In today’s A-Z challenge, we find out more about The Chinaskis as the band take on our A-Z challenge!
A song that made you want to make music?
“I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty.
Best rider you have had?
We played a corporate event in Edinburgh, Scotland once back in the 2010s – it was a showcase of lots of local Scottish food, so everything from fresh fish to haggis, the finest beers, wines and food – and all for free! The end of the night felt a bit hazy for sure.
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Hearing my song playlisted on Dallas FM radio – one of those real “wow this is incredible” moments.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Probably the one I’m most proud of is “Sky Turn Black”, which is about a friend of mine who lost her husband very suddenly in a brutal accident on a railway. They were in their thirties, had their whole life ahead of them and then – bang – that was it, all of a sudden she was a widow and having to deal with the worst psychic pain imaginable.
I was lucky enough to get to make a documentary with her (my day job for a while was film-making) about her story which ended up getting shown to hundreds of thousands of people across the world – it changed my life and my career, and I really wanted to write a song that conveyed my amazement at the inner strength and resilience that she showed to get through that and continue to live her life… so when I wrote that song I cried, which made me realize it was worth writing. And when we recorded it and put some beautiful pedal steel and harmonies on it, I cried again, it was very cathartic. So that’s my favorite song and one I’m very proud of.
Easiest song you wrote?
It’s crazy, they just come to me fully-formed, all I do is write the lyrics to the melodies that pop into my head. So I’d say something like “Find a Hero”, which really wrote itself as an angry political song.
Favourite song in your set?
All of them, but I do love playing “Paper Tiger” and getting to the trippy, noisy ending.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Eddie Vedder.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
The hardest thing is definitely having to get people to come to the gigs, that’s tough to do, especially when many of your pals are in their forties!
Interesting fact about you?
I have a PhD in violent Italian cinema from the 60s, 70s and 80s. So that’s “Doctor Robbie” to you, pal.
Joke you have in the band?
Most of them are NSFW, sorry. Although I do like to tell people about the time I found a trumped buried in my back yard. It took me ages to root-tit-toot.
Key to writing a song?
I treat the guitar like a divining rod. Pick it up, strum it, and the songs just float down.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
We played the U.K.’s most remote pub once. We were lucky to get out alive, between encountering the locals and getting chased by a peacock.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Chris Cornell. Best singer of all time.
New band/artist you’d recommend?
I’m not cool enough to recommend any bands who are just starting out. But check out Khruangbin from Houston – one of the most unique and amazing bands out there.
Opening for this band/artist would be ideal?
Pearl Jam.
Place you’d most like to tour?
California.
Quote that you’d like to pass on to our readers?
I always love the Bukowski one – “Find what you love and let it kill you”.
Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?
Our last album was “Songs for the Scunnered” – that really seemed to fit the vibe of the songs. “Scunnered” is a good Scottish word meaning “pissed-off, tired, angry”.
See us live at?
Your peril.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
100%. I love new music but it was all pretty much done by the year 2000 as far as my typical listening goes.
Unusual merchandise?
None really – we have t-shirts, stickers and beer coasters. Maybe we’ll get the Chinaskis butt plug ready in time for the festive season this year.
Variations you’d like to do on one of your songs?
Honestly, I love them the way they are. I’d love to hear someone else interpret them though.
What do your fans mean to you?
I’m inspired every day when I see who’s listening, liking the posts, and interacting with us. It’s the most rewarding thing and absolutely the reason I got into songwriting in the first place.
X-rays or any other treatments needed for performance-related injuries?
None yet…
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
I’m never late! My timekeeping is tighter than a duck’s arse.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of you?
A toucan. The perfect mix of something functional but also fun and colorful – and the ability to peck the eyes out of your head if you mess with it.