NOT INTERESTED: We catch up with Button Up bass player and songwriter Garry John Kane ahead of the release of their brand new single "Not Interested"!

 

Button Up are Scotland's premier soul outfit of the moment. With a whole host of albums, EPs and singles behind them already, they are heading into a new exciting chapter; with a new line up and a new album in the pipeline, it's a good time for the band.

 

We catch up with bass player and songwriter Garry John ahead of the release of their new single, "Not Interested". We also have a go at reviewing the track.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW

 

Hi Garry John, how you doing? What have the Button Up band been up to since we last chatted?

 

Garry John: "Been gigging and writing new material. First single 'Not Interested' is out not - plug, plug."

 

Around the time of our last interview and the release of your third album there was a slight change in line up. How and why did this change come about?

 

Garry John: "Our singer and drummer left after 'Beat Street' to do their own music so I quickly got some young blood in and it's exploded ever since. Been such a joy to play with this line up, very exciting."

 

What would you say the new members bring to the band?

 

Garry John: "Great energy and playing. They have added everything from enthusiasm to friendship to performance. The gigs have been great and everyone is enjoying being in the band which helps."

 

You played a charity gig in Coatbridge around Christmas time. How did this go? Was it a success?

 

Garry John: "Yes, the gig was great and sold out so we raised a lot for the local Food Bank charity and Maggie's cancer. Great support from local band Ripley too."

 

You are currently releasing a brand new single entitled "Not Interested". What is the track about and what would you say influenced it?

 

Garry John: "It's about people with delusions of what they are but also it's a pop song so you can make up your own mind when you listen to it."

 

What's up next for Button Up?

 

Garry John: "Video for the single and some gigs in March to promote the new single. Saturday 21st March at Stereo in Glasgow, Sunday 22nd March at Tunnels in Aberdeen and Saturday 28th March at Brown Bull in Lochwinnoch."

 

Last one; who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

Garry John: "Donald Duck Dunne (Booker T) on bass, John Bradbury (The Specials) on drums, Mick Jones (The Clash) on guitar, Ian McLagan (Small Faces/Faces) on keys and Otis Redding on vocals."

 

 

THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

Garry John: "George Harrison."

 

Favourite band or singer?

 

Garry John: "James Brown."

 

Favourite new band or singer?

 

Garry John: "King Khan And The Shrines."

 

Favourite song?

 

Garry John: "Green Onions."

 

Favourite album?

Garry John: "Mr Soul - James Brown."

 

Dream collaboration?

Garry John: "Button Up with The Hives."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

Garry John: "All three but vinyl is special."

 

When you press shuffle on your iPod, what is the first track that comes on?

Garry John: "Usually Button Up!"

 

Style icon?

Garry John: "Mid sixties look."

 

Favourite film?

Garry John: "Young Frankenstein."

 

Favourite TV show?

Garry John: "The Thick Of It."

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Garry John: "Tom Sellick."

 

Favourite food?

Garry John: "Thai."

 

Football team?

Garry John: "Celtic and Albion Rovers."



PART 3 - THE REVIEW

The pioneers of modern Scottish hammond sound are back again with another strong single. This time entitled "Not Interested", it is written by bass player and Proclaimers member Garry John Kane. The track is yet more proof of the supreme musicality of this Coatbridge-based band and moves and grooves through two minutes of soul, funk and Hammond a plenty. It provides a fine follow up to their third studio album and will surely be doing the rounds in any music lover's summer playlist.

To conclude, if this track is any indication of what is to come in the next stage of Button Up's career them bring on that fourth album.



Hope you enjoyed this feature on Button Up, be sure to check out our previous feature on The Phantoms!

Check out Button Up here - https://www.facebook.com/buttonupband

Button Up's new single is available digitally at iTunes and Amazon.

To stay up to date with future blog features then like our Facebook page at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

AB RECORDS

WASTING TIME: We catch up with The Phantoms frontman Colin Simpson as they prepare for the release of their new single "Wasting Time"!

 

The Phantoms are a four-piece indie rock and roll band from Broxburn. Forming roughly two years ago they have already released an EP entitled "This Is How It Should Be" and an explosive debut single, "Revolution". Things are getting exciting as they gear up to the release of second single "Wasting Time" and there is a real sense that 2015 will be the year of The Phantoms. Be sure to check out their live show at King Tut's next month in Glasgow. It's not one to miss. 

 

In this feature we have a chat to frontman (and Catfish And The Bottlemen obsessive) Colin Simpson about all things Phantoms and we also review the brand new single.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

PART 1 - THE INTERVIEW

 

Hi Colin, how you doing? Been awhile since your last release, what have the band been up to since then?

 

Colin: "Hi Tom, yeah not bad at all mate. Just keeping the band busy with some top gigs to the end of last year. The second half of the year was special. Recently we have been recording our new song ‘Wasting Time’ and doing the video."

 

You're currently releasing your second single, "Wasting Time". What is the track about and what influenced it?

 

Colin: "It took me and Mckillop nearly a year to write that one. It changed so many times, we literally went to the studio and went for it. Lyrics where wrote the night before we went to record, so it's an 'in the moment' track. Lyrically and musically it's very moving I guess. The track is about mucking someone about and wasting there time, kinda being selfish and thinking about yourself, rather than that person."

 

You've hinted at a big show taking place in early 2015. Is there any update on this?

 

Colin: "King Tut’s Saturday 14th March, supporting Cold Ocean Lies. Gonna be pretty special I think, all the lads can’t wait. There is a real buzz around us just now. It’s a good time to be in The Phantoms."

 

What's up next for The Phantoms?

 

Colin: "Let’s get some festivals and some bigger gigs. Who knows, I’ve learnt not to have a plan because being in this band is an emotional rollercoaster at times. Wouldn’t change that though."

 

Last one, who would be in your dream supergroup?

 

Colin: "Ian Curtis - vocals, John Lennon - rhythm guitar, Johnny Marr - lead guitar, Paul McCartney - bass guitar and Keith Moon - drums."

 

 

PART 2 - THE QUICKFIRE ROUND

 

Favourite Beatle?

 

Colin: "John Lennon."

 

Favourite band or singer?

 

Colin: "Obviously Oasis and Noel Gallagher."

 

Favourite new band or singer?

 

Colin: "Catfish And The Bottlemen by a mile."

 

Favourite song?

 

Colin: "Cocoon by Catfish."

 

Favourite album?

 

Colin: "The Balcony by Catfish And The Bottlemen."

 

Dream collaboration?

 

Colin: "Noel Gallagher, see he's at the Hydro soon (hint)."

 

Vinyl, CD or download?

 

Colin: "CD."

 

When you press shuffle on your iPod, what is the first track that comes on?

 

Colin: "Courteeners - Welcome To The Rave."

 

Style icon?

 

Colin: "Van McCann."

 

Favourite film?

 

Colin: "Control Joy Division."

 

Favourite TV show?

 

Colin: "No time to watch TV."

 

Who would play you in a film of your life?

 

Colin: "No idea, I'd do it if the money was there."

 

Favourite food?

 

Colin: "Anything. Love a curry though."

 

Football team?

 

Colin: "Rangers."

 

 

PART 3 - THE REVIEW

 

The Phantoms new single, "Wasting Time", is another dark-edged indie rock gem; atmospheric guitar, driving bass, pounding drums, reverb and echo aplenty. This is the kind of song and kind of band that are destined for the stadiums. It shows a progression from previous single "Revolution" but retains a distinctive Phantoms edge; purely irresistible.

 

The Phantoms have an up coming show at King Tuts in Glasgow which cannot be missed if there Sneaky Pete's show in Edinburgh is anything to go by. The 'old classics' ("Revolution", "Dust", "We're Coming For You") were all there but the new tunes are equally worth a mention. Show opener "Take Me All The Way" is one to watch out for and the aforementioned "Wasting Time" takes on a whole new life live.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this feature on The Phantoms!

 

Check out The Phantoms at the following link - https://www.facebook.com/TMATW

 

Buy tickets for their show at King Tut's here - http://thephantoms2014.bigcartel.com/

 

To stay up to date with future blog features like our Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/aldorabritainrecords

 

AB RECORDS