OH BOY: An interview with Lee from The Front!

 

Below you can find an interview with Lee Poole, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of The Front, ahead of their appearance at the Camden Rocks festival tomorrow!

 

 

PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW

 

What is your earliest musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the music business?

 

"My earliest musical memory was wanting to be in a band, even before I was old enough to play an instrument or know any musicians, I knew that was what I wanted to do. Music has always been a huge part of my life, since I can remember."

 

What kind of records were on around the house when you were younger and would you say that these records still influence your music today?

 

"When I was growing up, there was always music playing in my house, my parents had a huge record collection. I remember knowing the words to 'I Am The Walrus' by The Beatles, at the same age that most kids were learning 'twinkle, twinkle little star'."

 

Had you been involved in any other bands or musical ventures before The Front?

 

"I started in a college band, it wasn't that serious but it helped me practice and develop my skills in songwriting. I then played in a band called The Roaches for a few years after college, then finally formed The Front a year and a half back. And even though we have only been playing a short while, it has been the most successful band that I have been a part of."

 

How did The Front begin?

 

"The Front came about from the break up of The Roaches. At one point me and my brother, Sean, who plays bass, were gonna carry on as The Roaches with new musicians, which would have been the easier option. But the idea of starting from scratch with a blank canvas and a brand new band, soon became more exciting, so that's what we did."

 

Where did the name The Front come from?

 

"The name The Front was first suggested by our manager Dean, I think at that point, he was fed up of waiting for us to come up with one ourselves. We thought it sounded rock 'n' roll and represented us. You need to have some front with anything you do in life."

 

How would you describe the sound of The Front?

 

"The sound of The Front is a combination of all of our individual musical influences mixed into one, that is what gives us a unique sound of ska punk mixed with sixties blues."

 

The band currently have a residency at the Barfly. How did this come about and how has it been to get this slot at a well-respected venue?

 

"We agreed to a monthly headline residency slot at The Camden Barfly, after our first gig there. We brought a huge crowd, that absolutely tore the place apart, and they wanted us back ever since."

 

You recently released a new song via Soundcloud – “Oh Boy!”. What is this song about and what influenced it?

 

"The song was about a crazy night we had after we played a gig, that just got more insane by the minute. It ended off with all of us at a girl's house with her throwing her furniture out the window. I remember sitting there thinking that night, I'll write a song about this."

 

You are playing the Camden Rocks festival at the end of the month. What can fans expect from the gig?

 

"People should expect a night to remember if last year was anything to go by. We want to see the place bouncing, people have paid good money for a ticket to the festival, and we feel that it is our job to not let people leave feeling short changed."

 

Do you find that festival appearances help boost your profile?

 

"It guarantees that we will have the chance to play our songs to a large crowd of music lovers, which is what it has always been about for us."

 

Do you have any 'rituals' before you go on stage?

 

"I usually have a shot of brandy before I go on stage, I am not sure if that's a ritual, but if I say it is, then it's probably less frowned upon."

 

Any live dates coming up?

 

"After Camden Rocks, we look forward to playing for our good mates at Cooking Soup on the 26th of July which is always a top night. Then one more at Surya in Kings Cross on the 9th of August. Then we're off to Manchester on the 5th of September at Dry Live for a gig with Manculian promotions. We have a couple more dates, which you can check up on our website."

 

Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"There's always new songs in the pipeline, it's important for any band to keep writing new songs for the set, it can quickly become boring otherwise."

 

When can fans expect the next official release?

 

"There is no official date as of yet, but we will be releasing a single later in the year. There is already talk of returning to the studio, as we have a lot of unrecorded material that we would like to get out there."

 

Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"I would love to collaborate on a track with Paul McCartney, I know we'd have a great jam, but I think he would get sick of me constantly asking him questions about The Beatles!"

 

Who would be in your dream super group?

 

"Keith Moon on drums, Mani on bass, Kurt Cobain on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. Eric Clapton on lead guitar, with John Lennon on lead vocals. I would queue in the rain to watch that band in action."

 

 

PART 2 - THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

"John Lennon."

 

Favourite band?

 

"The Beatles, without a shadow of doubt, they covered such a wide range of genres in such a short period of time."

 

Favourite new band?

 

"Unfortunately, there is no new band that is worth a mention, but I have seen some great new unsigned bands playing on the circuit."

 

Favourite song?

 

"Live Forever by Oasis, but to be fair if you ask me the same question tomorrow it would probably be a different song."

 

Favourite album?

 

"Definitely Maybe."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"Vinyl, I love the crackling it gives the song a real vintage edge, which unfortunately we have lost nowadays."

 

When you press shuffle on your iPod, what is this first song that comes on?

 

"Usually an old 60's number."

 

Style icon?

 

"Don't have a particular style icon, but I do love the way people used to dress in the olden days. It looked like people actually gave a shit about how they looked and what they wore back then, not like the tracksuit, baseball cap wearing scruff bags, you see knocking about nowadays."

 

Favourite film?

 

"Goodfellas."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

"Peep Show, I love Super Hands...what a ledge!"

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"I'd give the role to Johnny Depp, provided he passes the audition!"

 

Favourite food?

 

"I'm loving sushi at the moment, although it took me a while to warm up to the idea of eating raw fish."

 

Football team?

 

"The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur!"

 

 

Hope you enjoyed our interview with Lee from The Front!

 

Be sure to check out our previous feature on The Electric Stars!

Check out The Front here - https://www.facebook.com/TheFrontuk

 

You can also like our facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews and reviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS

BELFAST BOY: An interview with Jason from The Electric Stars! Hear about their brand new George Best tribute single, "Belfast Boy"!

 

We caught up with Jason Edge from The Electric Stars just before the release of their George Best tribute single, "Belfast Boy"!  The single is out now and the exclusive interview can be read below, enjoy!

 

 

AB Records:  "The new release for The Electric Stars is a George Best tribute.  How did this idea come about?"

 

Jason Edge:  "Well, it was a chance meeting with TV celeb and lifelong United fan Eamonn Holmes.  He is president of the George Best Foundation and a keen music fan.  He knows our band, owns a copy of 'Sonic Candy Soul' and thought it would be a great idea to re-record 'Belfast Boy' as it would suit our sound!  Then we talked about the proceeds going to the Foundation and the idea just exploded from there..."

 

AB Records:  "The a-side to the single 'Belfast Boy' is a cover of the Don Fardon original.  Where did you first hear the tune?"

 

Jason Edge:  "I first heard it when I was a kid because my dad was a huge United fan (we live near Old Trafford) and he bought the original.  Like all kids when you get into music you play your parents records first and they have always given it the odd spin at games!"

 

AB Records:  The b-side is an Electric Stars original entitled 'Georgie (The Brightest Star)'.  How did this track come about"

 

Jason Edge:  "In this age of download lethargy, I wanted to make sure the CD had something very special and appealing about it.  So, there is a collectable booklet inside with tributes from people who played with and admired George like, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs! Also I wanted to write something myself because George was a hero of mine and once I started to write it, it kind of took on a life of its own!"

 

AB Records:  "You hear a lot of bands say that the big dream was to either be in a band or be a footballer.  Was this the case with you?  If so why did you choose to go down the path of music?"

 

Jason Edge:  "Rock and roll and football are my life.  I still play now twice a week, but when I was a kid I wanted to play just like Georgie!  It soon became obvious that wasn't going to happen although I have played some in some decent local leagues.  When I left school music began to take over and hey presto here we are!"

 

AB Records:  "What does the rest of the year hold for The Electric Stars?"

 

Jason Edge:  "The single is out on Monday 12th so we expect to be busy with that for a while.  Then we have some decent gigs and festivals to do.  Autumn should see another single, the first from the new album!"

 

 

Hope you enjoyed our interview with Jason from The Electric Stars!

 

Be sure to check out our previous feature on Edwina Hayes and John Hinshelwood!

Check out The Electric Stars here - http://www.theelectricstars.com/

You can also like our facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews and reviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS

 

AIR CONDITIONED GYPSY: We chat to Alex from Darling BOY about their debut EP, their desire to collaborate with God and they also reveal they are working on a Christmas song!

 

PART 1 - "THE INTERVIEW"

 

1 - What was your earliest musical memory and what pushed you towards pursuing a career in the music industry?

 

"It involves a Michael Jackson cassette and plenty of lyric misinterpretation. Ever since I first heard him I wanted to do what he did. It sounded like magic coming through the speakers and I wanted to know how to cast the spells. That desire has never left me."

 

2 - Had you been involved in any other band prior to Darling BOY?

 

"I'd been in a few, and continue to play in other groups aside from Darling BOY. My main other band at the moment is Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, playing really great punk rock. Duncan is an inspiring frontman and excellent leader, and I've learned an awful lot from him. The Darling BOY song 'Oh Roisin!' is one we play live, and we are also recording a version for Duncan's next album."

 

3 - How did Darling BOY begin?

 

"I was playing some solo shows last year, and Duncan asked me to be his support at his 100 Club album launch party. I thought it'd be a shame to waste all that venue space with an acoustic performance, and so asked five good friends to help me out. It was a good call!"

 

4 - Where did the name Darling BOY come from?

 

"The notion of something being simultaneously hard and soft, masculine and feminine, melodic and percussive, a juxtaposition of textures, just like my songs. The idea itself was borrowed from the Stone Roses' rationale for coming up with their name."

 

5 - How would you describe the sound of Darling BOY?

 

"Romantic rhythm driven folk punk."

 

6 - Your debut EP is called “Air Conditioned Gypsy” – a very unique title. Where did this title come from and why did you choose it?

 

"It's a lyric in a Pete Townshend song, 'Going Mobile', which was recorded by The Who on the 'Who's Next' album. I wrote a song around the title a couple of years ago in Dublin, with my good friend Duncan Maitland. I travel and tour an awful lot, so it seemed to be quite apt. I would have named it after the song 'Shirley' but felt my weekend exploits should be kept under wraps."

 

7 - The opening track is “Crazy Jane and Jack the Journey Man”. Who are “Crazy Jane” and “Jack the Journey Man”?

 

"Both characters from a series of poems by WB Yeats. I didn't think he'd mind me borrowing them."

 

8 - One of my favourite songs on the EP is “Fortune”. A song that reminds me of The Libertines. What influenced this song and what is the song itself about?

 

"I borrowed the riff on 'Always Your Way' by My Vitriol, and mixed it with a bit of The Strokes. Lyrically, it's essentially an ode to not whinging, and keeping an eye firmly on all the good things and memories in your life. It's the anti-emo. When I finished the song I'm sure I head Gerard Way weeping in the ether."

 

9 - You have also released a single, “Oh Roisin”. What is this song about?

 

"I wrote it to impress a friend who I was quite taken with. Lyrically, I just went along with a feeling, but the inflections and metre of the lyrics are basically the sound of want. She really likes it and we're still very good friends so I obviously did a good job!"

 

10 - I remember hearing that you have played bass for The Last of the Troubadours in the past. How did this come about?

 

"I did, for about five minutes! Darron, from the band, and I go way back, and when I heard he was looking for a new bass player I offered my services. We did a few rehearsals, but then Duncan asked me to come to Argentina with him for a two week tour, which I couldn't really turn down, and I unfortunately had to lose an Irish tour with Last Of The Troubadours. They then found another bass player and a new rhythm guitarist and are sounding excellent with them. They are a great bunch of lads and have excellent taste in quality footwear."

 

11 - Do you have any 'rituals' before you go on stage?

 

"Not really. I don't believe in superstition. I believe in me!"

 

12 - Any live dates coming up?

 

"Yes, we've got a nine-date tour of Germany in November. We'll hopefully be announcing some UK dates very soon, too."

 

13 - Any new songs in the pipeline?

 

"I've been working on ideas for the next few records, and also writing with Duncan. I've also recorded a Christmas song which is being released on Highline Records' Festivus compilation later this year, with tracks from Dodgy, Piney Gir and Glam Chops among other guitar-toting festive-lovers."

 

14 - When can fans be expecting the next release?

 

"The Air Conditioned Gypsy EP is being released on beautiful vinyl through the wonderful Plane Groovy Records next month!"

 

15 - Who would be your dream collaboration?

 

"God himself. I'd have the last word, though."

 

16 - Who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

"Five clones of me. I'm pretty adept at most instruments and don't argue with myself."

 

PART 2 - "THE QUICKFIRE ROUND"

 

1 - Favourite Beatle?

 

"Paul."

 

2 - Favourite band?

 

"Everything Everything."

 

3 - Favourite new band?

 

"Wolf Alice."

 

4 - Favourite song?

 

"Learning To Fly by Tom Petty."

 

5 - Favourite album?

 

"The Remote Part by Idlewild."

 

6 - Vinyl, CD or download?

 

"All of them."

 

7 - Style icon?

 

"Johnny Marr."

 

8 - Favourite clothing brand?

 

"Converse."

 

9 - Favourite film?

 

"Transformers: The Movie (1986)."

 

10 - Favourite TV show?

 

"Red Dwarf."

 

11 - Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

"Arnold Schwarzenegger."

 

12 - Favourite food?

 

"Quesadilla."

 

13 - Football team?

 

"Aston Villa."

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on Darling BOY! Check out our previous feature on Capital Sun!

 

Check out Darling BOY here - http://www.darlingboymusic.com/

 

You can also like our Facebook page to keep up to date with all future interviews at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS