This entry is part 19 of 19 in the series NewBreed
Band Members:
Marlene Perez - Lead Singer
Victor Mendez - Upright Bass
Andrew Himmler - Guitarist
Ricky McCann – Drums
Discography:
Flipsville (2008)
The Young Breed (2009)
Hit The Road (45 RPM 2009)
The Wildest Party 10”
Record (2010)
The Wild Show Live (2011)
Shake Your Hips (45 RPM 2012)
New Record (2013)
1. How long have you been active for and how did you get together?
We have been a band for a little over five years.
2. What influences do the band members have in common?
A passion for music, kebabs, booze and sense of humour.
3. Are there any other bands you’d recommend from your area?
I would recommend The Neumans. They just joined Wild Records and they’re pretty amazing.
4. What’s the 60’s/underground scene like where you’re from?
There are some very good DJs and clubs out there and it’s very entertaining. There are quite a few scattered around Los Angeles. Wild Records has been fortunate enough to find great 60’s style bands like The Hurricanes, The Neumans, The Bosstides, The Bloodhounds & obviously Don Juan Y Los Blancos.
5. How would you describe the style you play?
Aggressive rock ‘n’ roll. I don’t really sing about mushy, lovey-dovey things. I write my songs based on how angry I am so it generally turns out that way.
6. What are your live shows like?
We like to feed off the audience’s reactions. The more the crowd is into our show, the crazier we get. Once I ended up on the floor with my hair soaked in alcohol and my hands bloody from pounding on the stage.
7. What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by?
We have lots of influences from different genres whether it’s Ronnie Dawson or Brody Armstrong from The Distillers. If we like what we hear, we take that same energy and try to incorporate it in our music.
8. What are your main influences outside of music?
Happiness.
9. Who writes your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
I usually write the lyrics but the band helps me put everything together. The subjects are along the lines of heartbreak or being angry as a result of it.
10. What’s your favorite song by another artist?
At the moment, it would have to be ‘Shake Your Hips’ by Slim Harpo. It always gets the crowd moving and dancing.
11. How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
Because there are constant shows all over L.A. I try to make it to as many functions as I can. Sometimes there are two to three shows in one night so it makes it a bit difficult to choose from. We’re pretty fortunate to have lots of people involved in the underground scene.
12. What has been the biggest challenge?
Working on music. I think I tend to over think lyrics, melodies and the music in general. I can have a whole song structured and finished then I’ll turn around and throw it out because I feel it’s not good enough.
13. How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record? Anything interesting coming up?
We don’t rehearse too often and we play live about once a month at least. Our next big gig is the Le Beat Bespoke Festival in London (30th March 2013), which we are all extremely excited about.
14. What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
It’s non-existent in the indie scene.
15. Do you rate any current mainstream or underground bands?
By underground, do you mean outside of my own scene and the soul scene? If so, then I really enjoy stuff by The Black Keys, The Alabama Shakes, Jack White, The Dead Weather, Imelda May… I can keep going for days.
16. Who/Where would you most like to record with and why?
I would love to record with Imelda May. I think she’s a brilliant entertainer.
17. What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions? What interesting gig dates have you got coming up?
We are currently working on new music and planning to record in the next few weeks. I would love to play more gigs with the band overseas. I think we are very fortunate that we have opportunities like that. There are 2 European tours in 2013 and an Australian tour in 2014. I hope the World doesn’t end before then.
I run The New Untouchables organization and events like the Brighton Mod Weekender, Le Beat Bespoké Festival (and compilation series of the same name) and I co-organize Euro Ye Ye with the Trouble & Tea crew. I have run many clubs over the last 20 years in London, where I live and current nights include Timebox, Zoo Zoo, Crossfire, 100 Club and Mousetrap allnighter which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011. I have been lucky to DJ all over the globe including Japan, Canada, USA and Europe and met some great people on my journey. I run RnB Records to offset my vinyl addiction: newuntouchables.com/rnbrecords for rare vintage vinyl.
This entry is part 15 of 19 in the series NewBreed
Band Members:
Ross Farrelly – Lead Vocals/Harmonica
Josh McClorey – Guitar/Vocals
Pete O’Hanlon – Bass Guitar/Harmonica
Evan Walsh – Drums
Discography: 2012 – EP ‘Young, Gifted & Blue’
1. How long have you been active for and how did you get together?
We’ve been active for roughly eighteen months now. Three of us (Josh, Pete and Evan) have been friends since we were very young and have always jammed together. We met our singer Ross two years ago. It was after he joined that we started getting a proper set together and gigging around Ireland.
2. What influences do the band members have in common?
Our common influences would be bands such as Dr. Feelgood, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers along with the original blues men and rock ‘n’ roll guys like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Little Richard etc.
3. Are there any other bands you’d recommend from your area? Why?
There are two Irish bands we’ve had the pleasure of playing with that we would highly recommend: The Hot Sprockets and Raglans. Both are great bands and a nice bunch of lads.
4. What’s the 60’s/underground scene like where you’re from?
There’s no 60s/underground scene from our area at all. We come from a pretty small town in rural Ireland so the audience for things like that is very small!
5. How would you describe the style you play?
Powerhouse Rhythm & Blues.
6. What are your live shows like?
Quite sweaty, loud and fast!
7. What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by?
Our main influences in music would be the people mentioned earlier: Dr. Feelgood, Chuck Berry etc. The covers we play in our sets are generally vintage rhythm and blues/rock’n'roll songs from the likes of Chuck, Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters.
8. What are your main influences outside of music?
A few Band interests outside music include books, classic films and, in some cases, football, of course!
9. Who writes your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
The songwriting is generally a collaborative affair and as far as subjects go we mainly deal with bluesy topics!
10. What’s your favorite song in your repertoire currently? What’s your favourite song by another artist?
‘Heart Of The City’ by Nick Lowe is our current favourite, and our favourite song by another artist is probably ‘High Horse’ by the Jim Jones Revue.
11. How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
We don’t really participate in the underground scene, so wouldn’t be knowledgable enough to describe it.
12. What has been the biggest challenge to date?
Proving ourselves in new territories and trying to win over skeptics.
13. How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record? Anything interesting coming up?
We do all those things as much as possible.
14. Do you rate any current mainstream or underground bands?
Current acts we rate include Gary Clarke Jr., Jim Jones Revue, Jack White, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Vintage Trouble.
15. Who/Where would you most like to record with and why?
Dave Edmunds in Rockfield Studios.
16. Do you class yourselves as mods? If so, how did you first discover mod?
We’re influenced by mod fashion and love mod bands like The Who and Small Faces but wouldn’t necessarily class ourselves as mods.
17. Have you played other events or venues across Europe? What has been your impression of the mod scenes?
We were amazed to find that the international mod scene is so thriving. It helped get us out of Ireland and play venues across Europe.
18. What sight, sound or cultural icon sums up mod for you?
Like many of his generation, The Jam started Graham's love affair with all things mod back in 1977.
He is the author of 'The Influential Factor - A History Of Mod' which was originally published in 2002. An extract from the book was re-printed in Paolo Hewitt's 'The Sharper Word - revised edition' in 2011.
Being a self-confessed 'broad-church' mod, Graham's interests range from Modern Jazz to today's up-coming new bands and everything in between. Although he has a passion for mod history, he also has a passion for the new. Whether it's music, clubs, media of every kind, clothing, scooters or art and photography, Graham supports, promotes and encourages as much as he can, because that's how we keep going. 'Give it a chance' is his motto. If it's not for you, that's cool, at least you tried it.
This entry is part 14 of 19 in the series NewBreed
Band Members: Jacco Gardner – keys/vocals
Keez Groenteman – guitar/vocals
Jasper Verhulst – bass/vocals
Jos van Tol – drums
Discography:
‘Clear the Air’, and ‘Where Will You Go’ both 2012
1. Who are the other members of your band and what do you all do?
Jos van Tol plays the drums, Keez Groenteman plays guitar and sings backing vocals and Jasper Verhulst plays bass and does backings as well.
2. Where are you from and where are you based?
I was born in a city called Hoogeveen, in The Netherlands. I am currently based in Hoorn, where my studio is situated.
3. What inspired you to start making music and how old were you? What is your favourite instrument of the many you play?
My parents sort of pushed me into music lessons and eventually I started singing in a band. I learned bass and guitar, and keys too. My favourite instrument would be the bass guitar as it’s perfectly in between rhythm and melody. You can feel the vibrations as you play which is great.
4. How would you describe the music you make, and how would you say your solo venture differs from the work of your band The Skywalkers?
I’d say my music is much more melodic and soft than The Skywalkers. The Skywalkers were more about energetic raw beat music with a catchy organ sound; this is not the case for my solo work. Most of the songs have a dreamy cinematic feel to them.
5. You are often compared to Syd Barrett, is he one of your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by? And who do you despise?
Syd is where it all started. He really shaped my way of songwriting as his songs were the first I learned as I started writing songs. I don’t really despise anyone I think, but if I’d have to play a cover I would find it very hard finding something that would suit me. It could be anything, as long as it suits my voice, arrangements and style.
6. How are you finding playing live? Although you haven’t been playing live for that long you’ve already had some incredible shows.
It’s a process I have to get used to. I still feel more comfortable in the studio but playing live does feel better as I get more experienced. A highlight would be the show we did at the Fuzzbox night on the “Le Guess Who?” festival here in Holland.
7. How would you describe the current underground 60s scene? Do you participate?
I don’t feel part of a 60’s scene at all. I like the wave of neo-psych bands that’s coming along from the US, but most 60’s scene bands feel to me like they are too busy copying the 60’s and they forget to be original. Even in the 60’s bands had to be original to stand out.
8. We’ve seen a recent, very exciting development of psychedelic music being embraced in more main stream circles, with the success of the likes of Tame Impala. What other current bands do you rate?
I like White Fence, MMOSS, Paperhead, Maston, Crystal Stilsts, Quilt, Temples, and a lot more.
9. What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
The album has to be out there, which is goal number one, but that one’s almost reached as it’s released on 12 February. I guess my next ambition would be to tour the world and meet lots of like-minded people to work on music.
I’m one half of Eyes Wide Open in Glasgow, where we run a club, a label and now the Double Sight Psych & Garage Weekend, which takes place at the start of October. I love psych, garage, freakbeat, popsike, and have even been known to enjoy a wee bit of R&B! Always enjoy travelling to 60s clubs and weekenders around Europe, whether I’m there to DJ or just to mingle and dance!
This entry is part 13 of 19 in the series NewBreed
Band Members:
Gizzelle
Ricky McCann – Drums
Victor Mendez – Piano
Alex Vargas – Bass/Vocals
Takao Inoue – Saxophone
Discography: 2008 – SINGLE ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’, 2009 – LP ‘Devil or Angel’, 2010 – 45 ‘I’m A Good Woman’, 2011 – LP ‘Rhythm & Soul’
1. How would you describe your style of music?
I would say that my voice is R’n'B and Blues with a touch of soul.
2. Who are your idols and musical influences?
My biggest influence at 10 years old was Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Wynona Carr, Etta James, Dee Dee Sharp, Mary Ann Fisher, Lavern Baker, Patsy Cline, Barbara Lynn, Barbara Mason, Phyllis Dillon and I can go on forever.
3. As for current bands and music anything else you like out there right now?
Newer artist that I enjoy are Adele, Amy Winehouse and Ellie Goulding.
4.What are your live shows like?
Overseas I feel our fans really seem to listen to the meaning of songs it’s really hard to explain but it’s an amazing feeling. Back home our shows are always fun crowd full of our friends, family and new faces that become new friendships.
5. If you could go back in time and relive one year of the 1950’s or 60’s which would it be?
I’d say in 56/57 to get the chance to see my influences live and maybe get the chance to work with them.
6. What are your main influences and interest outside of music?
I grow up with a single struggling hard working mother who was always there for her three children. I myself have been through a lot as a young single mother.
7. Who writes your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
What I do is write what I am feeling or experiencing at that moment and then sit down with my partners from Wild Records.
8. For most, especially on the R&B/50’s scene, you are best known for your cover of Rose Mitchell’s- Baby Please Don’t Go. When you released your version of it were you surprised at the response it received?
It was intimidating but turned out to be the one song I related to the most. I was dealing with a horrible relationship at the time and the song was sung 100% from a broken heart. It’s truly an honour to see how much fans enjoy my version.
9. The “Baby Please Don’t Go” 45 release quickly increased in value, as collectors and DJ’s all over the World bought it. It now fetches sums of £25 upwards, have you kept hold of some copies?
Geez, when I seen the price the 45 is going for on eBay I was so overwhelmed I wanted to cry it’s really flattering. I did save one copy of the first 45 that came out also the purple one I framed them for my daughter. Everything else I have ever recorded I have saved two copies one for my biggest fan my daughter Gizzabella and one for myself.
10. What has been the biggest challenge to date in your career?
My biggest challenge is my shyness and nerves (LOL). I’ve been doing shows since I was 15 and I must say every time I get on that stage it is like if it were the very first time all over again. Singing is the one thing that helps me express who I am.
11. How often do you rehearse? Play Live? Record?
We try to rehearse once a week, playing live I would have to say has its ups and downs there are times we are really busy and then there are time we have one show a month.
12. What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
I think it’s pretty sad people are forgetting the roots of real music the way it is to have a band and not made by computer.
13. What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
Well in the near future what can be expected is a new record which we should start to record in a couple of months. For the future to truly pursue and accomplish what I’ve dreamt of being since I was a little girl, to become the singer I’ve always wanted to be.
Starting out venturing into the delves of the mod scene at the tender age of 17. A couple of years later and bitten by all things retrospective; scooters, knitwear and records have taken hold of me and I don't think they'll ever let me go - not that I really want to be that is!
Currently living in London and attending the 50s and 60s clubs that the homeland has to offer, as well as traveling further afield for the different countries versions and lessons in how to party.
I have been collecting record since 2009 and from that point on have been playing my take on early Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Latin Boogaloo. If you fancy a listen to what I have on offer check out my youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/scottfsimpson?feature=mhee
For now, I'll see you out on the dance floor. And for some cool threads on offer: styleandclassics.wordpress.com/
This entry is part 12 of 19 in the series NewBreed
The band:
Lead vocal: Paul Wright
Lead Guitar: Lee Morse
Rhythm Guitar and backing vocal: Rick Hyde
Bass guitar and backing vocal: Phil Lodge
Drums and percussion: John Gagon
Trumpet: Martin Wilkinson
Discography: We’ve produced a series of demos / recordings over the years, but feel the raw energy of our live performances has yet to be captured in a studio environment. With recording sessions planned for the near future, we hope that we will have something we are happy to release by the autumn.
1. How long have you been active for and how did you get together?
The band has been together for 4 years. Paul, Rick and Phil were in a previous band together. Lee joined as lead guitar in January 2008 and John joined in March 2008. Finally Martin joined in December 2009 to complete the line up.
2. What influences do the band members have in common?
We’ve all got an interest in 60’s culture, the films, fashions and most importantly the sounds.
3. Are there any other bands you’d recommend from your area? Why?
Good friends ‘The Minx’, from Wythenshawe Manchester. We both rehearse at Blueprint studios in Manchester and recently shared support slots for the Moons. The band fuse pumping 60′s organ with a punk / scar ethos, which combines to make a unique sound and energy.
4. What’s the 60’s/underground scene like where you’re from?
We’ve introduced our own very successful night by the name of Run for Cover as we felt that the underground/60’s scene in Manchester was lacking. The night was held in Chorlton in south Manchester and quickly became very popular. Since then the night has moved to the city centre and has played hosts to such acts as the amazing ROSCO (Sterling Roswell of Spacemen 3) and Psych Folk troubadour John Stammers.
5. How would you describe the style you play?
Psychedelic garage with northern soul and mod leanings.
6. What are your live shows like?
Energetic, raw, wire-mesh tight and powerful!
7. What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by?
Our shared influences include 13th floor elevators, The Stairs, The Sonics. Small faces, The Yardbirds. We currently play 2 covers, liar, liar by The Castaways and Psychotic Reaction by The Count Five.
8. What are your main influences outside of music?
Being from Manchester we’re all into our football & fashion, we like to look our best. We believe that stage performance should be visual as well as audio.
9. Who write your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
Rick is the main song writer although both Lee and John have contributed several songs to the band’s armoury.
10. What’s your favourite song in your repertoire currently? What’s your favourite song by another artist?
Our current favourite song is called ‘the beat goes on’. It’s a Mersey Beat-esque jaunt that is effectively, a call to arms, to rise and conquer the pain inflected by a broken heart. Our current favourite song by another artist is Tosta Mista by Hooded Fang.
11. How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
The current underground scene is alive and kicking in London and Liverpool where we gig quite frequently. We have also played across Europe in cities like Berlin, where the scene is immense.
12. What has been the biggest challenge to date?
Finding a hammond player to join the band.
13. How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record? Anything interesting coming up?
We are currently rehearsing once a week and have a new ep due to be out in the Autumn. We’re also playing the mod weekender in Brighton for the August bank holiday and will be putting on a single launch at our Run For Cover night in September this year (date to be confirmed)
14. What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
There is coverage of the 60′s underground scene, but you need to know where to look. This suits us. It means those with a genuine interest and enthusiasm for what we do can discover us, and leaves the scene untarnished by those who need to be told what to like.
15. Do you rate any current mainstream or underground bands?
We have a lot of respect for The Coral. To us they are a band that stick to their roots, remain credible and still achieve a good level of mainstream success. Recent bands that have caught our attention with 60′s style garage and pop tendencies, include Toronto’s Hooded Fang and The Hypnotic Eye from South-London.
16. Who/Where would you most like to record with and why?
We would love to work with Jan “Stan” Kybert. He’s worked with a number of bands/artists that we admire including, The Stands, The Draytones and of course Paul Weller.
17. What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions? What interesting gig dates have you got coming up?
We would like to continue to grow as a band, developing our sound and line-up and to reach as many like minded 60′s enthusiasts as possible, across all of Europe and beyond!
Pip! Pip! Are the Creative Business Engine behind various music based organisations of the cool underground variety. Providing angst, confusion, bewilderment and annoyance in equal amounts. We design/host/manage great sites like this one! Why not hire us one day soon?
This entry is part 12 of 19 in the series NewBreed
The band…
Darren Howe: (Rhythm Guitar) – he plays guitar and fronts the band with a smile on his face, he’s a real funny bloke.
Mitch Turner: (Lead Guitar) – plays lead and turns his amp up after every song until its the Mitch Turner show! and he’s the biggest tart you’ll ever meet too.
Scott Roberts: (Drums) – in the control room, a reserved character and an excellent drummer with a great voice too… who has a slight obsession with a 50′s rocker who was born in Tupelo Mississippi.
Danny Shwe: (Bass Guitar) – Well I play Bass, sometimes backing Vocals and general moaning and complaining all about tempo.
1. Where are you from and where are you based?
Scott: We’re all from deepest darkest Essex, although Mitch now lives in Brighton, East Sussex.
2. How did you guys meet and what drove you to make music together?
Darren: Scott is my brother in law and we’ve both been in and out him mainly in, me mainly out) of bands for a long time. We both have a passion for anything 60s so decided to come together and do something we’ve both wanted to do for years. Not sure where we met Mitch but we rescued him from a life of hanging round bus stops drinking cheap cider, if he pulls he’s finger out could be one of the greats. I’ve know Danny for about a few months, we met through a lonely hearts column. Small of stature big of talent.
3. Are there any other bands you’d recommend from your area? Why?
Darren:: Erm……… Not that I’ve seen.
Scott: We don’t get the chance to get out and see live bands much anymore we always seem to be out gigging when there’s anything good we fancy.
4. What’s the 60’s/underground scene like where you’re from?
Darren: Balding middle aged men wearing leather waistcoats and tight jeans singing ferry across the Mersey. But that’s enough about us!
Scott: We’ve played for quite a few Scooter Clubs & Rallies, the guys are very supportive and we’ve made some really good friends through doing this.
Mitch: Where I live in Brighton there’s a few good 60’s night, the Nuts are always very good.
Danny: Shameless plug there Mitchell!
5. How would you describe the style you play?
Darren: 60s beat, garage, mod, pop and whatever else takes your fancy done in a frantic what the… are we doing kinda way.
Danny: I would say animated, energetic… FAST! (too fast really, Dazza wont like that ha ha! he likes to play fast.
6. What are your live shows like?
Mitch: Raw 60’s beat sound.
Scott: We like to keep it as authentic as possible, my pet hate is bands trying to replicate the sound with the wrong equipment, it can’t be done.
Darren: He’s going to mention the cymbals…
Mitch: Scott hates modern cymbals!
7. What are your main influences in music? Who do you play covers by?
Scott: Sixties Beat & Garage with sprinkling of Psych
Mitch: The Sonics, The Kinks, The Eyes, The Count Five, early Beatles, Small Faces you get the picture.
8. And who do you despise?
Darren: I despise Tony my next door neighbour he’s been putting that dry wall up for months now.
9. What are your main influences outside of music?
Danny: Everything I see influences me, but I’m probably more influenced by the things I’ve done… or generally messed up!
10. What’s your favourite song in your repertoire currently? What’s your favourite song by another artist?
Mitch: Shake – Small Faces & loving the Pretty Things- LSD.
Darren: At moment I’m going to go for “The Witch” by The Sonics. Fast, furious and over in a flash.
Danny: I like The Small Faces, so any of those.
11. How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
Darren: I’m not really involved in any scene so I wouldn’t like to say.
Mitch: I go to a few 60s nights in and around Essex and in Brighton there’s a few good nights about but not enough of them.
Danny: I don’t know I’m new to all this… but I do join in one way or another…
12. What has been the biggest challenge to date?
Danny: Probably splitting the atom… with the smallest scissors you’ve ever seen!
13. How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record?
Mitch: We try and rehearse at least once a week and play live pretty much every weekend. We will be doing a lot of recording this year, we are all ready to go and can’t wait to get original material out there.
14. What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
Darren: I don’t think about it at all.
Danny: Radio is still there, the internet has the biggest influence, it’s just the TV that pisses me off, I mean how many reality pop shows do we need?
15. Do you rate any other current bands?
Darren: Yes
16. Where would you most like to record with and why?
Darren: Toe Rag Studios I’ve seen them on YouTube and they have loads of original equipment and the guy seems pretty cool. Might have to raid the piggy bank for that one though.
Scott: Abbey Road
Danny: Might have to rob a bank for that one Scotty!
17. What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
Darren: Lots more live shows and bags loads of original material.
Mitch: We want to get bigger on the underground scene around the country and start making more of a name for ourselves.
Pip! Pip! Are the Creative Business Engine behind various music based organisations of the cool underground variety. Providing angst, confusion, bewilderment and annoyance in equal amounts. We design/host/manage great sites like this one! Why not hire us one day soon?
Who are the members of your band and what do they do?
Louise Turner: Vocals Mark Mortimer: Bass Scott Riley: Organ, piano, vocals Nigel Horton: Drums Tony Russell: Guitars, vocals Miri May: Vocals Donald Ross Skinner: producer, guitar Rich Skilbeck: Trumpet, flugelhorn, saxes Simon Holland: Harmonica, trumpet, flugelhorn Josh Large: Trombone
How did you guys meet and what drove you to make music together?
DC Fontana’s current line up is relatively new and we create music as a form of constant cathartic evolution designed to keep us out of the asylum as long as we possibly can.
How would you describe the style you play?
Art & soul… I think of it as melodic psychedelia copulating with earthier soul, jazz & folk vibes to create a cinematic offspring. It’s sonic medicine for poorly times.
What are your live shows like?
We never cut corners & always give an honest, 100% all or nothing effort that is value for money for these frugal, screwed up days but also, whenever we have the money, we like to make the bigger gigs more of a happening and add a whole visual ‘art & soul’ aspect to illustrate the music itself. This could mean elements of performance art, surrealism, optical decor etc and is all part of our creed that encourages us to make cool short films as well. We see ourselves as more than just songwriters and musicians and it’s why we spend so much time and money on making our records, videos and gigs up to a certain quality. We revel in working with talented photographers, dancers, painters, film-makers, graphic designers, costume makers, performance artists, lighting wizards, folk-dancers & others.
What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by? And who do you despise?
We are a sound-clash of sundry sonic tapestries woven from more than 300 years of influence and many people inspire us – some are probably obvious and a lot are not! The past may inform our present but we don’t feel the need to re-enact anything and so if we do play covers we inject our own DNA direct into their bloodstream. We’ve sprinkled our gigs with a few eclectic covers; from Morricone to World Of Oz, from Peru’s Traffic Sound to Germany’s Heidi Brühl & from the Velvet Underground to Jackie Lomax as well as Julie Driscoll & Pentangle… But there are no boundaries – I’d cover anything we felt we could add our own slant to. It doesn’t have to fit neatly into any generic bag to qualify. I try not to waste my energies on despising anything or anyone and prefer to be vibed up with positivity rather than weighted down in the misery of the gargantuan diet of rubbish the general public is force-fed on…
What are your main influences outside of music?
First & foremost, our friends and families but also I enjoy the various peripheral delights attached to creating music like the elements of art and film-making. Being in a group should be more than knocking off a few chords & lyrics – it should be an exhilarating ride and I am keen to work with people who awash with interesting ideas who can take on board our own individual personalities and help twist things. We made our ‘Six Against Eight’ video an eight-minute short film to pay homage to Pat McGoohan whereas on the more recent ‘Meshkalina’ video we wore hand-crafted animal masks while having fun exploring our love of late 60s/early 70s folk-horror movies like ‘the Wicker Man’ & ‘Blood On Satan’s Claw.’ The ‘Abbesses’ video sees us taking elements of ‘the Avengers’, “the Girl On A Motorcycle’ & late 50s nouvelle vague movies.
How many official recordings have you done? How many released? Where can they be found? And who write your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
The Contessa / Snake Charmer: 7” vinyl single (DCTone Records)
Six Against Eight: CD / mp3 album (DCTone Records)
Meshkalina / It Don’t Worry Me 7” vinyl single (Heavy Soul Records)
Meshkalina CD / mp3 EP (DCTone Records)
La Contessa CD / mp3 (DCTone Records)
La Contessa 12” vinyl album (Teensound / Misty Lane Records)
All available from www.dcfontana.com/shop.html
Subject matter varies wildly from the everyday like sex, freedom, joy and despair, unrequited love, mortality and even biscuits through to existentialism, metaphysics & the horrors of love turning violent, the ghosts of famous dead people having a mediaeval hoe-down after dark in Paris and the modern-day cult of underachieving banality. Some songs are the product of story-telling and much of it is personal experience given real animated life. Expect the unexpected.
What’s the favorite song of yours currently?
A brand new one called ‘Devilangel’ which may appear on the next album.
How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
Yes we participate whenever we can…. I personally love the diversity of peoples, clothes, tastes and styles: it mirrors our own search for the end of the rainbow.
What has been the biggest challenge to date?
Avoiding financial meltdown.
How often do you rehearse? Play Live? Record?
We are undoubtedly old school and gig frenetically; usually we play twice a week & rehearse weekly though it’s difficult as we all live so far apart.
What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
It can be summed up neatly in two famous words: shit sandwich.
Do you rate any other current bands?
As with all eras there are lots of great bands making great music across the spectrum of genre and even more people producing a great festering pile of kak. I particularly like the Silver Factory among others. The great challenge right now for all of us is to get our music heard because with the music industry imploding and the global economic difficulties I believe it’s never been as tough as it is now for people in the arts to stay afloat, let alone flourish.
Who/Where would you most like to record and why?
Recording with the strings section of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on our first record is hard to top actually – that was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my life but we are forever pushing the boundaries with quixotic and interesting ideas and on the next album we are planning to record one track inside a church with a choir.
What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
We are very ambitious and currently in a rich vein of song-writing; we’re corralling quite a corpulent collection of new tunes and there is a lot of music to be made yet! We will be heading into the studio as soon as we can to record new material but a lot depends on available funds because it costs us a lot for us to do the interesting things we do and everyone is struggling. I think we’ve made great strides this year and we are looking to keep building on what we’ve achieved thus far, disseminate our music as far as we can and continue to make interesting music and art. Although I find it difficult to quantify ‘success’ in this day and age we are happy with our first records – feel we’ve come a very long way in recent moons. It’s been exciting to play in so many different countries but there’s so much more we want to do; we all see our initial success as laying down a foundation for a brighter future.
Brazilian polymath Eron Falbo came to London in 2009 after leaving his band ‘The Julians’ to pursue a solo career and become a cosmopolitician. Falbo began writing at the age of 11 for the school newspaper. By the age of 16 he had got his first job as a journalist. His experience in other magazines stretches from film critic to travel writer, passing through much but never leaving the culture spectrum. Apart from writing, Falbo is also an emerging singer. He was invited to record an album in one of the best studios in Nashville, Tennessee by none other than legendary producer Bob Johnston, who recorded the best material by the likes of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash (all acclaimed writers). As of yet he’s only released one single, ‘Beat the Drums’ which was featured on Dermot O’Leary’s “Go Buy Monday” (single of the week) for BBC Radio 2, among other media. Currently, Falbo fronts the band ‘the Kyniks’ in venues in London and around the UK and can be occasionally spotted prowling the scene of the New Untouchables taking notes.
Alison & The Earthquakes are a fresh, bold and powerful 9-piece ‘soul power outfit’ thrilling the current live circuit made up from the following multi talented array of folks:
Alison David – Main Singer Jen Rouse – Backing Vocals Kate Austen – Backing Vocals Jules Owen – Drums, Backing Vocals (Musical Director) Steve Watts – Keys Max Numajiri – Guitar Tom Alterman – Tenor Sax Jacob Jonsson – Trumpet Harry Burton – Bass (Musical Director)
The first time I heard Alison and the Earthquakes was 9th Oct 2011 at the venue Concorde 2 for the annual Brightona music event in Brighton. After a full day of great live bands they were the last and the best band to play, rocking Concorde 2 with their covers of northern soul classics, Atlantic, and Stax. The 9 band members inspired us to dance with their energy and sheer enjoyment of the music. The superb renditions demanded more than one encore, as we did not want them to stop.
I danced to exhaustion, the next day my back ached with torn muscles, (I really got into the dancing), but I was a happy bunny with memories of the awesome performance and atmosphere. They are truly the most talented northern soul band I have heard. Some band members tell me they are writing their own northern soul songs, eagerly anticipated by me, as they do grasp the true essence of the music.
It was my pleasure to interview them before the Concorde 2 performance and band member Jules makes some interesting comments about the northern soul single “Mercy” by artist Duffy – you can hear that interview on this page.
What is northern soul?
Predominately, rare, black, American, soul music of the 60’s and 70’s. First called northern soul in 1968 by Dave Godin editor to Blues and Soul magazine, when many young people in the North of England in the late 60’s and early 70’s were listening to this music. “ Some of it you will hate, most you will love”. I am a northern soul deejay, radio/TV broadcaster and music journalist living in the sunny southcoast of England. The genres I love are the blues, rhythm and blues, soul and in particular northern soul. I started deejaying due to a lack of northern soul events in Brighton. I like the good quality rare, northern soul, but to hear it I had to find good deejays or play it myself. For several years I have been privileged to interview great artists and deejays from the unique, music scene that is northern soul, such as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and the successful deejay Richard Searling.
Each month I will be bringing you an interview of a northern soul artist or deejay and keeping you informed of forthcoming events. I am interested in your thoughts, experiences and suggestions about northern soul and would like to quote you here each month, drop me a line at either: Email: souldeepevents@yahoo.co.uk or Facebook.com/ kath newman
How did you guys meet and what drove you to make music together?
Måns and Sebastian run a 60s club (99th Floor) together and they talked about forming a new band a couple of years ago. Soon Mats, from Sebastian’s previous band The Giljoteens, joined. They now had the songs and the style but they needed a young handsome, untouched bass player. Aron, of Les Artyfacts, was the man for the job. He couldn’t play bass at first but he was young, handsome and untouched for sure.
Or: We all knew each other from before and all our previous groups more or less split up at the same time so The Flight Reaction is basically the debris from The Giljoteens, The Maggots and Les Artyfacts.
No seriously, we met at a record fair. We were the only guys who weren’t fat and smelly and fought over expensive seventies prog albums with songs about unicorns. When we started talking it turned out that we all know things about women as well! Incredible where life takes us sometimes!
No really, honestly, we all met at a zoo. We lived in the same cage and then we managed to escape together. You should see us when we haven’t shaved for a couple of weeks.
How would you describe the style you play?
Garage beat ‘n’ moody sounds, with more than a hint of psychedelia. No hippie drivel or stoner shite though.
Our style is very sixties influenced, but with no obvious carbon copy stuff – it’s all our own take on it and we really go for melodies and diversity in arrangements etc. We just pretend that nothing’s happened since 1967 when we compose. That’s not very hard, since almost nothing has happened since then.
What are your live shows like?
We try to present an equal mix of super great songs with tight harmonies and more freaky excursions, without falling into that tired ‘long guitar solo’ trap that a lot of people think is the same as ‘psychedelic’. Instead we opt for just taking off into echoes ‘n’ sounds, kinda Barret Floyd style but mixed with a stronger garage groove. We’re still working on getting a lightshow aswell, but most modern venues have black backdrops and lame ‘rock lights’… Of course we dress up for the occasions as well. You won’t see us hanging from any ceilings though – the music, sounds and our good looks are the show!
What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by? And who do you despise?
Covers…
The covers we play at the moment are ‘Citadel’ by the Rolling Stones (a UK band from the sixties who ventured into psychedelia for a short while around 1967, just like The Hollies) and ‘Green Destroys the Gold’ by the Beacon Street Union. We’ve also played ‘My Time’ by The Golden Dawn and ‘Nothing Can Bring Me Down’ by the Twilighters.
Influences…
Måns: The experience… and yeah stuff the 13th Floor Elevators, New Colony Six, Silver Apples, the Pretty Things, Moby Grape, the Dovers, the Seeds, Barret Floyd, the Deep, Tages, countless (mostly US) punkadelic garage bands. A few eighties bands like the early Rain Parade, Laughing Soup Dish, the Steppes and some others also did some things that were very similar to what we wanna project with our music, methinks. Real psychedelia, and garage beat sounds, would be the short answer, I guess.
Aron: Tages, Pretty Things, the Wanted, the Smoke, St Louis Union, les Fleurs de Lys, Ronnie Bird…
Mats: The Crystal Chandelier, the Human Expression, and the Morning Dew – that type of moody psychedelia…
Sebastian: 60’s garage and psychedelia in general from bands that only mostly only recorded a 45 or two. The Dovers, Pink Floyd, Oscar & the Majestics, Electras, MG & the Escorts just to name a few.
Spitting vomit…
Måns: I hate hippie and theatre music, like Santana or the Doors. I don’t like cover bands much, like for example Led Zeppelin. I’m not into sports so I’ve never understood when people play as many notes as possible very fast.
The short answer to this question is: I like good music and hate bad music. And I am always right.
Aron: I have to say that I think Jimi Hendrix is quite boring. Overall bands/artists that play too much just to show how “skillful” they are.
Mats: Bands who are acting cool…
Sebastian: Cover bands are so boring, why bother? I mean the songs have already been done and probably much better anyway…
What are your main influences outside of music?
Måns: L.S.D.! No seriously… hehehe… life itself and all that’s going on around me. Love ‘n’ height. Nowadays I fly on memories ‘n’ feelings when tapping into those certain areas, lyricswise and so on. Magical thinking.
Aron: La belle époque, Napoleonic uniforms and 19th C mysticism.
Mats: Like everyone else I enjoy collecting 45’s and when time allows watching old movies.
Sebastian: Apart from playing, I enjoy collecting records and playing them of course. Food and wine is a great passion of mine and the good thing is that you can combine the two extremely well together with friends, playing those records.
How many official recordings have you done? How many released? Where can they be found? And who write your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
Three singles to this date. Two are released on Copasetic records in Germany and one is released on 13 O’Clock records in the US.
Where can they be found? In well stocked record stores and around that thing called “the internet”… there is something called “google” which may be helpful when looking for newly released records.
What’s your favourite song currently?
Måns: The 13th Floor Elevators ‘Roller Coaster’ and the Silver Apples ‘A Pox on You’ are always my favourite songs. Right now though I’m particularly fond of playing the Models ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’ on MGM over and over… and I keep getting blown away by Tages ‘Fantasy Island’ every time I play it…
Aron: Ronnie Bird ‘Rain in the City’, Cherry Slush ‘I Cannot Stop You’, The Wanted ‘Here to Stay’
Mats: The Mystic Tide – “Frustration”, the Raving Madd – “Boundaries” and Crystal Chandelier – “Your Land of Love” go on repeat on my record player…
Sebastian: Park Avenue Playground ‘The Trip’, Painted Faces ‘I Lost You in My Mind’, Ramases & Selket ‘Mind’s Eye’, Paul Martin ‘It Happened’
How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
In Sweden there’s not really an underground scene for what we are doing – but there may be seeds sown and when/if that’s harvested we will probably be there. We try to contribute organising clubs and spinning records from time to time. People generally love the things we are playing without necessarily being part of the small scene that we’ve got.
Good Swedish bands… Trummor & Orgel, the Fourtune Tellers, Voladoras, the Satans, Early Days…
What has been the biggest challenge to date?
To try and live in this world, surrounded by idiots.
How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record?
Often enough to not forget what we’re doing, haha! We’re recording at the rehearsal from time to time, when we got new songs. It’s a good way to work on lyrics and arrangements in between rehearsals. We’ve been playing live quite a lot. Gigs just kept pouring in for a while. Right now we’ve decided to concentrate on the album instead though, but if the right offer comes along we’re game!
What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
Mainstream media rock journalists probably have the easiest and most retarded ‘job’ on the planet… basic writing about whatever is ‘in’ this week and generally just making shit up in between getting drunk at free gigs. The biggest thing since the Beatles is apparently TV programmes where ‘average people’ sing washed out karaoke versions of washed out hits, so that’s what the mainstream ‘music media’ mostly write about these days.
Then there’s fantastic publications like Ugly Things, Shindig!, your own publication and so on, of course.
Do you rate any other current bands?
The Higher State and Paul Messis, Trummor & Orgel… we know there are lots more but these cats are the ones that spring to mind right off the bat.
Who/Where would you most like to record and why?
At the Abbey Road studio in ’67. Why? SF Sorrow, Piper… Or Gold Star in ’67! Or the Fenton studio! But seriously, it would be stunning to record at Atlantic here in Stockholm. It’s a huge old studio that’s been at the same location since the fifties. They still have all the old gear, including a sound technician who’s worked there since the sixties and knows all about doing analog tape phasing etc.. Masses of killer mics and tube compressors. Large recording room, looking just like it did in 1965. Way too expensive for us at this moment though. So we plan to record at our rehearsal and add vocals ‘n’ fluff in a studio run by an old friend who’s a dream to work with. It will hopefully be totally great.
What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
We would like to be the new standard bearers of a psychedelic revolution! Change the world etc – nothing less! Get rich, buy castles, invent a time machine and go back to 1966-1970 to buy records and meet Marianne Faithful. Have our own goose farm and produce foie gras. Travel in space. Lay golden eggs.
We will settle for making a really great LP though, and that’s in the works. We have a bunch of new songs and we’ve already made pre production recordings to choose songs, plan the flow and production etc. The plan is to have a good balance between live in the studio takes and whatever studio trickery we may come up with. We think that a studio album is something completely different from a live show. Live there’s the audience and the whole aspect of ‘now’. On a studio album we’ll make up for the lack of that by adding other elements instead – it’s more like a psychedelic ride though your mind, with us as the guides and non-captains!
We also have a new ’45 coming out soon, on 13 O’Clock records which may be the greatest little label in the known universe right now. It’s our take on the Rolling Stones – Citadel, backed with an original – Mourning Light. Apart from blowing you away it’ll also give you a taste of our recording philosophy… a deliberate mess! The third sound must be present and the best way to invite that is to accept chaos and just record what’s going on. Just like life itself. It’s a-happening!
Brazilian polymath Eron Falbo came to London in 2009 after leaving his band ‘The Julians’ to pursue a solo career and become a cosmopolitician. Falbo began writing at the age of 11 for the school newspaper. By the age of 16 he had got his first job as a journalist. His experience in other magazines stretches from film critic to travel writer, passing through much but never leaving the culture spectrum. Apart from writing, Falbo is also an emerging singer. He was invited to record an album in one of the best studios in Nashville, Tennessee by none other than legendary producer Bob Johnston, who recorded the best material by the likes of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash (all acclaimed writers). As of yet he’s only released one single, ‘Beat the Drums’ which was featured on Dermot O’Leary’s “Go Buy Monday” (single of the week) for BBC Radio 2, among other media. Currently, Falbo fronts the band ‘the Kyniks’ in venues in London and around the UK and can be occasionally spotted prowling the scene of the New Untouchables taking notes.
Four twisted and bitter people, carrying out their cause through early 60s rock n roll.
Where are you guys from?
The highest rafters and the deepest pit. Where screams echo loudest.
How did you guys meet and what drove you to make music together?
Anger and lost love.
Are there any other bands you’d recommend from your area? Why?
Voola and the Jayhawks. Voola screams louder.
What’s the 60’s/underground scene like where you’re from?
Ups and downs, lefts and rights.
How would you describe the style you play?
60′s style garage with a touch of British rock n roll.
What are your live shows like?
A behind the sofa Dr Who episode
What are your main influences in music? Who do/would you play covers by? And who do you despise?
Joe Meek. Link Wray. The Renegades. John Leyton. Us? Despise?
What are your main influences outside of music?
Ice hockey. Flowers. Love songs. Vendetta.
How many official recordings have you done? How many released? Where can they be found? And who write your songs and what subjects do you deal with?
None… yet.
What’s your favorite song in your repertoire currently? What’s your favourite song by another artist?
For us, One Fine Day. The Tempests ‘Look Away’.
How would you describe the current underground scene? Do you participate?
We’ve only just begun.
What has been the biggest challenge to date?
Seeing each other on stage.
How often do you Rehearse? Play Live? Record?
As often as posisble which is about once every two months
What do you think of the music coverage in the media?
Getting better, though terms/genres get used too liberally.
Who/Where would you most like to record with and why?
Toerag Studios! Imagine, they got equipment from Abbey Road Studios!
But I also think we’d do good on a old tape recorder..
What should we expect from you in the future? What are your plans and ambitions?
Stop the screaming in our heads.
What can we expect from your Le Beat Bespoké performance? What have you got in store for us?
We really want to give it all and warm the people up before the Trashmen enter the stage. It’s a true honour to be their pre-band and we will make sure no one will be disappointed. Some dancing, jumping, screaming, and singing about lost love… Join us !!
Brazilian polymath Eron Falbo came to London in 2009 after leaving his band ‘The Julians’ to pursue a solo career and become a cosmopolitician. Falbo began writing at the age of 11 for the school newspaper. By the age of 16 he had got his first job as a journalist. His experience in other magazines stretches from film critic to travel writer, passing through much but never leaving the culture spectrum. Apart from writing, Falbo is also an emerging singer. He was invited to record an album in one of the best studios in Nashville, Tennessee by none other than legendary producer Bob Johnston, who recorded the best material by the likes of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash (all acclaimed writers). As of yet he’s only released one single, ‘Beat the Drums’ which was featured on Dermot O’Leary’s “Go Buy Monday” (single of the week) for BBC Radio 2, among other media. Currently, Falbo fronts the band ‘the Kyniks’ in venues in London and around the UK and can be occasionally spotted prowling the scene of the New Untouchables taking notes.
