A Ripple Conversation With Vincent Mahon, Vocalist With Seeds Of 77

When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.

 

What have been your musical epiphany moments?

 

I can’t speak for the rest of the band, but my first musical epiphany was hearing my older sister’s David Bowie albums when I was about seven or eight. I still love Bowie to this day, especially “Hunky Dory” and “Diamond Dogs” as they’re the albums I have the strongest and fondest memories of.

 

Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?

 

I write the majority of the lyrics, though Michi (vocals) and Finn (bass) will also contribute material. Musically, Finn, Richard (guitar) and Simon (keyboards) tend to work the magic and produce the necessary alchemy. It’s a very organic, free-form process and often things will end up sounding very different from how they were originally imagined, but that’s part of the fun.

 

Who has influenced you the most?

 

It would be almost impossible to list the range of influences that have shaped this band, but a good place to start would be the late 70s UK Punk Rock explosion. Beyond that, there’s the primal backbeat of 50s Rock ’n’ Roll; 60s Garage and R&B; a hint of psychedelia; Reggae and Ska; Glam Rock; and pretty much every other variant of great rock and pop music you can think of. It would be fair to say we have a “magpie” approach to our songwriting: if we like it, we’ll use it. Just throw it into the melting pot and see what comes out.

 

Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

 

We’re very fortunate insofar as we fire off each other pretty well and we inspire and support each other. We have this theory that there are no bad ideas in a rehearsal and we’ll explore whatever comes up and follow wherever it leads us. If you love doing something, that makes it easier and more enjoyable. We all love what we do with this band and that’s our main source of motivation. Ideas and inspiration are everywhere. The trick is keeping an open mind and be willing to take the occasional risk.

 

We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?

 

We’re pretty much spread all over the U.K. so it would be difficult to pin down any one set of attitudes or experiences that might show in the music we make. But that’s a good thing as it gives us a wide range of source material to work with. I’d hope we have a small hint of that wonderful tradition of writing pithy, observational and slightly off-kilter songs that can be appreciated by anyone, anywhere. There’s no point in being insular and parochial, and we’d love as many people as possible to hear what we’re doing.

 

Where'd the band name come from?

 

The band name and the band itself are the brainchild of Finn Panton, our bassist.

 

You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?

 

God forbid I should write a soundtrack for any film. It would definitely render it unwatchable and unlistenable. But I love the soundtracks to “Paris, Texas”, “Cabaret”, “The Producers” and “The Jungle Book”, among many others. When a great film soundtrack works, you almost don’t realize you’re hearing it as it’s an integral part of the film itself. That takes an enormous amount of skill and talent.

 

You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000-word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?

 

“Oh Bondage, Up Yours” by X-Ray-Spex. Because it’s beautiful.

 

Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?

 

I once nearly overdosed on tea and biscuits. Phew, that was close.

 

Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?

 

Any band worth their salt should be playing live. It’s where you start to develop that wonderful group telepathy and it all starts to gel. I must admit some of our earlier gigs were a bit shambolic, but they’ve always been good fun and well supported by a fantastic crowd. Now we’re definitely getting tighter and more solid as a unit. And as the Covid lockdown lifts and we’re able to rehearse again, we’re really looking forward to getting out there gigging and promoting the new album.

 

What makes a great song?

 

I’m sure there’s probably some scientific formula for that. But for me it’s more about how a song makes you feel and if it can transport you somewhere else for a while. When a great song hits you, it hits you right in the heart. You might not even be able to explain how or why it’s so great. It just is. That’s all that matters.

 

What one single album do you wish that you'd written or performed on, and why?

 

I wouldn’t flatter myself to presume so much. But when I listen to “Days” by The Kinks, I wish I could have just an ounce of that talent.

 

What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

 

This is probably a horrible cliché but I think we’re all proud of the album we’ve just recorded. As a snapshot of the last year, I think it stands up pretty well and there are some powerful songs there. We had to deal with the combined challenges of lockdown and personal circumstances, and we still managed to deliver a pretty good piece of work.

 

Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?

 

Nick Cave has written some of the most beautiful love songs and ballads I’ve ever heard. He also kicks serious bottom when he chooses to rock out. I’m also a big fan of Thee Oh Sees. John Dwyer is so incredibly prolific. He seems to knock an album out every week, and they’re always interesting and good quality.

 

Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?

 

Vinyl for me. I love my records. Though I do have quite a few CDs. I’m not keen on digital. It seems too clinical and detached, somehow.

 

Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice

 

I’m not really a drinker, to be honest. And in my defense, I’d say the great thing about being sober is that you’re never unintentionally rude. There’s none of that “I’m sorry, I was drunk last night” nonsense, oh no. “I was stone-cold sober and you were an insufferable twat”. It’s very liberating.

 

We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?

 

It’s got to be Sounds of the Suburbs records. It’s a fantastic shop owned by the lovely Mr Tony Smith, whose knowledge and passion for music in all its forms means you’ll always have a great time when you visit him in the West London suburbs of Ruislip Manor. Say hello to him on Facebook. He’s an absolute gentleman.

 

https://www.facebook.com/Sounds-of-the-Suburbs-records-105856864905871

 

What's next for the band?

 

Now we’re easing out of lockdown we want to get out and start gigging again. It’s the best thing about being in a band and it’s a wonderful chance to meet up and connect with people. Hopefully we may even get out to your neck of the woods some day.

 

Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?

 

Hello from Seeds of 77! Wishing you all the very best from Merrie Olde England. Thanks for your time. Cheers!

 

https://seedsof77.bandcamp.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/seedsof77