Volcanoes interview

Volcanoes

Interview

Imagine tricking your band mate into thinking that he was going to have to come to rehearsals and Christmas day, and not just or a little half hour, oh no a full four hour rehearsal. That would mean the missing of the Queens Speech and possibly the oh so exciting Eastenders Christmas special (and some years this can be your highlight). This was the case for the dedicated drummer of the volcanoes, and he was going to try his best to get there. Now that is what you call dedication.

I delved into the mind of Samson Bedford to get straight to the point of the making of the new ‘Mini Album’, find out that their next record could be their last and where they draw their influences. Also I find out whom he would have in his in his super group and if he would just like to be Bez from the Happy Mondays and how he would to twist the conventions of a summer festival. So read on and become immersed in the world of Samson Bedford and the Volcanoes.      

1.      You guys were previously an acoustic duo. How did forming the band as a quartet come about?

Kev (Shirles) and I were in an acoustic duo called ‘Shirles & Bed’ for about a year. Prior to recording our second EP we decided to get a percussion drummer to add a bit of depth to our tunes. One thing led to another and eventually we became a four-piece indie band and called ourselves Volcanoes. That EP became the Red Door EP.

2.      Your website has described you as mischievous Volcanoes. What is the most mischievous thing you have done to each other?

Ahhhh we’re generally nice to each other. Our mischief is in our music.

One little story does spring to mind though. Ash joined the band replacing our original drummer about 5 years ago. We we’re uber keen to get back on the gig circuit so we practiced pretty intensively for a few months. I remember pretending that we’d booked a four hour practice on Christmas Day. When we told Ash he looked really gutted but bless him he said he’d do his best to be there. Now that’s commitment.

3.      Vexihomp is a fantastic ‘mini’ album. How was the making of that compared to all you other records?

Thanks. Shirles writes a lot more these days so it takes a bit of the pressure off me and I think it gives the band a completely different edge. The record was good fun to write and it seemed to come together really quickly. We never try to give our CDs a theme, we just bang out a load of tunes and put them altogether. I think in some cases this is to our detriment as folk who like the first track might think WTF when they hear the second. We’re not at all bothered about that though. We just love pushing ourselves and going with as many different ideas as possible. Our next record (which may be our last) is going to have reggae / folk and gospel influences as well as indie. I hope we can pull it off.

4.      In many reviews people like to try and compare your sound. I personally think you have the unique balance of being yourselves. Who do you think you sound like?

It sounds corny but we’ve put a ridiculous amount of effort into trying not to sound like anyone else. We’ve scrapped loads of tunes in their early stages if they’ve sounded too this or that. Sure, individual tracks may have certain influences but they all have our stamp on them.

5.      If you could choose anybody dead or alive to be in your super group who would it be?

I’d happily give up the Vocals if Freddie Mercury wanted to join the band and perhaps give up the guitar if Lennon fancied a strum. I guess I’d just become a dancer.

6.      You pride yourselves on the live shows. What have been your best shows to play?

We’ve always had good nights at Dublin Castle in Camden and we used to love playing the Grapes in Sheff

7.      What has been the best gig that you have played to date?

BE @ PROUD galleries in London was probably our best gig

8.      If you could create your own festival, who would you have on your line-up and what would set your festival apart from the others?

Hmmmm.

Us ‘obviously’

Foals

System of a Down (headlining the naughty stage)

Super Furry Animals

Bassment Jax

Daft Punk

The Music (reforming)

Band of Skulls

Dinosaur Pile-Up

Bon Iver

All the bands would have to buy tickets but the public could come free.

Rochelle Massey