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1. At what age did your love of music first begin, and when did you
decide that music was something that you wanted to be a part of?
"I think I loved music from a very young age. From when my Grandad
used to put music on in his living room for us to dance to, and my parents
put Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys on the car stereo on long journeys.
When I got to about 8, I think I formed my first band, or duo, with
my best friend at the time and we called ourselves Twice Two. We never
really wrote any music though, just sang along to PJ & Duncan on
The Karaoke Machine and wrote them love letters, ha ha ha - I don't
believe I am telling you this. As I grew up and my music taste became
more acquired, I'd always go to gigs and look on admiringly and wish
it was me up there!"
2. Can you remember the first song that you ever learnt to play?
"I think the first few songs I learnt to play, were all Nirvana
songs, as my friend Anthony said he would teach me to play guitar and
he loved them! I think the first one was Come As You Are."
3. And then, can you remember the first song that you ever wrote?
"The first song I ever wrote is more tricky, but I was about 14
and I wrote it on my Grandma's piano in her house in the Lake District.
It was about how much my little sister annoyed me. She didn't like it
very much!"
4. As a band, how would you say your personalities and musical ideas
blend together?
"We are lucky in our band that we all get on really well together,
share the same sense of humour etc. and always have a laugh, so that's
the main thing. Especially when you have to spend a large amount of
time with each other, like we do. In terms of musical compatibility,
I'd say that we are all individually into different genres but that's
what makes our music so individual. However, there are also a lot of
bands that we all share equal passions for and get inspiration from."
5. Using only 1 word for each band member, how would you describe everyone
including yourself?
"Ken - Vitamin C, Dave - Bachelors Degree, Jim - Potpourri and
me… Insanity Plea."
6. Is it fulfilling for you all, to think that your work is now starting
to be noticed?
"Yeah, definitely. The last few months have been amazing and we're
gaining tons of new fans every day. It's quite weird to think that people
are sitting in their rooms listening to us, or driving home from work
and listening to us. We couldn't believe it when we first heard Shake
It! Shake It! played on Radio 1 - we were all at my parents' house having
band practise and all went a bit crazy."
7. When it comes to music on Thomas Tantrum's Tour Bus, which artist
/ group do you all agree on, and if you were asked to compile a 'Back
To The Bus' CD, which acts and songs would you include?
"Between us, we have a very eclectic taste in music, but there
is a fair bit of common ground we share on music too. I think the staple
CDs we might have, would be Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense, Elastica
- Elastica, Daft Punk - Homework, British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock
Music?, CSS and a whole ton more I can't even think of. We spend so
much time in the van, that we go through phases of listening to one
thing over and over. On the 9 hour drive back from Darlington once,
we listened to nothing but Dub."
8. Is there a particular band or artist, whose career path and musical
output / consistency, you greatly admire?
"Firstly, David Bowie. The consistency and variety of his albums
throughout The '70s is incredible. Every one a classic. More recently,
Radiohead have pursued a fascinating career path, never letting themselves
be compromised and releasing some stunning albums along the way."
9. Complete the following: I would like to write a song as good as…
and make an album that equals… ?
"I would like to write a song as good as Ghost Town by The Specials,
and make an album that equals Raw Power by Iggy And The Stooges."
10. Interestingly, some songwriters believe that they can communicate
better through songs, than they can in real life. Do you also feel like
this, and what are the main themes of your lyrics?
"I definitely agree with this. I think I turned to music because
I find it a lot easier to express how I feel this way. I can never seem
to find the right words in real life and confrontations, but if you
looked in my lyric book you might understand me a lot better. But no-one
is allowed in there!"
11. What inspires you outside of music?
"More music? Ha! No, I don't know? I like reading a lot, writing
poems and horse riding."
12. Is there anything that you can tell us about Thomas Tantrum, which
may surprise your fans?
"Would it surprise you if I told you that underneath our clothes,
we are all covered in scales. Part human, part dinosaur. I'm The Megasaurus!"
13. In reference to your band name, when was the last time that one
of you threw a tantrum?
"Errrm… probably at the weekend. We are all quite highly strung,
but it's only because we care about what we are doing so much."
14. Do you have any favourite haunts in Southampton, that you'd recommend
to us?
"Although Southampton isn't the most happening of cities, it is
still pretty cool. I've lived here since I was 10. Back then, I liked
going to the swimming pool and the gymnasium, but I'm not so active
these days! I like to hang out at Goblets for some fruit cider and a
fish finger sandwich. Lennons Club is good for new up-and-coming bands,
as is the Joiners. The Brook puts on some mental cover bands which can
be good, if you're in the mood. Talking Heads in Portswood is also not
one to be missed. It's a bit farther out of town, but worth the walk
for the sorts of bands and club nights held there."
15. I know you love browsing / buying in Charity Shops, but what
are some of the best bargains that you've ever found?
"I found a Wizard's cape not so long ago and bought that. I look
like something out of the Lord Of The Rings in it. I haven't worn it
yet though, but I did make a funny video of me and my sister wearing
it."
16. What's your Mobile Ringtone?
"At the moment, it's Shakira - or at least something that sounds
like Shakira. The one where she sings, "Even though my breasts
are small and humble." Before that, it was this old-fashioned ringtone
which sang, "Good morning, how are you? Shut up! Don't give me
the small talk, give me the big talk. A million, a million and 6, oh
I love tall talk, give me some mooooore, elephants, elephants (I don't
know the rest because I always picked it up after that)."
17. If you had to design a Thomas Tantrum gig poster, how would you
capture people's attention to ensure that they'd come to see you play?
"I'd keep it simple, have a big bold, stylish logo prominent, the
date and venue clearly readable, sharp colours and minimalist design.
Then let the band's reputation do the rest."
18. Are there any artists or bands, who you would like to see cover
/ reinterpret one of your songs for Jo Whiley's Live Lounge?
"Errrm. I'd like to see Slipknot do a cover of Shake It! Shake
It! - that would be mental. Literally."
19. If you could form a supergroup as a side-project, which musicians
would you most like to play in the band with you?
"I'd put Pete Thomas from The Attractions on drums, James Williamson
from The Stooges on geetar and Paul Simonon on bass. Me lead vocals
and rhythm guitar."
20. Do you have any special memories of places you've visited, bands
you've met, or standout gigs / festivals so far?
"We played at La Flèche d'Or in Paris, which is an absolutely
gorgeous venue and was also our first gig abroad, so that was quite
an experience."
21. What have been some of your favourite gigs that you've attended
as a fan over the years?
"The Strokes at Reading Festival 2001, Billy Bragg at Glastonbury
2008, Regina Spektor at Shepherds Bush Empire and Louise at Power In
The Park 1998 (I was very young)."
22. What's the nicest thing that someone has ever done for Thomas Tantrum?
"Hard question! Well recently, Lily Allen put us in her 'Top Friends'
on MySpace which was very lovely of her and has helped us out with new
fans no end. Big Up Lily!"
23. Is there anything in life that you've never tried, but would
like to?
"Always speaking my mind to people and not just trying to be nice
to please them."
24. What are your biggest hopes for Thomas Tantrum long-term?
"Well, we are all really excited about the album right now and
the tour in September. We've also just confirmed some more support dates
with Glasvegas (whom we love), so we can't wait to do those. After this
album, another and then more tours. My biggest dream has always been
to play on Jools Holland, so that would be pretty cool."
25. Lastly, chips or cream buns?
"Chips! Cream makes me vomit."
A very special thanks to Megan + Thomas Tantrum,
and to Kat @ Big Life Management, for all of their time and help.
www.thomastantrum.co.uk
www.myspace.com/thomastantrum
www.myspace.com/missmegathomas
"What's new with you?"
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usicm
the 3rd album?