Southampton Music - March 2014

YOUR ONE STOP GUIDE TO THE BEST MUSIC IN THE CITY!

N O T P M A H T SOU

MARCH 2014

C I S U M

We chat to the band ahead of their O Guildhall show + WIN TICKETS !

2

THE TELESCREEN

65 DAYS OF STATIC

Meet Frankie Coccoza...literally! Post-rock legends hit The Brook

Plus The Answer, Glamour of the Kill, Heaven’s Basement and much more

www.southampton-music.com

/southamptonmusicmag @sotonmusicmag

PERFORMING

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY BOWLING FOR SOUP BUCKCHERRY CROSSFAITH DYING FETUS KILLSWITCH ENGAGE MISS MAY I POWERMAN 5000 RED DRAGON CARTEL SKINDRED VOLBEAT WHILE SHE SLEEPS AVATAR BAD RELIGION BURY TOMORROW CRAZYTOWN DANGER DANGER EMMURE FLOGGING MOLLY IN FLAMES JOE BONAMASSA MEMPHIS MAY FIRE PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS TESLA THE BOSSHOSS THE PRETTY RECKLESS SKID ROW SEETHER SABATON AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE ANATHEMA ARCANE ROOTS BLESSTHEFALL DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN FEED THE RHINO LETLIVE KILL DEVIL HILL LONELY THE BRAVE OPETH QUICKSAND SEPTEMBER MOURNING SUICIDE SILENCE THE AMITY AFFLICTION THY ART IS MURDER THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER THE CHARM THE FURY THE GRAVELTONES THE USED UPON A BURNING BODY ANTI-MORTEM BATTLECROSS COLDRAIN HEART IN HAND HUNTRESS KING 810 LYGER MALEVOLENCE NEW POLITICS POLAR SIKTH TRIVIUM

PLUS LOADS MORE BANDS TO FOLLOW FOR TICKETS, FESTIVAL UPDATES AND TRAVEL INFO GO TO:

www.downloadfestival.co.uk 13-15 JUNE 2014, DONINGTON PARK

ON SALE NOW: WEEKEND ARENA & CAMPING TICKETS, COACH PACKAGES, CAR PARKING, LOCKERS & DISABLED ACCESS TICKETS. RIP PACKAGES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE OR CALL 0207 009 3484 LIKE US

(SUBJECT TO LICENCE)

/DOWNLOADFEST

FOLLOW US

@DOWNLOADFEST #DL2014

(BILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

WELCOME C IN THE CITY!

E TO THE BEST MUSI

YOUR ONE STOP GUID

PTON

SOUTHAM

MUSIC

14 MARCH 20

We chat to the band ahead

of their O2 Guildhall show

+ WIN TICKETS!

S OF STATIC EEN 65 DAY s hit The Brook THE TELESCRza...lite rally! Post-rock legend Meet Frankie Cocco nt and much more r of the Kill, Heaven’s Baseme Plus The Answer, Glamou

-mu www.sou tham pton

sic.com

ag /sout hamp tonm usicma g m @sotonmusic

Thanks for picking up the HUGE March 2014 issue of Southampton Music Magazine, your one stop guide to the best music in Southampton and the surrounding area.

This month we go interview crazy with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Frankie Cocozza of The Telescreen/X Factor fame, The Answer, Ska Man Nick Walsh, Heaven’s Basement and Glamour of the Kill. All this plus of course listings and event announcements for all of the best venues in the area and a chance to win yourself a pair of tickets for Franz Ferdinand and a VIP/meet and greet with Frankie Cocozza himself!

w w w. s o u t h a m p t o n - m u s i c . c o m

For news submissions and editorial enquiries email info@southampton-music.com

/southamptonmusicmag @SotonM u s i c M a g

If you are interested in advertising with us email sales@phmusicmedia.co.uk or call us free on 0808 147 1106

FEATURE

We mean no disrespect when we say Franz Ferdinand have been around for a while. Because they have. Forming in 2002, the Scottish quartet achieved a Top 3 album with the debut self-titled ‘Franz Ferdinand, topped the album charts with their second album ‘You Could Have it so Much Better’ (which also reached the top 10 in the US), got a top 10 album with ‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’ in both the UK and the US, and another top 10 hit with their fourth and latest studio album ‘Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action’. They’ve played all around the world and won a HEAP of awards from the Mercury Music Prize to several Brit Awards. Phew. We thought it would be cool to have a little chat with drummer Paul Thomson before their appearance at Southampton Guildhall on the 19th March, and the first question that we just had to ask is...

Just who is Franz Ferdinand?

Franz Ferdinand was an archduke from Austria whose assassination in 1914 triggered a chain of events that eventually led to World War I. We’d played 3 shows without a name and needed one to go on a poster. We basically liked the idea of alliteration and settled for that, and then stopped thinking about it.

Is writing a constant process for you guys, with you writing on tour, between tours at home etc, or do you set aside a set period of time specifically to write?

That’s how we’ve done the last 2 albums; we’ve set aside a specific period to get together to write. We’ve tried writing whilst on tour but it’s not been great. No-one wants to hear about being on a tour bus or staying in hotels. We all have notebooks we write ideas into and Alex (vocals) has a book for sketching lyrical ideas, but it’s nice to be at home and comfy when we write, to be able to treat each day as a working day, and to give ourselves time to draw upon life experiences.

What other kinds of things inspire you when in writing mode?

Films and other music, books we’ve read, things we read in newspapers, a story someone tells you or a joke, things that happen in life in general.

Do you write to a ‘theme’?

If there is a theme it’s not one we’re usually conscious of until after the writing process, which is good because then it comes as much of a surprise to us as it does the listener.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

What do you imagine you would be doing right now if you weren’t in Franz Ferdinand?

Probably some other form of manual labour. I imagine I’d still be making music, just not for a living probably. I’m lucky because I can do this and live off of it. I realise how lucky we all are. I never thought about what I wanted to do for a job, which probably explains why I was unemployed for 8 years.

This was during the 90’s though and at the time the government had a special scheme for musicians, which allowed you to be unemployed as long as they knew you were making music. They let you sign on without giving you too much shit about it. I think I’ve now paid my dues though eh.

Got any unsigned bands you’d recommend others to listen to?

A lot of the bands I listen to are very DIY. We’ve always been about that. There’s a band from Leeds we’re touring with called Eagulls. They have a very DIY ethos as well. The best way is to do it yourself, because no-one else will ever do it quite as well as you.

What’s the very worst thing about touring?

Travelling with the same people all the time - the very smallest of things start annoying you, and you start getting irritated by the way other people see things. You can end up really disliking each other if you tour too much, so we try not to tour too much together. In the beginning we toured a lot, all the time, and it was tough. You think about giving it all up and then realise just how lucky you

FRANZ FERDINAND

are. Now we appreciate the value of spending time apart, that and being older means we can deal with it all much better, can talk things through and have found ways to improve it. This is our jobs and our lifestyle now so we have to learn to deal with it.

Would you rather fight an army of spider sized elephants or one elephant sized spider?

I’d choose the elephant sized spider. Actually I would ignore the elephant sized spider in the room. I tend to deal with most problems that way - just ignore them and they go away.

Clearly you don’t have a phobia of spiders then?

Spiders are mankind’s friend! They get rid of all the crap. I used to have a fear of buttons that come unattached from clothing. Totally irrational.

What are you looking forward to most about your upcoming UK tour?

We’re working on a new stage design so I’m quite excited about that. And maybe even stage outfits. I really like the idea of putting on ‘work’ clothes and going and getting changed out of them afterwards. Like I’ve got a proper job, instead of bumming around being in a band. I also look forward to discovering new places to eat, new Indian restaurants for one. Indian food is great.

What’s the plan for the rest of 2014 then?

There’s not much time for goals really. We have the UK and Europe headline dates, then we go do the West Coast of the US, down to Mexico and then back for festivals in Europe and Japan...we’re pretty busy right up until September. After that we’ll start working on new songs, and hopefully it won’t be another 4 years until the next album.

We’ll take less of a break than last time. We’re all in great mental health - should try to make music while we’re all fit and able to.

WORDS: MARIANNE HARRIS Photo: Andy Knowles

NEXT SHOW : Southampton Guildhall - 19th March

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

TRIVIUM

COMPETITION

Bag yourself a couple of tickets to see our favourite Scots Indie-rockers Franz Ferdinand at the O2 Guildhall on March 19.

Just answer this easy question...

What local festival did Franz Ferdinand play last year?

Email your answer to: competitions@southampton-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook. Competition closes 14/03/14 /southamptonmusicmag @S o t o n M u s i c M a g SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

FRANZ FERDINAND

FEATURE

Our boy Frankie’s had his fair share of media attention since first appearing on XFactor in 2011, and then coming 2nd on Celebrity Big Brother a year later. Of course the media attention wasn’t always complementary, with newspapers being all too eager to dish the dirt on his ‘wild nights out’ and the limelight took its ultimate toll during the televised parts of The XFactor when Frankie was sensationally asked to leave the program mid way through. We imagine it’s a tough call for any young lad thrown into the midst of sudden ‘stardom’ to not embrace that and live life to the fullest though, and it doesn’t seem to have left too much of a bitter taste in his mouth. Now in 2014, older and wiser, Frankie is setting the record straight with his new band The Telescreen, hitting towns up and down the UK in March and April. We had a brilliant chat with him to find out more about music, life and what we can expect from them in 2014.

Hi Frankie, let’s just get it out of the way so we don’t have to mention it again, but do you now regret doing The XFactor, or do you see it as a necessary and important step to getting to the place you’re at right now?

I don’t regret it. It was overall a great experience. I couldn’t walk down the street without being asked for pictures and I was going out clubbing almost every night, getting lots of female attention. It was every 18 year old’s dream. And it’s nice that the band now has a following because of that. The band was already planned before I did XFactor: the program rang me asking if I’d take part so we postponed the band so I could do it.

Would you recommend it to others wanting to break into the music industry though?

I’d say that if they’ve got nothing else going on then yes.

You then went into Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and ended up coming second. How was that as an experience?

It was being paid ridiculous amounts of money to stay in a nice house with a sauna and a swimming pool with lots of cool people I recognised for a few weeks. People come out of there complaining about how hard it is, but it’s not, it was great! I got booed shitloads on the way in, and cheered on the way out. That was awesome.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

Let’s talk about your music - you did a stretch as a solo artist and are now in a band called The Telescreen. How did the band come about?

I met the guys whilst working abroad and pitched the idea to them about starting a band. Then XFactor happened. After my 15 minutes of fame I got back in touch with the guys, they moved to Brighton and we got to working on some material last summer which we started recording in October with Jag Jago [The Ghost of a Thousand].

Can you play any instruments?

I can play the ukelele and that’s all we had whilst abroad, but I bought a guitar about a month ago to help me write melodies. No plans to start playing it properly in the band or anything though.

Describe the new album’s sound in one sentence.

It sounds like 5 young geezers have written an album about their sometimes lovely lives, without forgetting the shit bits.

You’re off on tour around the UK in March and April.

What can we expect from the shows?

You can expect crazy crowds and a great live show with decent music.

THE TELESCREEN

‘Snog, marry, avoid’ your band mates.

I’d SNOG Mark (drummer) because he’s the prettiest in the band.

I’d MARRY Dom (rhythm guitarist) because he’s the most interesting and intelligent and I’d AVOID Danie (lead guitarist) because he’s a disgusting human being (but a bloody great guitarist).

Your hair is quite infamous, did it annoy you how much attention it was getting?

I can’t remember it getting THAT much attention, my ass got LOADS of attention!!

There are tutorials online of how to ‘style your hair like Frankie Cocozza’...

Really? I haven’t seen those!

What are your goals for 2014?

To tour and start working on the second album. That’s all I want.

Tell us why people should come check you guys out in Southampton in March?

Because our music’s good, honest and we know how to put on an alright show.

Catch The Telescreen ft. Frankie Coccoza at Unit on March 9 Words: Marianne Harris

COMPETITION

Watch a private soundcheck and meet the man himself, up close and personal by bagging yourself a pair of VIP tickets to The Telescreen on March 9 at Unit. Just answer this simple question...

From what seaside town does Frankie originate?

Email your answer to: competitions@southampton-music.com or send us a direct message via Twitter or facebook. Competition closes 07/03/14 /southamptonmusicmag @S o t o n M u s i c M a g SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

THE TELESCREEN

it. That’s all that matters.

Family guy, American dad or Cleveland show?

Family guy without a doubt. It never fails to make me laugh even the older episodes are still amazing! I can just sit there in front of the tv all night watching it and never get bored.

What are your natural hair colours?

Years ago we all used to dye our hair black but our hair colours today are all our natural colours. Except Ben has to use boot polish on his head as he’s going bald.

If you could be a superhero which one would you be and why?

Hmmm probably batman. He’s just cool as f*ck! Always looks the best and even though he’s just a regular guy with loads of money he always saves the day haha.

If you HAD to cover a Michael Jackson song, which one would it be?

For me I think it would have to be thriller. I remember seeing that video when I was like 6 and being completely blown away. I think Michael Jackson was one of the most talented musicians/singer songwriters this world has ever seen and Thriller is a pure example of just how untouchable he was. The killer hooks, the insane dance moves. It just leaves you wanting more. Great tune!

If you were a caterpillar for a day where would you chill out?

I’d probably just crawl into jenna Jameson’s vagina and stay there forever all warm and happy.

If you were president of the United States, what would you have for breakfast?

Most definitely cyanide. I absolutely hate anything to do with world leaders/ politicians/ presidents/ prime ministers. They are all full of false hope feeding the world with lies and making promises they can’t commit too. They should all be lined up in front of a firing wall and gunned down. Liars. The lot of them.

If each of the band was a type of sweets, what would they be?

I think I’d be a curly wurly because I’m tall and lanky. mike would be a snickers because he’s nuts. Ben would be a twix because there is two of him... Sober Ben when he’s nice, and drunk Ben when he’s a bastard. And Chris would be a gob stopper because no matter what we do we can’t get rid of him ; ) What’s your favourite song to play live?

I love playing live more than anything. But right now I love playing “BREAK” the most. It’s just got such a big opening riff it gets the crowd jumping from the start and I love the whole groove and feel of the song!

Why is the kill so glamorous, what’s so special about it?

We wanted to be called glamour of the kill because it reflects our musical style! The “glamour” being the catchy, hooky chorus’s side of the band and the “kill” being the heavy more brutal side. We get a lot of shit for our band name but we couldn’t give two shits. We love

What’s your favourite soup?

I like to keep it simple with Heinz tomato soup with a big dollop of butter in the middle and sprinkled with black pepper! Some warm crusty bread on the side is always needed though!

Who’s the biggest diva in the band?

This is a hard one really. I don’t think any of us are divas as such we kind of just make do with what we are given. It when you start to be one people start to think badly of you and that’s not really what were about. I can name a few people that have been like that on past tours and I’ve thought “what a fucking loser” Who’s got the best tattoos in the band?

Most definitely me haha. No but if I had to say about the other guys I’d say Ben had the best sleeve! And Chris has just got his hands done and they are soooooo good ! We are all pretty covered now it’s getting pretty scary how thuggish we look.

Would you rather have a tour bus with a hot tub or a tour bus with your own tattoo studio?

Well... When we head out with our bros in Heavens Basement we are sharing a bus with those guys and bringing a tattooist out with us for the whole tour so that’s kind of a tattoo studio isn’t it? Haha. A hot tub would be great though. I’m all for the party’s and a hot tub is definitely a main ingredient!

Pro beard or anti beard?

I’m all for beards... I think beards are awesome and they have been for years. The thing I’m not into at the moment is all these ugly dudes that grow a beard, get a shit face tattoo and suddenly call themselves a model? I don’t get it? I see these weird looking guys with a f*cking throat tattoo and knuckles tattooed and they don’t have tattoos anywhere else? Beards are cool though. Always have been.

How much hairspray does the band get through on average each week?

About 8 - 10 cans a show!

Why should we check you out on tour?

Honestly? Because we are the best f*cking band on the bill. Literally nothing comes close. Come check us out.

WORDS ZAN LAWTHER

FEATURE Founded in Northern Ireland in 2000, The Answer have spent the last decade proving their rock ‘n’ roll credentials and making the kind of life-affirming, eardrum-threatening music that separates the truly great from the merely adequate.

After a few self-financed, low-key releases, the band emerged into the mainstream spotlight in 2005 when their debut single Keep Believin’ became the subject of great critical acclaim and led The Answer to the ‘Best New Band’ award at that year’s Classic Rock Awards.

The following year, the band consolidated that early promise with Rise, a debut album that received universally great reviews and backed up their burgeoning reputation with fistfuls of gloriously anthemic songs that delighted everyone from cantankerous classic rock fans to brighteyed teenagers with a penchant for balls-out rock ‘n’ roll. Rise went on to sell over 125,000 copies worldwide, a startling achievement that ensured that when the band released their second album, the mighty Everyday Demons, three years later, the world was more than ready to embrace The Answer on an even greater scale. The end result of their fearsome reputation, both as an astonishing live band and as rock’s brightest hopes, was a two-year stint as chief support to AC/DC, which took them around the world and into some of the biggest venues on the planet.

Fast forward to 2013 and latest offering New Horizon continues to soothe the ears of hard rock fans across the globe. We caught up with frontman Cormac Neason ahead of their headline tour to see what they’ve been up to….

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

The road to rock ‘n’ roll glory is littered with the smouldering remnants of bands that blazed brightly for a few brief moments and then fizzled out in a cloud of thwarted ambitions. But every now and then a band emerges that walk, talk and rock like true saviours of our beloved music’s spirit and soul.

We reckon hard rock is having a bit of a resurgence at the moment, specifically with younger gig-goers filling up audiences – is that something you’ve noticed?

It’s great isn’t it!! Rock can’t survive on past glories alone. There needs to be bands out there keeping things fresh and, most importantly, young people ready to rock out to real rock n roll music. It’s the young people who bring that electric atmosphere to the table. That “I don’t give a shit I’m just here to have a good time” attitude is what our gigs are all about.

What do you see as the challenges involved in engaging new fans?

Convincing people that we’re more than just the average rock stereotype. But that’s down to us and we love a challenge!

Which bands influenced you to become classic rockers?

Where to begin?? Free, Led Zeppelin, The Who, ACDC, Government Mule, Nirvana, Mettalica, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Clutch...basically if you take a playlist from any hard rock disco in the country….. those are the bands we love.

We can’t NOT mention touring with AC/DC – what was it like? Were there any stand out highs and lows and do you keep in touch?

A LOT of fun was had on that tour. 118 shows all over the world. The first two shows we ever played in New York were two nights in Madison Square Garden supporting ACDC followed by an appearance on the David Letterman Show. Should I continue? We missed a show in a Toronto baseball stadium because of complications on the Canadian border crossing and almost got kicked off the tour... that was a rare low point.

THE ANSWER

So, New Horizon came out last year and it has a more raw sound than some of your previous albums, what was behind the decision for that?

We felt that the more stripped down we could keep our sound on this record, the more powerful it would sound.

Having spent a lot of time on the road playing as a straight up four piece we knew we didn’t have to rely on over dubs and studio techniques to sound like The Answer.

We just went in there with a bunch of good songs and concentrated on getting good performances from the four of us.

Has your recording process changed much since the first album?

We’re a lot more aware of how everything works in the studio now so can make rational decisions about the approach we adopt for each record. The first album was a definite case of hit and hope. Thankfully we had a great production team to guide us through.

How do you guys approach writing? Are a lot of ideas drummed up on the road?

We definitely draw inspiration and ideas from our time on the road. But the songs are always constructed and finished in our own rehearsal space. We have a studio set up to capture any jams that are on the money and each of us bring in our own songs so the whole band can work on them together. We also co-wrote a song with Devon’s own Cosmo Jarvis on this record which was a fun experience.

What was the first song to come together on the album?

You know I think it was “New Horizon” the title track. That was one of Mick’s offerings and didn’t have too much work left to do in order to make it our own.

How do you choose what to play live now you’ve got four albums to choose from?

It’s tough and the cause of many late night tour bus arguments. It’s all about balance. And having too many songs is a great problem to have!

What can we expect from your live show on the forthcoming headline run?

We’re on fire right now having recently completed the first leg of the New Horizon tour. So expect to see an ass kickin’ hard rock band at their very best.

What essentials do you have to have on tour?

Ear plugs, toothbrush and an emergency bottle of Lagavulin single malt.

What’s playing on the tour bus stereo?

Clutch “Earth Rocker” And finally, if you are The Answer, what was the question?

Really??

Words: ZAN LAWTHER

Catch The Answer at The Brook on March 10

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

THE ANSWER

Get down to Tooti’s Gelato Bar in Bedfor d Place, where you will be treated to some of the Finest Gelato inspired cocktails & treats the south coast has to offer!

Whether it’s treating your taste buds to our expertly crafted cocktails, chilling in the sun with one of our many refreshing ice cold bottled beverages or letting us serve you up one of our many mouth watering treats from our menu, you know it makes perfect sense. From freshly prepar ed waffles & pancakes, sumptuous sundae’s & truly great tasting , flavour packed gelato that hits all the senses..... you won’t be disappointed! So come on down and see why it’s Southampton’ s coolest place to be!

FEATURE

Heavens Basement are a four piece hard rock band from the North Midlands, who’ve spent the last 4 years tearing up venues the length and breadth of the UK and beyond.

When one of your early gigs is an opening slot for Bon Jovi in front of 50,000 people you know the future’s going to be pretty bright. Now after playing with some of the You guys are signed to Red Bull Records; thinking animals and best US rock bands out there and countless colours here, which animal and colour would you be, and why?

Aha, well I’d be a black falcon, because I’m dressed head to toe in black appearances at festivals across the UK and most of the time, and I’m wearing an Indian headdress. Okay, not really Europe Heaven’s Basement are shortly to embark on one of their biggest headliners wearing a headdress. Because I like killing small rodents with my feet? to date, including a slot at Takedown What about anyone else in the band?

Festival in March. We managed to grab Chris our drummer would be a blue pterodactyl. He supports 10 minutes with guitarist Sid to grill him Manchester United so out of spite I’m gonna give him City’s colours. Plus about rock n roll bands, the upcoming tour he has the wing span of a pterodactyl - his arms are soo long! and to discover that the word ‘pterodactyl’ can be integrated into a sensible interview.

What’s your best chat up line?

I don’t actually have any, I just walk up to the ladies and that’s it. I don’t think I’ve ever used one, or maybe I’ve just never realised the b*ll*cks I’m saying is a cliche.

You’ve toured with some absolute rock legends, like Bon Jovi and Papa Roach, who have been the most ‘party’, and have you guys ever managed to out rock n roll any of them?

Most of the bands we’ve toured or played with have been pretty rock n roll. Papa Roach give as good as they get and are a good example. They have fun on tour and they can party, but some bands have now done their days of heavy partying. We’re the ones who usually end up being kept away by the end of a tour; we’re young and want to party hard still.

What’s your favourite venue in the UK? I think Manchester Academy is my favourite. All the gigs I’ve been to there have been amazing; it was one of the first venues I ever went to as a kid. We played a show there on our first tour with Papa Roach and it was awesome, and our recent show there with Black Veil Brides was too. Other venues are cooler for vibes, but the best shows always happen there.

What’s been the best comedy moment at one of your shows?

They happen all the time, but we once made Chris dress up as Willy Wonka, the original version because we said his hair was like Gene Wilder’s. Some of our crew dressed up as Oompa Loompas. Every time they came on stage for a guitar change our front of house engineer played the Oompa Loompa theme tune. It was hilarious. A music reviewer didn’t realise it was a one off and thought it was all part of our regular show, and I don’t think he saw the funny side really.

What are you looking forward to most about your upcoming tour with Glamour of the Kill?

We’re really looking forward to it. It’s our biggest headline tour to date so far - they are all much bigger venues than we’ve played as headliners before. The London show is at The Electric Ballroom. To be playing there and headlining is such a crazy idea to me. It’ll be our first headline in Europe as well.

What about Takedown Festival, excited about that?

We’re stoked to be coming back to Southampton. We love the energy of playing festivals always. It’ll feel like a party for everyone!

WORDS: Marianne Harris

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

HEAVEN’S BASEMENT

13

1

2

14 3

6

4 5 6

5 7

11

12

13

2

1

4 8

9 10

14 3

9 8

10

11

7

12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Mo’Club O2 Guildhall Orange Rooms The Cellar Platform Tavern Firehouse The Old Farmhouse Unit Lennons The Rockstone The Shooting Star The Hobbit The Joiners Roxx O2 Guildhall Box Office Reskue Skateshop Tattoo Monkey Oxfam Music Asgards Guitar Central Lucid Beatnik Emporium Ph Music Media Mexigo Burrito Bar Planet Sounds Harbour Lights The Guitar Store Tattoo Sanctuary

FEATURE

Easily one of Sheffield’s most exciting exports, 65daysofstatic have certainly made a fair amount of noise since forming way back at the turn of the millennium. Being fully instrumental, with no vocals to be found, they trade primarily in guitars and electronics. Their sound combines urgent symphonies of syncopated riffs and raging billows of grunge, offset against furiously swift rhythms and complex, glitch-laden electronica. They’re meticulous, experimental and unique.

Over the years they’ve been variously labelled as math rock, post rock, electronica, indie-electro, IDMhardcore, neo-prog, rocktronica – no, we don’t know what it means either! Each invented subgenre only serves to sound more contrived and pretentious than the last, which is ironic as the band themselves strive to be exactly the opposite. We would say they defy definition. They are 65daysofstatic. They communicate through their honest and engaging dance music and they’re coming to play for you. And you should see them live for their presence is undeniable. Often combining stunning audio visual elements, their live show is loud and there is no escape from the onslaught on the senses. We nabbed a few minutes with Paul Wolinski ahead of their show at The Brook later this month to see what we can expect.

Your most recent album ‘Wild Light’ was a long time in the making and hotly anticipated. How have you found its reception from fans?

It’s been great. Reassuring that most people still see us as an ongoing concern rather than just that band that wrote Radio Protector eight years ago.

Was there a reason it’s taken so long to produce?

We wanted to make sure it was good. There’s too much music already. It’s easy for a band our size to get stuck in this bi-yearly cycle of releasing records and then touring them just to make sure you can keep surviving as a band, because if you take too much time out to write something, then the already-pitiful stream of money stops and the real world starts to creep back in.

Writing another record so you get to keep on being a band is absolutely the wrong way to approach an album. So we just needed time to make sure we did something that was hopefully going to be useful to people beyond just the four of us.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

How do you go about transferring your recorded tracks into your live show?

Depends on the song. There’s no hard and fast rules. Sometimes we use loops, sometimes lots of synths, sometimes we’ll sample the record and map it to midi controllers. More recently we’re dragging our guitar tech on stage to play guitar so we have an extra pair of hands to make noise with.

He’s a better guitar player than all of us, so that’s working out pretty well.

What can us 65kids expect from the live show this time round?

Same as ever. Hopefully you’ll see us not getting lazy, still trying to improve, still playing each show like it might be our last, just in case it is.

How far is this tour taking you? Is there anywhere you particularly want to get to to play live shows or anywhere you’d love to return to?

We just came back from Russia which was wonderful. We’re headed back to Japan in May, which

65DAYSOFSTATIC

FEATURE I have no doubt will be as magical as ever. We’re incredibly lucky. It would be nice to get to South America one day, we’ve never been there, but honestly, places like that, the other side of the globe, are the places where all of the things that happen around the show really stay in your memory. But once it comes to the actual show, Southampton is going to be just as exciting as Tokyo, you know?

You’ve now worked on a number of different musical projects, including film scores and installations, as well as obviously your own albums. How does the process of writing vary for films compared to albums?

It’s really different. With soundtracks there are established rules that you can follow. You can break them if you like, but soundtracks aren’t like albums - the music is serving a higher goal, whereas when you’re writing a record, that music alone is the goal.

Soundtrack rules have evolved along with film, and they are a really useful guide. That’s not to say that it’s easier to write soundtracks but for us at least, it’s incomparable to how we’d approach writing actual songs.

following. Does this bring out the creepy fans?

What’s the weirdest fan experience you’ve ever had?

Where are we known as that? Are you sure? We’ve been very lucky with our fans. We went on tour with The Cure for a bit once so we’ve seen what it’s like when actually-famous bands have incredibly dedicated fans, and it’s nothing like anything we ever experience.

Your music is thought provoking and intelligent, do you ever think ‘balls to this I’m gonna listen to some *insert appropriately cheesy popstar here*?

This is so completely unlike how we think of music.

I’ve spent loads of time listening to that first Katy Perry record, most Rihanna records, there’s even some Pussycat Girls songs that I like.

Just listen to what you want, dude. Might put on some Michael Jackson in a minute now you’ve brought it to mind. Dirty Diana! Great. What a brilliant synth sound.

I don’t think that it’s a bad thing to hear 65’s music described as ‘provoking and intelligent’ but it’s certainly not what we’re going for.

Are you working on any film or other interesting projects at the moment? Anything in the pipeline?

What bands will be playing on the tour bus stereo?

Hopefully some things in the pipeline, yes. There’s such an explosion of creativity and excitement in the world of digital arts, bands who are limiting themselves to just writing records and then touring them are starting to almost feel old-fashioned. I don’t mean that albums or shows are old-fashioned - I think they are still completely relevant, powerful and meaningful forms of communication. But if you are in a band in the first place, then I would cautiously presume part of the reason you are doing that is because you are trying to understand and maybe reflect the world you are living in. And have you seen the world lately?? It’s insane. It feels like in that sea of insanity, in the last decade, a lot more tools have been invented that bands who follow the old-school-band template are not well-equipped to use.

The 65 tour bus is filled with silence and sadness.

Sometimes one of our crew might give a James Joyce reading or something, but otherwise it’s just existential contemplation and sometimes crying.

We don’t necessarily consider ourselves ‘artists’, but we are trying to evolve what it can mean to be ‘a band’ these days.

And finally, if you could give one piece to advice to any aspiring musicians out there, what would it be?

We recently toured The States with a band called Caspian. They opened their sets with this poem from Charles Bukowski. I’m not sure that 65 could pull off that level of solemness/earnestness these days, but I still agree entirely with what Bukowski is saying. If you’re going to try, go all the way…

Words by Zan Lawther

CATCH 65DAYSOFSTATIC ON 26th MARCH AT THE BROOK - SOUTHAMPTON

You don’t have a singer or any lyrical content to your songs. Has anyone ever tried to put a vocal track to your music?

Robert Smith sings on one of our records, and a hardcore band called Circle Takes the Square sing on another. And we even sang on an EP we’d rather forget about once upon a time. When it feels like we should try vocals we do. It just doesn’t usually feel like that.

You’re known as leaders of the underground UK music scene, which means you have a kind of cult

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

WWW.65DAYSOFSTATIC.COM 65DAYSOFSTATIC

Mon 3 - Sun 9 Mar • £12 Times 6pm / 7pm - Venue sales only

Global Rock Challenge Sat 15 Mar • £9 / £15 / £17 / £20 Doors 6.30pm Show 7.30pm Concessions apply

Mozart & Britten

Talent Stars Poppin Ron & Kai Widdrington, entertainer Arnold Gutbucket, singer Liam White, with Compere Mark Ponsford Tue 01 Apr • £27.50 £20 Students + O60’s Concert 8pm

Mon 20 Oct • £27

Level 42

The Sirens Tour + Special Guests Relishing global success for over 30 years producing an impressive discography packed with hit tunes in the instantly recognisable sound they’re loved for!

Southampton Philharmonic Choir + SU Phil. Mozart - Coronation Mass & Clarinet Concerto Britten - Rejoice in the Lamb Conductor - David Gibson

The Bootleg Beatles In Concert

Wed 19 Mar • £22.50

Brand New

Word Of Mouth Tour + Special Guests

Franz Ferdinand

No Support

Thu 23 Nov • £21.50

Fri 11 Apr • £22.50

Seth Lakeman

Under 14’s with an adult

+ Special Guests

After just releasing new single, Evil Eye, the band tour the UK in 2014

Wed 29 Oct • £27.50 £29.50

Sat 12 Apr • £2

Steve Hackett

Sat 22 Mar • £25 / £30 / £50

The Vintage Fair

Doors 6pm - First Bell 7pm

Top Night Of Professional Boxing in support of Wessex Heartbeat Tony Hill, Matty Tew, Joe Pigford and many more Wed 26 Mar • £3 members £2.50 12-4pm

Afternoon Tea Dance Sequence & Ballroom Fri 28 Mar • £20 Show 7.30pm - Over 18’s Only

Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Who Ate All The Pies? Tour

12-5pm

Vintage fashion & homeware, tea party & beauty salon Wed 16 Apr • £3 members £2.50 12-4pm

Afternoon Tea Dance

Wed 05 Nov • £16.50

Sequence & Ballroom

Asking Alexandria

Tue 29 Apr • £26 / £30 Start 7.30pm

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson In Concert Following the great success of his current ‘Thick As A Brick’ tour, legendary Prog Rock icon Ian Anderson will be coming to town

Roy Chubby Brown returns with his bluest show yet

Sat 17 May • £10

Sat 29 Mar • £15

Southampton German Beer Fest 2014

Show 7.30pm

Variety Relief Raising the roof for WAVE 105 Cash For Kids, with Britains Got

BOX OFFICE

023 8063 2601

Genesis Extended + Support.

Following the success of the 2013 Genesis Revisited album and tours, Steve Hackett is bringing the final version of his Genesis show to the UK

5pm-11pm 18yrs +

German Beers And Foods, The Alpine Stompers Oompha Band, DJ, Mädchens In Traditional Costumes West Marlands Road Civic Centre, Southampton Hampshire SO14 7LP Doors 7pm unless stated

www.o2guildhallsouthampton.co.uk

Doors 6.30pm

The ‘From Death To Destiny’ Tour + Special Guests Hot off the back of their arena run as special guests to Bullet For My Valentine, ASKING ALEXANDRIA have announced a headline run of the UK Sat 15 Nov • £19.50 Standing £24.50 Reserved seating

Bellowhead 10th Anniversary Tour Plus Special Guests Award-winning big band Bellowhead announce their biggest ever UK tour in November Box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-5pm A booking fee applies to online & telephone transactions

Edition 03 • 2014

COMEDY CLUB BRETT GOLDSTEIN + BRYAN LACEY + GUEST IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES COMMUNITY FUSION SEE WEDGEWOOD-ROOMS.CO.UK FOR DETAILS MATT RICHARDSON ‘HOMETOWN HERO TOUR 2014’

SPRING INTO ACTION IN AID OF PANCREATIC CANCER UK THE FRANK & DEAN SHOW + THE THREE BELLES + SCARLETT SEDUCTRICE + BATALA PORTSMOUTH

BLOOD RED SHOES + TIGERCUB THE FEELING + THE GENTLEMEN LED ZEP IV IN FULL WHOLE LOTTA LED +FEAT. ISOLATED ATOMS HOTBOX CHECK WWW.WEDGEWOOD-ROOMS.CO.UK FOR DETAILS HOT FUSS INDIE•DANCE•ELECTRO•HIPHOP•DUBSTEP•TECHNO PARTY

BEATS & SWING PRESENT SAM AND THE WOMP LIVE TOM MAYHEM + AUDIO CORRUPTION + CAOS DOBLE & LE FISH

THE SELECTER NORMAN LOVETT REVEREND & THE MAKERS + LIBERTY SHIP + JOHN LENNON McCULLAUGH COMEDY CLUB JAVIER JARQUINE + SARA PASCOE + MORE IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES

MARCH OF THE MODS IN AID OF TEENAGE CANCER TRUST THE TIDDLEY KINKS + DAYS OF SPEED + THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTIVE + HIPSHAKER DJs 35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR + TALISMAN STAR OF RED DWARF ‘OLD AND NEW’

FUNKT-IF-INO HOUSEMASTERS FEAT. DANNY RAMPLING CROWBAR + DRIPBACK + BELLIGERENCE + IN THE HILLS

WED 16 8pm £12.50

TUES 15 8pm £8.50

FRI 11 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 11 11pm FREE!

WED 9 8pm £13.50

TUES 8 8pm £15.00

SAT 5 10pm £8/£6

FRI 4 8pm £8.00

THE MODFATHERS + UNION KING + HIPSHAKER DJs TILL LATE FUNKT-IF-INO FEAT. HELLER & FARLEY JOHNNY FLYNN AND THE SUSSEX WIT + COSMO SHELDRAKE PEATBOG FAERIES + SPECIAL GUESTS COMEDY CLUB JOHN ROBINS + MARK MAIER + GUEST IT’S A SIN RETRO ANTHEMS & GUILTY FAVOURITES LANTERNS ON THE LAKE + SPECIAL GUESTS THE TURNING POINT TOUR JAMES WALSH + SPECIAL GUESTS

APRIL 2014

SUN 30 7.30pm £10

SAT 29 tbc

FRI 28 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 28 11pm FREE!

THURS 27 7.30pm £10

SAT 22 11pm £4.00

SAT 22 8pm £4.00

FRI 21 8pm £10.00

THURS 20 SOLD OUT!

SAT 15 9pm £8.00 MON 17 8pm £10.00

FRI 14 7.30pm £8/£6 FRI 14 11pm FREE!

WED 12 8pm £13.50

SUN 9 7.30pm £10

SAT 8 8pm £16.50

FRI 7 8pm £7.00

WED 5 8pm £13.50

SAT 1 10pm £8/£6

MARCH 2014

HOT FUSS FREE CLUB TILL 2.00am MISGIVINGS + HARKER IT’S A SIN ROOM TWO BLOODWORKS + MASK OF JUDAS + CORE OF iO + PERPETUAL DELUSION

THE WRECKAGE WEEKEND FEATURING TRICORN + SANSARA + ZENTHETIX + SAHARA SNOW

WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am

MIDWEEK MAYHEM IN AID OF ROWANS HOSPICE DAN WRIGHT + GEORGE BROKER + JOE McLLROY + SPECIAL GUESTS THE WRECKAGE WEEKEND BOTTOM LINE + MIDDAY COMMITTEE THE RETROSPECTIVE SOUNDTRACK PLAYERS + CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE

HOMETOWN SHOW + SPECIAL GUESTS THUNDERDOME ROCK • METAL • ALTERNATIVE THE 45s + THE GOOD TIME CHARLIES ONE TIME AT BANDCAMP TILL 2.00am

THRASH ONE OUT IN AID OF ROWANS HOSPICE DEAD TOWN NOTHING + GONE BY TOMORROW + INVERSIONS + SKYE + GRAVEL RASH

FUNKT-IF-INO ROOM TWO TILL 2.00am CENTURIES + OFFENDER + ESOTERIC YOUTH + NIHILITY HOMETOWN SHOW SESSIONS FEAT. FLIGHT BRIGADE CASTLES + ATTACK! VIPERS! + SPECIAL GUESTS WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am WOLF CUB CLUB FREE TILL 2.00am STOP THE TRAFFIK CHARITY NAKED FRIDAYS + NOTCHFOR 4 + OWERS + HOLLOWDRONE

JUNE 2014

CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ON WORLD CUP MATCH SCREENINGS AT THE VENUE

6 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 7 FUNKT feat. JOEY NEGRO £8/£6 26 YOLANDA BROWN £12

Check website for availability of tickets for other events on sale through the venue Box Office. Please note these may be subject to a booking fee

2 BIG BLUE DO tbc

MAY 2014

9 11 15 16 18 20 22 25 26 30

KASSASSIN STREET £6 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 THE SMYTHS £10 SPIERS & BODEN £16 WOLF ALICE £8 FOXES £10 JIMI GOODWIN (Doves) £15 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 THE SLAM DUNK SKA PUNK TOUR feat.

GOLDFINGER + ZEBRAHEAD £15

MAY 2014 cont.

3 9 16 17 18 19 20 23 28

THE MODFATHERS £8 HIPSHAKER AFTERPARTY FUNKT-IF-INO £8/£6 JOHNNY FLYNN & THE SUSSEX WIT £15 PEATBOG FAERIES £13.50 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 LANTERNS ON THE LAKE £8.50 JAMES WALSH £12.50 THE FLIKS £5 JOE BLACK £10 THE SUMMER SET £12 COMEDY CLUB £8/£6 MOULETTES £10 PATENT PENDING & PEOPLE ON VACATION £12

APRIL 2014 4 4 5 8

WEDGEWOOD ROOMS ALSO BOOKING

MON 31 7.30pm £3

FRI 28 10pm FREE

WED 26 7.30pm £4

SAT 22 11pm FREE

SAT 22 7.30pm £5

FRI 21 11pm FREE

FRI 21 7.30pm £5

WED 19 7.30pm £4

SAT 15 11pm FREE!

SAT 15 8pm £5.00

THURS 13 7.30pm £3 FRI 14 10pm FREE

TUES 11 7.30pm £4

SAT 8 10pm FREE MON 10 7pm £4.00

FRI 7 11pm FREE

FRI 7 7.30pm £3

THURS 6 7.30pm £5

WED 5 7pm £3.00

SAT 1 10pm £8/£6

Advance prices shown Tickets are non-transferable as per terms & conditions of sale

www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk

FEATURE

NICK WELSH

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A SKA MAN

He’s worked with and produced A-list artists such as Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Dave Barker, Rico Rodrigues, and Judge Dread as well as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry with whom he worked on the Grammy Award winning album Jamaican ET. He has also been the bassist and songwriter in Bad Manners and The Selecter, helping to shepherd both band’s post 2-Tone careers.

We caught up with Nick just as he embarks on a massive tour of intimate venues all over the UK.

So tell us a bit about yourself!

I am a London based grammy award winning musician who lives for...music

In the light of the recent flood what 5 records would you run into your house and save?

Pick any 5 Marc Bolan albums you like it’s all good

When you were growing up who were your Influences?

Growing up I was and still am obsessed by T.Rex & reggae.

So what current bands do you listen to and are there any bands we should be looking out for?

By far The Delegators are the best band I’ve seen in the UK

Considering you have worked with some of the greats of Reggae and Ska / Two Tone who has been your favourite artist to work with and why?

Prince Buster without doubt the voice of the people & the king of ska.

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

What can we expect from a live show?

When I take to the stage I give everything I have got in my body to make the audience smile laugh cry & go home happy I try to entertain & I play from the heart...always.

WORDS MATT CLARK

NICK WELSH

PREVIEWS UK’s top Beatles tribute act

The Bootleg Beatles will have even the most hardened sceptics dancing in the aisles with their stunning recreation of The Fab Four’s sound and look. Their costumes, authentic period instruments, witty Scouse banter and most importantly, their inflection-perfect vocal mimicry have made them the most successful Beatles tribute act, ever. Not one to miss!

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES

Apr 01 | O2 Guildhall

FOR FANS OF: ALL THINGS BEATLES......

TOSELAND

Double world superbike champion goes RAWK! Since his retirement from racing, James Toseland has been making his mark on the world of rock n roll! Now he returns to Southampton following his fantastic headline tour in 2013 and support shows with UK giants Reef. With driving rhythms and intricate guitars overlaid by the unique and powerful vocals of Toseland it’s catchier than a catchy thing and sure to get your fists pumping.

Apr 13 | Talking Heads

FOR FANS OF: BUCKCHERRY / BLACK STONE CHERRY

Metal + math + core = HEAVY

Having started out as rap-metal outfit Luti-Kriss it’s a much heavier sound from Norma Jean these days. 2013’s ‘Wrongdoers’ album embraces crunchy riffs, pummelling drums and a well balanced combination of sing/scream vocals that overlay nicely over the weight of the grooves. Heavy enough to warrant a good mosh and yet beatsy enough for the head nodders among us!

FOR FANS OF: DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN / EVERY TIME I DIE

THE RIFLES

May 07 | The Brook

NORMA JEAN

Apr 28 | Joiners Indie rock n rollers

With heavy brit pop influences and a Jam-like swagger, The Rifles burst onto the scene in 2003. There’s a boyish playfulness to their tunes guaranteed to get your toe tapping and your shoulders swaying. Now firm favourites in the indie scene we defy you not to enjoy the easy rhythms and catchy melodies.

FOR FANS OF: THE COURTENEERS / THE PIGEON DETECTIVES

Back door scuzz rage pop

Born in 2008 in Leeds, PABH are certainly an acquired taste musically but definitely not one to miss live. Their amp-melting blend of rock riffs and alt-noise sees them revered by both the metal and indie crowds alike. It’s a musical rollercoaster of tempo with part sung, part screeched, part drawled vocals and a whole heap of energy thrown behind the grinding riffs.

FOR FANS OF: DINOSAUR PILE UP / THE COMPUTERS

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

PULLED APART BY HORSES

May 10 | The Cellar

PREVIEWS

BAD RABBITS

New jack swing vs 90’s dance Heavily influenced by soul, funk, disco and R&B, Boston’s Bad Rabbits might have seemed a strange or certainly interesting choice to support pop-rockers Don Broco in 2013 but they sure know how to start a party. A unique blend of 80s/90s dance with a hard hybrid edge it’s old skool soul charms with undertones of the new skool pop rock crossover. And it works. We’re not sure how. But it does.

FOR FANS OF: DON BROCO / PRINCE / GLASSJAW

BORN OF OSIRIS

May 11 | The Cellar

Melodic progressive death metal

‘Born’ in Chicago in 2003 and known affectionately to fans as BoO (cute!) their signature blend of thrash and metal has lead them to become heavyweight champions of the metal world. It’s death metal, it’s tech metal, it’s prog metal…..basically, it’s metal. Geddit? Got it? Good.

May 12 | Joiners

FOR FANS OF: BLEED FROM WITHIN / THY ART IS MURDER

TELEMAN

Lilting, gentle indie sounds

A firm festival favourite already, Teleman are a relatively new incarnation of previous indie popsters Pete & the Pirates. It’s a metronomic and charmingly repetitive sound with wistful vocals layered over a rhythmic pulse and a velvety synth-laden feel reminiscent of early Pet Shop Boys that soaks into the listener.

May 17 | Lennon’s

FOR FANS OF: JAPE / GAZ COOMBES / MAXIMO PARK

THE GHOST INSIDE

May 21 | Mo’Club

Can you hear the thunder roar!?!

Hard hitting, passionate and fuelled by the kinetic riffing and thunderous breakdowns that have become synonymous with the metalcore genre, LA based TGI take their heaviness seriously. Prepare to get pummelled in the mosh and pummelled in the ears when they come crashing into town.

FOR FANS OF: YOUR DEMISE / PARKWAY DRIVE

Sophisti-pop, possibly the best name for a genre, ever

LEVEL 42

Formed on the Isle of Wight no less, 80’s sophisti-pop funksters Level 42 enjoyed massive success before their break up in the mid 90s. Their polished, danceable pop rock is so upbeat you can’t help but get your groove on.

This show is bound to make audiences smile. A lot.

FOR FANS OF: NIK KERSHAW / GO WEST & LEVEL 42 (of course)

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

Oct 20 | O2 Guildhall

ONES TO WATCH

Who are you and what do you do in Cavaliers?

I’m James and my role is to bring you those annoying lead lines that get stuck in your head. We also have Ed on vocals, Eddie on bass (two Edwards, don’t get confused) and Chris who hits things. All of us occasionally sing but Ed’s the only one who can do it properly.

How did you guys form as a band?

Three of us have been playing in bands together through a variety of incarnations since we were about 14, but we didn’t know any proper drummers. When we got to college, our drummer Chris was a sort of distant acquaintance but we invited him for a jam in our friend’s garage (who cheekily charged us a fiver to use it) about two weeks before we were due to play a gig. We started out playing delay drenched covers of Taylor Swift songs until we started writing our own stuff.

What made you first decide to pick up an instrument?

Anyone who doesn’t tell you they picked up a recorder in primary school because it was the latest trend is a liar. That, and Busted’s debut album.

What was your first proper experience of rock n roll, the moment where you thought ‘yeah, this is what I want to do’?

For all of us except Chris, probably seeing 65daysofstatic at an absolutely crammed Joiners four years ago. That was actually my first proper gig, and the crowd were boisterous to say the least. As for Chris, he’s a classically trained percussionist so rock n roll has been a staple in his life from an early age.

What’s been Cavalier’s highlight so far?

Definitely, definitely, definitely supporting TTNG (formerly This Town Needs Guns) at our home venue The Railway last December. A few years ago Eddie and I were hugely into the math rock scene, BSM and all of that, and TTNG have been a favourite of ours since then, so supporting them was kind of crazy. Not to mention they needed to borrow my guitar for a song. We had a good chat to all of them too and they are the nicest guys.

Cavaliers hail from Winchester, and have been playing music since late 2012 after discovering a mutual love for most bands with the word ‘club’ in their name. They take breezy, danceable indie and deliver it in the form of energetic live shows and in early spring, a debut EP as well. Taking influence from giants such as Two Door Cinema Club and Bombay Bicycle Club, but also more niche acts such as TTNG and Colour, if fundamentally you’re after catchy guitar centric pop songs, you’re in right place.

If you could play any festival in the world (and any stage) which would it be?

Being British we have to say main stage Glasto really but I’m sure we’d all agree headlining Coachella would be a sweet gig. That said, we tend to prefer smaller festivals (for the ‘vibes’, man) and there are a lot of great weekenders here at home.

What’s on the game plan for Cavaliers in 2014?

World tour, hiatus, Greatest Hits album released by our label without our permission, comeback tour (even though we still loathe each other) cause we’re running out of money. In all seriousness, we’re releasing our debut EP sometime soon and we’ll be playing a release show in our hometown for that. We’re already writing some new bangers and we’ve applied to a bunch of festivals so our fingers are still crossed for those.

High fives or fist pumps?

Fist bumps; we’re too cool for school.

What’s your favourite post-gig snack?

We’re always scolding Eddie for ordering naan bread and chips from the local because it simply isn’t a balanced meal. There’s also a diner somewhere in America that invented a ‘garbage plate’ which is basically just whatever’s lying around, fried. Those are pretty much a staple snack And finally, complete this sentence…..If you like ??????? you should check out Cavaliers.

If you like any band with club in their name, you should check out Cavaliers.

Which band would make you fanboy the most if you were to meet them?

Prior to supporting them I probably would’ve answered TTNG for this. The rest of the guys reckon it’d be someone like Foals, and whilst I’d love the chance to stroke Yannis’ beard, I’m sure a band like Chic or Earth Wind & Fire would definitely be tight dudes.

For more info visit www.facebook.com/cavaliersofficial FOR FANS OF: TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

SOUTHAMPTON MUSIC | MARCH 2014

CAVALIERS

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN FOLLOWING THEIR SELL-OUT 2013 REUNION TOUR! NOVEMBER 2014 06 GLASGOW BARROWLAND 09 NEWCASTLE O2 ACADEMY 11 MANCHESTER O2 APOLLO 13 LONDON ROUNDHOUSE 14 LONDON ROUNDHOUSE 17 BRIGHTON DOME 18 BOURNEMOUTH O2 ACADEMY 20 WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC 22 NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY AEGLIVE.CO.UK | AXS.COM | SEETICKETS.COM TICKETMASTER.CO.UK | GIGSINSCOTLAND.COM AN AEG LIVE & D F C ONC ER T S PR ESENTATI O N BY ARRAN GE ME N T WI TH X-RAY

GRAHANADMTHE RPUMAOURR KER /////////

/////////

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

FRIDAY 30th MAY O2 ACADEMY BOURNEMOUTH 0844 477 2000 / TICKETWEB.CO.UK

AN ACADEMY EVENTS & DMP PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH NEIL O’BRIEN ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY EVENTS, REGULAR MUSIC, AEG LIVE, MAMA, ONE INCH BADGE & FLEECE PROMOTIONS PRESENT

THE PORCELAIN TOUR MONDAY 14th APRIL 2014

O2 ACADEMY BOURNEMOUTH

0844 477 2000 · www.ticketweb.co.uk www.mattcardlemusic.com

TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM

TICKET FROM THE JOINERS INCLUDES FREE ENTRY TO STANDARD UNIT CLUB NIGHTS

B

X

A

Your one stop shop for Piercing Jewellery, Plugs & Tunnels!

Tunnels

Stretchers

Hairdyes

Smoking Accessories

Grinders

Shisha

Bongs

Scales

Rolling Tobacco

Cuban Cigars

CD Packs

Tickets

Find us at...

111 East Street, Southampton SO14 3HD Tel: 02380 636 636

Scan and like our facebook page for special offers & updates

Monday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

C www.facebook.com/lucid.southampton