Want to know more about The Sourheads? We asked lead guitarist Mik Crone to take on our A-Z challenge and tell us more…
A song that made you want to make music?
As a kid I was kind of blown away by the big American bands of the time like Motley Crue, Guns n Roses, and LA Guns but I also had a liking for older stuff like Kiss, Kansas and Deep Purple. I know Jake our singer would say something by The Doors. Lamb and Ben would probably say something by The Charlatans or Shed Seven. I would probably say Love Gun by Kiss.
Best rider you’ve ever had?
Playing clubs and stuff we often get free booze which is all very good if you get there at 6 or 7 but any earlier it can be a disaster. So I would probably say a Pizza or something. We are new so we are not at the M&M faze yet. I personally like a nice quiche.
Craziest thing you’ve experienced in the band?
We played Leeds last year and Jake took a liking to a guy in the audience who was wearing women’s clothes. So he paused the set and swapped clothes and performed the later half in full drag. A guy in the audience shouted Jesus in a dress!
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
At the beginning of Power of Addiction Jake sings ‘There’s no sunshine in a body bag’ which kind of sums up the story of the song. Its anti drugs in the sense that everything can be going well but you can’t see it because of addiction. You have to take the adrenaline of life and be at one with the gift of existence. We have to look for good within a bad world without numbing ourselves.
Easiest song you wrote?
Our songs are about groove and feel. We aren’t Beethoven. I would probably say Power of Addiction was an easy one musically. Not so playing wise as I decided to play it on an organ and not guitar.
Favourite song in your set?
Don’t get caught (I am the Lotus) it’s kind of the first song we did and the opening line is ‘I am the Lotus!’ Seems to be a big fan favourite. We have friends of the band who now refer to themselves as other things now. We know the Locust he seems a nice guy.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
It would be great to work with someone like Debbie Harry, maybe Madonna, someone from a different genre as we want to be the best at what we do and adding someone like Slash or Jim Morrison would be too similar to our ethic and style. Maybe some film element, Maybe John Carpenter or Goblin adding some nice 70’s synth.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
In the past with previous bands its personality clashes but with The Sourheads we all actually get on really well. No arguments. We are open and honest and say what we think but respect each other to see the band as a big picture and not an ego trip. Scheduling tour dates around commitments that puts bread on the table is always a challenge but luckily we work pretty slickly. It’s important to at least break even in a band. We do that all the time. Passion doesn’t always equal pound notes or dollar bills.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Ben our bass player is the brother of Simon Taylor from InMe
Jokes you have in the band?
We are all very amusing people in general so I think we all laugh at each other. A bunch of beer swilling pirate type people. Not ones to fall asleep next to each other. Actually I would probably be better off after a tour if didn’t insist on having my own room.
Key to writing a song?
The groove. You have to lock in to a groove and then vary it. Look at Shoot the Runner by Kasabian or Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll by Ian Drury and the Blockheads. It’s about the groove then add sparkle. The lyrics are always done last as Jake gets the vibe from the rehearsal. We are all influenced by different genres and styles of music. We have classic rock, indi music, stoner music, blues, pop. We usually come up with an idea like let’s write a Stones type song or that Doors song sounded good. We have the starting point of our own influences then warp it into something original.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Just the UK at the moment the album came out Nov 17th so we are looking at Europe maybe USA next year.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
I’m a big fan of Gary Numan. I love the idea of creating everything in a studio and playing everything. You have to be the drummer and bass player and singer etc. Where do you start?. I tried a few times and after about 30 minutes of trying to remember how to sequence drums etc I’m ready for a lay down
New band you’d recommend?
Red Spektor. An Amazing 3 piece. Debut album came out a while ago. We have played with them a number of times and we have a mutual love for each other. They are like a heavy Psychedelic Blues Black Sabbath hybrid style band. They are starting to break now playing some major festivals.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Someone pure. Kasabian, ZZ Top, Alice Cooper, Clutch, not just one band. We would open for anyone. How about Demi Lovato, Love the music Multi Genre. As long as we are bringing it to the people.
Place you’d most like to tour?
West coast of America. I go every year for a month and stay on Laurel Canyon. I love the place. The weather, the vibe of West Hollywood. So America.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
You can take my money, take my home but you will never get your hands on the rock and roll of life. – Sourheads Lyric
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
Care Plan for the soul. We are fed visions of pain and torment every day. The internet and the news spread the vilest things that are happening in the world. Step back. Light some candles and put on a good album. Sooth your soul.
See us live at?
Throughout the UK next year but before that we have a Nice intimate gig with our friends Red Spektor in Leeds at The Primrose on Dec 15th .
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
They were less throwaway. A label would develop a group’s career. Multiple albums. Now it’s 10 min’s and gone. We are lucky though that there is an upsurge in Vinyl and magazines are catering for more mature readers.
Unusual merchandise?
T shirts, Vinyl, CD, and Stickers see how it goes.
Variations you’d like to do of any of your songs?
We already did that. Simon from InMe did a dance remix of Demon for us. It’s on Soundcloud. We like the idea of being multi genre.
What do your fans mean to you?
Its nice to chat and hang out with people. We are all fans of music and the people who listen to our music are like minded people. Tom Watson the deputy leader of the Labour Party is a big fan. He came to and Tweeted our instore and said he loved us. Any one behind the arts and music is a friend of ours.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
No. only antacid and Hangover cures.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Our singer Jake. He functions in a different way to everyone else in the world.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
A Rhino because we are the last of a beautiful eloquent dying breed but if we charge at you would know it. Either that or a Penguin.