angular guitars, driving bass, and soaring harmonies. Their music, both cathartic and infectious, speaks to anyone who's ever felt haunted by their own history.
Post-punk revival with hints of indie rock.
Secondhand Shadows
Verse (Chords: Em – C – G – D) Em C I walk the alleyways I used to know G D Footsteps echo what I can't let go Em C Graffiti hearts that we both outgrew G D Spray-painted ghosts in shades of blue Em C Every faded laugh in the midnight rain G D Pulls at the seams of a previous strain Em C Carried your words on a secondhand coat G D Still searching for the note you wrote Chorus (Chords: Am – G – D – Em) Am G Secondhand shadows dance behind me D Em Tracing the shape of who we’d be Am G Memory’s echo, it won’t let me go D Em Caught in the current, pulled by the flow Am G If I could outrun what’s burned in my veins D Em Maybe I’d silence the previous strain Verse 2 (Chords: Em – C – G – D) Em C Neon reflections in puddles of doubt G D Maps in my mind I can’t figure out Em C Every new morning’s a borrowed refrain G D Still hearing the chords of a previous strain Chorus (Chords: Am – G – D – Em) Am G Secondhand shadows dance behind me D Em Tracing the shape of who we’d be Am G Memory’s echo, it won’t let me go D Em Caught in the current, pulled by the flow Am G If I could outrun what’s burned in my veins D Em Maybe I’d silence the previous strain
Biggest fan
Name: Jamie Foster
"I’ve been following Previous Strain since their first show at The Locomotive basement. Their music speaks to the parts of me I never knew how to name—especially ‘Secondhand Shadows,’ which felt like it was written straight from my own memories. The band took time to chat with me after a gig last year, remembered my name, and even let me help set up their merch table. Previous Strain isn’t just my favorite because of their sound, but because of how real and down-to-earth they are. Their songs have helped me through some tough nights, and I know I’ll be a fan for life."