Page 56 - Phonebox Magazine August 2007

teenage kicks
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Interview with Emma Swain
a ricky mason enterprise
ricky@discolaflash.com rickymason.co.uk
Teenage Kicks: August
So the summer has arrived....well, I say summer, a mix of rain and sun. This month is a busy one, at the time of writing this we are putting the final touches to Parklife, hence why this month is only one page. I am also currently re-designing the whole ‘Teenage Kicks’ format for this September that promises to bring new writers, new concepts and new exclusives. I am looking for writers who have been to concerts in the last few weeks to review them and send them in, your article will then go to print. Email me: ricky@discolaflash if you want to write. Thanks goes to Emma Swain this month with two fantastic interviews! Stay tuned! Rick
I met up with Northampton band the New Cassettes just before their sound check at Kiss Kiss Bang Bang indie night.
The five band members are a chirpy, friendly bunch where enthusiasm knows no boundaries.
I asked the band what they thought of indie kids today. The chattiest pair, Tom (lead singer) and Nik (guitar), told me “they are certainly better dressed than we were!” Nik adding “Its good to see such passion and to see the kids want to see up and coming bands before anyone else, its cool to be the first to see a band before they get big”. The New Cassettes are a modest, close-knit group of friends who got together for fun, and its obviously paying off!
The band are influenced by each other immensely, as well as by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Police and brandy!
The boys have supported The Strokes so I asked them how they found that experience. Tommy (drums) told me that it was a weird experience but The Strokes were really thankful and a lovely bunch of guys.
They even got to eat food made by The Strokes personal chef! “We ate rainbow trout and wild mushroom soup as part of our rider!” added Tommy.
The band is becoming quite accustomed to living the high life! They played Glastonbury this year and are in the final 14 for The Road To V. I wanted to know if they preferred gigs to festivals? “Definitely gigs” replied Dan. “There’s less mud!” agreed Nik.
Tom told me that it was great to play Glastonbury but you end up missing a lot of bands you’d like to watch as your so busy being on stage yourself.
The boys told me they were very humbled to play Glasto in front of dedicated NC fans.
I saw the New Cassettes for only the second time in June supporting Idlewild at the Roadmender.
The band have been fans of Idlewild for a long time so you can imagine how stoked they were to support them!
So what’s next in store for the New Cassettes? We all wait with baited breath for The Road to V decision! The band may be doing more of a tour in the near future as well as releasing a new single which I’m sure will have another Zane Lowe shout out.
You can vote for the New Cassettes online, go to - www.roadtov.com/finalists or check out the bands
Myspace - www.myspace.com/newcassettes
Pictures supplied from: www.flickr.com/photos/haveweallgotthebends
There’s something exciting happening that was born and bred in Newport Pagnell.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang are Adam, Brendan, Martin & Rob. They share a passion for music, live music and generally living life to the full.
The KKBB team have been successfully promoting their indie nights (KKBB and Rapture) for the last 10 months.
They met at Ousedale School and after Brendan and Martin returned from Uni they decided it was about time this place had a “scene”.
Asking what they thought of the current indie scene Rob answered “It’s much better than a few years ago as indie music is more recognised, especially locally”.
Adam added “There’s a number of things going on in MK at the moment, but only the select few know about them. There needs to be more of a variety of venues to showcase up and coming and touring bands. MK is far too commercial”
Between them, the boys from KKBB have a diverse taste in music. We talked about how your parents help you develop your musical taste at an early age. Like myself, Rob’s parents listened to the Beatles, the Kinks and Rolling Stones. This also led to him learning the guitar and joining Trailing Laces. Brendan also admitted to “nicking” his Dad’s 7” of Dreadlock Holiday by 10CC. (He’s gonna read this Bren!)
So what’s next for KKBB?
By the time this is printed Northampton band the New Cassettes will have graced the stage at KKBB. After their recent Glasto set this band are destined for huge success.
KKBB club night is every Wednesday night 9.30pm – 3am at Opus nightclub in the Theatre District. Every other week a band takes the stage and all for £2!
We are promised new exciting bands, expansion and better weekends. This includes a monthly Friday night at Revolutions and a Halloween Party for Oxjam in October.
What the boys are listening to – CSS, Ryan Adams, Foals, Modest Mouse, The Rifles, Arctic Monkeys, Dan Sartain, Nelly Furtado (Yes really!)
Leading to some advice the boys can give to the youth of today and that is BE INDIVIDUAL! www.myspace.com/kisskissbangbangclub
www.myspace.com/oxjammk
Unfortunately its not for you Under 18s
Music special!
56 Phonebox Magazine