Winston's Zen

LETTING NEW ACTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES 

Southampton trio Band of Skulls are riding high on the digital crest of an iTunes tidal wave right now. Debut release I Know What I Am featured on Apple's music giant as single of the week earlier this month and the blogosphere has been drenching them with praise ever since.

Theirs is a creative brand of darkened blues-rock, tightly assembled from familiar, rock solid elements. Split lead, boy-girl vocals combine the gritty with the harmonic perfectly, Emma Richardson melodically cleansing Russ Marsdens motor-oil soaked earthiness. Add to that deep reaching, groove led basslines and teasingly sparse rythms, then throw in the odd head banging wig out and a few guitar wailing solos and it's easy to believe that this time round the hype monkeys are on to a winner.

Never one to miss out on the buzz band of the month, Winston's Zen grabbed the chance to ask drummer Matt Heyward a few questions.
 

What’s the least accurate description of your music that you’ve ever seen or heard in the media?
The worst descriptions we get of our band are ones that name-check artists we've never heard of or ever listened too. It happens a fair bit......'Band of Skulls are a hybrid of The Bees of Insanity and Betty and the Shoe Shufflers' ......

Set the record straight. How should journalists be describing Band of Skulls?
Band of skulls should be described as a powerful rocknroll band......

Tell us how the band got together.
Myself (Matt) and Russell used to jam relentlessly when we were kids, just as a two piece. Emma came along later. We decided that we'd never get anywhere being a two piece (The White Stripes proved us wrong). Russ met Em at art college....she had growl on her and played a mean E&A bassline....yeah.

What has being in Band of Skulls given you that you wouldn’t otherwise have?
Well playing in a band for a living has gotta be up there as one of the best jobs in the world. The freedom to be creative and push your own boundries. We feel very fortunate.

If Band of Skulls had a motto what would it be?
Stay off the crack

Describe the average Band of Skulls fan.
Thats hard to answer......we have a range, they come in all shapes n sizes.

What can a punter expect from a Band of Skulls gig?
A Band of Skulls gig is very loud, driving and very beautiful (at times) I think its our strongest side, we put everything into our live shows...

I sneak a look through your mobile while you nip to the bar. What’s the most famous name I find in the phonebook?
We have a band rule, no name dropping. If you do, a fine is incurred of a round at the bar......no thanks

When did they last call you and what for?
See above

Put your iPod / MP3 player on random. What are the first five tracks?
Led Zeppelin - The Ocean (live)
Neil Young - Dont let it bring you down
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - More news from nowhere 
Rage Against the Machine - Calm like a bomb 
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin Jack Flash 

Tell us about the greatest album ever made.
It changes for me all the time......theres no winner for the greatest album of all time.....Thriller or something?

And the best gig you ever saw.
Best gig. I was lucky enough to see the Zeppelin reunion show at the O2 arena.......Me and a good friend of mine made fools of ourselves jumping around like children.....Duran Duran were sat next to us, they didnt look impressed. (Fuck, thats a name drop....what ya having then?)

What was the last record that made you stop in your tracks?
Havent had that feeling for a while....the Fleet Foxes record probably had the most recent affect on me.

And the last one that made wish you were deaf?
One of those bullshit Libertine wanna be bands "Jumped the train went to london town, down camden, I've been drinking all day lalalala blah blah blah" you know the ones.

Londonites can catch Band of Skulls in May at the Stag and Dagger festival and Club NME at Koko. Debut LP Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is available now
to download.

Back soon,
Winston

Band of Skulls links:
Homepage | MySpace | Facebook | Last.fm
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