MM -
Introduce the band members to us and where do you call home?
Pete Hurley - Vocals & Guitars (role in group - leader)
Davo McConville - Bass (role in group - the drive)
Marcus Ratcliff - Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals (role in group - creative
genius)
Jack Hamson - Drums (role in group - the heart)
MM - When was the band formed and how did you discover each other's mutual
interest in making music?
We were best friends before we started the band. Jack played drums and I
(Pete) played guitar and we messed around together for ages. Davo was my
best friend so I taught him how to play our songs, and Marcus was just
what we needed. He is obsessed with music and passionate about it. We
asked him to play with us and he was too polite to say no. It just came
together.
Once we had it, it took over our lives. There's not a lot to do in
Stratford, so we became obsessed with getting good and getting out. Then
we did some gigs. Then we got signed to Integrity Records. Then you asked
me to do this interview ... I guess I like it fine ... so far..
MM - Describe how your music sounds and who do you think would appreciate
it?
Our music is alt-rock with dashes of punk / hiphop / grunge and pop. I think
anyone who likes guitar music will like us. We're a little bit of
everything, we're for everyone. It's for Kerrang, it's for NME, it's for
anyone who likes rock music and hopefully other too. We've tried to meld
Skiffle with happy hardcore as effectively as possible.
MM - The band have been working hard on their debut single. Can you tell us
a little bit about it? When is it due out, what will it be called, where
did the inspiration for the songs come from?
It's due out on June 10th and we're touring up until then. The single is
called 'Rolling Stones T-shirt' and is about drinking, girls, insecurity
and wrestling legend Mick Foley. It's about never being able to have
anyone you want and never wanting to learn from that. It's about being the
underdog and never giving in. It's about that perfect person you are too
scared to go up to. It isn't about the Rolling Stones.
MM -A lot of the bands tour has been arranged through Drowned in Sound, how
did you actually hook up with them in the first place?
Our tour isn't really arranged by Drowned in Sound. It's arranged by
Seymour, our good friend and the lead singer of Miss Black America (www.missblackamerica.net),
who are headlining many of our upcoming dates. Drowned in Sound is a good
webzine, especially as it helps to bring people and bands together.
We hooked up with our friend Rob Dix (head of Dental Records @
www.dentalsounds.co.uk) who put out a single featuring us and Miss Black
America as their first release. He was a writer for them and he helped get
the MBA/Antihero hype machine whirring. Now we're both signed to the same
record label. Hoorah!
MM - Are there any plans in the pipeline for a debut album in the near
future?
We certainly hope so, though our record company do not have exclusive
rights to it as yet. The next few months will be spent promoting our
single, which is our debut proper, our first nationwide release. When
we're done releasing a couple of singles and raising our profile, we'll
see if people want an album or whether to go home and work in McDonalds.
MM - How can people find out about what's going on with the band and where
you'll be appearing?
Everything is on
www.antihero.org.uk . It has all the information on us
and all our gigs and is constantly updated.
MM - What are your opinions on the current music scene? Do you feel it's
getting worse or better? Will Antihero change the face of rock?
I don't think we'll change anything. I just want to be as good as we can
be, make a living and hopefully give lots of people lots of enjoyment
along the way. I like the music scene, though there's no one I truly love
right now, I think it's been a lot worse.
It's got a bit too focused on making money. That's probably the
understatement of the century. Ask me in a years time when I'm no longer
naive and optimistic. I'll probably be living in a dumpster drinking
supermarket beer. Can't wait.
MM - Has anyone in the band appeared in any other bands prior to Antihero?
I was in a little known band called 'Spun', but, though I loved them, they
were only a Stratford band. I played bass and I paid attention. It helped
me learn and set the foundations for what Antihero is today. We're only
19! This is the only band we'll ever be in.
MM - What does the word Antihero actually mean to you and where does it
come from?
I guess it means being a hero but not for the right reasons. Standing up
for what you believe in and all that jazz.
MM - What influenced you when you were younger and what influences you now?
People who give everything for what they believe in. People who don't fuck
around. People who have manners.
MM - Which Antihero song is your personal favourite and why?
'To Old Times'. It's the B side of the single. It's very personal to me
and it's kinda a dedication and eulogy to all my friends so it's very
special to me. Can you hear those violins playing gently in the distance?
I better get some tissues ...
MM - What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own)
and why?
I've seen a lot of good concerts. I loved seeing Henry Rollins. He gives
his all. He's captivating. I saw a very cool, sexy, droney Dandy Warhols
do some cool low key dates in 2000 which I loved. I saw the Pumpkins on
their farewell tour which was very special to me. The Pumpkins are the
sound of our youth! Depressing, self-loathing, perfect!
MM - What one possession could you not live without right now?
My record contract! Ha ha ha!
MM - What's your idea of fun? Are you serious by nature or a bundle of
mischief?
Mischief. How else are you supposed to survive tours? We are more serious
onstage than off. Being in a band is a fine line between having fun and
being arrested.
MM - Are you superstitious? Is there anything you do before you go into the
rehearsal studio for good luck, or do you believe we make our own luck in
this life?
I think Antihero have made their own luck. I have to believe that or I
wouldn't be here.
MM -Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.
I love Sheryl Crow.
MM - If you could spend just one day with anyone in the world (past or
present) who would it be and why?
God - I'd like to shake his hand and kick him in the balls simultaneously.
Kurt Cobain - It'd be nice to meet him. I owe him a lot.
Aaliyah - I'd love to meet her. She was so nice and sweet and such a babe.
Neutrino - Could lend me a tenner. Same age as me. How did he do it?
Mick Foley - An inspiration to Antihero.
Richey Edwards - Does he know what he's created? all that eyeliner and
poetry ...
River Phoenix - Cool guy.
Jesus - Good at parties.
Hitler - I could give him a pretty good kicking in 24 hours.
MM - Who do you think influence the world of rock more than any other
person, for better or worse?
The Beatles. They did everything. They paved the way for popular music
ever since. I love 'em.
MM - Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to all your fans out
there?
Thank you. What else can I say?
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