As a band I guess the big breakthrough was our debut record, ‘From Insanity’s Ruin’ that was a turning point in really getting out of ourselves the sound we had in our head and heart.
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?
Probably all the songs have come out of a few riff ideas first that form the basic song structure and might have the chorus or vocal ideas, then we get the drums sorted next, then we add bass, then the final vocals. We work remotely as much as we can then get together once we’ve done our homework so to speak to really finesse our connection with each other. We play all that together until we can go in to the studio and really have it dialed straight out the gate- old school style!
Who has influenced you the most?
As a band, probably Thomas’ Dad Maurice- he inspired me to move onto bass in the band from guitar, and he was an accomplished Bass and classical guitar player in his own right. And Thomas has talked about how his Dad’s influence led him down his musical path.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
Music and art is very much a stream of consciousness for me in that if reflects what’s happening in the world and my life at the current time so in that sense there’s never not something to talk or write about!
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
I grew up in a very rural place and at that time and place in history metal music was not widely known or accepted, there was probably 4 metal heads in a school of a couple 1000! There was a lot more violence in the town and intolerance to alternative peeps so things have definitely improved 20 years later. There wasn’t much to do other than to get fucked up or cruise around in cars- guess that’s why music felt like such a lifeline!
Where'd the band name come from?
It was just a brainstorm of loads of names and it was the best one on the list! I knew I wanted it to be more than 1 word so it was in use already, and it seemed to also fit the ethos of where we were coming from, maybe why that’s why it stuck out!
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Maybe something Dystopian like 1984 or V for vendetta!
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?
It would probably be our latest track Poison Mirror, it’s all about the pitfalls of social media and its advertised intention of bringing us closer together but in many instances it having the opposite of effect of making our ability to relate and discuss more polarised and negative, whilst creating impossible standards that aren’t real for us to live by.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
Well I think the best has to be our guitarist turning up to a gig in a Nigel Tufnell Skeleton shirt- he didn’t live that one down for a bit!
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Its great I think it’s the place where the real magic happens as so much can be faked these days- the live performance I think is the marker that sets out the mediocre from extraordinary. We don’t have any kind of circus act really we just let the music do the talking and try to connect with the fans in a genuine way.
What makes a great song?
How it makes you feel.
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
Honestly I’m too old to remember! haha
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
Probably once again to date its our debut record ‘From Insanity’s Ruin’ as it was a real work of love and no compromises that finally got onto disc what we felt we were capable of.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
I’m probably gonna sound like a bit of a miser but I don’t think there’s a lot around to be honest these days. Mastodon is awesome- but aren’t they an old band now? haha
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Digital, I used to be very religious about my record collection but making the switch I probably get exposed to way more music and variety as well.
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice
I gave up drinking a few years ago as I had an issue with it, but back in the day probably both hahah, maybe whiskey by the end as I was getting a good taste for the smoky stuff and its pretty metal- great flavours with force!
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?
I’d probably recommend you go to a bar instead- the six six bar in Cambridge is the hub for the local metal community and puts on great show for up and coming acts and old favourites!
What's next for the band?
We’re into the promo cycle for our last single from the insanity’s ruin record it’s called ‘Poison Mirror’ and has a load of great videos and content around it that will come out over the next 3 moths, while we focus on recording 3 new tracks and playing festivals in 2024!
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you want to find out more visit our Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C6hcrzZpmfy0Bc4LfTXj6 and check us out! If you like what you hear, give us a follow- it helps more than you can imagine!
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