Without dabbling on the age old battle over a certain shoe manufacturer’s involvement with skateboarding, this is one for the opposition: The limited edition Consolidated BS Drunks.
In traditional Consolidated colours (blue, black and white) and emblazoned with a banana, these hi-tops are a slap in the face of fashion. A bold statement and a bag of laughs, this footwear is by skateboarders and for skateboarders. A rare thing nowadays…Available through Power Distribution.
Following their hugely successful stint on this year’s Taste of Chaos tour, Flordia scream merchants Underoath release new single ‘In Regards To Myself’ on November 27th through Virgin Records.
Taken from their stellar ‘Define The Great Line’ opus the track showcases the band at their finest; mixing twisted riffs, epic chord progressions and a vocal performance that switches between clean and gruff without ever compromising its own passion and sincerity.
With Killswitch Engage scallywag Adam D handling guitar production duties it also represents one of the band’s heaviest moments to date, while the sextet’s ear for delicate harmonies and seductive melodies remains untouched by a new found epic scope.
So we’ve heard all about Dirty Pretty Things and Babyshambles…but ever wonder what became of the 4th member of The Libertines, John Hassal? Well wonder no longer, because he’s back, with a band who are building up quite a reputation for themselves, Yeti.
With an EP in the shops now, it seems the quiet Libertine has been biding his time with good reason, and the unhurried result of months of hard work is warm, timeless and intelligent, the kind of tracks you can listen to again and again as they creep under your skin.
Together with Andrew Deian, Graham Blacow, Brendan Kersey and Mark ‘Harmony’ Williams, Yeti are proving that it’s always the quiet one you have to watch. Guitarist Mark ‘Harmony’ Williams took some time out to chat to Dee Massey about the album, the band and what happens when you go through a black hole.
Well firstly congratulations on your EP, which is out today.
Why thank you..is it out today?
It is indeed apparently!
Wow..I guess I should really go and buy a copy then!
You probably should! Anyway, let’s go right back to the beginning. Obviously John was in a band before (The Libertines) but how did you guys all get together, what’s your background?
Well, I first met Graham backstage at another gig, a Johnny Coppin gig..we got very very drunk and I ended up crashing at his place and we’ve known each other since then. Brendan and Andy came through John, and I knew John because I knew Carl [Barat from The Libertines/Dirty Pretty Things].
And am I right in thinking you also write for TV and films?
Vaguely…actually I got sacked recently from the TV thing [laughs]
Oh god..sorry!
It’s ok..well I didn’t really get sacked..but they stopped answering my emails so I get the feeling I’m not wanted anymore. I was writing something for Talkback about hit and run, featuring Nigel Harman, him off Eastenders, but they’ve gone cold. But I’ve got a film on the go..
So where does your love really lie – music or writing for TV?
I think it lies in writing in general, I like writing and performing. I mean, I was an actor before and I started writing plays and acting in the plays I’d written because..I’m that much of an egomaniac! I went to college with Carl’s sister, and met Carl through that, and then obviously met John, and when things were a bit all up in the air he chatted to be about being in a band, and I’d already suing anyway, so I figured yeah, I’ll be in a band, why not! Something to tell the grandkids!
So do you take control of the song writing in Yeti?
If someone’s singing it, then they wrote it basically – the tune and the lyrics. Of course, everyone writes their own part, as it were – because I haven’t got the first clue how to play bass but thankfully Brendan’s an amazing bassist so already writes me wonderful bass lines which Midnight Flight would suffer greatly without, for instance, because it’s purely bass led.
Your press blurb cites The Beatles and The Velvet Underground as the band’s main influences? Who are your personal ones?
The Orange Organics I’d have to say.
What kind of stuff are you listening to at the moment?
Ooh well I’ll tell you what I got the other day..I got a pile of CDs..hang on…Right, I got The Essential Dolly Parton..
Nothing wrong with Dolly! I even saw her live a few years ago!
[laughs] Really? Ha! I thought I’d better swat up on my country, since we play country. I got myself a three pack of Johnny Cash, which is cool. And I also got in the three for £15 thingy Love da Capo, I got Forever Changes as I’ve always wanted to own it, Blondie’s Greatest Hits and…Dolittle, by The Pixies.
Going for the classics then…
Well yeah, my music collection is sorely lacking in anything decent, so I figured I’d better know something about music if I’m proclaiming to do it.
You should’ve bought your own EP too.
Yeah but..I haven’t actually left the house yet.
Fair enough! Right, you recorded your album with Craig Silvey, ( The Magic Numbers/The Longcut/The Coral) what is it about Craig that made you choose him?
He’s a comic genius. He and Rich Wilkinson are a great double act that just keep you entertained! You’re supposed to be recording, and I like to join in and we kinda just had too much fun.
I heard it was pretty laid back in there?
Yeah [laughs] we didn’t necessarily get that much done in a day, we were too busy joshing around, and recording things we oughtn’t be recording, songs that were never ever going to appear on the album and other silly things.
So with that in mind, do you prefer being in the studio with them or touring?
I like both in equal measure. You can’t beat a live audience, but then again, you can’t always make the sound you want to make with bad equipment, so I kinda like to listen to music on CDs instead of standing in front of a huge PA making me deaf.
Ha..true..you know you’re getting old when you think that!
[laughs] Well it’s true!
You’ve just done your first headline tour of the US. What was your most memorable date out there?
Las Vegas – it was weird, a really strange evening. Whilst we were doing the gig there was a gentleman photographing nude women on a sofa behind the audence.
I would imagine you guys quite enjoyed that show!
Well I couldn’t really see this afterwards [sighs]..but I guess it would have been quite off putting.
So how did you find the US fans in comparison to the brits?
Slighty taller.
Right. Ok..so if you had to banish one member of the tour bus from the er..bus..who would be it be?
It would have to be Brendan. Because he smokes..and I just quit a month ago, and every time he lights up I just want a cigarette.
So apart from not smoking – what’s your personal goal for the next year?
My goal is to learn to like myself! I was informed that I don’t like myself very much so I’m going to learn to like me.I don’t know how I’m going to like me..but I’ll have a go. Have you got any suggestions?
I find alcohol helps.
Ah but you see it doesn’t.
Well gin’s a downer, but I find JD or even vodka makes me like pretty much everyone.
Oooh…well I’ve a lot of vodka martinis recently…but I’ve been drinking lots of alcohol to cheer myself up and then I don’t actually remember ..I keep waking up in the morning and thinking ‘how did I get here’ and hoping I didn’t say anything out of place to anyone. But apparently I’ve been on top form!
Always good to hear! Right. NME described ‘Never Lose your Sense of Wonder’as ‘gently quarried piece of heaven’ – what would YOUR idea of heaven be?
[laughs] Well not Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder’! [laughs] Erm..blimey..fucking hell. What a question. Not having to think anymore…..and not having a poorly knee! Being a cat maybe. So long as it’s a well looked after cat…I wouldn’t want to be a cat on the streets of Baghdad.
No. I can imagine that would suck.
Yeah.
Ok. Answer me this..when do fish sleep?
When do fish sleep? I don’t think they do, do they?
I don’t know! Can you cry underwater?
Of course you can!
If you went through a black hole..what would you find?
You would find…um…I’ve not been through one! I imagine it’s probably a link to a parallel universe so you’d find a different version of your self who was..better. Or worse…or blonde.
What question would you most like to be asked in an interview?
It depends on the interviewer..
What are your three essentials for going on tour?
An orange, a toothbrush and….a credit card.
Very good. And this is a hard one. If an unstoppable object hit an immovable object..what would happen?
An unstoppable object hit an immovable object….. unstoppable object hit an immovable object?
Sorry..you got some random questions!
No no..it’s fine..hang on. [pauses]. The unstoppable object would go back the other way!
What’s your best hangover cure?
More alcohol.
Excellent.
No! Not excellent..but it is the best hangover cure.
And lastly, a source of mine has asked to me to ask you about ‘The Chamber’. Would you like to elaborate?
[laughs a lot] He wouldn’t elaborate? [laughs]. Well..I can’t believe him…well when we were recording I was playing acoustic guitar so I wasn’t allowed in the room with anyone else, so I have my own special chamber in which I was banished. And there’s…well there’s more to the story but I don’t think it’s er….appropriate.[laughs]
And anything you’d like to say to readers of Crossfire?
No. [laughs]. No ..tell them to…[pause]..I want to tell them something useful. I should be full of gems, I didn’t drink today and I’m less compos mentis because of it [laughs]. It’s not going to happen….um…no. You could tell them….that [long pause]…they should read the Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy. At least that’s going to improve their life!
Thank you and goodnight!
For more information on the awesome Yeti check out www.yetiintelligence.com You can see Yeti on their forthcoming tour at the following dates: 4th December – Manchester / 5th December – Liverpool / 6th December – Cardiff / 8th December – Birmingham / 15th December – Camden, London.
This years Crossfire Xmas Jam line up is now complete.
We are looking for people to pass on flyers for us so if you want free entry to the jam and can contact us with where you think can distribute them whilst you are out skating over the next 3 weeks and in what area, we will send you some in the post in return for FREE entry.
Expect team rides from all of the skate company logo’s listed plus the UK Globe Team and European Blind Skateboards team riders.
We will have a full list of riders for you soon, so watch this space.
A £500 best trick comp will be run in the park from 3pm-6pm for sponsored riders whilst unsponsored riders will have from 12-3pm to win Globe Shoes, decks, clothing, bags and more on the day.
Get this in your diary, cut and paste the flyer to pass onto others or use this link: http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/media/images/skate/news/crossfirexmasjam06flyer.jpg
• Andy Scott – Kickflip eggplant Seq. [Alex Irvine c/o www.thrashermagazine.com]
• Alex Decelles – Ollie into bank.
• John Rattray – 540.
• Mike McDermott – Nollie cabellariel nosemanual.
• Kevin McKeon – FS roll-in.
• Neil Smith – BS flip.
• Dave Caddo – Ollie manual.
• Jerry Mraz – Ollie gap into bank.
Top 5 Winter Warmers:
1. Globe Hat, scarf and gloves.
2. Extra Flip t-shirt.
3. Anti Hero Flask of tea.
4. Underground carpark.
5. Friendly skateshop. (SOS)
Top 5 Winter Woes:
1. Rain, sleet, hail, snow.
2. Damp obstacles.
3. Gritted streets.
4. Hand slap slams.
5. Broken kingpins.
Pic of the Week
Ben White and Paul Machnau have a lot in common. (Not seeen the latest KOTR 2006 Thrasher?- tut tut!)
Brixton Academy
15.11.2006
If you’ve not heard of this band or any of their material, then you are missing out on a music revolution! You should definitely sync your ears to their digital cassettes, as their debut album is a work of genius that portraits rock ‘n’ roll in its purest form.
They seem influenced by an early Black Sabbath, 2 lumps of Zeppelin, a pinch of Hendrix and a stir of White Stripes. It’s a tasteful blend indeed, but their individuality shines through and they have a very unique sound that makes them so accepting to the rock ‘n’ roll family.
Live at Brixton, the Southern Hemisphere trio knocked out a performance that put me right back in the 70’s, of which I really don’t remember much as I was merely an infant, but I experienced a sense of nostalgia of an era I’ve only read about. They belted out every song of their new album and it really set the place on fire with an electric buzz burning throughout the shinny halls of Brixton, it kicked arse to say the least!!! These guys sound so good live, I honestly can’t wait to witness them again.
They rolled in with ‘Dimension’, a powerful opener that set the rest of the evening off in style. My flatmate, who kept going to bar every 5 minutes, is a direct offspring from the 70’s, but one with more energy than 4 year old on Columbian Blend, Red Bull and enough speed to jump a 100ft gap with a school bus…He’s a loon and made sure that we don’t suffer the slightest symptoms of drought.
Halfway through the set they hit up ‘Woman’, a timeless classic already and we were raging away like it was 1999, a year when time was an uncertainty! My hand-eye coordination was slightly damaged by the end of the gig, at which point they thought it good to play ‘Colossal’, another fucking brilliant track and a great way to draw the curtains on what has arguably been my favourite gig of 2006.
Like I said, if you haven’t got it, go and get it…its fucking worth every penny, unless you’re skint, in which case you’ll have to go to their myspace page or website to stream the tracks online.
Wolfmother – A blast from the past with a fresh stamp of approval
2P
Altamont Clothing, the new label from Andrew Reynolds with art direction from Fos etc has finally hit UK stores.
You will be able to pick them up at Flatspot – Plymouth, Slam City – London, Chopper – Kettering, Natterjacks – Kingston, Scene – Preston and a few more select outlets to come…
You can see the full range here and a few select threads below.
30 Seconds To Mars have made history by making the first American video which was shot in its entirety in China.
The video for the track From Yesterday, was shot in the Emperor Qin Palace and the Forbidden City and featured more than 300 extras and runs over 10 minutes. The track comes from 2005’s A Beautiful Lie and you can check out the video here.
Fun loving Texans Bowling For Soup are back with a new single High School Never Ends as a download single on January 22nd and a physical release on January 29th. Their new album, The Great Burrito Extortion Case, will be out in February.
You can check the video by clicking here.
The band will also be on tour on the following dates in February:
6th – Bristol Academy
7th – Southampton Guildhall
8th – Cambridge Corn Exchange
9th – Cardiff University
10th – Manchester Academy
12th – Glasgow Queen Margaret University
13th – Nottingham Rock City
14th – Leeds Met Uni
15th – Norwich UEA
17th – Birmingham Academy
18th – London Hammersmith Palais
Not Animal Chin, sorry, i’m talking about this bloke Aaron Kyro.
This mad tech footage was added to YouTube in 2005, we wonder what he is doing thesedays?
Click the image to watch the footy, it’s old but you will not be disappointed…