A further selection of our finest interviews of the past few years including Kasabian, The Boxer Rebellion, The Black Velvets and Oceansize
Questions for KASABIAN
Q1, The ‘bog standard’ question – where does the name come from and do you get any people mispronouncing it? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno (Guitar / Synth programming) – The Manson family and Armenian name for brother and YES. Chris Edwards (bass + guitar) – Loads of people mispronounce it Kas-b-an it should be KA-SAY-B-AN. Tom Meighan (Vox) – The name comes from the Manson family. Christopher Karloff (Guitar) – The name comes from Linda Kasabian of the Manson family, it is also Armenian for ‘butcher’. Yes, it ain’t hard to read is it for fucks sake. Q2, Have you borrowed some of your image and style from the 118 118 advert? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – Fuck off – Sgt Peppers! Chris Edwards – No Lennon mate! Tom Meighan – Remember the beatles Sgt Peppers Christopher Karloff – No we were going long before those cunt bags. Q3, You’ve already toured with the likes of The Cooper Temple Clause any juicy stories? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – They are..… all the rest crossed out, bummer! Chris Edwards – Not really mate. Tom Meighan – Can’t remember out of my tree. Christopher Karloff – They’re all going bald and worship in churches! Q4, Name your three favourite bands and why you love them? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno –Tangerine Dream / floating, David Axelrod / beauty & Primal Scream / sex. Chris Edwards – Beatles – because they did it first, Hendrix – because he’s mad & Muse – great musicians. Tom Meighan – Wham, Eland mig & Kris Kros. Christopher Karloff – Hendrix Experience – Porn as fuck, rolling stones – the bollocks & pink floyd – trippin. Q5, How would you describe the Kasabian sound? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – The future. Chris Edwards – Electro rock with hip hop beats, a fusion of everything. Tom Meighan – I have no idea. Christopher Karloff – ‘The fuckin biz’ Q6, The Darkness – genius or Whitesnake tribute band? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – Comedy act, not worth a comment but I will, I would like John King to bum each one! Chris Edwards – Right time, right place, look shit! Tom Meighan – Very clever fucking rip off. Christopher Karloff – Ain’t really bothered. Q7, In ten words or less describe the Kasabian live experience. Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – Confrontacinal, the band the stones could have been. Chris Edwards – In your face, new, raw, exciting good music. Tom Meighan – Crazy, mad, sound, sex, sea, harsh, power, empire. Christopher Karloff – I told you already ‘The fuckin biz’. Q8, Which pop / rock star would you most like to be if you weren’t in Kasabian? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – edgar frousse, he has big tanks. Chris Edwards – Daniel Beddingfield. So I could stop making music (everyone’s happy). Tom Meighan – No one just myself. Christopher Karloff – P.Diddy. Q9, What’s your favourite Kasabian song and why? Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno – Working title (All lieing), it explains everything you need to know in 4 mins. Chris Edwards – ID because it starts the set and gives you an idea of what we are all about. Tom Meighan – Jack + Jill went up the hill.
Questions for THE BOXER REBELLION
The Boxer Rebellion are one of the most international bands around at the moment, they are also one of the most underrated but promising. We met up with them at a criminally underpopulated gig in Sheffield, but with a deal with Poptones in the bag and a shit load of moody classics at their disposal things are looking up for The Boxer Rebellion. Q1, The ‘bog standard’ question – where does the name come from? Piers Hewitt (Drums) – We dug it out of a political dictionary, simple as that. Adam Harrison (Bass) – A political history book. Nathan Nicholson (Vocals, Rhythm guitar & keyboards – greedy begger!) – Dictionary of historical events, very boring, but we we’re in the studio and needed one quickly. Q2, You’re a bit of a ‘global’ band how did that come about? Piers Hewitt – I was studying at music college and answered an ad that Todd and Nathan had put in there to join a band. I needed to be convinced but it’s all worked out sweetly. Adam Harrison – Nathan came from the states to study and Todd came to England to work and they met through an advert. They recorded some acoustic demo’s then put an advert up at the London Music School where me and Piers were studying. Nathan Nicholson – I came over to study and the guitarist Todd and I met up, started an acoustic thingy and eventually wanted to do something less nice. Q3, If a lazy hack was to compare you to another band which one would you like it to be and why? Piers Hewitt – I wouldn’t want to be compared to any one band, that’s the beginning of something bad if you ask me. Adam Harrison – The Lily Sisters – they’re class. Nathan Nicholson – Comparisons always seem a bit of a cop out but I shall relent. U2, Doves – I’d hope they play nifty things. Q4, What’s your favourite The Boxer Rebellion song and why? Piers Hewitt – Probably ‘In Pursuit’. It pretty much contains all our best qualities within 3 ½ minutes. It’s melodic and chilled out at times (whilst remaining dark) but holds back some strong rock dynamics too. Adam Harrison – In the Empire because it is so epic and has so much dynamic. Nathan Nicholson – A new one called ‘We have this place surrounded’ – it’s a Coldplay but a tad more sinister because we’re tough and hard. Q5, How would you describe The Boxer Rebellion sound? (moody bastards??) Piers Hewitt – Dark, mysterious, epic, melodic, memorable. That’ll do, I hate pigeon holing! Adam Harrison – Hard, melodic rock. Nathan Nicholson – I think we take a few listens to grasp a bit. Not that we’re arty just not as immediate. I like to play heavier stuff live than maybe listen to on record. Q6, The Darkness – genius or Whitesnake tribute band? Piers Hewitt – They’ve done very well and created their own market, for that they should be commended. Should they be representative of rock to some people? Absolutely not. Adam Harrison – The latter. Nathan Nicholson – More like Ratt covering Queen songs. Q7, In ten words or less describe The Boxer Rebellion live experience. Piers Hewitt – Well, I wish I could watch us myself. So I don’t feel fit to answer that properly. In 3 hours you’ll be able to do that better than me … sorry. Adam Harrison – Epic, emotional, raw, passionate, melodic. Nathan Nicholson – Super, some neat bits – better live than on record. Q8, Which pop / rock star would you most like to be if you weren’t in The Boxer Rebellion? Piers Hewitt – It has to be Dave Grohl, living legend, though no-one could fill his shoes. And I can’t play guitar. Adam Harrison – Rick Parfitt. Nathan Nicholson – Bono – He has a cool Americana / Irish accent plus he sings really well and he’s rich! Q9, Name your three favourite bands and why you love them? Piers Hewitt – Radiohead – the most ground braking band of our generation. Coldplay – They are undeniably good, whether you like it or not, and sometimes I wish I didn’t!! REM – No one has stood the test of time in the same way. Adam Harrison – Elbow, Radiohead & The Beatles. Nathan Nicholson – Radiohead – Because I like all of their albums and the best live band I’ve seen. Coldplay – Really nice music, big fan of melodies. U2 – effortless classics, I sound a bit of a journo but I like the simplicity.
Questions for THE BLACK VELVETS
Welcome to The Black Velvets, Liverpool’s answer to the ‘who are the next big thing in rock’ question. Looking like they share the same stylists as Kasabian but what they don’t share is the love of left field noodling, no The Black Velvets are an out and out rock n’ roll combo. Shadders caught up with Dave and Paul of the band prior to their cracking Leeds Cockpit show. Q1, Firstly who the fuck are The Black Velvets? Paul – The Black Velvets are Paul, Nick, Dave and Robbie and together we are The Black Velvets. Dave – A bunch of fuckers. Q2, Are you here to save ROCK from The Darkness?! Dave – No, I have more of a problem with boy bands, they’re all fuckin shit. Paul – No we’re here to save The Darkness from rock. Q3, According to some, debut single ‘Get on your life’ sounds like the Foo Fighters – anything to declare? Dave – That’s ok it wasn’t meant, they’re a cool band as well though. Q4, If somebody was coming to see you for the first time what should they expect to see? Dave – A great rock gig full of stomping tunes. Paul – Rock n’ roll. Q5, Rumour has it you’re going to be the next big thing and Liam Gallagher and John Squire were in the room when you signed your record contract – any truth in this? Paul – Yes. Dave – Yes, but everybody else seems more excited about this than us. Q6, Who are the biggest musical influences on The Black Velvets? Paul – The Who, Led Zep and Bowie and the Spiders. Dave – Everything that’s good about my personal favourites are the likes of Led Zeplin, Guns n’ Roses, Rolling Stones and other stuff like that. Q7, What were the last three records you begged, borrowed or stole? Paul – Claimed back; Sex Pistols’ Never Mind the bollocks, Absolution by Muse and The Best of Sweet. Dave – Velvet Revolver, The Zutons and Guns n’ Roses. Q8, What is you favourite Black Velvets song & why? Dave – Glam Star, it’s in the title! Paul – This time later, because it’s punk rock and it kicks ass. Q9, What’s the most embarrassing moment thus far in the short career of The Black Velvets? Paul – Being out of tune in the first gig with The Who! Dave – When my amp blows up in the middle of a song! Q10, What’s the worst record you’ve ever bought? Dave – Michael Jackson (Bad). Paul – Mott the hoople. Q11, According to reports you like a beer and a smoke – are you enjoying the rock and roll lifestyle? Paul – The youth of today. Dave – I just like to get fucked but you can’t do it all the time whilst on tour so I’m gagging for a good night. Q12, In ten words write your own press release (swearing is allowed!)… Dave – Come and see this band it’s fuckin great! If I love it so will you. Paul – Buy our record because it’s stomping English rock that you can hours of head banging fun to and if you don’t we’ll get dropped!
Questions for OCEANSIZE
“One of the finest from the new guitar breed” is a direct quote from The Face magazine regarding Manchester’s new rock stars, Oceansize. Signed to Beggars Banquet and refining their live shows through constant gigging make Oceansize quite a proposition. With a growing reputation we had to check them out to find out more.Q1, Oceansize – has the name got anything to do with a big sea?! Noj – More to do with a James Addiction song. Mike – No and nowt to do with Billy Ocean or Ocean Colour Scene. More to do with Water and volume. Steve – Another way of saying big sound. Mark – No. Gamblor – It’s a hypothetical sea.Q2, What’s your favourite tipple and what does it say about Oceansize? Gamblor – Stella – if it talked it would say we’re great! Steve – Beer!! Comes in large quantities! Mark – Metaxa + coke. Noj – Old Peculiar – It’s quite literal. Mike – Stella + Dark rum but not at the same time! Q3, If you had to be compared to one band who would it be and why? Mike – Status Quo cos me mam took me to see ‘em when I was only 7. It was at Bridlington Spa and they were loud as fuck! Steve – Stupid question. Gamblor – Nine inch nails. Dark, weird fuckers. Noj – No one because we don’t sound like owt else!! Mark – Shamefaced. Cause of their unwaining popularity. Q4, What was the last song you listened to (by choice) and why? Noj – Simians new single because I’ve just bought it. By the way it’s top. Gamblor – Foo’s new single. I listened to it cos I’d spend 2 quid on it. Steve - ‘Watch it glow’ – Simian. Why? Because it makes me horny. Mark – 57 by Biffy Clyro. Mike – ‘Dirty Boy’ by The Cardigans. My most favourite song EVER. Q5, Why should somebody buy your single and not say a pint of lager? Mark – Cos you can’t piss our single half an hour later. Mike – Cos we’ll have more effect, we last longer. We won’t make you argue or beat someone up. We might make you feel a bit sick, tho. Gamblor – Oh, I don’t know. Noj – It’s not flat and won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth. Steve – Because our music lasts longer than a pint of lager. Q6, What’s your favourite Oceansize song and why? Gamblor – ‘U Wish’ It’s one of the new ones and rocks like fuck. Steve – ‘Women who love men who love drugs’ because it’s long and trippy. Mike – ‘You wish’ because it rocks like FUCK. Noj – The new one because it’s new. Mark – ‘Massive Bereavement’. Brings back memories. Q7, What would like written on the Oceansize gravestone (obviously not yet)? Noj – Ha ha. Mark – Thanx to Gloria Estefan for all the help, teaching me I can still succeed with a compacted spine. Mike – Hear lies Ocean thighs. HAND Y KNOT? Gamblor – I bet this gravestone breaks as well. Steve - Here lies Oceansize…and why not? Q8, Using at least one swear word explain why people should come see Oceansize live! Mark – Befuckin cause. If you like hearing air rip, it’s a must. Steve – Because we’ll knock your fuckin head off!! Noj – Because we’re a fucking bastarding cunting felching ass kicking cocking bollocking great!!! Mike - ‘Cos everything else is just FUCKING BOLLOCKS. Gamblor – FUCK