Fenech-Soler are here again. We just couldn’t resist welcoming the Kings Cliffe’s quartet back with open arms to the Shout4Music sofa. With an extensive tour across the UK in full flow, there’s no reason to avoid getting off your rather plump behinds and seeing these glossy synth popsters in person.  So what are you waiting for?

Hello Fenech-Soler, welcome to the imaginary sofa of Shout4Music once again. How’s this week treating you?

Thank you, it’s nice to be back. This week has been good. We have been putting the finishing touches to a track called ‘Golden Sun’ which we are very excited about. We’ve also been getting ready for our show tonight at Koko in London.

Quick slice of background information on the band for our readers please who are unfamiliar with you…

We are not French. We are actually from a little place called Kings Cliffe which is just down the road from Lincoln. There is four of us and we play electronic pop music. Our name is pronounced “Fen-ek So-ler”… It gets a lot of people!

Fenech-Soler’s sound like in four words…

Glam, Psychedelic, Zouk, Pop

So, the band is touring at the moment, what stands out so far from the tour?

I think our show at Stealth in Nottingham was really the first time we turned up somewhere we have never played before and had people knowing all the lyrics to the songs. It’s quite an odd experience but obviously very humbling. I think as soon as this album is finished we will get out and play more regional shows. We cant wait.

You’re playing SXSW in March, what aspects of the festival are you looking forward to? Do you know where you’re playing and how many times?

I know we have already lined up half the shows but i’m not sure where. I think just getting to see as many bands as possible is the intension. We have obviously been aware of SXSW for a while and it’s always been on the cards but the four of us just wanted to wait until we had the album finished.

In the latter stages of the tour you’re supporting the divine Tigs and her band Chew Lips in Burnley and Lancaster. Have you played with them before?

Well we are playing with them tonight which should be fun. I really liked their singles but haven’t heard the album yet. We did play a long time ago with them at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen in London.

The finest moment in Fenech-Soler’s existence so far?

When we released our first single last year we went over to Paris to spend some time with Alan Braxe. The whole experience was crazy. He had found us randomly on myspace and signed our first single. It was the first time we had really stepped out of the studio with our music, so to get his praise and support after spending years listening to his records pretty much gave us the green light with this band. It’s been all hands on deck ever since!

Using the letters of your band name, name something that inspires you for each letter e.g (The) Farm Einstein etc…

French house records

Echo machines

Neptunes

Engine Shed

Crookers

Hot Chip

Stephen Fry

Oxford Synthesizer Company

Lasers

Electric Elephant Festival

Radiohead

Using the letters of your band name, name something you despise for each letter…

Fines (Parking)

Edmonds

Noel

Edmonds

Chat shows or really just Jeremy Kyle.

Herbal tea (just a personal choice)

Silent discos (they’re just a bit rubbish aren’t they?!)

Overrated music

Lost (TV program)

Edmonds

Rustlers Burgers

The best thing about being a musician simply is…

The creativity. We do exactly what we want and it’s what we enjoy. Complete freedom.

Is Tropical reek a dexterity of devilish amalgamation of genres melting into one another. They’re a bunch of adolescent masked freedom-thinking musicians, who, with Egyptian Hip-Hop scaled the country as a joint headline show in all the beer soaked venues that would allow them through their doors. So, before the tour we got the heads-up on what their game plan was…

Hello Is Tropical, welcome to the imaginary sofa of Shout4Music. How’s this week treating you?

We’re really busy at the moment getting everything together for our single launch, so we’re super excited about. The single was released on the 18th of January and it’s our first. People seem to like it which is a plus.

We’re also sat learning a Wu-Tang cover for an internet TV channel as we speak.

Quick slice of background information on the band for our readers please who are unfamiliar with you…

IS TROPICAL are Gary Barber, Dominic Apa and Simon Milner. We wear masks. We formed in 2009.  We make a range of sounds from raw pop songs to lo-fi dance songs.

Is Tropical’s sound like in four words…

Lo-fi, bass heavy, pop.

So, the band is about to tour, are you looking forward to the imminent UK tour and the single launch for ‘When O When/Seasick Mutiny’?

It’s amazing to actually have something out there that people can get into. The launch is going to be a really good night. We’ve got a great line-up and an equally good little venue to host it in, so it looks like it may well be a fun sweaty mess. We’ve been looking forward to touring for a while. There’s nothing better than being able to play live to new crowds. We’ve found that a lot of people outside of London react differently to live music. There’s always a great buzz in smaller cities that make a band feel really appreciated.

Are you thrilled with the concept of you and Egyptian Hip Hop headlining a joint tour? What have you heard about the band? Their sound?

We’ve known Egyptian hip Hop for a little while now and get along really well with them. Their music is great and we’re into what they do, and it seems like they feel the same about us. Hit club have picked up on both of our sounds, there’s a lot of similarities between our bands without actually sounding like one another.

Any show in particular that you guys are looking forward to?

Dead excited about Glasgow. We’ve got friends that live there that we don’t get to see that often who are part of a great music, and make really interesting music.

The finest moment in Is Tropical existence so far?

Probably when 8 of us were crammed into a Punto burning round Rome looking at the Colosseum out of our trees after a great gig. To be honest probably the Radio 1 play of our single, which was a complete shock as it was never intended for radio.

Using the letters of your band name, name something you love for each letter e.g Ice Shakespeare etc…

I -        Infectious bass lines

S-         Superbomber Man

T-         Turkish Food

R-        Radio 6 presenter ‘Steve Lamacq’

O-        ‘On-time pizza’

P-         Productivity

I-         ‘Ize of the World’

C-        Cocktail (the film and drink)

A-        Afghan hound jackets

L-        Long johns

Los Campesinos! have always been a house favourite. Always one to fish hook me when they appear at a festival that I attend. Give them their dues, they are one of the only bands out there that get my incoherent limbs jiggling sparingly. For me, the first album was one of the most underrated of the last five years. And they have appeared unscathed from the dreaded second album grave yard. With an imminent tour in view we thought we’d have a little chat with Ollie from LC to see the bands plans for the coming months.

Hey guys, how is the world treating Los Campesinos! at the moment?

Very good.  We just got back from ATP, which was amazing.

I got to catch you at Doncaster Dome the other night supporting the Cribs and the Slits, how was the show for you? It was a thoroughly enjoyable night in my opinion.

We had a good show, we felt we played well, but members of the crowd let it down.  Some people are just so rude.

Shame about the treatment the shits gave the Slits, wasn’t it?

That was horrible, we can’t believe people can treat people like that.  After they came off stage, I picked up nearly £2 in change chucked at them.  The stage was soaked.  Good on them for not letting the crowd get to them.  The Cribs were pretty upset at the treatment that The Slits received from the crowd.

How were the Jarmans and the legendary Mr Marr?

They were lovely people, super friendly.  Gareth gave Johnny some vegan cheese which he loved (Johnny is vegan).  Hopefully it will be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Glad to be back touring?

I always enjoy touring.  I get bored quite quickly, so its nice to be off travelling to new places and just playing.

You’re playing a host of underage shows on the upcoming tour, has that become part and parcel of your touring now?

Yeah.  We always try to make the shows as young as possible.  We seem to appeal to a broad age range so everyone should be able to enjoy us.  The youngsters are more likely to dance as well.

How did the homecoming show go on December 4^th? One that you’d been looking forward to?

It was a show for Sailor Jerry’s Rum so I don’t think we regarded it as our own show the same. We knew we were playing Cardiff but I don’t think we took it as serious.

Concerning your last album, were you happy with the feedback you received?

Yeah, really happy.  Of course, some people said they preferred the first record.  But at the end of the day we were proud of what we had done and thats what really matters.  To avoid sounding arrogant.

Have you begun writing the next record yet or have you got your minds set on the tour ahead?

Its all finished and will hit the shops in the UK on the 1st February 2010.  We’re super excited about it getting released and for people to able to hear it.  And its going to be great playing these new songs on tour.

Have you announced the supporting yet?

Yes we have.  We are touring with a band from London called Swanton Bombs and a band from Cardiff called Islet.  Both of them are doing really exciting stuff at the moment.

If so, was it your own choice or your labels?

We always choose our support.  We’re selfish in the fact that if there is a band that we want to see, we always try to tour with them.

And some quick one guys to finish…

If you weren’t boasting about how good LC are, you’d be telling everyone about?

A band from Stonehaven called Copy Haho, really good music and great people.  And a person called Sparky Deathcap. He tours with us when we can afford him and we’ve had the honour of playing as his backingband.

If getting a record deal has taught you anything, it is…

That Wichita records is an awesome label to be on.

The last band that you saw live that made you dance…

Mudhoney at ATP.  I’ve been waiting to see them for years and finally got the chance.  It was awesome.

The greatest pop song ever written?

‘Can’t Explain’ by The Who.

Fresh Prince of Bel Air or The A-Team?

Fresh Prince

London or Cardiff?

Cardiff all the way.

Koko or Brixton Academy?

Brixton

The best vinyl you ever bought at a market stall?

A album by one of the greatest drummers ever; Chick Webb.

Thanks for your time LC and good luck with the forthcoming tour.

No thank you. x

Cha Cha is a trio of freshly hatched indie darlings from London. Coming fresh from recording the video for their debut single ‘PhonoGraphic Love’ Shout4Music managed to hang onto their coat tails and drag them in our virtual office for a wee chat. And what did this bright young indie pop band out of concrete city have to say…Have a look then!

Hello Cha Cha, welcome to the imaginary sofa of Shout4Music. How’s this week treating you?

Eye illnesses aside we’re doing great! We just finished filming our first music video for our single ‘PhonoGraphic Love’ which was fun and should be ready very soon.

Quick slice of background information on the band for our readers please who are unfamiliar with you…

We’re a three piece from London via Brighton and have been going for just under a year. Our main influences come from Funk, Rock and Pop, anything from Parliament to The Strokes. We’ve just finished our first album “We Are..” and are getting ready for a busy year!

What is Cha Cha’s sound like in four words…

We’ve got the funk

So, are you looking forward to the imminent single launch for ‘PhonoGraphic Love’ at 93 Feet East in London?

Yeah it’s pretty cool to have a party for the single; we’ve got a couple of our friends playing (Lyrebirds) and can’t wait for the show.

Apart from the obvious attention from the media that you hope to attract to the launch, will there be a large contingent of friends and family to help you celebrate the occasion?

There will be a good bunch of our mates and family who have seen us progress from the beginning, so it will be ace to show them where we’re at right now.

The finest moment in Cha Cha’s existence so far?

I think this would probably be playing a pretty awesome gig at The Fly near Oxford Circus last summer. It was a dead night, but just before we went to get on stage suddenly the place got packed and we had a raucous show!

Using the letters of your band name, name something you love each letter e.g Churchill, Hicks etc…

Chaminda Vaas (Sri-Lankan Cricketing Legend), (Jimi) Hendrix, and astronauts. Chilling, hats and Albert Hammond Jnr.

Using the letters of your band name, name something you despise for each letter…

Councils, herpes and anthrax. Craftyness, Humpty Dumpty and aeronautics.

The best thing about being a musician, is simply…

Getting to play music everyday

If the music industry has taught you anything it is…

Don’t trust the music industry!

Tags: Das Pop, Ghent Music Scene, Justice, Soulwax

It’s not like trying to figure out a complex mathematical equation when wondering what Das Pop purvey musically. And they pull no surprises- the Belgium quartet are the foremost pop pushers of their nation with the likes of Justice and Soulwax already surfacing from the thriving Ghent music scene and now lauding it amongst the big-wigs. Das Pop, are very adept themselves at the art of carving out infectious pop for the purists. A collage of catchy hooks and rousing chorus’, Das Pop could become a mainstream stallion waiting to parade its fortitude. So, we thought we’d talk POP! with the guys…

Das Pop’s sound in four words?
Heartache wrapped in tin foil.

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
The sound of the city.

How was Ghent’s music scene while you were growing up?
It’s quite easy being a band in Ghent. There are tons of great bars and clubs where you can play, a lot of other bands that actually help one another. Living is cheap, beer is cheaper.

Sounds like paradise…

Your influences outside of music?
Are just as important as the musical ones. We can get inspired by watching films (last night, The Breakfast club on DVD), books (just finished the wonderful Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterrman, Salinger’s Franny and Zooey very hard to beat), or even a nice shirt.

The first vinyl you bought?
‘Raw Like Sushi’ by Neneh Cherry.

If you could capture one musician past or present and force him/her to be in
Das Pop, who would it be?
We once played a show as Daniel Johnston’s backing band. That was amazing and would be great to repeat.

The best discovery musically you’ve found from either an independent store
or a car boot/market stall?
A 7 inch Jane Birkin recorded as a promotional item for a whiskey brand called  Black and White. Intoxicating!

The greatest pop song ever?
Probably ‘My Girl’ by the Temptations.

The musician that changed the way you dressed?
The Style Council.

What should we expect from Das Pop in 2010?
Lots of shows and who knows, a new album? We are well on the way!

Tags: Ahead Of The Rain, Grandpa Stan Records, Odds And Evens, The High Wire

As London trio The High Wire enter 2010, this group of hazy psychedelic pop merchants are starting to burrow their way into many a indie schmoozer’s mind. After their latest release of the woozy ‘Odds And Evens’ single in November, THW are due to finish there debut full length album this year after their mini album ‘Ahead Of The Rain’ received the adulation it deserved. And its the glittering harmonies that made us fall for these guys. So, what better to do, than have a timely chat with the Londonites about the up and coming year ahead…so we did!

How’s London treating The High Wire?
London is definitely good to us.

Describe your sound in four words…
Harmonies, melodies, guitars, keys!

A little background on The High Wire for us all please…
There are three of us, Lex, Stuart and Tim who all sing and play various instruments. We made a mini album ‘Ahead Of The Rain’ which came out last year and have just finished recording a new album called ‘The Sleep Tape’.

What has the music industry taught you so far?
There is no logic to it.

You’re signed to Grandpa Stan Records, tell the readers a little about your label please…
It’s named after the Grandad of two brothers in the band  the hearts strings is run by a very nice man called Paul.

What festival do you feel best suits The High Wire as a band?
The End Of The Road.

Your weirdest festival moment to-date?
Having to share a living room with Kylies dancers.

Which band would you most like to have played with at NYC’s CBGB’s in its heyday?
Talking Heads.

Some quick ones;

Vinyl or CD?
Vinyl.

The last thing that came easy to you?
Breakfast in bed.

The last time you ‘hit a low’?
Does having flu count? Sniff. Cough. Oh.

Favourite London venue?
Scala.

The show you’re looking forward to playing the most?
Playing New York again.

The band/artist that changed the way you dressed?
I wouldn’t want to blame that on anyone.

The album everyone should own?
I like telling people about Dean and Britta ‘Adventura’, that’s my fave of their’s.

If you could mummify anyone and put them in your front room, who would it be?
W.G. Grace.

Ghetto Blaster or iPod?
iPod.

Tags: Cut Me, Flowers In The Dustbin, Glasgow Music Scene, Gothic Alternative, Indie Alternative, Kick To Kill, The Darkwave Opera

Kick To Kill aren’t dangerous. I’m sure of that because I discovered that their name isn’t from experience. But one thing I’m sure of is that they are almost immune to danger, if not downright lucky, as you’ll discover in this interview. Pain is nothing for them and if this interview caused them any pain what so ever, they didn’t show it. They recently released the delightfully titled single ‘Cut Me’, reviewed by myself on this very site, and are probably the people you’re the most likely to see in the back of a van giving blood. Yes, Glasgow’s finest gothic experimentalist’s discuss their near misses of death, influences on life and music and just why on the release of their first single the band had a major line up change. Needless to say, there is nothing uninteresting where Kick To Kill are concerned…

How’s life with Kick To Kill?

DAVE: Starting to get to work so its good.

HARRIS:  Really good. After some time out it feels really worthwhile playing so many gigs. The single gave us something to focus on and now I think we can all feel a bit more momentum behind the band.

How did you decide on the name Kick To Kill?

DAVE: I stole it from a possible album title another band was working on.

HARRIS:  Dave stole it! Glasgow act Julia Thirteen were looking at album names. One that got thrown about was fight for fun, kick to kill. We all liked it.

Do you feel a certain sense of invincibility after surviving the attack on your person in Glasgow and did it change your view of the world?

DAVE: I’ve had a few close ones – a couple car crashes, and I recently came off my motorbike – and have been cool. I’ve always been able to walk away from them, though I don’t know if I’ve been lucky to survive or unlucky to get in to them in the first place. I’d say a bit of both.

In my review of Cut Me, I said that if you offered the chance to watch you bleed, there would be undoubtedly many takers. Have you ever made such an offer and how was it received?

DAVE: I gave blood once in a van and they were very grateful for the donation.

You’ve been compared to The Stooges in your style, but what is your aim with the sound and image of the band?

DAVE: Image wise I haven’t thought about it, in terms of clothes. I’ve always aimed to make our music moody but fast-ish. I dont think the Stooges reference is fair, we are less rock n roll and outright crazy. We like to make a big fucking noise though.

HARRIS:  I think we’ve managed to create a pretty unique sound compared to a lot of present music. Our aim is to push this and try and see where our music can take us. Personally, I’m confident our sound will expand in the future.

Why do you think so much good music comes from Glasgow? Is it something in the water or just the atmosphere?

DAVE: I think its because of the scene and the fact its a major British city. A lot of these great bands aren’t from Glasgow, they’re just based there.

HARRIS: Live music is a big part of Glasgow night life. I think with so many bands and venues the competition just raises the bar. I think we’re quite lucky in that nearly every time you go to a gig or event in Glasgow, something will impress you.

What’s your process when recording and writing music?

DAVE: I will normally write some lyrics and a chord pattern or riff then take it to rehearsals and work out some ideas. After a while it should start to take shape. If we are not feeling it after a week or so we will drop it. I tend to re-write the lyrics after a couple of weeks too.

HARRIS:  The lyrics are Dave’s. The songs will usually come from an individual idea with everyone else coming together. Sometimes we’ll plan songs out from the start. Others happen in minutes. We record our tracks ourselves with Dave and his brother Ian working hard on the production. This way we have a lot of control over the finished sound.

Is the current interest in vampires and all things blood a good thing or a bad thing?

DAVE: Any kind of fad is a bad thing. It totally cheapens itself. I pesonally love vamps but would not be interested in Twilight or its ilk. It looks like Dawsons Creek for the damned.

Is there a particular incident that inspired you to write ‘Cut Me’?

DAVE: I wrote the song about S & M and the darker things that go on in your mind.

After you were attacked and treated in hospital, you discharged yourself with a simple  “It doesn’t hurt”. Are you superhuman or just plain invincible?

DAVE: It was more a case of put on a brave face so I could go home because I hate spending time in hospitals. If they thought I was in major pain they wouldn’t let me go home. I did think that getting stabbed would have hurt more. It’s not that bad.

What’s your motto in life, if indeed you have one? (A motto, that is!)

DAVE: I’ll do it tomorrow.

HARRIS:  You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it dance.

Any amusing, bizarre or just plain disgusting anecdotes from touring to share?

DAVE: We were playing in Newcastle and we were heading back up the road, we were all pretty drunk and as the night went on I fell asleep with a can of beer in between my legs. It spilled all over my crotch and was really cold, so was the bus and the hangover was kicking in. I had to take off my jeans off and sit in the soaking wet chair in my boxers. I’ll never forget how miserable it was.

Do you ever think that you can be too dark in a songs vibe or imagery?

DAVE: Phillip Glass seems to do it all the time.

HARRIS:  Probably. Although Richard D James has really set the limits of dark and wrong.

Bearing the comparison to The Stooges in mind, who’s musical legacy would you want to inherit were such a thing possible?

DAVE: When I was younger fame sounded great but I don’t think I would welcome it anymore.

HARRIS:  The M.J. back catalog has now grown somewhat in appeal.

What was the feeling when you started having people commenting favourably on your music and did it inspire you to create more?

DAVE: Yeah its pretty cool, it’s good validation.

HARRIS:  Personally getting a good response from people involved in music and especially musicians means a lot. People like The Damned and aplacetoburystrangers stand out.

After the first single was released, the band line up changed very suddenly. What lead to the change?

DAVE: I had to make a couple of changes so that we could really sound the way I wanted. The two guys that were cut are great guys but their musical styles were very different to mine and it affected the overall feel to our sound. We seem to have an easier time live because we only have one guitar to worry about so there are no ego battles and it sounds a bit cleaner.

What music were you listening to during the recording of the E.P.?

DAVE: I’m listening to the new Twilight Sad album at the moment and I’m blown away. I really enjoy listening to ‘Third’ by Portishead.

HARRIS:  Twilight Sad, Mogwai and The Buttons.

Tell me about your favorite album and convince me to buy it!

DAVE: I have a suspicion that you would already own it anyway.

What was the inspiration behind creating ‘The Darkwave Opera’ and what’s the atmosphere like at the shows?

DAVE: We were sick of playing with indie bands or metal bands. We couldn’t seem to find any good gigs to play where the bands have similar styles or vibe so we did it ourselves. Thats what Flowers In The Dustbin is all about. Do it ourselves, so if it’s shit we have no-one to blame but us.

If you could have someone cover one of your songs, who would it be and which song?

DAVE: It would be cool to see what Mogwai would do to any one of them.

Any final words of wisdom for our readers?

DAVE: I would but it could leave me open to law suits.

Thank you Kick To Kill! To read my review of ‘Cut Me,’ click here.

Tags: Josh Hodges, Justice, LCD Soundsystem, Medicine, Pyramiddd, Starfucker

Portland, Oregon really is a creative cauldron of musical talent right now. And next off their conveyor belt is a band that have ditched their previous moniker- dance pop quartet Pyramiddd were once called the oddly titled Starfucker, hence why the mainstream didn’t really see a great deal of their Justice-like infectious, euphoric beats.

With head hencho Josh Hodges getting increasingly frustrated by the names restraints, they invited their fans to come up with another name for the band, and so Pyramiddd was born. So we caught up with Josh for a little chat.

Hello Pyramiddd, I see you’re just concluding a UK tour, how was it for you?

It was super fun! We love Europe.
Could you give our readers a little insight into the world that is Pyramiddd please…
Well, we’re  a 4 piece electro dance pop band from Portland, Oregon.
Describe your sound in four words…
Fun, Catchy, Sad, Dancey.
Why the hell are your shows so God damn life affirming?
I don’t know, but i’m glad you feel that way!
And so…

You’ve done a few shows in the UK in the past couple of weeks. How did the Golden Silvers and Filthy Dukes treat you’re kind selves?
Great, the keyboardist/guitarist from the Dukes, Mark, was really amazing. I didn’t actually get to meet the Golden Silvers but they put on an amazing show
How was the UK shows reactions you to your too cool for school hooky as hell electro loops?

Hmm.. well we played 4 shows here and 2 were quite good and 2 were quite strange. There was one show where the place was packed and everyone was totally cheering like crazy but they were also standing like 20 feet back from the stage, like they were watching TV or something. We were dressed in drag, which I think might have scared them a bit it seems like the British are a little bit homophobic compared to what I’m used to.

The show you enjoyed most on the tour?
Maybe the one I just mentioned. I like that it seemed like we took people out of their comfort but they also really liked it. But Amsterdam and Paris were better just in a normal way.
One of your videos that our users should definitely watch?
The one from when we were in vegas and the parking attendant started telling us about his cyst.
What are your plans for next year?
Record, Record, Record. Then, Tour, Tour, Tour!
Are you likely to be touring the UK again anytime soon?
Ya, I think so. I hope so!

Some quick one’s for you guys…

Golden Silvers or Filthy Dukes?

Musically, Golden Silvers. As people, Filthy Dukes!

Justice or LCD Soundsystem?

Really?? Justice. By far.

Vinyl or CD?

Vinyl. Duh!

The drink that you’ve recently discovered on tour?

Sparkling Ice tea

The last show you went to as a band to watch?

Micachu & The Shapes. Who are freaking amazing.

Your favourite YouTube clip?
Bangs- ‘Take U To Da Movies’

The UK artist/s that you’ve discovered since being over here on this tour?

For me at least, Golden Silvers.

Tell us an interesting fact about Pyramiddd?
We’re all virgins except for Keil.

And now a lie that you wish was true about Pyramiddd…

We are all fluent in French.

Tags: Leeds, Sheffield, Volcanoes, Volcanoes Interview

Volcanoes are unique. If any statement is more true this year, then I’ll eat the pixels they take up on this screen. Yes, this gang of – in the best possible way – weirdos, are crazy, amiable, possibly prone to delusions and partially from the creative hub that is Sheffield. But just because they’re from  Sheffield, don’t pigeonhole them yet, because they may get rather angry and hypnotize you into doing things that may be illegal.  Yet, despite the band name there were no explosions, volcanic or otherwise , in the course of this intensive grilling and I am proud to be able to provide you the answers to just how the band describe their brand of music, why they possess a blow up snow man, just what they would do if lava overwhelmed the world and why we may not hear their album for a while yet…

Greetings from Shout4Music! How’s life with Volcanoes?

Very good taa, we did a gig in Liverpool last week and I managed to play one of our songs in it’s entirety a fret down from the rest of the band. Other than that we’re belter.

Did your name come from being incredibly explosive or is there another explanation?

We were very close to being called ‘Shirles, Bed and the Volcanoes’ based on the acoustic act we’d evolved from. I guess we just cut the crap.

Is there something about the water in Sheffield that produces musicians or is it just a big coincidence that many bands have come from there?

Sheffield has a fantastically varied and thriving music scene. The Tramlines festival this year showcased loads of local artists all over the city. Sheffield completely buzzed that weekend and every venue was packed, it really is fizzing with talent right now. I’m sure there are quite a few bands from the region that are going to get much more attention over the next year, hopefully including us.

How would you describe your music?

Laserbeamed Indie Jungle Juice…

We sing about anything and try to make it entertaining and great. We’re like an anti Snow Patrol

You’re based between Sheffield and Leeds . What is the best thing about the Sheffield and Leeds music scenes and why?

The best thing is that it’s pretty easy to find musicians, form a band and get gigs. This is also the worst thing as it’s a nightmare trying to compete with 10+ other gigs on any given night.

How did you all meet and when did the band come together?

I knew Boa from 6^th Form College in Hereford we went our separate ways at Uni but he got a call one morning and I asked him to take up bass guitar and help us out; he immediately obliged and moved from Nottingham to Sheffield.

Shirles, I met at Uni and we formed an acoustic act called Shirles and Bed that later became Volcanoes.

Ash we downloaded from the internet when we needed a drummer

Do you have an obsession with Ping Pong or is it just the photo shoot?

Both Shirles and Boa represented Great Britain in their teenage years, weird.

How’s the album coming along and what can we look forward to hearing on it?

The album huh, well to be fair we could lay one down tomorrow if we thought it would sell. We’re well aware that this whole music industry is a bit of a game and there’s no point releasing something that no-one’s going to hear about. Yeah we could shift about 300 copies but we’d kind of like to move on from that when we release an album. So I guess what I’m trying to say is for now we’ll save an album until we get some decent backing, until then we’ll aim to raise our profile with further EP releases.

What are your less obvious influences in making music?

OCD – I had a rancid time with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder a few years back. Although it left me feeling a bit shitty from time to time, one theory is that OCD is a twist on an overactive imagination so I got quite good at coming up with song ideas.

Tell us something about Sheffield that is just plain odd and surprising.

It is the birthplace of The Queen of Sheeba and was once part of Atlantis.

A review of your E.P. suggested that the world will soon be covered in molten lava it was that good. What would be your first act upon discovering the world covered in lava?

I’d check my pants to make sure that it was actually lava and not the result of a bad Kebab. After discovering (to my relief) that it was indeed lava and not poo, I’d shed a tear for my lost brethren and then return to the space battleship Ziashiivek for conquests a new.

To Boa, is Boa Internationale your real name, or are you possibly lying to us?

I never lie.

What’s your process for writing songs? Your lyrics for a start are quite unique…

Thank you very much for listening to them, I honestly put a lot of effort into them and try to make them er….good. I bet most folk never listen to them, and just dance to the beat.

One thing I hate is bands/musicians who just sing about fucking relationships and how confused and difficult it all is. I don’t believe for one minute that anyone really analyzes their love life that much and I think they just want to sell records or they are tedious fools with no actual point…..sorry about that

Life is actually excellent and we try to write about it from all sides. Obviously some tunes are a bit shady so we’re not super happy all the time. I approach music from the Beatles angle, our music isn’t incredibly complex but we have songs and not just tunes. Know what I mean?

Can you use words alone to force me to buy your favorite album?

My fav album of all the time???

OK here it goes…

Look into my eyes, not my eyes these words, these words look into these words, these words and SLEEP. When you awake you will go into a record shop and purchase ‘Room On Fire’ by the Strokes, you will then pick a card at random…..

(Actually I already have that album! – Seba.)

You say that you enjoy the thrill of making music. Which is the best part, the writing or the recording?

The whole shebang, it’s mint watching a idea take form and even better when it only takes one practice from idea to hero tune. Recording is satisfying too because we work a lot harder on the tunes that are due to get recorded so they tend to get a bit better in the run up.

Do you have any rituals or lucky objects that you do before or keep on you during live performances?

We used to have a blow up snowman but it pissed me off to be fair. I’ve alo worn a Snakeskin belt on two occasions when we’ve had a really shite gig, so I can’t wait to wear that again.

Who would be in charge of the world if you could have such a person and why?

Michael Flatley – come on….he’s quality.

If you could play a gig anywhere in the world, where would that place be?

Right now, I’d like a gig at Koko in Camden but I don’t know if I can be arsed asking again. Dude without us having to lick any nuts, just give us a gig and if we’re shit don’t invite us back. What a world.

Do you believe in the theory that every action has an effect and what effect would your music have on the world ideally?

Yes I believe in that. Right now I hope we’ve inspired one or two youngsters to pick up a guitar and start off their own story. I hope that we can give many more folk a chunk of the good times if we get a bit better known xxx

Finally, any last words of wisdom for our beautiful readers?

Yes.

Er…Thank you Volcanoes!

(Editors Note: These guys are actually pretty damn good!)

Tags: Ghostrock, The Hope Of The States, The Northwestern

‘The Red, The White, The Black, The Blue’…ring a bell? Well, thank you Lord! Rising from the defunct, yet still smouldering ashes of Hope Of The States, those concerned seem to have got the ‘I wanna make music feeling’ again in the pit of their stomachs once more. And if you were a disciple of the indie smoozing HOTS don’t worry, its all very much the same musically. The Northwestern’s ‘Ghostrock’ EP is out now, so we thought we’d grab the guys for a quick chat about what we are to expect from them in the coming winter months…

What have you guys been up to since the days of Hope Of The States?

Writing songs, walking dogs, selling records, shifting stadium rock bands gear around, moving a few tonnes of dirt around, arguing.

Could we have a little background on The Northwestern and how it all started please…

We started recording a couple of weeks after hopeofthestates split up. Made a record over a couple of years, got bored with it, wrote some more songs, went out on tour.

First gig as The Northwestern?

Winchester Railway Inn. Was amazing to be playing again and to have people show up to see what we were doing after so long away. Did have to play after possibly the worlds worst ever sub limp bizkit style abomination though which sucked.

What’s your situation with labels at the minute, signed? Unsigned?

Unsigned but we are putting things out on Bloodbank, our label. Hopefully we will be putting out some of our other bands stuff at some stage too.

Describe The Northwestern’s sound in four words for our readers…

Fuzzy, guitar, disaster, nonsense…

The musician that made you pick up your instrument?

None really, I suppose Nirvana made me want to be in a band.

The music your parents used to listen to?

Everything apart from the Beatles. Beefheart/syd Barrett era pink floyd/Bruce Springsteen.

What influences outside of music have an impact on your songwriting?

Books and movies. Possibly more so in the past, I think I’m more insular in my influences these days, more stuff from when I was younger than new stuff. A lot of those slightly dark 80s kids films, Darkcrystal/The Goonies. Mainly for the weird atmospheres not anything specific.

What shows are the band looking forward to playing on your upcoming UK tour?

Any and all. I just really like playing shows. Oftentimes the ones I look forward to suck and the ones I’m dreading are sweet so…

Some quick ones;

Best band/artists you’ve had the pleasure of performing with or before?

A band called Inouk who supported hopeofthestates in the US were pretty cool.

24 or Lost?

Both, DVD boxsets are the worlds greatest achievement

Elvis Presley or Bob Dylan?

Bob Dylan always

Your favourite homecoming venue?

London Astoria (RIP)

Fresh Prince or Carlton Banks?

The butler dude

Night Rider or A-Team?

Airwolf

Vinyl or CD?

CDs because I can play them in my car.

The worst song on your iPod?

One of my old demos

The worst band name you’ve ever heard?

Think About Life

The tear jerking song in your collection?

Tom Waits- ‘Tom Trauberts Blues’