The Pocket Gods
Of
the many interviews I've conducted on IML this one I'd have to say
happens to be among my favorites. The Pocket Gods' truth and
desire to be like no others reins clear throughout this entire
interview. This is a must read interview. They are
true artistry unconfind by the rules of pop music or cultural taboos.
The Pocket Gods are destined for even bigger and better
things with their new release off of their own label, Nub Country
Records. These are but a few reasons that I'm glad
The Pocket Gods are this month's IndieMusicLounge.Com Spotlight
Artists. For more information about the Pocket Gods visit
their website or myspace.
Here's the Interview:
IML:
First off thanks for allowing me to interview you. I would
like to start with you telling us who exactly you feel The Pocket Gods
are as a group.
Claire:
Basically 4 people enjoying making noise together.
IML: Who are the main members of your group and what significance to
they have in the group?
Claire: Captain Markie, he is
our leader and stimulator and chief show-off. Annelise has
the best voice, tits and looks, V. Sexy with her leccy guitar and
effects pedal totally rockin’ out. Claire is chief snack
monitor and Nigel is from a different planet.
IML: How many years have you both
been performing together as a group and what do you feel is the major
chemistry that brought you together?
Claire: The Pocket Gods has had
many staff [members] with Markie at the helm. This new line
up is yet to do our 1st performance live, although [we] have recorded
together.
Chemistry is the key word here. Body chemistry, bodily
fluids. Mark is married to Claire. Annelise and
Claire are cousins. Nigel is long term friend of all three
[of us,] say no more
ANNIE: The major chemistry
would be distillation probably... of vodka...
IML: What instruments do you all play
and how out of the many options did you come to choose these
instruments?
Claire: Markie plays all
instruments, but on stage plays lead guitar because he is the
leader. Ani got bored with tambourine and finds a guitar
hides more flab, Claire plays bass because a dead person told her
to. Nigel plays drums because he is tone deaf.
ANNIE: I chose the guitar as I
felt like an ironing board when I was just singing.
IML: You seem to have a more
playful tone to yourselves reading through some of your press material,
how important is it that you bring this side out in you music?
Claire: It’s not
something we plan to do. We are always true to ourselves
so-whatever that may be will come across in anything we do.
WE DO NOT CONFORM.
ANNIE: That's what the pocket
gods are, we try to bring across a little bit of
F.U.N. The world could do with a bit more!
Sticking to this subject what would you say is your musical taste and
which artists do you feel you “follow” after given
this?
Claire: We do not follow 7, do
not compare. To quote Fox Moldy “Not easily
referenced or categorized.
IML: As I understand you both too are
songwriters. What first brought you to a pen and a pad, in
other words, why is it that you first began to write?
Claire: Markie was born with it
in his head, as was Ani. Claire likes playing with words and
Nigel inspires us.
The world deserves to share in the fun, what better way than in a CHOON?
ANNIE: Rehab said it was good
to get things out...
IML: Of the numerous songs that
you’ve written thus far what would you say is your favorite
song you written and why?
Claire: My fave is Soldiers Of
Love. It sounds like a beautiful song, but the words are
filthy dirty. Soldiers Of Love is SPUNK, not the United
Nations.
ANNIE: Jombal party, as
everyone thinks its this amazing thing, but really it's
about a jumble sale...I mean, who write's about a jumble sale
? ..even I'm
proud of ourselves for that one!
IML: What is you’re
favorite song to play and why?
Claire: Oily smooth because it
has a sexy rhythm and I like to wiggle my booty while playing it.
ANNIE: Soldiers Of Love, as
people are just listening to the pretty tune, then they
start to hear the dirty words... you see peoples faces of ''no...this
can't be...did they really just say that??''
IML: In your own words how best would
you define you music and why have you chosen the musical genre you
have, or did it sort of find you?
Claire: You just have to hear
it to believe it. Not definable. None of us said ,
“Lets set out to make pop music, shall we. No, No
if we’re gonna do a band let it be
blues/jazz”. You just get in a room, make noise
with your equipment and see what comes out.
ANNIE: I don’t think
we really fit into a genre, there's going to have to be a new one made,
we just have to pick now what people are going to have to wear and how
they've got to act. Dammit, lycra and crying over everything
have been taken.
IML: Now, while reading through your
material I found a very interesting fact about your band, The Pocket
Gods were discovered by the late, great radio broadcaster John Peel,
creator of the famous Peel Sessions. For those that may not
be familiar with John’s work tell us who he was, and what his
discovering you meant to your career at that point?
Claire: It was more guff that
Markie could show off about" John Peel phone me, ME!!!
Markie:
Over to me then for this one-well JP was a UK music legend, discovered
some of the greatest artists ever including David Bowie and Mark
Bolan– it was so exciting when he left a message on my
answering phone. Firstly I thought it was a joke by one of my
mates, but I played it to everyone and they said, “Yep, def
is the Great John Peel”. He eventually phoned back
and said he liked the songs, especially “Ballad Of The
Peshwari Naan” and he gave me his home address to send more
stuff to. Sadly he went on holiday a few weeks later to Peru
and died; great loss.
IML: What would you say was the best
tip you received from John Peel?
Claire: Believe in yourself and
don’t give up.
Markie:
Keep on keepin’ on.
IML: This of course means that you
eventually found yourself having spins in your local area radio
I’m assuming, describe the feeling you had the first time you
heard your music playing from a radio.
Claire: When I first heard
“Jombal Party” on Radio 1 it made me
laugh. Me and Ani wrote it as we recovered from the village
juble sale and there it was being played to the nation.
ANNIE: Like a tree on heat...I
couldn't move and I didn’t know what to do with myself'.
IML: Tell us about your current debut
album released from Nub Country Records.
Markie:
SANDRINGTONSPUT CD – Tis a fab collection of weird pop songs
written and recorded in our spare room in Nub Country–life
affirming and strangely spooky.
IML: What is your favorite track on
album and why?
Nigel:
Mine is “My Next High”– The ultimate
losers anthem, beautifully sung by Annie, I’m proud of that
one!
IML:I came across this quote while
looking through your stuff relating to your debut
album-“Songs about sex, curries and rock n
roll….genius!”- can you explain or elaborate for
those that haven’t yet purchased a copy of your cd what this
means?
Claire: It means we write songs
about normal random stuff that happens to us.
“Soldiers Of Love”, “VVBUD Are
Sex”, “Ballad Of The Naan Peshwari” =
Curries, etc.
ANNIE: We don't sing about
tedious things like how everything is screwing you
over, we sing about the important things like sex, food, and fun.
IML: Tell us about Nub Country
Records?
Markie:
Tis our fab new indie label formed to release PG [Pocket Gods] stuff
and also other weird and wonderfully overlooked bands– have
more releases planned for ‘07.
IML: What is the biggest thing you
learned while being in a label?
Markie:
Still learning as we go along... Business AAAARGGHHHH!
One more question about your music and then I’d like to ask
you a few questions that I like to ask everyone that I
interview. What is it about music in general that made you
say, this is it, this is what I want to do with my life, was it
performing, the creation process, or a seeing a certain person live (
an artist that inspired you), or something other than these things?
Claire: Watching the bass
player at that gig in Hertford before PG’s, I thought that
looks cool.
IML: Okay now, What would you say the
best advice ever given to you was?
Claire: Give love and enjoy
your life.
ANNIE: Bring a hip-flask.
IML: Is a major record label contract
it for you or have you found other areas within yourself and the
industry that define success for you now?
Claire: How many deals have we
turned down?
Markie:
Beating U2 at table tennis backstage at Glastonbury.
What one thing would you say to those wishing to enter the industry?
Claire: Enter the
industry? Playing in your local pub, waiting 3 hours for a
soundcheck, there is no such thing as entering this industry.
If you like playing your instrument to other peoples’
entertainment then do it, enjoy it. Work hard and play hard
and fame will find you if it is meant to.
IML: What, if only one thing, do you
wish that a person walks away from a Pocket Gods show with?
Claire: Love.
ANNIE: A smile on their face.
Markie:
Crumbs on their chest.
IML: Aside from music what other
hobbies do you have?
Claire: Drinking, sticking,
sticking sequins on things.
ANNIE: Drinking, I've got
pretty good at that. I suppose we're all quite artistic, but
that kinda comes with being musical.
IML: What, if you weren’t a
musician, would you currently be pursuing?
Nigel:
Rabbits.
ANNIE: Wino...but I'm pretty
much on the way.
IML: What person or thing could you
not do without?
Claire: Glitter.
ANNIE: Well as my guitar's got
it's gun to my head, I'm probably going to have to
say that.
IML: What one person or thing could
you do without?
Claire: Greedy people.
IML: Giving your most ingenious
description, explain to those that have never had the chance to
experience what displaying their original music before a live show is
like for you.
Claire: You are giving
something to your punters, and that is an honor. If they like
it, smile, and along then I’m flying.
ANNIE:
An elongated orgasm....let's hope our listeners aren't virgins.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the one and
only Pocket Gods, the IndieMusicLounge.Com December spotlight artists
of the month. You can find out more about them, their career
and music at their website The
Pocket Gods or
on Myspace.com @ http://www.myspace.com/thepocketgods
|
