Interviews 2010

Interviews with artists, singers, band members and stars on the Leicester arts scene

Formal Warning

Arts in: How has 2009 been for the band?  Has it been a good year?

Formal Warning: 2009 was an awesome year. We have had so many good memories, such as Glastonbudget, Surface Unsigned, doing a gig for the Loros charity, playing with Strangle Kojak from Birmingham and the now massive In Case of Fire (who won Kerrang's new band of the year award.)

Arts in: What plans does the band have for the year ahead?

Formal Warning: We have a major gig in Belgium this year (2010) at a national festival called the "nouvelle vague" and also we're looking to conquer the Surface Unsigned festival this year, as we reached the semi's last year in such an amazing competition. We also look to take on the Glastonbudget again with our army of loyal fans. And we almost forgot to mention we are in the studio in early January to get some proper sounding recordings done and to lay some of our new tracks down. We are also looking to break on to the major festival scene as well in 2010.

Arts in: Which venue has been the best for you this year?

Formal Warning: Out of pure loyalty we would say The Shed, as Kev and Dawn are two of the most nice people you will meet. Boppa, the sound guy, does us a grand job every time we have been there. Not really that impressed with The Charlotte's re-opening; it wasn't an awesome sound when we had a sell out night  there with The Weekend Scheemers and it has been re-opened for the wrong reasons and not for the love of the music or saving what once was a legendary venue. But a massive shout to the Asylum Venue in Birmingham  - it has been our favourite venue for sound  this year, with its awesome sound crew and professional equipment.  

Arts in: Which bands are influencing you most at the moment?

Formal Warning: We have so many influences. Our drummer Zoe has always loved her Blink 182, pop punk and old school punk, such as The Ramones - which is awesome - and rhythm guitarist Alun loves his Oasis, The Enemy, Kasabian, The Beatles a lot of Britpop. Kyle loves his Angels and Airwaves and that kind of music. Bass player Leon is really into 30 Seconds To Mars at the minute and has always been a big fan of  New Found Glory and finally lead singer Ash has always been well in to My Chemical Romance but is listening to lots of Biffy Clyro at the moment. As a band I think if we had to chose one band we all look up to it would either be Blink 182 or Greenday

Arts in: Are you writing any new songs right now? Who are the song writers in the band?

Formal Warning: Now this question is a toughie and could have a lot of answers. First of all, the answer to wether we are writing new songs is yes. We are producing some excellent new material that gives our music more of a mature edge to the pop/punk style we have always played. We are now writing a lot of alternative music with a strong lyrical meaning such as our new song call and response, which is based on just feeling like a number in such a big society and beleiving that if you chase your dream it can be achieved, which we are still yet to prove, with any luck. Now the tough question who writes the music, now the most simple answer which I am going to say is all of us, we all have an input into each song on how we want it to be structured or sound when we are at practice, but individual songs every band member has written their own song in the band.

Arts in: Ashley is one of the most amazing front men of all the local bands. How did he learn to be so good?"

Formal Warning: Another difficult question. First of all because this is Ash answering this, I want to make it very clear that Formal Warning are not and never will be a one man show, I beleive that every single member of our band put every last little bit of energy in delivering a great show to all of those who watch us. But in this event of a compliment being payed to me personally I want to mention and thank a few people who are my greatest role models and assets. First of all, my dad who has brought me into music since I was a toddler and introducing me to such legendary bands like Pink Floyd, AC/DC and lots more. Next of all I would like to thank Leicester Vocal Tech, as I was taught by a wonderful lady called Lornette Ford who has the most amazing vocal teacher ever and has changed me from a singer with a small voice to somebody with a wider vocal range. My years there where much enjoyed, but in regards to being a front man it's mainly adrenalin and watching my heroes such as Gerard Way, Jared Leto, Axl Rose and many more which gives me the stage presence I have.

Arts in: When did the band form and how did you come together to form a band?

Formal Warning: Very Long Story. Formal Warning came from The Braunstone estate, the same street - Hand Avenue - in around the year 2003. We are a family based band, from The Harrold and Wright families who had grew up together. The band at first where a covers band doing songs by bands like the Kinks, Ramones, Sham69, Sex Pistols. Then came the process of trying out a few singers. Zoe and Alun's brother Ronnee Wright agreed to sing with the band for a while and did a very good job at it too. After a while, Ronnee decided he didn't want the band any more and decided to leave by his own choice. Which left space for a singer, so the Band decided to ask Ash - Zoe and Alun's cousin. So he left the bands he was in - Defiance and Fading visions - joined Formal Warning. That is pretty much the background of the 5 peice forming.

Arts in: Which other local bands have you most enjoyed playing with?

Formal Warning: To be totally honest with you, we're really glad we have been asked this as some times we are taken in the wrong way. We have always been looked at as a band that doesn't get along with many people. We would love to take this opportunity to set the record straight. We don't dislike any band, no matter what has happened in our past (at competitions and other gigs).  That is the past.  Our band members personally cannot help peoples' feelings getting high, with certain decisions made on these nights and we look to put that reputation behind us and get on with every band. Our band enjoys playing with every single band we meet. Off the top of our heads, a few we've enjoyed playing with are Weekend Scheemers, White Ashes, Astromaniacs and M48 These are bands that we think are really friendly and down to earth people as well as great musicians

Arts in: You've always been strong on dance covers?  Do you think you'll always want to include covers in your sets?

Formal Warning: Simple answer is no. Our band has always put covers in to our sets to relate to new people listening to us and to attract attention from as many non musicians as possible. Our view is that non musicians relate to music that is already very commercialised and heard of. When our name is big enough and our songs are being sung to every gig as well as the covers we do play, we can assure you they will be gone. Now we are looking to have a new edge as being a well known original band. We no longer like being referred to as a party band. We would like to be analysed for our music we write and play,  not just our reaction of the fans to the covers.

Arts in: What makes yours such a popular band?"

Formal Warning: I think this is simple: we have a good attitude towards our fans and people who stick by us and watch us. Being arrogant in the music industry will only get you so far, Not only do we put a show on, we communicate and make our fans feel welcome and get them not only to watch us but to participate in every gig which gives people an element of excitement and wanting more. We would like to thank our massive following - you all know who you are - and you are appreciated. We look to go from being a popular band to being an established band, in 2010. With new recordings, new songs and a new style.

Arts in: "What do you think of Kasabian?"

Formal Warning: Awesome. We play a Kasabian cover - Club Foot - they are a great inspiration for all local bands and give Leicester bands the faith that your goal can be achieved. A few of our band members have had the privilage of meeting Tom, the singer. He is a very down to earth bloke who just has a love for music, like ourselves. Even though it's not the style of music we play, we greatly appreciate the talent Kasabian have shown across the UK, supporting the likes of Oasis. It would be mint to support them one day.

Formal Warning on Myspace

Formal Warning was our Band of the Month in December 2008.

Back to Featured Bands home page