The Beat Surrender

Our newest contributer, Attic Room, had the chance to chat to The Perishers last month after reviewing their cracking debut album, Hurts Like Hell.

The obvious first question (and in this case necessary due to a Swedish band of the same name) has to be why the name The Perishers?

Torq: The name was actually pilfered from another Basingstoke band who used it for about three weeks before ditching it for something far more ridiculous. I think we liked it as it described us quite well at the time (as in the cartoon strip not a reference to death as some people have pointed out) and asked them if they minded if we used it. The Swedish Perishers are a disgrace to the name and once we have more than 3 quid between us we shall be contacting their lawyers.

The album is pretty eclectic, apart from The Who are there any other bands/musicians you feel have really changed your sound?

Paul: Can’t say that there’s any bands that have changed our sound in particular but obviously everything I hear is an influence, even the shit stuff. Our tastes as a band
are pretty broad ranging, I’ve always get bored quickly listening to one genre of music. In terms of musicians, John Entwhistle and Ronnie Lane are two big bass heroes of mine, and I’ve always admired artists/ bands who do there own thing, people like Primal Scream & Prince.

Torq: I agree – I have always been into bands that aren’t scared to evolve even if it might mean pissing off some of their fans. Bands like Blur, Radiohead and to a large extent, The Beatles tried not to get stuck doing 10 albums with exactly the same sound.

Spencer: People like Graham Coxon who influenced my use of effects and other players such as Peter Buck from Rem, George Harrison and Neil Young, who are all huges influences on my approach to playing.

Diff: I like to think that its good to have influences but not to simply copy them, just take grooves and licks you like and put them in your own style, which is more likely
making it simpler so you can actually play it. Too many to mention but I borrowed the odd phrase off Mr Bonham and Lawrence from Ride.

What kind of listener do you feel the album will appeal to most?

Paul: There’s a lot of open minded people out there, and I hope that people will appreciate the fact that the album’s pretty varied in it’s moods and styles. I know
some people who’ve heard the album aren’t into the fact that it’s stylistically all over the shop, buts that’s what I think makes it stronger.

Torq: Anyone that likes to listen to a variety of music and likes a good song.

Spencer: I think that the album has got enough to make it appealing to a wide audience. However you can never tell. We don’t write with a particular market in mind but the more people that hear and appreciate the music is never a bad thing.

Diff: Lonely people.

How does London compare to Basingstoke in terms of the kind of musical following you have?

Torq: Hmmm, I must admit it was tough at first as to get the decent gigs you have to have a good following but without history of a decent following you are only likely to get an 8:30pm slot on a Monday night. Not great for convincing people to come and see you. Also, I think the majority of people in London only go to see unsigned bands
if they know someone in the band.

Paul: We kind of went from being a big fish in a small pond to very much the other way round, as London’s so full of bands it’s like starting from scratch again. We do
have a loyal following and this seems to be expanding as the word gets around about the album.

How is the filming for the video of ‘Sunchild’ progressing?

Paul: Very well indeed, all finished and hopefully coming to a TV screen near you very soon.

I’m a big fan of ‘Hate Song’. Where did the idea to mix the two different sounds together come from?

Paul: The idea came form a late night red wine fuelled session. We’d been listening to The Stooges and Roni Size thought it’d be great if we came up with something equally nasty. The whole thing from idea to completion took about two hours.
Something magical happens to the Perishers when red wine is involved.

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