Stark
Hi,
Straight to the point - I'm J and I hope to convert you to the ranks of the Stark. We are a 4 piece Northern Irish group of musicians trying to demonstrate varying genres within the same pieces. So many outfits fall solidly into certain genres, and post-hardcore seems to be what runs true at the moment. What we are trying to do is show the Metal kids and Hardcore kids that they might actually appreciate something else like Jazz, Fusion, Baroque etc.
I stand on a firm bearing of True chords and we keep a very well read drummer. All the album tracks from our "Revelations after" debut are independently recorded by myself on my own Lead Badger Records label and all songs are our own. The album bears 12 tracks, all of which are linked somehow. That's loads I think, so please just enjoy.
NB - If you happen to own a decent label - Don't hesitate, yeah?
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
May 2004
Vox, Harmonica - Dan Leith
Guitars, Backing vox - J Gibson (recording/mixing/owner or Lead Badger Records)
Bass, Whistling - Ryan Jendoubi
Percussion - Marty McCloskey
Earlier members:
Jamie Egner - Guitars, Bass
Donnie Owens - Percussion
RJ Devlin - Bass
Sam Bowman - Bass
Andy Megarry - Percussion
We've now reached the sound we want and would love to stay together on a label and progress.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yeah, we play anywhere we can (Most recently Hamilton House in Bangor) and I think we put on an entertaining show. There's alot of movement and some solid support from the fans. Special moments include huge jumps and being wireless is always a novelty :)
Your musical influences
I personally am a huge fan of nearly everything, which I think essential in a musician. Particularly partial to AFI, Robert de visee, SlipKnoT, Kenny Burrell, Soweto Kinch, Tiger army, the Stones, Busted, Arch enemy etc etc etc. Dan loves Jeff Buckley, Muse, Cradle, Damian Rice, Springsteen. Marty's a massive punk and metal follower - ie Good old metallica, NoFx, early Rancid, Misfits etc. And our Ryan loves System, They might be giants, Sevendust and plenty o' punk.
What equipment do you use?
Epiphone SG 400 (customised with Kent Armstrong Hbs) into Marshall AVT 275. Laney 100W bass amp and Gretsch drums. On the cd I used my pc as a recording setup in conjunction with Cubase sx and PA. The drums are a roland electric kit on the album also. Mic - AKG 880e. AKG wireless bug for guitar.
Anything else?
We have strong support from fellow musicians - very importantly Marty's drum tutor and our Making Music Workshop tutor, John Wilson. John used to play drums for Rory Gallagher and Taste among many others. He and the workshop really warped out perceptions and made playing as one essential.
The consistent metaphor throughout the album is post-apocalyptic. The whole piece has 12 movements, and motive become clearer when viewed as a whole. In a similar "Standing in a field vs Plane above a field, looking down", John Cage sort of way. Ha
