“Whenever I try to describe it, I just say it’’s loud… and there’’s a melody.”” So says Trust Punks’’ drummer Liam Powell with a wry smile.

Barely one year old, Trust Punks are already making a name for themselves with their distortion-fuelled brand of punk pop. With a reputation for exuberant, energetic live shows and a seven-date Australian tour already under their belts, the Auckland-based quintet are off to a roaring start. Having four infectiously catchy singles released so far through their Bandcamp page, the group are also quickly building a solid body of material.

From the thoughtful introspection of Prone Hold to the droll social satire of Karl Marx Real Doll, Trust Punks are clearly not afraid to tackle disparate subject matter – and given that there are five songwriters in the band it’’s no surprise.

“We like the idea of our previous four singles being complete within themselves as a package,”” explains guitarist and vocalist Alexander Grant. Now, however, with a freshly recorded EP in the works, the group members seem eager to move forward and explore new lyrical territory.

“I think a lot of the lyrics are more personal,”” says Joe Thomas (also guitar and vox) about the new material. “I hate the idea of having prescriptive content in the songs, so with these songs we tried to put more of ourselves and our experiences in them, because that’’s what makes art interesting.””

Recording a mix of live show staples and newly minted tracks, written mere days prior, the band worked with Joshua Lynn at Thinkt Studios, in a rapid-fire three-day (and early morning) recording session.

Like many Kiwi bands, Trust Punks have embraced a DIY aesthetic – though possibly more out of necessity more than anything else according to Thomas.

“We’’ve all been playing in bands since we were 14 or 15, and when you start out that young you really don’’t know anyone, and for a few years you just have to do everything yourself.””

Not keen to wear their influences on their sleeves, Trust Punks shy away from associating themselves too closely with any peers.

“Of course, when you’re younger you want to make a band just like the bands you’re into,”” says Powell. “But this is less derivative. We’ve just gotten to a stage where we’re comfortable enough to create what we want to create, without borrowing from other people.””

Therein lies the dilemma of categorising Trust Punks into any one genre – their music is brash yet self-conscious, aggressive but poignant. Not that that’’s something the band is worried about, as Thomas indicates.

“I think songs should ask more questions than they answer.””trustpunks.bandcamp.com