Interviews 2010

Interviews with artists, singers, band members and local music people on the Leicester arts scene

Find other interviews on our Interviews Home Page.

Interviews 2009 (Weekend Schemers, White Ashes, Third Time Lucky, The Chairmen.)

On this page: Interviews with The Monograph, Little Night Terrors, The Eaves and Formal Warning

The Monograph

Artsin: I'm talking to Jon Dodd and Duncan Graham, Editors of the Monograph. So, when did the Monograph start and how did it come about?

Jon: The Monograph only came about properly this year after many semi drunk conversations between myself and Co-Editor Duncan about how what was going on locally. We have had the viewpoint for a while, and still very much do, that there is a wealth of talent and excitement going on in the City but sometimes it just passes music fans by because they can't access the information.

Duncan: When we were both at uni we mainly sat around skiving lectures and reading the NME, that’s probably when it started in our minds.

Artsin: Who was behind the creation of the Monograph? What motivated them to get going with it?

Jon: It was just me and Duncan at the start, with a lot of input of ideas from friends. When we started talking about doing it properly we started chatting to other people about what they would want to read and what sort of content they would want to access. Before we knew it we had all these ideas that needed to come to fruition, which was a bit of a slog and involved a few late nights working in back bedrooms and Soar Point, but quite soon people were commenting on the articles and sending in emails and demos and that really worked as motivation, knowing that people were actually reading the magazine and discovering new music as a result was a great feeling ... it still is.

Artsin: Does the Monograph cover only music in Leicester and Leicestershire or does your coverage go further afield?

Duncan: Well we try to cover as much music and events as we can in the county but that's not to say that its purely Leicester, we have a writer that is based up north in Manchester, down south in Brighton and even on across the pond in New York, as well as our Leicester writers, so we do get to hear about music from all over. Our general rule of thumb is if we like it, it goes in. In the past we have reviewed the likes of Foals and Lissie which are fairly big names, but we are really championing Junior Fencing Club at the moment who are a great up and coming Leicester band, so it's quite a spectrum.

Jon: Yeah our writer in New York is our latest signing which we are quite excited about. We haven't launched any of it on the site yet but she is going to be providing some little uncovered gems of the NY circuit. Who knows one day might even have a Monograph New York.

Artsin: So, how is the Monographed published? Does it come out periodically?

Jon: The website gets updated everyday, or we try to do it everyday. At the moment there is so much happening in Leicester that we have loads to talk about and it's hard to find the time to write about it all.

Artsin: Is there a paper-based version or does it exist only on the web?

Jon: Well we are currently working on issue 1 of the print magazine that will be a free magazine distributed to bars and venues all over the city. We're really looking forward to this as, although we do love the freedom that publishing on the web gives us, the fact we can cover loads of stuff, you can't beat a good old fashioned print version.

Duncan: Yeah there’s still quite a bit of work to be done before we go to print but we’re expecting to get the first issue out early next year. There will be updates on the site as to when once we know the exact date.

Artsin: How much do you know about your readership? For instance, how many people read it, what ages are they? Where do they live?

Jon: Hmmm... we know they have good taste in reading material, haha! Other than that we find that we get loads of different people reading and writing in to us.

Duncan: We get quite a few people go onto the site a day, mainly during the day so I would hazard a guess that we're a favorite with the students.

Artsin: So, if the Monograph is a music periodical, what kind of music does it cover?

Jon: It's mainly indie and rock and roll that we cover at the moment, just because thats the sort of music we and our writers listen to. That still makes it quite broad, as you have everything from folk to electronica clumped into that. We would love to cover what's going on in the other genres in the city though, maybe if we could find some writers willing to cover that sort of stuff we can follow this avenue. We were always determined starting this not to be the Leicester NME and to cover all music, nothing bad about the NME of course but we don't just want to be reading material for the indie masses.

Artsin: What's your view of the live music scene in Leicester these days?

Jon: I think it's a really exciting time for Leicester at the moment, with the new O2 and The Auditorium opening this month and smaller venues like The Soundhouse popping up across the city, it's great for fans of live music.

Duncan: There is some great bands out there as well that we wouldn't have heard of if it wasn't for doing this, which goes back to the reason for doing it, making sure that people get to know what’s happening right on their doorstep rather than just reading about London or Manchester bands. We listen to a lot of Her Name is Calla, Maybeshewill, These Furrows and of course Kasabian is normally blaring out a couple of times a day.

Artsin: Are you musicians yourselves?

Jon: We both starting playing guitar and listening to music properly when we were about 16, sitting in each other's bedrooms with a copied version of The Libertines or The Strokes saying we should start a band. We learnt a lot of songs and wrote a fair few too but weren't quite good enough I suppose. It did however give us a good grounding to appreciate music and work out what we liked and what we didn't, we normally spent more time talking about music than writing it, probably why we are doing a better job of this than being in a band … hopefully.

Duncan: Yeah I remember at uni we thought we were these brilliant musicians who were destined to be in a band and make it big so we thought 'why bother trying at our courses because will are bound to make it soon', probably why Jon got kicked out of uni and I got bad marks at the start. I blame the beer for the delusions of grandeur.

Jon: I got back in by the way, but lesson learned.

Artsin: Do you ever go out on the net and look at similar kinds of things outside Leicester, like, for example, Nottingham's Left Lion? Does that ever inspire you or give you ideas?

Jon: We try not to look too much because then you find it hard not to nick ideas from other magazines without realising.

Duncan: But we do look, well I do anyway, at what else is out there. It helps give a good idea of what people want to read and stuff they might want to access.

Jon: Yes use that answer, better than mine, makes me sound like a thief.

Artsin: What's it like running this kind of magazine? Is it easy or difficult?

Duncan: It was really hard at the start as it was the first time either of us have done this. Neither of us did anything remotely related to writing at uni so it was all uncharted territory. But now the site is up and running and we have some writers and other people on board its frees up a bit of time for us to look at how we can push things forward and work on the print magazine.

Jon: Yeah lots of late nights at the start, also quite a bit of time is spent down Soar Point, huddled in the corner with a couple of pairs of pints scribbling down ideas. Its always hard to work on something of this size but overtime we get an email in telling us they enjoyed something or a comment on the site it makes it worth it.

Duncan: Thats cheesy.

Jon: Yes it is.

Artsin: and finaly, Jon and Duncan, the question we always ask: what do you think of Kasabian?

Jon: Who?

Duncan: Nope doesn't ring a bell, are they any good?

Read the Monograph on line

We talk to Little Night Terrors

Artsin:  So, what happened to the Displacements?

Andy: Around December 2008 we came off tour and started to write a lot of new material. Because it was so different, and also because Joe left we felt that it wasn't really The Displacements anymore, it was something new and different. So then the Terrors came about.

Artsin:  Who thought up the new name and why? 

Andy: The Bone! We were in our practice room late at night and we were playing through the new songs. We'd turn all the lights off and left just a few neon ropes around and just went mad. He just said it out of the blue, almost in a trance like state. We were loving it.

Artsin:  What you got planned for the year ahead?

Andy: We've just finished a music video for our track Vultures. It's like a grindhouse slasher, and a bit like Dead Mans Shoes on acid. We're playing Summer Sundae, doing a London Showcase on June 8th, and getting down to some touring!

Artsin:  Will you be playing at the new O2 Academy? 

Andy: If they'll have us!

Artsin:  Does it look like things are getting better for live music in Leicester?

Andy: The Academy could be great for Leicester. I was there on the closing night of the Charlotte, where everyone was stealing things and tagging the walls, that place meant a lot to people. There are some promoters that have continually worked hard in Leicester though and I would love to see the gig scene thriving.

Arts in:  What was the best gig ever for the Displacements? 

Andy: Playing at Barcelona Razzmatazz club to 5000 people at 3 in the morning was pretty damn great.

Artsin:  I see you have some new members in the band?  Tell us about them.

Andy: Mystery men, mad men, the sort of guitar players that don't really make the guitar sound like a guitar.

Artsin: So the band will be at Summer Sundae.  You looking forward to that?   Will you be on the main stage? Or in the DMH?

Andy: It will be incredible. The fact that we've ended up on the bill after such a short time as a band, makes me feel that the new music is connecting. I think we're playing the Indoor Stage. I've got a few surprises ready. It doesn't involve me being naked. Or maybe it does.

Artsin:  People see you as a d-i-y band.  Is that fair?  Do you miss having a label?

Andy: We have a publishing deal with Universal. I've spent a lot of the year recording my own music, and I feel like for the most part, who better to work, know, and understand your own music than yourself? Also I'm great with shelves so yeah, I'll take that.

Artsin:  What is your wildest dream, as a band?

Andy: To meet Ke$ha. Or maybe play Japan, that would be rad.

Artsin:  Does the band still live in Leicestershire?

Andy: We've been knocking around in an old tile factory. I can't really tell you more than that.

Artsin:  Have you got any overseas gigs coming up?  Tours perhaps?

Andy: We've got lots of gigs coming up and getting more and more offers, it's really building. As soon as we go overseas we'll let you know, why not come with us Trevor?

Arts in: Wow! Little old me on tour with a top band! :)

Artsin: The question we always ask ... What do you think of Kasabian?

Andy: Fucking wicked. I dig the K. Andy's favourite Youtube of the K.

Little Night Terrors are: Andrew Stone, Calum Price, James Stone and Nick Eversfield.

The Eaves

We meet The Eaves, a well established local band with a reputation for solid musicianship. Nick Thornton is the band's lead vocalist and also a solo singer.

Artsin: So, the Eaves have been around for a while then, Nick? How long?

Nick: It's 5 years now, seems a lot longer sometimes though!

Artsin: Can you remember the first gig you played with the Eaves? How did it go?

Nick: Clearly. It was at The Shed, i remember it well as it was my first gig as a singer, to say we were all nervous would be putting it mildly.

Artsin: There have been a few changes to the lineup over the years. Who is in the band now?

Nick: Well i'm the only original member left due to a few, well, we'll just say fine tunings! Midge plays drums, he doesn't just play drums, he plays drums better than most. He's even better than himself! Jim is on Bass and they both chip in with harmonies, as well, so we get a big sound for just a three-piece.

Artsin: You write your own songs as well as playing a few covers. Which song of yours do you think has been the most successful?

Nick: It used to be Greater Good, but these days it's Something to Shout About that gets the attention. It's been on local radio, we HAD to record a version cos people were literally moaning at me for a copy of it. One drunk guy one night told me it was better than Guns n' Roses 'November Rain' !

Artsin: Who in the band writes the songs?

Nick: Me mostly. Midge has written three, Jim has one and a co-writing credit on one but 99% of them are mine. I always challenge the other two to write and come to me with complete songs, cos it keeps me keen as well if i have competition.

Artsin: Does the band have "influences", as in, other bands you might model your sound on?

Nick: Well i'm a massive Weller fan, the other two are quite prog-rock in their influences, Wishbone Ash, Pink Floyd etc. I've always loved Oasis, Stereophonics and Ocean Colour Scene.

Artsin: So how many songs do you think the band can play? It must be a lot considering the marathon sessions you guys have performed?

Nick: At the last count I think we had about 40 of our own plus a few covers. Now I don't see that as a lot, but we've spoken to other bands who have been on the circuit for years and they've barely got 10 songs.

Artsin: What's the longest the band has ever played?

Nick: The band have done a three hour set before, I personally have done 5 hours with no break. To tell you the truth, it was four hours of pleasure but the last hour was bloody painful!

Artsin: Has The Eaves done a support slot with a well known band?

Nick: We played with The Sums who supported Oasis. I Am Giant who are massive in Australia, Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff, Proud Mary, The Conspirators, and we're supporting Jack Penate and Tinchy Stryder, of all people, this summer.

Artsin: What plans does the band have for the year ahead?

Nick: I've a lot of solo gigs booked, we've got a few gigs booked but we'll do the festivals, then take a few months off, then go play other cities, play to new crowds and stuff. Then we'll write more tunes and do some more recording i think.

Artsin: What do you think of the many, many other bands in Leicester/shire? Do you think there are some good ones out there?

Nick: To be honest there's not many I can say I like. The Manhattan Project are ace, so are The Fazed. I loved Quaternary Limit. Steve Faulkner is a good lad. I don't know ... nobody's writing anthems at the minute, it's a bit worrying that the kids don't seem to have the knack, with the exception of maybe M48.

Artsin: Which of the many venues you have played in, in Leicester, do you think is the best?

Nick: I love Walkabout, i really like Firebug too, the soundman there is top notch, he cares about how it sounds, so you're halfway to a good gig already when you've got someone like that doing the sound for you. Paul at The Looking Glass cares a lot too, he gives bands free-reign to do as they please.

Artsin: You have done quite a few solo gigs; which do you like doing most: solo or playing with the band?

Nick: You know what, I'd never choose one or the other. As much as it satisfies me to stand alone with my guitar and do a solo gig, I get a massive buzz from playing with Midge and Jim, cos we're great mates who love playing music. I could play to two people or to 2,000 and play the same way, as long as I'm playing in some capacity, even when I'm 60 and the voice has gone, i'll still love it.

Artsin: Someone told me you like a sporting game called, I think, "football"? Do you think there is something going on between rock musicians and football?

Nick: Yeah definitely, Football and Rock and Roll are similar aren't they. They're both for those who like atmospheres, a united passion so to speak, there's something strikingly similar between a rock and roll gig and a football match. Funnily enough though i'm the only member of The Eaves who likes football.

Artsin: What's the worse gig you have ever done?

Nick: Well, we played a gig at the old Original Four, now Superfly. It was a Friday night, it was rammed. Loads of local musicians came to see us, friends and family. However, some bright spark gave our then-bassist, Ben, a crate of free lager at 7 pm. Now, we weren't due on till midnight, so the boy had 5 hours of free drinking. Nobody monitored him, so by the time we went on he was that shit-faced he couldn't turn his amp on or remember the tunes, and he played in the wrong key. Awful gig. I just looked at the drummer and mouthed "lets do 5 songs and get the fuck out of here". I could've killed him that night. There is still a drinking ban before sets to this day on our band.

Artsin: Lastly, what do think of Kasabian?

Nick: Superb. Doesn't matter that they're from Leicester. They could be from anywhere but the fact they're local boys makes it better. Seen them live, they play big tunes and in Tom have one of the best frontmen since Liam Gallagher. 'Where Did All The Love Go?" and "Underdog" are immense songs. They've made being edgy and a bit confrontational kind of cool again. I think all kids in bands should wanna be like them. They're the next great hope for me.

The Eaves on Myspace.

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.