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Always a sucker for a sexy Scotsman, today we catch up with lead singer
Ross McNeil to find out just what makes A Close Last tick. All
the way from sunny Glasgow this bright young rock star shares his dreams
and darkest secrets with us.
MM -
Would you like to introduce the band
members to us and where do you call home?
I'm Ross McNeil, lead singer (aged 18). The other members are: Joe Lee -
bassist (aged 18) Gerry Lee (brothers) - guitarist (aged 20) Dave Mackie -
guitarist (23 today!) and lastly Adrian Blair - drummer (aged 21) We all
would call the city of Glasgow home, or more particularly the Crystal
Palace pub! This is except Adrian, who hails from the fair town of
Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.
MM -
When was the band formed and how did you discover each others mutual taste
in making music?
The band's current set-up started in September 2001. Although we all have
different tastes in music, we all had the same love for punk music, but
always with a strong melody on top. Adrian and I joined the band through
an advert, so we knew what was needed before we joined! Gerry and Joe are
brothers so have grown up listening to the same music.
MM -
The band have been described as a
cross between Blink 182 and Spunge. Would you say this was a fair
description of what your music sounds like?
No, that's complete bullshit! The Blink comparison is very obvious, but we
have a different sound, with the double-layered guitars and some mental
bass! I've only heard a couple of [spunge] songs, but they're ska, and we
are definitely not a ska band! We're frequently described in the Metro as
"rapid emo pop-punk", so make of that what you will! We keep getting
compared to a band called Whippersnapper, but I've never heard of them, so
I can't comment.
MM -
Are
there any plans in the pipeline for a debut album in the near future?
Not really. We've already got 5 studio tracks, and possibly we'll get a
few more done, but it's a bit early in the day to think about an album!
MM -
How can people find out about what's going on with the band and where
you'll be appearing?
Check out the website
www.acloselast.co.uk and you can contact us there,
and get all the latest ACL gossip. Also, if you want more info, email us
at acloselast@hotmail.com and we'll let you know whatever you want to
know! The next gig is on 18th August 2002 at the Glasgow Cathouse
supporting The Relatives, but any Glasgow pub is a good bet to bump into
us!.
MM - What age groups do
you have appearing at your shows?
All ages, but it kinda looks like the 16 - 24 age group we appeal to most
of all, which is fair enough because that's what age group our sound will
probably come over best to.
MM - What are your opinions on the
current music scene? Do you feel it's getting better or worse? Will A
Close Last change the world of rock?
I don't know really. Rap-metal appears to be dying out (good), but garage
rock n' roll is on the rise big time (bad). It just seems so lazy.
Everyone just reads the NME and believes whatever they say is good. The
Vines? Come on! Everyone just seems to be happy with quick-fix trends in
music, one trend remains fresh for a year, and then becomes crap. Garage
rock has been around for 6 months and I hate it already! Punk is really
the only genre still fresh, as it keeps evolving. Will A Close Last change
the world of rock? Maybe, who knows!
MM
- Has anyone in the band appeared in any other bands prior to A Close
Last?
Not any good ones! *smiles*
MM -
What does the bands name signify? Why
'A Close Last'?, why not 'A Close First'?
I don't know why really - I suppose ACF sounds a bit pretentious, but the
ACL name is more powerful, really gives the impression that no matter
what, you won't knock us down to the bottom. But the truth is I don't have
a clue about the name! You'll have to ask the others about that.
MM -
What bands/artists have influenced you over the years and which bands are
you listening to at the moment?
My old favourites are old Manic Street Preachers, Green Day, Guns n' Roses
and Nirvana, so a bit of everything really. At the moment, it's the new
Idlewind album (ace, go buy!) and probably Slipknot - great drums and
doing something a bit different at the mo.
MM - Which A Close Last song is your personal favourite and why?
I don't have a favourite. I hate all our songs!
MM - What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your
own) and why?
I'm going to cheat and say 3. Manic Street Preachers - March 2001. My fave
band and didn't let me down. I waited 7 years to see them! Green Day -
December 200 - best live band ever, they've got a good stage presence, and
a trumpet player in a bumblebee outfit! System of a Down - March 2002.
Excellent songs, and having postponed they didn't let me down, powerful
players.
MM -
What one possession could you not live without right now?
My wallet. I'd be a bit fucked without that!
MM - What instruments/equipment do you use?
Well, we tend to use other bands/venues equipment, but Joe plays a Squier
Bass, Gerry uses a Fender Strat and Dave uses a Epiphone Les Paul Studio.
We prefer to put guitars through a Marshall JCM2000 stack, and live, Gerry
plays through a Zoom 505ll effects board (A2 and A3).
MM - What's your idea of fun? Are you serious by nature or a bundle of
mischief?
Bundle of fun definitely! If you can't have fun playing music, then you
fuck off and let someone else who is do it! The day I'm bored with it I'll
quit.
MM - Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.
I suffer from OCD. I tend to switch lights on and off about 30 times.
MM - If you could spend just one day with anyone in the world
(past or present) who would it be and why?
My gran. I didn't talk to her for about 7 years before she died, so I'd
just like to say goodbye.
MM -
Who do you think influenced the world or rock more than any other person,
for better or for worse?
Good question. Probably at the moment I would say the Sex Pistols in a
punk context, because they made you know it was OK to be crap players,
horrific singers, to only know 3 chords and to still sound good and be
successful!
MM -
Lastly, is there anything you
would like to say to all your fans out there?
Cheers, mine's a pint ya stingy bastard!
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