Interview | The Calamity Answer 10 Questions

Wolverhampton Band The Calamity take on the 10 Questions!

Interview: Present are Billy Haynes (guitar/vocals), Matt Smith (guitar), Steph Haynes (bass) and George Holt (keys).

1. Where did band name come from?

Billy: Out of a hat. The hat’s decision is final. I’m not sure whether the hat is literal or figurative.

2. What made you want to get into music?

B: Creative expression?

Matt: Not wanting to have a shit job.

B: Though we don’t make any money so we have to have shit jobs anyway.

3. Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

Steph: The NAC [Newhampton Arts Centre]. We played at ‘Strummerjam’ there last summer.

M: We put these gigs on at Asylum Art Gallery in Wolves, they’re really good. It’s just a white room with no toilet, everyone has to piss behind the bins. It’s free and a great atmosphere, and we don’t have to deal with promoters.

B: Mmm… promoters.

M: It has a kind of renegade thing to it.

B: I used to love the Adelphi in Hull when I was at uni there, used to play there a lot. It’s like someone’s living room made into a gig venue. We’d like to take the band there at some point.

4. One band/artist you’d love to support?

M: Should we say someone really niche?

S: Nah someone massive. Ariana Grande?

George: Do they have to be still functional? If not then the Velvet Underground.

B: Probably Peter Doherty. I remember seeing him in Coventry once, there were four support acts. It was a sort a cabaret vibe, very cool.

5. What’s the greatest love song ever written?

M:‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ by Foreigner.

B: Erm…

6. The best album you’ve heard this year?

M: ‘Brutalism’ by Idles. Looking forward to listening to their new one.

B: I bought Jesus and Mary Chain’s ‘Psychocandy’ couple of months ago, love that.

G: ‘Unknown Pleasures’ by Joy Division. Not sure if I listened to it this year or last year though.

S: Not really listened to anything. I think when you play music a lot of people expect you to be an ‘aficionado’; but I’m not that into consuming music, I just enjoy playing it.

7. Most overrated artist of all time?

S: The Calamity.

B: Queen. Definitely Queen. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is terrible and makes me sad.

M: Ed Sheeran.

B: Is he rated?

M: Yeah! All the idiots love Sheeran.

8: What’s the last song you streamed on Spotify?

M: ‘Drunken Angel’ by Lucinda Williams.

G: I can’t get my Spotify to work.

B: I don’t have it. We’re listening to The Fall at the moment though… I listened to a band called Real Estate the other day.

9: Bands to look out for?

G: Raphaella Kornaskis…

B: Bryony Williams…

M: The Calamity?

B: Yeah! I think we’re quite introspective as a collective, our influences are mostly archaic and we can’t afford Saturdays at the Sunflower Lounge. So in terms of the ‘scene’ we’re very much outsiders.

M: We’re trying to do something different, make something that we’d love cos no one else is doing it.

S: Be the band you want to see in the world.

10: Plans for the future?

S: Film a video for our song ‘Pagans’.

B: World domination. Take the band on tour, make new records.

M: I want to be happy and not be bored and working for £7.83 an hour like a twat.

Just would like to say thanks once again to The Calamity for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Twitter / Facebook / Soundcloud

Interview | Jack Barnett Answers 10 Questions

Jack Barnett Takes on The 10 Questions!

When did you start to write music?

Started writing when I was about 14. I was in a band in school me and the singer wrote all of our songs together.

What made you want to get into music?

A friend of mine had started to learn to play guitar and I thought it was cool so I started to. From then on I’ve picked up any instrument that I can get my hands on!

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

Probably Tiny Rebel at hubfest last year. I wasnt even playing my stuff I was filling in for the Oldus Fawn guitarist and had to learn everything in one afternoon. They sound was great and 0 mistakes, the most enjoyable gig in a while for me I think.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Jamie Lenman, it wouldn’t fit at all but he’s my all time favourite song writer and his shows are outrageous.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Green grass by Tom Waits. Also Laisse moi t’aimer by Mike Brant.

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

This year I’m not so sure. In the past 12 months Glassjaw – material control, an album I’ve been waiting 15 years for and it didn’t disappoint.

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

So many! I don’t like the Beatles I never have, it makes some people vomit bile when I say that. What they have contributed to modern music is undeniable but I just cant get on with it.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Yeah right by Joji

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

My cardiff music scene day one Little Rêd, Oldus Fawn is one to see live and someone a little further afield Soccer Mommy.

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

Probably record a little more. Make things sound even bigger again.

Just would like to say thanks once again to Italia 90 for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Him! – Twitter

‘The Chapel’ –  Listen Here

Interview | The Americas Answer 10 Questions

Photo by @anniewarnerr

The Americas bring their swagger to The 10 Questions

We’re just three days away until The Americas release their new EP ‘Guitar Music Is Dead’. Ahead of the release we caught up with the band so they could answer our ten questions about music, Enjoy!

Where did your band name come from?

America

What made you want to get into music?

You can’t put your finger on it… There’s not really any choice in the matter… If you do it, It’s just what you do.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

The main room at O2 Academy Birmingham was an amazing stage to play

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Courtney Barnett

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Nothing Compares 2U // Hallelujah // Go Your Own Way

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Damien Jurado – The Horizon Just Laughed – Listen Here
Here Lies Man – You Will Know Nothing – Listen Here
Shame – Songs of Praise – Listen Here

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Ed Sheeran

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Bobby D – Man Gave Names To All The Animals

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

The Surrenders
False Heads
Bad Bug

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

Nandos black card!

Just would like to say thanks once again to The Americas for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Rosanna’ –  Listen Here

‘American Morning’  – Listen Here

Interview | Bad Bug Answer 10 Questions

Leeds Band Bad Bug take on the 10 Questions!

Where did your band name come from?

It’s the title of a book by the FDA about hygiene and safety in food.

What made you want to get into music?

The Beatles, especially solo Beatles, and The Runaways, and also for the money.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

Gotta be Brudenell Social Club in Leeds! We played our third gig there supporting Shonen Knife. It’s such a great community hub in Leeds and is so much more than a pub and venue. We all have so many memories there and playing the iconic main room was a dream come true!

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Our dream bands to support would be BJM, The Stones, Blondie, or The Darkness

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Can I Borrow A Feeling? – Kirk Van Houten

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Holy Doom by Demob Happy – Listen Here

Multitask by Omni – Listen Here

Most overrated band

Chart saturating overnight stars aside, music is so diverse it’s impossible to say. Popular bands are popular for a reason so they must be speaking for someone somewhere.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Our Discover Weekly playlists!

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

Calva Louise

Red Rum Club

The Seamonsters

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

We’ve got two new singles out this Autumn!

Just would like to say thanks once again to Bad Bug for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Bad News’ –  Listen Here

Interview | The Firflys Answer 10 Questions

The Fireflys take on the 10 Questions!

Where did your band name come from?

The Rob Zombie film “The Devils Rejects” The family of killers are called the grammatically incorrect “The Fireflys” which in turn are named after a Marx brothers film “Duck Soup”. The film really struck a chord with me (The Devils Rejects) it was so visceral and terrifying and mostly shot in broad daylight which I think is quite unusual for a horror. I believe there’s a sequel in the works too called “ 3 from hell” so 2018 is definitely a great year for Fireflys.

What made you want to get into music?

I discovered classic albums like Appetite for destruction, Ten, Nevermind, Definitely Maybe & BloodSugarSexMagik when I was around 14 back in ‘94 and they totally changed my life, I just wanted to form a band, write songs and play guitar, to me it’s never mattered about success I’ve just always wanted to create music and play in a band.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

The 02 academy in Liverpool is probably my favourite venue to play, we’ve played there 4 times in total and every time the crowd have been incredibly receptive to our music. It’s always incredible playing a wonderful city such as Liverpool.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

City & Colour, I think we’d go down great at their shows plus I’d love to chat to Dallas about songwriting and recording techniques, he’s definitely my favourite songwriter of the last 10 years.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Without a doubt “There is a light that never goes out” by the Smiths, I absolutely love the way the song makes death seem quite arbitrary, it definitely romanticists it and it’s absolute melancholy at its finest. Morrissey’s lyrics married to marrs guitars are just so ethereal and moving. To this day That song gets me. It will never lose its potency as a bittersweet love song.

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Although he’s far from a new artist I’ve been really getting into Bruce Springsteen of late and his chapter & verse album is incredible, I don’t know why it’s taken me 38 years to get my brain to unlock to Bruce but I’m having a great journey through his records.

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Ed Sheeran for me, his enormity baffles me, I find his songs his voice his production entirely bland. Everyone absolutely adores him but it’s not my cup of tea for sure. He seems a lovely bloke but his music just makes me turn off.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

My friend Neil sent me a link to CSN&Y’s deja vu album and I’ve been listening to it everyday. It’s currently on “Helpless” as we speak.

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

The Slow Readers club are currently making huge sounds right now, I’ve followed them for a while and am so happy they’re breaking through. Definitely City & Colour who are huge in Canada but largely unknown over here and I think Rival Bones are going to be huge too.

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

I just want people to enjoy our upcoming 5th album “Only Us, Northern Lights” which will be out in the coming months, and I look forward to playing the album live too.

Just would like to say thanks once again to The Fireflys for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Runaway’ –  Listen Here

 

 

Interview | MASK answer 10 Questions

H from MASK takes on The 10 Questions ahead of their Debut Album ‘The Famous’

Ahead of their debut album ‘The Famous’ I managed to catch up with H from MASK to discuss all things music! Hope you enjoy the Interview!

Where did your band name come from?

We were going to be called a band name that had already been taken by an Aussie group but it was becoming a bit of a logistic nightmare!   I was on the phone to a friend saying what a drama it all was and then a street vendor put this musical mask thing up to my face – I bought it there and then and sent the message out that we were to be called MASK… No-one argued so that was it.

What made you want to get into music?

We actually started playing music together about 14 years ago but we were a band that never got started.  We didn’t want to live with the lifelong regret about what we could have achieved so we got our act together – only took about 12 years…

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

I’m actually going to say my very first gig which was at a local theatre in Belfast.  I was asked to play a tribute to David Bowie who had just passed away that week. Im a huge Bowie fan and I get chills just thinking about it – its fair to say I was thrown in at the deep end for my first outing…  

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Rolling Stones – I saw them recently in Dublin and the support act was awful!  Can’t remember their names.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

I actually really like “In my life” by the Beatles. 

 

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Our new one “The Famous” haha…  It was the end of last year but I’d say Noel Gallagher’s – Man who built the moon. – Listen Here

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Ed Sheeran.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Im not actually on Spotify – we play the game and have our music on there but I like to own music rather than rent it.  Last album I bought was Band of Skulls latest one.

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

I have no idea!  Im still finding undiscovered songs from the 60’s and 70’s…

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

Well our new album “The Famous” is to be released on August 31st – its a raw, foot stomping rock/blues album mainly with a bit of tenderness thrown in for good measure.  We have gone up a gear in every aspect from our debut EP. We definitely aren’t a “cool” band and we don’t take ourselves seriously – but the music we want to just get better and better at.

Just would like to say thanks once again to H from Mask for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

Debut EP ‘The Truth’ –  Listen Here

 

Interview | Italia 90 Answer 10 Questions

 

Where did Italia 90 Come From? What do they want to Accomplish Next? Find Out Below!

Where did your band name come from?

We don’t have a particularly interesting story behind this unfortunately. Ages before we’d even played together we had a vague concept of a band kicking around for quite a while. We were originally going to be called The Cairo Gang, until our bass player Bobby Portrait said he thought Italia 90 had a nice ring to it. We all agreed and here we are.

What made you want to get into music?

We’ve all basically went to school together, so after 20 years we essentially ran out of things to talk about and started playing music. All our other mates were doing it too so it seemed like a good idea.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

Milhoes de Festa in Barcelos, Portugal. Our first international gig. Lovely place, too hot.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Slaves – they seem to be having a tough time and need all the support they can get.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Nothing Compares 2 U, Prince’s love song to cigarettes

My Baby Does Good Sculptures – The Rezillos

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Parquet Courts – Wide Awake – Listen Here

Grouper – Grid of Points – Listen Here

 Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Shame/Damien Hirst

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Twist and Turns and Headtrips – Milk Music

Humming – Portishead

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

Ghost Car, Great Dad and Militant Girlfriend are all absolutely excellent. And we’re not just saying that because they’re pals.

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

Finish (start) writing the album!

Just would like to say thanks once again to Italia 90 for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Tourist Estate’ –  Listen Here

‘Italia 90 EP’  – Listen Here

Interview | The Clause answer 10 Questions

Birmingham’s The Clause Have a Pop at the 10 Questions!

Where did your band name come from?

We had something really embarrassing before, which we won’t ever mention haha. But when we was looking it came to Pearce our singer in a dream, and it’s stuck since.

What made you want to get into music?

We’re all obviously avid music fans, so we wanted to give people the same feeling we get when we listen to the music we like.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

The institute 3, it was where we played our biggest sell out to 300 people, so it’s been proper special to us ever since.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Rolling Stones maybe, one of the last great living rock and roll bands so it’d be mad to support them before they finally throw in the towel.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Lately by Stevie Wonder, without a shadow of a doubt.

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

DMA’s – For Now. Unreal record. – Listen Here

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Fall Out Boy.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

The Doors – ‘Riders on the Storm’

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

Vida

TOUTS

The Blinders.

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

What we want to accomplish is currently in the works, so we can’t say until it’s announced. But we’re absolutely buzzing.

Just would like to say thanks once again to The Clause for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Tokyo’ –  Listen Here

‘Sixteen’  – Listen Here

Interview | Suzi Island answer 10 Questions

One of Brightons Brightest Bands, Suzi Island, Take on the 10 Questions

Where did your band name come from?

Matt: We thought up the name after watching a documentary about Micheal Jackson and his ‘Neverland Ranch’ (named after the fictional island from Peter Pan). From that we thought up the concept of our music having a location and being a place you can escape to, and it really just developed from there.

What made you want to get into music?

Hugh: I’ve just always loved writing songs really! I met Matt pretty early on in my life, and we just sort of stuck it out busking, gigging, just playing loads of different places. When we bumped into Carlie it became a no brainer that this was the right thing to do.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

Carlie: I think the best venue we’ve played so far has to be the Guildford Indie Night at the Star Inn. It was a really intimate gig but the crowd was dancing and all just up for having a good time which made our job easier – it ended up being a lot of fun.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

Hugh: Anyone! Do you know someone? We’ll probably do it. (Radiohead would be quite cool, although I’d probably die a little/a lot)

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

Matt: It may not be widely considered the greatest, but as far as modern love songs go ‘I Luv U’ by The Ordinary Boys has to be up there for me. It’s a really underrated tune that one.

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

Carlie: Ooh thats a difficult one. For me there’s been two strong contenders, either ‘Man of the Woods’ by Justin Timberlake or Kanye West’s ‘ye’. – Listen Here

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

Hugh: Overrated is really tricky! I guess if people are connecting to an artists music then they’re usually doing something right… Can I change this to underrated and answer Milo?! ‘So the flies don’t come’ is kind of incredible.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Carlie: ‘I Like It’ by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin – we’re all really digging this tune at the moment.

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

Matt:

TS Graye

Naz

Alice Jemima

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

Hugh: The next huge thing for us is coming next month. We can’t wait to let that out, as it’s going to mean rounding up 2018 pretty perfectly! We’re dying to get onto some festivals for next year – so that’s the goal we’re aiming for by the end of 2019. After that, world domination! …Or maybe we’ll go on holiday.

Just would like to say thanks once again to Suzi Island for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow them and check out their music!

Follow Them! – Twitter

‘Show Me The Way’ –  Listen Here

‘Actor’  – Listen Here

Interview | Lions of Dissent answer 10 Questions

Lions Of Dissent Weigh in with their 10 Answers and give some in-depth answers!

 

Where did your band name come from?

I had the name a good year before I did anything with it, it sounded like a group of freedom fighters or activists and I knew I would use it for something vital. Originally it was going to be used as a company name for film soundtracks and multimedia projects but with a combination of coincidence and fate, things changed very quickly and we ended being a full on music and art collective. We went from 1 to 7 members in under 2 years.

What made you want to get into music?

For me it is the ultimate form of artistic expression and at times it has literally saved my life. Music is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I was obsessed with the Sex Pistols at a very early age and that was it really – they were like my musical gateway drug to a whole new world that I’ve never really left.

Best venue you’ve ever played and why?

We’ve been fortunate to have played some great places, but so far I would have to pick Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton – we did our first gig there to a sell out crowd so it holds a special place. Not only that, the production values are amazing and the stage is massive which is a big help when there are seven members to fit on.

One band/artist you’d love to support?

I could pick loads for this but i’m gonna have to say Public Image Limited.

What’s the greatest love song ever written?

God Only Knows – Beach Boys

The best album that you’ve heard this year?

I really liked Noel Gallagher’s latest LP, David Holmes who produced it is probably the best producer in the world. I think he really brought the best out of Noel. I’m also really looking forward to the new Spiritualized record too and of course there’s always a great new BJM album around.

Most overrated band/artist of all time?

I don’t want the bad karma of picking someone for this so I’m gonna go most underrated if that’s ok, I’m gonna pick my old friends Exit Calm, their bass player is one of the best I’ve ever seen.

What was the last song you streamed on Spotify?

Bells and Circles from the new Underworld and Iggy Pop EP

Which three artists/bands should we be looking out for? (Musically not for Criminal Offences)

Darryl and Si from our group are working on a new project under the name ‘Roman Missile Unit’ which is definitely gonna be worth checking out.

Burning Astronomers are great songwriters, a couple of us guested on a track of there’s called ‘Red Van’, I recommend checking out the EP of the same name – it’s a great introduction to their work.

Finally I’m gonna pick Violet, I think they’re a great young band with a big future. They supported us at the back end of last year and were really good.

What do you want to accomplish next as a band?

We want to get out and play further afield, get on a few festivals next and to just keep enjoying it and keep getting better and progressing. Being in this band is a privilege for me, I couldn’t ask for better bandmates or musicians to work with.

Just would like to say thanks once again to Tim from the band for taking the 10 Questions on. Make sure you follow Lions of Dissent and listen to their debut EP What Would It Fee Like To Be Free!

Follow them! – Twitter

Debut EP – Listen Here!

‘Honey From Hell’ – Listen Here!