EMQ’s with RED SPEKTOR

EMQ’s with RED SPEKTOR

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Stoke-On-Trent, UK based Psychedelic Stoner Hard Rock band Red Spektor. Huge thanks to John, Jonny & Rob for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

John: Hi, my name is John and I play guitar and sing.

Jonny: I’m Jonny and I play drums

Rob: I’m Rob and I play bass; our collective minds make our band Red Spektor which we formed late 2012

John: And we play psychedelic heavy rock. We have a debut album out through label Kozmik Artifactz and an EP from way back and we are just about to release our second album “Heart of the Renewed Sun”!

How did you come up with your band name?

John: I think it was a term seen in a book, but it was one of a few names we had, but this seemed to stick.

Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?

John: We are from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. The metal and rock scene is good, lots of bands and a few places to play.

Rob: it’s definitely got better over the past few years

What is your latest release?

Rob: We are just about to release our second album “Heart of the Renewed Sun” on the 2nd October. With a single called ‘Long Way Down’ which is out now!

‘Long Way Down’ (Official Video)

Who have been your greatest influences?

John: It’s quite difficult to pinpoint specifically, but it’s fair to say our music has been likened to some of the heavier bands from the 1970’s. For example, Rory Gallagher is one of mine, not because of what he played, but his approach to his music. He does his own thing.

Rob: It is a tough question, cause individually we have a varied taste in music, which definitely has an effect on the music we make. I think it stops it being too much like one thing.

Jonny: For me The Who, songs like Happy Jack and I Can See For Miles were phenomenal, all about the drums and had energy.

What first got you into music?

Jonny: I wasn’t very old, 8 or 9, and my uncle used to come round on pay day having bought a record and I was always fascinated with the vinyl.

Rob: I’ve always been around music, but I think the first time I found my music was when a mate lent me a tape with Suicidal Tendencies and Nuclear Assault.

John: For me, getting my first record player as a teenager and hanging out with my like-minded friends who loved the rock music.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

John: John Frusciante

Rob: No idea for me, I’d love to collaborate with bands like Radio Moscow, Kadavar, Graveyard Uncle Acid on an awesome festival.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

John: Download. I have fond memories of Donington, the hallowed turf of rock during the days of the Monsters of Rock festival. It would be great to fulfil a teenage dream!

Jonny: Has to be Glastonbury for me

Rob: Glastonbury would be cool, but I think something like South by South West, or the new Black Deer festival would be awesome.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

John: It’s not necessarily a weird item, but it felt weird to be given a vintage Ibanez guitar pedal from a fan. It’s worth a lot of money and they wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. I still have it and look after it – if they ever want it back!

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

John: Everyone I’ve met has been wonderful, so carry on.

Rob: Agreed, stay awesome

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

John: Hillel Slovak the original guitar player from the Chillies who died too soon.

Rob: Same reason for me but I’d bring back Cliff Burton, awesome bass player.

Jonny: for me, its Keith Moon

Rob: that would make an insane super group

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

John: Love: creating lovely honest music with my good friends in the band. Dislike: poseurs.

Rob: Definitely playing our music, and meeting people while doing it. And I agree with hating the poseurs.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Rob: People getting rich on other people’s talents, while those with the talents go poor.

Jonny: Price of music instruments, everything is way expensive.

John: You’re not wrong. But I’d say any form of narrow-mindedness.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

John: It’s tough to name one, but I’d say “Love” by the Cult

Jonny: “Forever Changes” by Love, Rob you have to pick an album with love in it

Rob: Jeez, with love in it? I can’t think of one, wait “Louder Than Love” by Soundgarden, awesome record.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

John: For me, vinyl. Always. But whatever suits you.

Jonny: Definitely vinyl

Rob: Vinyl, then downloads then cassettes. Never CD’s. CD’s aren’t tactile or convenient.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

John: HRH Doom vs Stoner.

Rob: I agree, over 3000 people made that gig insane.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

John: I already do. I’m a designer. It was a hard fight to make that dream come to true. It’s a tough industry.

Jonny: I’d be an artist.

Rob: For me I’d be a failed poet, but I guess technically I already am.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

John: Barney Bubbles, Danny Fields, Rosetta Tharpe, Christine McVie, Sly Stone.

Rob: I agree, as long as they don’t drink all the booze.

What’s next for the band?

Rob: So, the biggest thing is the album launch on the 2nd October. The 5th track from the album is out now [Aug 7th] and called ‘Long Way Down’.

Then it’s getting some gigs sorted somehow. We have some ideas about streaming a live show and making a proper event of it, but we are still working out the details.

We’ll also have a second single out in a month or so along with a few music vids so stay tuned.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

John: Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp.

Rob: yep, the usual places. The main one for physical sales is www.kozmik-artifactz.com/ or www.red-spektor.bandcamp.com/

For digital we also use Bandcamp, but also iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify etc. and something like 26 stores.

Check out our website for details www.redspektor.com/

Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?

Jonny: Cake

Rob: Cake, it’s nowt like a biscuit

John: Neither. They are a total eclipse.

Rob: of the heart?

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Rob: I guess the biggest thing is a thank you to everyone that has stuck by us over the years. And a huge shout out to Daz, Simon, Judy and Ashey, they are or have been a huge part of the band and we can’t thank them enough.

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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