Interviews

"Well, I don't know what's going on with the whole music scene in Birmingham, but the rock scene is pretty shit!"

Interests and hobbies?: Music, running, watching movies and getting bolloxed!

As a member of a Birmingham based band what do you think of the music scene in Birmingham?: Well, I don't know what's going on with the whole music scene in Birmingham, but the rock scene is pretty shit! There are a few OK bands with a couple of good songs, but they're not consistent enough to produce an album or amount to any real success.

What do you think of the state of the rock scene in general?: The rock scene today is as good as it has ever been. The sixties were amazing and the "Britpop" years were an exciting time to be around. The last three years have seen some great bands break through, for example: The Strokes, Jet, The Vines, The Killers, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Flaming Lips and Kasabian. The problem is most of these bands are American or Australian. There are no truly great British rock bands apart from Coldplay, Oasis and The Doves.

What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?: Happiness in what ever form it may come. Oh... And a million pounds!

What bands and artists have influenced you?: Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Verve, Neil Young, The Beatles, New Order, Radiohead, The Strokes, The Flaming Lips and Jet. The list could go on and on...

Which singers have influenced you most?: Its frontmen that influence me. The geezers that have the balls to put the fucking guitar to one side and make a statement. Instead of looking down and strumming, get real close, look the audience in the whites of their eyes and make an impression on them. The guys that influenced me are Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Liam Gallagher (Oasis), Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) and Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips). They're great for different reasons, Ian Brown looks cool and has great attitude and the greatest thing I can say about him is it doesn't even matter that he's not a good singer. Liam Gallagher is the complete package, good looking, cool dresser, great attitude and has the greatest voice I have ever heard. Richard Ashcroft has a great voice, very soulful and makes a statement on stage, but he plays the guitar too much these days. Wayne Coyne is great because he's the first to admit he doesn't have a great voice, but he more than makes up for it by the way he talks and tells jokes and stories to the crowd. He has me eating out the palm of his hand every time I see them. If I can take a little off each of these guys I'll be happy. I'm not a great singer but I'm an excellent frontman, the best in Birmingham! If I'm honest though, this isn't too hard cos' they're no real frontmen in Birmingham. Wankers!

Describe your music?: Quality! A real mix up between Neil Young, Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Manic Street Preachers, The Flaming Lips and Coldplay. We sometimes have a slightly retro sound but with a real rock ‘n' roll edge to the guitars. Dan is one of the best songwriters in the country and is always working on new material. I'm learning how to write songs and have Co-Written on four songs, these are "Curtains from Drawn", "Meltdown", "Bob Stop The Beat" and "The Light" but this is something I'm determined to work on and improve. It would be good for a couple of reasons, One it adds a different dimension to the music and two it takes a bit of pressure off Dan.

Which "Newclear View" song is your favourite?: My favourite "Newclear View" song would probably be "Everest". It would make a great single, with great melody, great lyric and the guitar riff at the end taking the song to another place. My other favourites include, Where the Wind Blows, Hoffa, Meltdown, Sunrise and Broken Glass.

What is your all time favourite song?: I would have to choose "Live Forever" by Oasis. It's perfect in every way. Great melody, great lyrics, great singing, great guitar work and most of all it's as uplifting as any dance tunes you'll listen to even up on a "Little Un"!

Your all time favourite Album?: My favourite album would have to be "Definitely Maybe" by Oasis. It crossed Neil Young and The Stone Roses with the noise and confusion of Nirvana. The albums after that would be "Technique" by New Order, "Rust Never Sleeps" by Neil Young, "The Stone Roses" The Stone Roses debut album, "Revolver" by The Beatles, "Dog Man Star" by Suede, "Is ThisIt" by the Strokes and "A Rush of Blood to the Head" by ColdPlay.

Do you listen to any other music styles as opposed to rock?: I listen to all types of music. I listen to R "n" B (Kelis, Mary J Blige), Classical (Mozart, Beethoven), Folk (Bob Dylan, Neil Young), Dance (The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers), and I really like the rap scene at the moment (especially Eminem, Jay Z and Nas).

You were in a band called "Pure Blue"; this is a second stab at success, what makes you believe you will succeed this time?: To be honest success is important but not as much as the first time around. I think I placed so much emphasis on success that it reduced the enjoyment of the whole thing. I'm back in a band for all the right reasons now. I enjoy doing it and I like working with Dan. The thing is though, I really believe this is our greatest chance at success. Were wiser and we've always had great songs and we've got new songs that are just as good if not better. "Pure Blue" was great, especially with the classic line up but we can go further this time. So every other rock band in Birmingham should get ready! When we start gigging were gonna eclipse everybody. Here's my final quote: "In a room filled with bands we'll be the last band standing"!

"No songwriter should listen to just one type of music or all your songs end up one dimensional."

As a member of a Birmingham based band what do you think of the music scene in Birmingham?: Shit.

What do you think of the state of the rock scene in general?: Really good at the moment. There's excitement in the air.

What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?: Health, wealth and happiness.

What bands and artists have influenced you?: Neil Young, The Beatles, Oasis and Radiohead. There are even more bands that have come along in the last few years such as Coldplay and The Strokes. The list could be endless.

Which singers have influenced you most?: Neil Young and Noel Gallagher. It seems to me that there is definitely more soul and feeling to their playing.

Which "Newclear View" song is your favourite?: "Sunrise" and the first part of "The Hourglass" which we need to work on because the second part sounds shit!

What is your all time favourite song?: I couldn't pick, it depends what sort of mood I'm in.

Do you listen to any other music styles as opposed to rock?: I listen to all kinds of music. No songwriter should listen to just one type of music or all your songs end up one dimensional.

You were in a band called "Pure Blue"; this is a second stab at success, what makes you believe you will succeed this time?: It doesn't matter as much this time where we get to in the music industry. I just want to keep on enjoying it and if we can affect someones life with our music or lyrics thats good enough for me. Of course we would love millions of people to love our music but one in a milion is good enough.