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?
Dan- Seeing Foo Fighters for the first time under the pseudonym The Holy Shits at House Of Vans. The best musical moment for me was the entire Roger Waters set at British Summertime Hyde Park. Fucken' oath...
Sam - First time seeing Slipknot at sonisphere. I didn't know music could physically hurt you
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?
- There's no set structure we use to birth a new sonic child. More often than not someone will birth forth an idea and it gets developed during rehearsals.
- We always try to do the best for the song itself and not let our egos dictate the song. We also feed each other creativity so when one person comes with an idea, that will birth four more ideas on where to take the song. We then decide between us which of those is best and rinse and repeat until we have a fully fleshed out song.
Who has influenced you the most?
Bands such as Biffy Clyro, Alter Bridge, System Of A Down, The Pretty Reckless, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry, Foo Fighters and Royal Blood would be our biggest influences amongst a cacophony of others.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
- After seeing a live performance I always get an injection of motivation. A need to be on that stage and performing something we've all helped create to people who genuinely enjoy our music.
- For me it's listening to new music. Hearing fresh new music always gives me a big boost to go pick up the bass. Doesn't have to be rock music either.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
- 4/5ths of the band are UK born with the exception of Ieva who was born in Belarus to a family of small blacksmiths who, unbeknownst to them, made weapons for the orcs.
- London's a dirty town and we like it that way. There's always something going on, always somewhere to go, there's history layered under every street and it's had a huge impact on us as musicians. It's a busy town with many different cultures mingling together, and that is definitely reflected in our music.
Where'd the band name come from?
It's the first complete nonsense word that we came up that we could all agree on. We wanted something with no attachments or connotations. Something completely new.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
- Sharknado for sure.
- Nah Star Wars Christmas special.
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?
Either Comfortably Numb due to it being one of the greatest songs ever conceived by anyone. Alternatively it would be Hocus Pocus by Focus because of its ability to make you yodel, skat, air drum, air guitar, air flute and push the boundaries of your falsetto for 6 minutes and 42 seconds... Name another song that does that...
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
We wanted a small a small stonehenge on stage but ended up with the real thing.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Live is nothing short of a sweaty musical orgy in which everyone is dancing, moshing and grooving to our unique sound. You can expect to come away from our gigs fulfilled and wet...
What makes a great song?
- A great song can take many forms. It can be great from a technical standpoint such as any Animals As Leaders songs. It can be great from a instrumentalist point of view such as Jeff Porcaro's shuffle in Rosana. For me the songs I consider the greatest are those that connect with you emotionally such as Comfortably Numb.
- Yeah I agree. The best songs connect with you emotionally. They sing to your heart
What one single album do you wish that you'd written or performed on, and why?
- Guess who the fucking drummer likes... One album would have to be Wish You Were Here.
- Rumors. Just so I can sit in the corner with my popcorn
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
Let It Go. That one always gets the crowd going.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
- Jack White and Biffy Clyro are some of the few artists who manage to continually astound me with their creative choices.
- Billie Eilish. That girl writes some absolutely amazing songs.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
All of them! They all have there place and it's silly to draw up imaginary line between the music we listen to because of the format you listen on. Yes vinyl sounds better but how can I listen to my vinyls in the car?
Whiskey or beer?And defend your choice
Rum, Pirate's code
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?
South London and Banquet Records in Kingston. They do loads in the community keeping the local music scene ticking over such as shows in the store and at the local Rose theater. I believe they may have their own label as well. Also shout out to Shax's House of Wax also in Kingston.
What's next for the band?
We plan to walk 500 miles, and then 500 more
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Stay safe, stay entertained, and watch out.
