The Members, #7: Andrew Mckellar

It's been a while since I updated The Members series I did. Andrew Mckellar, the guitarist from Civil Twilight, the best band by far to leave South Africa's shores was interviewed by Ultimate Guitar.

With all the fanfare being spun around 2008’s Twilight movie, it is easy to presume that the melodic rock outfit Civil Twilight adopted their name from the movie, but in fact the rock trio originally from Cape Town, South Africa took their name from the aviation term for the time of night when only the brightest stars are visible. The band members, who consist of lead singer/bassist/pianist Steve McKeller, his brother and guitarist in the band Andrew McKeller, and their good friend Rich Wouters on drums, gravitated to each other due to their musical compatibility. Since 1996, they have been gradually been building momentum in commercial markets and establishing a steady fanbase whom they can count on for support.

Civil Twilight released their debut album Human in 2007. They were lucky enough to be picked up by a TV and Film placement company based in Los Angeles who placed a few of their songs in prominent television shows and major films. Wind-Up Records liked what they heard. They signed Civil Twilight and released the band’s self-titled sophomore release in March 2009. The band is presently on tour where guitarist Andrew McKeller was generous enough to answer some questions for Ultimate-Guitar.com.

UG: What brought the members of Civil Twilight together?

Andrew McKeller: We all grew up in the same small town in South Africa and attended school together. Rich and I were in the same grade and one day decided to start jamming together. We later brought my younger brother Steve to practice and he eventually became the singer and bass player. I'm grateful for those early series of events. We would be no where if we didn't have Steve on board. I guess it's a small mystery why we are still together. We respect each-other, which helps and we have all shared a lot of challenging times. Moving to the States with nothing and having to survive, we all lived in a hot sweaty garage and shared a car for years. We even shared a cell-phone for almost a year. Through all that you learn another level of respect.

Who came up with the name of the band?

The name came from a list of aviation terms we had been looking through. We were a little inspired by the band name Wilco, also an aviation term. Out of all the names we were looking through, Civil Twilight seemed to stick out. Its definition is a certain time of twilight when only the brightest stars are visible. I don't think any of us really have a strong connection to the name. We just liked it and decided to use it.

"I guess it's a small mystery why we are still together."

Who were some of you musical influences while growing up?

Bands like Oasis, Silverchair, Reef etc. were mine and Steve’s first introduction to music that made me want to listen and hear more and ultimately made me want to play guitar. As a young teenager I related very quickly to the angst and attitude in the music. I couldn't give a shit what they were saying but I could feel the passion and I wanted to somehow create that. Music is a very emotional medium for me. The very fact that just the sound of a guitar can make you want to break something or make you cry is still incredible to me. Bands like Rage Against The Machine or more specifically Tom Morello or Jack White can create music that gives you a sense of power and invulnerability just from the notes they choose to play. Or someone like Jeff Buckley who can make you feel his desperation and sensitivity by what he plays. I think I've always been attracted to music that stirs me and the mystery of it.

What was it like growing up in Cape Town, South Africa?

Cape Town is a very beautiful place with a very diverse culture. White sandy beaches and mountains surround the city and we spent most of our time outside. As many people know, South Africa has had a very shameful history of segregation. We were lucky enough to have great parents who were against what was happening at the time. Our perspective growing up was that of equality and respect for all people. South Africa has an incredible mix of people, and therefore music, and we all grew an appreciation for that. South African bands like Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were great. And the jazz scene too had a very unique flavor which I still enjoy. Elements of all that can be heard on more commercial albums like Paul Simons [record] Graceland, which included some South African musicians. I have a great appreciation for different cultures and what they all bring to society.
I feel very privileged to have grown up there.

What was the impetus for making your first record Human? Where did those songs come from, and what made you feel ready to release them to the public?

Well, we recorded that album pretty quick and it was a reflection of what we felt at the time. We had been writing a lot and went into the studio and pretty much played everything live. Songs like “Human” were done completely live with no overdubs. Once it was all done we didn't really think there was much of an option but to release it. And at the time we were still unsigned and wanted something we could tour with and sell. We got the interest of a TV and film placement company in LA who got us placements on “House,” “Without A Trace” and the new “Terminator” series. And eventually the interest of Wind-Up Records who signed us in mid 2008.

How did the music industry respond to Human?

The only real avenue we had to sell the record was at shows, and we set up an online store where you could buy the record for $5 or download it for free if you wanted to. We just wanted to get our music our there and thought if it was available for free, people who didn't want to spend the $5 could just get it. We encouraged everyone to buy it if they liked it. As far as the industry goes, we had a few reviews online and in magazines but our biggest response has been from the TV/Film industry. They gave us a chance to be in front of a lot of people and we gained a few new fans from that.

How did you meet David Kosten and what was it like working with him on your self-titled recording released earlier in 2009?

David was great. We had such a relaxed, fun time working with him. He had some great ideas and pushed us a bit to think outside of the box. We were given a list of producers from Wind-Up and really liked what he was doing. The Bat For Lashes stuff was great as well as his own stuff under Faultline. So it was a no brainer when we had to choose. I hope we get to work with him again in the future.

"Its definition is a certain time of twilight when only the brightest stars are visible."

What was the inspiration for the song “Letters In The Sky”? How did this song evolve and when did the band know it sounded the way you wanted it to on the album?

This song was written in the studio. I remember hearing Steve playing a riff on the piano and I really liked it, so we all got into the live room and started playing with him. We jammed it out a couple times and it all came together pretty quick. There was a vibe there already and we just reinforced it. It's a love story about a man in a prison camp who is dreaming of being free and seeing his loved one again. We didn't think too hard about this, but the dynamics of the music seemed to fit perfectly with the story.

What elements do you look for in you songs? What do you listen for when you are developing the songs?

The process was very natural. We would jam for hours on end and listen back to elements we liked and construct songs from those. At the time there wasn't much of a conscience effort to have a theme or particular mood for the album. Once listening back to what we were working on we tried to make sure that the songs had an emotion to them. A song like “Human” was written by Steve while we were in South Africa visiting the family. When he played it to us in the studio one day we knew right away that we had to record it and put it on the album. It spoke to all of us and continues to speak to me.

UG: What is next for Civil Twilight?

That’s a good question. Well, we are touring right not and will continue to do that for a while. It has been very exciting traveling around America and playing. We are continuing to write new material and be inspired by what we hear and do. Trying to be a better band is one of the next steps, I guess. The music industry is a very different place these days, so we are always trying to think of new ways of making this band a success, whatever that means. But success for us, I think, is more about getting to do what we love, being creative and making music we are proud of.

[Original Source]

Click here for more on Civil Twilight.

The Members, #6: Arjuna Kohlstock

Next up on in our Member's series is the latest addition to The Plastics, Arjun. No, he's not Indian. The Plastics decided to become a "real band" by adopting another member to their ranks. Read below and get to know a little about the last quarter.

1. How did you come to be apart of The Plastics? And, how does it feel being apart of a band that seems to be going places?

I have been really good friends with Sasha and Pascal (drummer and vocalist) since the year 2000 as we used to gig together at the Purple Turtle and other seedy clubs in our respective punk bands ie. Hoax and War On Salt . Since then we have remained tight and share the same love for music and partying. I first got to know Karl (bassist) on “The Joint Tour,” which consisted of The Plastics and my previous band, The Allstar Funk Four, touring a couple of venues down the West Coast. When Allstar broke up I went to work in Australia for a couple of months. Before I left there was talk of me joining The Plastics when I get back. The guys said they would “wait for me,” it was quite romantic actually… While I was away I kept up with what The Plastics where up to on their myspace, facebook etc. and grew quite excited when reading all the good press, cd reviews and news of all sponsorship deals and competitions they were winning left right and centre. When I got back we got straight into jamming and I felt right at home in the rehearsal studio with these three down-to-earth guys. After only 2 weeks of practising we were inside Sound and Motion Studios, recording tracks for the upcoming EP. This was due to another sponsorship deal they had landed for themselves while I was abroad. So yeah, I’m super amped and feel really fortunate to be joining such a talented band.

2. What do you do in the band?

I play guitar and do backup vocals

3. What are you adding to the band that they didn’t already have?

Second guitar parts, duh!

4. Have you ever played in a band before?
   

I used to play guitar for the Rap/Funk/Rock/Pop band, The Allstar Funk Four for about 3 years and before that I played guitar and attempted to sing for my punk band War On Salt (not really worth mentioning, but hey)

5. What do you outside of being a musician?

I love vegan and vegetarian cooking, chilling with Mary Jane and going to all the beautiful naturist places we have here in Cape Town.

6. Who are your biggest musical influences?

My influences change daily, but the ones that have stuck are probably Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson (mainly Jackson 5 stuff), The Bloodhound Gang, Air, Daft Punk and Dr Dre.

7. Who are you listening to at the moment?

Coldplay, The Ting Tings, Aerosmith, The Plastics, Moloko, The Beatles and Goldfish.

8. If not The Plastics, what other SA band would you have liked to join? Why?

Max Normal TV. Because they rock. Not sure where I would fit in though… Or maybe Gang of Instrumentals.

9. When will you begin performing with the band? When and where can we expect to see you on stage for the first time?

My first gig with The Plastics is coming up this weekend (Sat 22^nd) at The Assembly. We will be playing with Kidofdoom, Yesterday's Pupil, Jax Panik, and ETC crew – its going to be an awesome show!

10. What is the next big thing on the music scene in Cape Town?

Finger Clothing (available at the Finger store on Kloof Str)

So, there's Arjun. I think this band has a little way to go (as do all SA bands) but they are headed in the right direction and taking the (or a) right approach. As Arjun said, they are currently recording another EP. Good stuff lads. I reviewed their first EP. Check it!

Again, as Arjun mentioned they are playing this weekend [Saturday] at The Assembly with a host of exciting acts from other parts of SA.

Facebook event page

Myspace

Become a fan!

The Members, #5: Darren Leader

Next up in our Members Series is Darren (the drummer) from Zebra & Giraffe. You will remember them from when they totally outplayed the Dirty Skirts at the Assembly last month.

1. What other bands have you played in before and how have they influenced the way you play today?

Literally the first band that I played in worth mentioning was Harris Tweed. I joined them when I was 19, my first year out of school! It was an amazing learning experience, and one that gave me so many great memories too! I learnt about playing as a controlled drummer as all those drum parts were relatively simple, but were very specific. I learnt a lot from Darryl (Torr). But I then went off the band scene for a while. Later I joined Zebra & Giraffe and a band called Voodoo Child simultaneously. The Voodoo Child thing was purely a temporary slot as their drummer had to have an operation. I’m now just part of Z & G.

2. How long have you been playing drums? How did you get started?

I’ve been playing drums since I was about 8, so 12/13 yrs. I literally can’t even remember “starting” to be honest. I’ve just kind of always played for as long as I can remember, but I started lessons at about 8 yrs old! I grew up playing in church, so that was my first kind of “education” as far as I can remember!

3. In South Africa it is next to impossible to be a band member for a living. What do you do to supplement your band income?

Ya you’re right! I give drum lessons privately a lot! That’s pretty much my main source of income, which my band income supplements… I also have a few business ventures going with my dad which helps a lot, and do some drumming session work when I can! I’ve always believed that as a muso, in any country actually, but especially here, you need to have multiple sources of income, so if one dries up suddenly, you can still eat!

4. What are you studying? Where? What do you want to be when you get big?

I hope I never get big! But I’m studying a Bcom, retail management degree. I kind of see it as a side project to the music thing, and if all goes according to plan music-wise, I wont need to use it! We will wait and see I guess…

5. How does it feel being part of a band like Zebra & Giraffe that seems to have hit almost instant fame in South Africa?

Ya its pretty crazy man. I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the “fame” thing although I would like to clarify and say outright that we are nowhere near ‘famous’ at all! Haha… Fame is an extremely fickle thing! It’s amusing to me that before you get onto stage and people don’t know that you play in a band, they wont look twice at you (especially girls actually!), but as soon as you walk off stage after playing they suddenly wanna talk or get you to sign something even though I’m the same person as I was when I walked on stage 45 minutes ago you know? It’s pretty funny actually. But ya, it’s cool to be part of something getting a bit off attention!

6. What is your best Z&G gigging memory? And most embarrassing?

Ah wow, it’s really early to say man… I think this like only our 2^nd or 3^rd month of gigging, so we haven’t had much time to rack up embarrassing experiences yet, but I guess it would be on studio 1, live on tv, and in the second chorus of ‘the knife’, like the biggest part of our biggest song, and I dropped my stick! Haha… All the power just vaporised! Oh well it wasn’t too bad! My best gigging memory so far would probably be our show at The Assembly in Cape Town with the Dirty Skirts recently! Or our big show at the Alexander Theatre in Joburg to start off our tour. Both great crowds and such good energy… We can’t ask for more!

7. Who are your heroes?

Um… Probably my parents just cause they are super supportive of my musical career, and just such great people. Definitely my grandfather too.. Just an amazing and wise guy.

8. Biggest influences? Why them?

Influences musically would definitely be Neill Ettridge and Andre Luke my drum teachers. I also have a lot of drummer friends like Matt Marinus (who actually played drums on the Z & G album), and Dave Nilsson. Then guys from church like Raymond Green, and other guys I’ve played with for a long time!

9. What are you listening to mostly these days?

Wow that’s a hard one! I listen to a lot of strange music actually!! I love jazz, so I listen to a lot of that like Pat Metheny, Christian Mcbride band, Mike Stern etc. and a lot of fusion stuff! At the moment, band wise, which I guess you’re more interested in, I’m loving the new Kings Of Leon (as is everybody), I love Mutemath, Bloc Party, Death Cab, Damien Rice, anything with Dallas Green (Alexisonfire, or City in Colour), Circa Survive and some old school stuff like Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire. A whole lot more, but that’s enough for now!

10. Who would you say is the most exciting South African band to keep an eye on in the next year or so?

Gee… The S.A. music industry has just improved so much in the last while that there are actually quite a few, but I think Fokofpolisiekar, with their new album is gonna be popular. I’m also so excited for everyone to hear the new Harris Tweed (Dear Reader) album! The new material is really different, but every aspect is great! I have so much respect for that band!

11. What is your favourite thing to do when not playing drums?

I’m a homebody man… I like being at home and comfortable. I also have a close group of friends that I hang out a lot with when I’m not away. Mostly chilled out stuff like movies or just a good old braai is on my list of cool things to do! I’m also addicted to the t.v. show Scrubs! I have pretty much all the dvd’s and so I watch a lot of that in spare time. I also practice a lot drum-wise when I have off time. It’s therapy!

12. Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I Have no idea which is one of the reasons why I love being in the music industry. I hope to be a lot more involved in the session scene. That’s my passion and my ultimate goal (to make a career out of playing music). I also hope to be finished my degree and I hope to continue growing some business ventures as that interests me, and just continuing to do what I wanna do! Never settling into something that bores me or taking the ‘safe’ option u know?

13. Anything you would like to add?

Um… I must say I’m impressed with the way that the scene is growing and how people have started to really support the local music scene, but I just hope that people are supporting it because they really like the music and not just because its local you know? I think some artists try guilt people into supporting their music just because it’s local. Supporting mediocre music breeds mediocrity, so I just hope that people continue to support the music but for the right reasons! Oh and I need to find a girlfriend, so please mail suggestions to Richard!! Any help is greatly appreciated! Haha… Only joking! Cheers man.

He really does want a girl friend. Send me pics. :)

Catch Zebra & Giraffe in Cape Town twice this month!!! First at Ratanga for the Hands up Summer Festival (8 November) where they will be playing with the Skirts (again) and then (my highlight) at Kirstenbosch on 23 November for the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts! Check it!

The Members, #4: Richard Brokensha

So, next up in our prestigious Members' series is Richard Brokensha from Pretoria. He is a member of two awesome bands up there. Kidofdoom and Isochronous. Isochronous recently played a couple gigs in Cape Town for the first time. They rocked out and stole fans. Check my review of the gig.

He plays guitar and lead vocals for Isochronous and he plays guitar and synth for Kidofdoom.

1. How long have you been playing music?

10 years

2. What was the first instrument you played?

Piano

3. How many instruments can you play now?

I can play 8 instruments. They are; Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Cautro, Accordian.

4. What do you do with your life when you are not making music?

I'm always making music, but I usually chill with my girlfriend, or fly fish when I have a break, which isn’t often.

5. What are you hoping to achieve with the release of the Isochronous album?

A new look on music and a deeper meaning and understanding from the public towards rock music.

6. Not many people know or will ever know how it feels to play in a band, let alone two bands. How does it feel to be a part of two successful bands?

It is quite an overwhelming sensation, especially the feeling while performing; both bands have quite a different aura to each other and they allow me to express different parts of my personality accordingly.

7. Is it difficult at times?

It can be quite difficult, I don’t get much time to spend with my friends and family and focusing on my studies whilst playing all the time is quite intense, but it's my love for the music that keeps me going,

8. If Isochronous could tour the world with one International act, who would it be?

Mew, because they are probably the most unique and intelligent rock bands at the moment

9. What are you listening to (music wise) at the moment?

Quite a bit of Electronica, like Telepopmusiek and Lamb, but I always return to Mew and Jeff Buckley.

10. Where do you find most of your inspiration for your song writing?

Inspiration comes from within my soul and mind. I try dig deep into my sub conscious and accept certain things about myself to allow my relationships and understanding of life to be enhanced, then I try write it in a way that allows the normal person on the street to relate to the lyrics. Marko also writes a lot of the lyrics.

11. Why has it taken so long for Isochronous to get down to Cape Town when Kidofdoom has been down quite a few times in the last year?

We have been creating a professional performance and felt that the time is right now.

12. Would you agree with people when they say Isochronous has at times hints of a Kidofdoom sound?

The only reason for this is because I am in both bands and aspects of my expression will surely come out in the music. It’s like a person’s accent when speaking a language. When you speak to different people your accent still remains the same.

13. Anything else?

Check out our Myspace and join our Facebook

group.

So that's all from Richard. Short and sweet.

Nice.

The Members, #3: David Huson

Next up in our Members series, is David Huson the bassist from New Loud Rockets. He also happens to be the fashion trail blazer of the band while studying Dentistry at UWC.

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

If referring to pseudo-participation, then definitely my rendition of treble-clef-flair, whilst sharing a piano stool with my father. Christmas carols from a book with a particularly pretty cover.
Otherwise, trying to pajama-sidestep to MC Hammer.

2. What are your biggest musical influences?

Home (where the heart is; with brothers, parents and the like).
The weight of the world.
Childhood (the happy parts of adolescence, too).
Oh, and, Michael Jackson.

Also featuring guest appearances from: Television (Marquee Moon), Red Hot Chili Peppers (ah, pre-pubescent summertime), Shout Out Louds (“Trackin’ and a trainin’” is how I seem to live my life)…yes, The Strokes too, and a host of obscure, ultra-indie-electro-thrash/thrash/thrash band names that I’d like to make reference to here.

3. What is your fondest band memory?

Possibly our first show in Stellenbosch, upstairs within the Hidden Cellar. It marked our first performance with Desmond & The Tutus. The evening I met you too, Rich. Stephen, John and I proceeded to mount the stage and dance – maniacally – to their set. Or, maybe the time we slept in what seemed like a concentration camp dormitory, stumbling in after a show (the small hours of the morning), and someone left a note in my shoe (in lipstick; I might add) that read “I heart KidOfDoom”.

4. What do you do when you are not playing music?

Hanging with Jesus. (In a sincere way.)
Video store - clerking-it, um…yo.
Running. (The road and I.)
Investigating the intricacies of beard growing.
Invading peoples’ personal space in an attempt to help them feel better about their smiles. (Yes, that’s how I justify it.)
Surrounding myself with teeth, mouths and such pleasant things that Dentistry has to offer.
It’s a modest business. But, we get by.

5. What band are you listening to at the moment?

MGMT. I know it’s no “revolutionary” answer. I can dig that.
I guess, ‘I’m feeling rough, I’m feeling wrong in the time of my life’.
You know, ‘picking insects off plants – no time to think of consequences’.

6. What is the next big fashion accessory in the “Indie” world?

The BetaMax-cassette-suspended-from-a-shoelace-around-one’s-neck.
(Contrary to popular believe it is NOT the headband. Total fashion faux.)

7. When are we expecting a feature length album from the New Loud Rockets?

Our Commerce department (i.e. my brother, Stephen) has been swamped with accounts, trying to make sense of our year-end financial statements. We’re not quite financially sound as of yet – to venture down the path of a feature length album. But, we’re optimistic cats. Sometime in the very near, future present. We hope.

8. Who is the craziest member of the band?

I would have to say…Bernard - our invisible oboe player and resident, band badminton champion. Hands-down.

9. Have you ever been stalked by a fan?

A bizarre girl, who previously stayed in an apartment near the park where I once lived, would phone me, arbitrarily, to ask me stuff. I quite obviously never had the correct answers (or any at all) to her questions. I am not especially good with being blunt, and so, interrogations would continue (to undesirable lengths). There is a pending fear that if I ever see her again, she might beat me into submission – for avoiding her – as she boasts an impressive body mass index (for a junior Ukrainian weightlifter).
There was also this golf instructor from Tygervallei, Willie, who continued to buy me drinks one night, after a show of ours.
Ewww.

10. What are your personal dreams for the band?

Romantic, celebrity entanglements involving Natalie Portman or Keira Knightley. (A good friend of mine, James Boonzaier – from Howard Roark infamy, and the infamy that goes with being ludicrously tall, too – have a running debate as to whether they are in fact the same person.) I just hope for his sake they are two, separate human beings, ‘cause we all know the appeal of a man of average height and untamed facial hair.
Having a message; that a kid hears when he’s eating his cereal in the morning. While listening to the radio, or when watching television, and he realises something. Something most other kids won’t see or feel. And, he wants to let them know; the other kids. So, he draws it or writes or portrays it in the form of interpretive dance.
(Ok, maybe not like that. But, something along those lines.) Inspiring someone, deeply, maybe?

11. Anything else?

Yeah, I would like show how to solve one of those Chinese finger puzzles...or, the Rubix cube.
A quote would be good right now, like David Starsky’s ‘Be yourself. That’s what’s really cool.’ But, I can’t think of any.

So that’s my good friend and New Loud Rockets band member David. If you want to see David and the rest of the NLR perform some time soon, you can! Hop along to the Rocking the Daisies in early October and see them perform alongside some other big SA bands and some not so big SA bands. If you are patient, you may even get to see one of the biggest international washed up has been of the 90’s! Drum roll……… Eagle Eye Cherry!

Go along, it’ll be fun. No really, there are some exciting acts. I wish I could be going. I have exams.

The Members, #2: James Boonzaier

So, next up in our Members series is electric guitarist James Boonzaier from the once was band, Howard Roark. I think he read the answers from Doug's interview before answering the following questions.

1. What are you studying? With the aim of doing what?

I’m studying a BSc in Electro-Mechanical Engineering with the aim of getting very very rich…so that Doug can sleep at my house. Because Desmond and the Tutus isn’t a very good band - they won’t be able to afford houses.

2. Howard Roark behind you, what lies ahead? Any new exciting musical endeavours?

I’m currently practicing for my audition with Desmond and the Tutu’s. They’re the best band in the world.

…Jokes aside; since the split I’ve been writing quite a bit. No long term plans, but I’m looking at getting it all together towards the end of the year. Tell your friends.

3. What do you do in your spare time?

I write songs. Don’t you listen? And I work on my very awesome motorcar known to many as Ringo. Ringo is a Volkswagen Beetle. He Is a boy. He is rad. He is almost new and very loud…almost like a rocket.

4. Who has been your greatest musical influence over the years?
   

That would be the guitarist from Desmond and the Tutus. I don’t know his name. He’s the best guitarist in the world. Other than him: Sting, Nic Valensi. 60’s and 70‘s folk…I recommend: Steppenwolf, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Dylan, America (listen to Ventura Highway, then stone Janet Jackson.)

5. What are you listening to at the moment?

Doug stole my answer…so aside from The Black Keys, Tuck Shop – Desmond and the Tutu’s (available from most Look ‘n Listen stores), Fleetwood Mac, aKing…and I must confess, there’s been a bit of the Howard Roark, Main Attraction EP (available from Ringo’s cubbyhole).

6. Who is your favourite South African band at the moment?

Desmond and the Tutus. But I like all South African music exactly the same amount.

7. If there was an internationally recognised band that needed an electric guitarist, what band would you like to play for?

Thieve. They’re not actually internationally recognised yet. They’re from Durbanville. They asked me to play for them last year, but ironically, now that I’m available, they don’t want me anymore. This is not a joke. Thieve is going to be better than Desmond and the Tutus.

8. Do your dreams for the future lie in music or in engineering or both?
   

Well, obviously if it happens, music, but that depends whether I get that spot with Desmond and the Tutus. If I don’t I definitely won’t be doing engineering. It’s boring. I’m going into Industrial Design when I finish my course. I’m planning to study design in Europe; probably England or the Netherlands.

9. Finally, do you read blogs? If so, which are your top 3 frequented blogs?

I don’t speak Klingon…what’s a blog?

So thats James. He is not as much of a retard as he lets on in this interview. Watch out for an interview with Dave from NLR soon.

The Members, #1: Dangerous Douglas

I had this idea a long time ago, but I only am getting my act together now. The Members is a series that I will be running on Smack Talk to get help us learn a little more about band members.
First, we have Douglas MacGregor, the electric guitarist from Desmond & The Tutus.

1. Douglas, are you a student?

No ways man, studying is for people who know what they want out of life. I am more like, "Life, what have you got, I've got a knife and some rope." I love rope and knives.

2. If you studied, what would you be studying?

If I were it would be something like how to make money by fooling people into believing you are working. Like a spy or something.

3. What do you want to be when you get big (besides a muso)?

I thought of becoming a director. It looks like a cool job, and I've got some good ideas.

4. What band are you listening to a lot of at the moment?

I have been listening to far too much Black Keys, I am going to start smoking Gunston if I am not careful.

5. How did you get involved in Desmond & The Tutus?

I played the guitar with Shane and Craig for long, but not serious, Nick and I also used jam a lot. He taught me to play. I am kind of the glue as it were a certain catalyst.

6. What are you hoping to achieve with the release of Tuck Shop?

World fame. People take us quite seriously now that we are a real band and all.

7. Shane getting married, you see this as good, bad or neutral for the band? (Obviously, it is awesome for him!)

Well it is cool for him, but it sucks for me. I have to find a job that can support my lifestyle, Angie won't let me move in with them when they get married so I'll have to find a place to stay too.

8. What dreams have you had for the band that you see being fulfilled in the next five years?

We want to go overseas and play for those bastards there, we'll see though. It looks good. I want Desmond to buy me a house.

9. I remember Craig saying something about you guys wanting to go to Japan. Is that still a dream? Any other long term goals for the band?

No other long term goals. I think those people will flipping dig us. I love watching Japanese people get amped and flip out and kill people. Karate is the coolest art.

Sweet. So that's the first installment. The more we know, the better I reckon. Any band members you want on here, let me know.