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Email interview June 2022
After years of treading the boards in Cambridgeshire pubs as a cover
band Max Headroom could play Mr Brightside, I Predict A Riot and many
other indie classics in their sleep. However, with debut single Gimme
Something, Max Headroom are now finally curing their creative itch.
But can these best bros write a great tune? You bet they can! Its
time to buckle up for Max Headroom's exciting adventure!
Max Headroom - who, what and why?
Mark : When we first started out as a covers band 7/8 years ago our
original guitarist was a lorry
driver and Dan being a lorry driver would pay attention to a lot of
Max Headroom road signs and originally thought Max Headroom and The
Car Parks was a fun name, especially for a little wedding band. This
was later shortened to Max Headroom after a couple of complaints from
pub landlords about having to write our name on chalk boards! Along
the way we later found out that Max Headroom and The Car Parks was also
a wacky comedy thing from the 80s but we decided stuff it, well
keep on as we are.
Drew: DREW GIRLNG :LEAD VOCAL AND BASS, MARK ELLIS :GUITAR AND EDD MITCHELL
ON DRUMS.
WE WERE INITIALLY A THREE PIECE COVERS BAND BUT HAVE JUST STARTED WRITING
OUR OWN MATERIAL.
Describe your sound to an out of touch alien.
Mark : Its not just some strange white noise, its also an
energy source for the body designed to make you feel good.
Drew : Big singalong choruses, big guitars. Its feel good relatable
music.
What can you tell us about Gimme Something?
Mark : Musically it was our very first jam. Wed tried a song I
took to rehearsal and it was ok
then Drew smashed out the Bass riff and it Gimme Something just took
off. Its very deliberately
geared to our audience so we could slip it in next to Seven Nation Army
for example and wed
hope people wouldnt mind too much. So far so good!
Formally you've been a covers band, is this you planning to branch
out?
Mark : Yes definitely, this feels like the next step for us. Max Headroom
has had several line ups
through the years, the only constants being myself and Drew and we never
really felt like doing
originals with this band, but then when Edd joined something changed.
I put it down to all of us
being lifelong friends so the vibe between the three of us is just like
being brothers, couple that with us coming out swinging after lockdown
rules were relaxed and crowds being grateful to
receive live music it all just feels like one big ball of good will
thats gaining momentum and thats something we want to harness.
Drew : Yeah, people always asked us if wed written our own songs
and we always thought it
could be something pretty great and now weve finally made the
time to do it. At our gigs weve
been playing Gimme Something and Ive felt an enormous sense of
pride at peoples reaction to
it. We hope our other new songs will be received as well as Gimme Something.
All the band members have their own impressive pedigrees from bands
across the years. How does what you're doing now fuse and colour these?
Gimme Something certainly doesn't sound like Marks' previous duo, Elma...
Mark : Max Headroom is definitely a step away from Elma haha! Personally
I have always
preferred being in rock bands, I get a lot of satisfaction from all
the music I do but rocking out is still and has always really been where
its at for me. I think my time writing songs for Elma and working
with Boo Hewerdine on some of that project really sharpened my song
writing tools and
bringing that knowledge and experience into a more collaborative environment
will hopefully
benefit what we do. In Elma the arrangements were often quite elaborate
with horn sections and
strings on the album and I think that will also benefit Max Headroom
going forward, the write
guitar part/overall arrangement can really make or break a song.
Drew : We all have our individual influences but they all gel really
well. From Marks ventures to
Edds grungier efforts in Nuke The Wales through to my Pop Punk rock
influences in After Effect/
Finding Ana. Combine them all together and it seems to create something
that feels like an
unstoppable hybrid that shows off all of our individual features.
How does playing solo / in duos and acoustic compare with having a band
with you?
Mark : I really enjoy it! For a lot of years I tried being a solo artist
but in reality I knew my voice wasnt strong enough and that really
effected my confidence which of course effected my
performance and my output. Elma taught me that stepping back and working
with a great singer
can be just as fun and could let my songs shine and theres huge
satisfaction in that. Max
Headroom is like that x 10! Drews voice to me is epic and his
charisma on stage is second to
none when the stars align and all together we have each others back,
so if one of us is having a
down day the others are there to pick you up. Its so great.
Drew : Theres way less restrictions being in a band I find and
combing all of our experience really helps us put the songs together.
Thinking of bands you've covered, if you were playing festival, which
3 acts (living or dead) would you like to support you?
Mark : To support us?... well Id feel incredibly guilty and be
overcome by imposter syndrome but
definitely Weezer (this will surprise none of my friends), The Killers,
The Strokes.
Drew : Manic Street Preachers, Smashing Pumpkins and Bon Jovi (20 years
ago).
Who are your heroes / heroines - musical, artistic, literary, political...?
Mark : It would be too obvious and easy to say The Beatles... but they
were a big part of my
childhood. Id definitely put Dave Grohl in there, I just finished
reading his Storyteller book and
found it utterly inspiring. Plus his work ethic is stupidly impressive
and hes a lovely guy! I dont
know if I have a specific political hero but I am longing for change
and for us to get back to a fair and less hateful society some day!
Are there plans for an album? If so can you give us any exclusive
info on it? Will it sound like Gimme Something or will it be varied?
Mark : The current plan is to release two EPs before going for a full
album. Certainly the first EP will be like Gimme Something, big riffs,
fun singalong choruses but Im excited to see where we
go as we find our feet in the world of our own songs!
Drew : We have written the majority of our EP Which we are hoping for
an October release. It will be a similar energy to Gimme Something and
hopefully just as catchy!
What have you all learnt from your time around 'the biz'? What advice
would have for a year 6 band I work with?
Mark : Ive been burned a few times so I would say... Yes be excited,
but dont be afraid to ask
questions or seek advice. Its easy to get swept up in the moment
and get over excited or commit
to something. Stand your ground, think about whats best for you
and your music.
Drew : Never give up, take any criticism as advice and learn from it.
Remember that everyone has
their own individual taste in music.
How can people hear your music? Why should they bother?
Mark : You can hear Gimme Something on all streaming sites Spotify,
Apple Music, Tidal etc. Our music is designed for people to party to
and have a good time. So if you like smiling and dancing (even if its
just bobbing your head) thats why you should bother.
What's next for Max Headroom?
Mark : Well, we are still a covers band too so this summer sees us playing
lots of beer festivals, weddings, parties and all that jazz and yes,
we play Mr Brightside a lot! However, come the autumn there are some
live dates planned to air our originals. Watch this space!
Drew : Our second single Take Me Home will be released in September
and EP should be ready
for launch by October. Were going to play loads of shows and continue
to have the best time!
If you wanted me to give you something, what would
it be?
Mark : A gig in Wales!
Drew : Black Gibson Les Paul Custom and a lifetime of good luck!
What's best, chips or cream buns?
Mark : Definitely chips! Covered in too much salt, too much ketchup
and sat on the quay side at
Wells Next To the Sea. Nothing better than that!
Drew : Cream buns, no icing on top though, preferably fresh!