REV78
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 25th January 2011.
Camden-based Indie rock 'n' roll act Rev78 have their debut album "Boy in the Blitz" coming out on the 4th of April. It may be a bit premature, but we caught up with the guys anyway to find out more.
Singer Teddy (or at least mostly him) answers questions...
Hi Guys, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. What’s the history behind Rev78? How did the band form and what’s the background of the various members?
Teddy: This story is a long one! But briefly, James met Dave when they became flatmates and started jamming together, they thought it'd be a good idea to form a band. I came to London from Norwich looking for a band to sing in, bumped into James as he was posting an ad "looking for a singer". We got talking and thought it'd be cool to have a jam. So we did, got some songs together, and decided we needed a drummer...Tom was the missing piece. He came and suddenly things just clicked!
Who were the early influences?
Dave: Mogwai
Teddy: Morrissey
Jim: Jane's Addiction
Tom: Moonie
Did you know what sort of sound Rev78 was destined to have at the start, or has it developed a lot since you began?
Teddy: I think there has always been a sense of what we're trying to create. BIG BIG BIG! We love songs, we just try and make the best noise we can. In each song we write there's development, you know? It's like time stops and we get thrown up into space searching around for noises. Or something like that...
How would you actually describe your sound?
Teddy: I know this sounds like I'm blowing trumpets here, but i truly would describe our sound as sound made for stadiums. It certainly makes us feel good. It's BIG guitars jangly, sweeping, soaring, rumbling etc (all the good stuff).
How and when did you come up with the name?
Teddy: It was written.
Has coming from a big music scene like Camden made a big difference, or has it made it more difficult to get noticed?
Teddy: The thing with Camden is, well it's not the place it was. It's like a once bohemian's utopia trying to be a bohemian's utopia. Ya'know, like the whole "indie" thing. There are shops where people can go and pick the jacket, the jeans, the t-shirt, dress like an "indie" kid. It's sad that it became that ya'know? So, what you have now is a lot of bands feigning creativity, wearing the same clothes, talking the same talk. It's a myth. The good bands just put up with it. So realistically, there aren't that many bands. Not proper bands. We actually mean it.
When did you start work on the debut album “Boy in the Blitz”, and how easily did it all come together?
Teddy: Let's just say that we have been very fortunate to work with some of the best and we're so very chuffed with the outcome. The start, the songs. That's where we have most fun. It's the beauty. The conception.
How do you typically go about writing a song? Are you a jamming band or more methodical?
Teddy: I don't want to spoil the magic. So i'm going to decline answering this one ;-)
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical writing ideas?
Teddy: Inspiration comes at all times of the day. Answering these questions will no doubt have an influence some where along the line.
Is there a story/theme running through the songs or is it more a collection of standalone moments?
Teddy: It's a mixture what's real and what's imagined. But mostly me wanting stuff i don't have. More to the point, people. Or even closer to the point, emotions I'd quite like to feel before the day I die. How melodramatic!
Do you do anything special or unusual to get your sound?
Teddy: Close our eyes and jump in.
Do you enjoy the whole studio/creative experience, or do you prefer getting up on the live stage?
Teddy: It has to be the stage.
What is a Rev78 live show like? What should fans expect from one of your performances?
Teddy: Tears and glitter.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
Teddy: Waking up in 2011.
Where do you see yourselves in the next 5 years? Is it onwards and upwards or do you take each day as it comes?
Teddy: Oh I really think that If you spend life dwelling on such things, it begins to lose it's appeal. But I'm willing to risk it, briefly. I hope to see us revered as genius's and playing to hundreds of thousands of people. Stadium tours. Oh and groupies.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Teddy: Yes.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Teddy: There's supposed to be a fight at the school gate in a bit, so might go up for that.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Teddy: Gilbert O'sullivan doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Thanks again to Teddy and the boys for their time.
http://www.myspace.com/rev78official
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2416398700
