Interview : Rocketsmiths
October 27th 2010 07:57
The Rocketsmiths are hitting the road in support of their new album ‘The Bones’. A combination of indie vibes, rockabilly swing and pop melodies. Having spent the last 2 years crafting the songs, Dominic found a few moments to give us the inside goss on the new record, about working with legendary producer Magoo and why we should see them play MUM at World Bar on the 29th.
What's new in The Rocketsmith¹s world?
New album, new Prime Minister, it's raining today, I saw that new Mark Ronson clip the other night, on Thursday night we opened a set with Blink 182's Dammit, I just bought the Gareth Liddiard album but Itunes won't recognize it so I'm contemplating buying it twice, i WISH i had a new guitar.
Tell us about the album ‘The Bones'?
Essentially it's 12 songs from the last 2 years of our lives. In my mind it's an album that follows the way we have gone from young kids having fun to "we're getting too old for this shit" Danny Glover style. There are a lot of songs about having unreliable and untrustworthy friends as well as chronicling the shit things we've (I've) done over the past two years. It was recorded, engineered and produced by Magoo and we had a lot of fun recording it in an old refurbished church in the countryside. its dark but fun. it's poppy but different. we hope people really like it.
How did the band find the recording process?
You know, we had an amazing time. We are all essentially best mates and have known each other since primary school so we're really close. But when we were recording, the time we had was so great. We got along really well and bounced off each other creatively. It was a really positive atmosphere except when playing xbox against each other. That's when it got a little tense.
What was it like working with legendary producer Magoo?
Magoo is a good mate of ours these days so in a lot of ways it's just like having a sixth member of the band. We went out to his place again just recently after he had been recording with Art VS Science and they had given him a "plaque" kinda thing with all his sayings on it. "Thinkin is stinkin" "It's not the difference between Gold and Platinum" and "The Mute button is our friend" are three that spring to mind. He is so relaxed and open to ideas but will give you really clear direction when recording, which is really important. He'll also tell you what's shit and what's good and knows how to make you relax when you're getting uptight about something. Magoo is an amazing producer and a great friend.
Whats the songwriting process for The Rocketsmiths?
It goes two ways... The first is that Ianboy (lead guitar) and I get together with acoustic guitars and work on songs we've written in our bedrooms. Once we refine those (cut out parts, add parts, change vocals etc) we take the song to the other three boys and work out how to make it sound even better. Usually this is over a few weeks and everyone changes and suggests things and adds and takes away pieces of the song. The other way has just been us fucking around in the rehearsal room, someone coming up with a riff or an idea and we just jam on that until something works.
Which artists have influenced the band?
Probably The Drones, Snowman, Mess Hall, Fratellis, Kaiser Chiefs and the Archie Bronson Outfit are main influences. That's not to say we sound anything like any of them. But they influence us and we like them.
What can people expect from the show at MUM @ World Bar on the 29th?
A lot of energy, fun and a lot of songs from The Bones. Afterwards, probably a bit of a drunken behavior and giving away CDs.
What's the first song you would put on the mix tape?
Depends on the mood of the mixtape. If it's a "let relax and enjoy good music" mixtape it would be Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan. If it was let's have a party it would be You Are A Casino by Snowman. Is that a suitable answer?
What's new in The Rocketsmith¹s world?
New album, new Prime Minister, it's raining today, I saw that new Mark Ronson clip the other night, on Thursday night we opened a set with Blink 182's Dammit, I just bought the Gareth Liddiard album but Itunes won't recognize it so I'm contemplating buying it twice, i WISH i had a new guitar.
Tell us about the album ‘The Bones'?
Essentially it's 12 songs from the last 2 years of our lives. In my mind it's an album that follows the way we have gone from young kids having fun to "we're getting too old for this shit" Danny Glover style. There are a lot of songs about having unreliable and untrustworthy friends as well as chronicling the shit things we've (I've) done over the past two years. It was recorded, engineered and produced by Magoo and we had a lot of fun recording it in an old refurbished church in the countryside. its dark but fun. it's poppy but different. we hope people really like it.
How did the band find the recording process?
You know, we had an amazing time. We are all essentially best mates and have known each other since primary school so we're really close. But when we were recording, the time we had was so great. We got along really well and bounced off each other creatively. It was a really positive atmosphere except when playing xbox against each other. That's when it got a little tense.
What was it like working with legendary producer Magoo?
Magoo is a good mate of ours these days so in a lot of ways it's just like having a sixth member of the band. We went out to his place again just recently after he had been recording with Art VS Science and they had given him a "plaque" kinda thing with all his sayings on it. "Thinkin is stinkin" "It's not the difference between Gold and Platinum" and "The Mute button is our friend" are three that spring to mind. He is so relaxed and open to ideas but will give you really clear direction when recording, which is really important. He'll also tell you what's shit and what's good and knows how to make you relax when you're getting uptight about something. Magoo is an amazing producer and a great friend.
Whats the songwriting process for The Rocketsmiths?
It goes two ways... The first is that Ianboy (lead guitar) and I get together with acoustic guitars and work on songs we've written in our bedrooms. Once we refine those (cut out parts, add parts, change vocals etc) we take the song to the other three boys and work out how to make it sound even better. Usually this is over a few weeks and everyone changes and suggests things and adds and takes away pieces of the song. The other way has just been us fucking around in the rehearsal room, someone coming up with a riff or an idea and we just jam on that until something works.
Which artists have influenced the band?
Probably The Drones, Snowman, Mess Hall, Fratellis, Kaiser Chiefs and the Archie Bronson Outfit are main influences. That's not to say we sound anything like any of them. But they influence us and we like them.
What can people expect from the show at MUM @ World Bar on the 29th?
A lot of energy, fun and a lot of songs from The Bones. Afterwards, probably a bit of a drunken behavior and giving away CDs.
What's the first song you would put on the mix tape?
Depends on the mood of the mixtape. If it's a "let relax and enjoy good music" mixtape it would be Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Bob Dylan. If it was let's have a party it would be You Are A Casino by Snowman. Is that a suitable answer?
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