Interview: Joe Symes and the Loving Kind



Hey guys,
Interviews are always fun, right?

This time the acoustic rock band Joe Symes and the Loving Kind from Liverpool (UK).
Special about the interview is that not only one or two members but the whole band took time to answer the questions.

But who is the whole band?
Joe Symes (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Colin White (drums, percussion)
Dave Skilling (keyboards, backing vocals)
Paul Hetherington (lead guitar, synth guitar)
Chris Giblin (bass guitar)

See what I asked the guys about acoustic rock, their debut album, tea & biscuits, their first gig and quite a lot more ...


house in the sand: So you play acoustic rock. That's Special! Why the acoustic addition?

Joe: I Love the sound of acoustic guitars. Also I like that I can play acoustic on a relatively heavy song, something that's a bit different.

Colin: I suppose it was a tag that was put on the band when we just started. Joe plays acoustic rhythm on the vast majority of the songs, so I guess it derives from there also. To tell you the truth I've no idea what you'd categorize the band as. 

Dave: It adds a good element and a different dynamic sometimes as it helps us to bring an acoustic feel to a rock band. We are a very diverse band and we like to have all elements of music at our disposal, stylistically and/or sonically. 

Paul: I find the acoustic to be the most important key element which supports everything else in the band. Think back to Bowie or right back to the Everly Brothers for classic examples. It is also ‘THE’ songwriting tool.

Chris: To be honest I don't think having an acoustic as part of the set is that different. It's just something that works with the songs. There are songs we play where we don't have an acoustic or there's an extra electric.


house in the sand: You've just released your debut album. Why should people buy it? 

Joe: Because we want people to enjoy the songs on the album and follow the band. We have been getting amazing feedback and response so far from people all over the UK and around the globe and it's really starting get a lot more people interested in the band. Long may it continue.

Colin: Because I think it has a lot of variety to it, and a freshness that a lot of albums at the moment don't have. 

Dave: We've worked really hard to make this album different from what other local bands are doing at the moment. Even though it does have that "Liverpool band" sound, it's not a repetition of what other bands are doing locally and nationally. Every track on their own are great to listen to but put it all together and it really is something special. The album isn't just Track 1, 2,3,4 etc there is more to it than that. 

Paul: Because there’s eight great tracks on there all  subtlety linked together with an underlying theme. One track played on it’s own does not fully represent the true JS&TLK experience.

Chris: Why should people buy our album? I think once people have heard the songs the answer is in there. It's a good album. It's different to whats out there at the minute, it's something that everyone can listen to! 
 

house in the sand: I really like your song Fallen Down. What's the story behind it?

Colin: Joe?

Dave: Joe can tell you more but MY interpretation from it is all about a guy who thinks he's a bit of a player and it stems from this mainly. Not sure if it's autobiographical you'll have to ask Joe! ;-)

Chris: Fallen down, well you may want to ask Joe about that! 

house in the sand: Well then, let's ask Joe!

Joe: The story behind Fallen Down is about a popular guy who love's to party all of the time, does not want to work 9 to 5, and have his pick of girls whenever he needs them. It's also about a group of certain men who are very envious of this person and want to put a stop to him and his lifestyle because they can't have what he's got.




house in the sand: What is the earliest time you remember playing music?

Joe: I can't remember if I'm totally honest with you.

Colin: 14 years old when I got my first kit and started playing. I'd wanted to play when I was 11, but it took me 3 years to convince my parents that I was serious. The first song I learnt to play was One After 909 by The Beatles. Since then I've never looked back. 

Dave: Hmm, I suppose that's a trick question because anyone can "make music" at any age. If you mean on a semi-professional level I'd have to say singing in my school choir at the age of 7/8. In terms of an instrument it was probably the same time to be honest.

Paul: I was quite a late starter I suppose taking up guitar at 16.

Chris: I've been playing music in some form for as long as I can remember, playing the recorder and stuff in primary school. I got my first guitar when I was 8 or 9, and have been playing ever since.


house in the sand: Do you remember your very first gig? What was it like? Were you nervous? Were there any special people?

Joe: My first gig was at The Citadel in St Helen's and it was my first band. We were the support band for some local band. We had a few people there. I was a bit nervous but then it was my first gig in front of a crowd. It was nice to have people who I knew at that time to be there to support me.

Colin: The first time I played in front of people was in collage when I was 16, but the first time I played a proper music venue was when I was 17. It was great to finally get up and prove what I could do, however, I had a terrible bout of the flu on that day. I wasn't nervous at all, I never really have been; I take great pride in my confidence as a musician. My parents were at that gig. They have both passed now sadly, so I guess it was special that they were there to see me develop. They'd be very proud.  

Dave: Again with an instrument probably around the age of 9. After learning to play the organ from a young age, we had yearly "recitals". I played an ensemble with my class in the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. The year after we played in the old Moat House in Liverpool and won a trophy for playing the theme to Jurassic Park!

Paul: Being nervous before a gig is natural, something wrong if you’re not. Now we’re all more experienced and professional we just get on with it.

Chris: Yeah my first ever live gig was with a band I was in when I was in school, it's was a battle of the band's and we were 15 if I remember correctly. Nervous? I couldn't stop shaking throughout the whole thing, it was horrible. Ha!


house in the sand: When you play a gig what is your favourite thing to see in the crowd?

Joe: The reaction of the audience, the feedback after each song, it's great to see fans, family really get behind you and believe in what your doing and really be into the songs.

Colin: First and foremost to see the crowd enjoying the performance. I don't think there's any better answer. 

Dave: People really enjoying themselves, especially if it's someone who's there for/from another band. It shows that you are entertaining people who haven't necessarily come to see you. But our fans are the most important without them we wouldn't be doing it. So a huge thank you to all of them who come to our gigs. :-)
   
Paul: Some mad dancing – you know who you are!

Chris: I love it when I see people smiling along when we're playing. Hopefully now with the album being out we will see people singing along.


house in the sand: What solo artists/bands have you been listening to recently?

Joe: I've been listening to a lot of The Beatles White Album & Marvin Gaye, also With The Beatles and Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder.

Colin: I've been listening to The Byrds a lot, as I recently purchased their album Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Great album. I've also been listening to some early Rolling Stones as well as Charlie Watts' jazz band, The Doors, some Ennio Morricone soundtracks, The Searchers, and the album Forever Changes by Love. In my opinion a dark summer album. 

Dave: I've started to listen to Tom Odell and some Ben Howard after seeing the later on a recording of Glastonbury. I've picked up on Odell due to his piano based music.  

Paul: The Strypes, Marmaduke Duke, Buddy Guy and the Stones.

Chris: I listen to a lot of different bands, it changes from week to week, but I suppose this week I've been listening to a lot of Warpaint and First Aid Kit.


house in the sand: Please complete the following sentence: We are Joe Symes & the Loving Kind, and we....

Joe: ... would like to thank everyone for your on going support for the band and hope will keep on sailing with us.

Colin: ... like tea, lots of tea, and biscuits. 

Dave: ... want to know why we can't call Snickers Marathon?

Paul: ... would like you to spread the word.

Chris: ... are best friends with Ken Smith.


house in the sand: Is there anything else you would like the house in the sand readers to know?

Joe: Yes, You can follow us on facebook. Also at our official website. We are also on Youtube, Twitter, Reverbnation and fit4tale.
  You can now buy our debut album on i-Tunes & Spotify and at our official band website.

Colin: Yeah, please purchase our album from i-Tunes and Spotify. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 

Dave: Our debut album is available on iTunes, Spotify and the band website for £8. Buy it you won't be disappointed!

Chris: If anyone wants to know where they can come and catch us at one of our shows then check out the website for any future gig listings and other information.


Thanks Joe, Colin, Dave, Paul and Chris for answering my questions. What a lovely interview!

Listen to "Don't Make A Fool Out Of Me" right now!



Here are the social media links again:

To buy the album click the picture:
(download doesn't start immediately!)

I hope you enjoyed this interview! :)

Vanessa x




0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Let me know what you think! :)