TBG Meets Six.Point.Five - One Year On

It was this time last year, TheBootsGirl met up with local band Six.Point.Five, and “one year and one week” on, (according to vocalist and guitarist James), she found out just how much has changed.

In fact, having moved on from Milton Keynes to record at the infamous Abbey Road, Six.Point.Five appear to be riding as high as vocalist Jim’s pants are low. After meeting famous stars such as Charlene Spiteri, Fran Healy and even the great Macca himself, Six.Point.Five still seem slightly in awe of having recorded in the same place as The Beatles.

“The best thing about being at Abbey Road is the fact that you were treated and you behaved like professional musicians – for an entire week, we were living this amazing lifestyle”
“We were living like popstars!” added guitarist Max.



Unlike many of the MK bands around, Six.Point.Five also regularly gig in places other than Milton Keynes such as The Purple Turtle in Camden and The Racehorse in Northampton. But the question is, are those as good as The Pitz?
Without hesitation, the Six.Point.Five reply – “Nahhhhh!”

“I think we’re spoilt having Milton Keynes as our home venue.” Says Rob, “We go to London and it’s a tiny smelly little venue with no backstage. [At the Pitz] we got our own showers, *points* we got our own toilet, we got our own...err.. bench!”

“Yeah, we are spoilt!” agreed James, “Obviously there’s a lot of good venues out there but …” he pauses,” ... This one’s the best.”

I decided to pick on Muzz who hadn’t said much during the interview. I asked him about his dream venue.
“Err … the Pitz?”
Now that’s love for you.

And what about the dream line up? After a discussion, they decided on gigging with Lightyear, Mad Caddies and … “Do you reckon we could get Queen at all?”



The departure of tenor sax Andrew last year led to a reshuffle amongst the band but with more members leaving for university and gap years, what was the truth behind the rumours that the band would split up?
“We thought it would all come to a stop,” Explained Dave about having lost two members and playing with five people “– it was a totally different sound.”

Having filling the tenor sax vacancy, I asked Ewan how the past year had been for him. Ignoring Simon’s taunts of “this time last year, he was a saaad lonely soul”, Ewan seemed decidedly glad to have joined the Six.Point.Five and several months on, is now a fully accepted member of the clan with chants of “Ewan.Point.Five!” having been present since his first Six.Point.Five gig.

“And,” Simon added, “If he wasn’t in this band he couldn’t go – (* sings the infamous intro to Hassle* )duh na duh na duh, duh.. … brawwwr!!”

The average life expectancy of an MK band is barely 2 years. Having been around for almost double that – Six.Point.Five are practically MK Veterans but what was it that made them stick together where other bands have split up?

Rob joked about the fact that they secretly hate each other. But the real secret he said, was good communication.
“When Dave was in Guildford, we really struggled and it almost broke down cos there was no communication. People weren’t finding out what was happening”
“But we still pulled through” added Dave. He explained, although it was difficult, they overcame the obstacles because in the end, they knew they wanted to keep playing the music.

As for joining the league of long term survivors like Phema, the Six.Point.Five maintained that they didn’t see themselves like that. They’re just several guys having a laugh.
“Yeah,“ Jim agrees, “On the grand scale of everything, we’re still at the complete beginning of our careers. Considering we want to do this for the rest of our lives – a few years is nothing.”



So what’s in store for the year to come? (Apart from Ewan’s answer of “World Domination”) Is this the year that they get signed?

When it comes to talking about being signed, Six.Point.Five are all in agreement. It’s evident that it isn’t the driving force behind the band but Dave maintains that if they were approached with a good deal – they definitely wouldn’t turn it away.

Looking to the nearer future, the band are finalising their new EP having recorded tracks with local guy Andé (of MK band Aurora’s Shadow) and despite their previous experience at Abbey Road, they seem to be more enthusiastic about this home venue! Thanks went to Andé’s mum whose amazing food provokes a good five minute discussion with Rob being particularly vocal about the fact that they were given BOTTLED not tap water. “It was the best!”
It seems Six.Point.Five have no inner diva, give them bottled water and they’re sorted!

With the arrival of their new bass player Rory, “the ginger Ror”, (who, apparently isn’t even ginger anyway), it seems a main priority for Six.Point.Five is reshaping their line up.
“Over the next year, it’s going to be hard work replacing Simon and Murray” James explained, “And if Ewan goes to university as well – that’s like half the band.”

“We’re thinking maybe trombones, trumpets, tenor saxes but we’re going to keep it open.” said Rob. “It might change the sound a bit but we’ll still be playing the same songs, writing the same sort of stuff”

“But if anything, better.” Dave adds.




And with James having re-entered the room, then came the age old question – are you still allowing girls? There is laughter as his answer last year was a very diplomatic yet definite, no.
“Look, it’s not that we’re a sexist band,” James pauses, “well… I guess that we are a sexist band”
“You can’t say ‘WE’RE A SEXIST BAND’!” Rob protests
Dave swiftly saves the situation by explaining that his experience of being in bands with girls was – and here he pauses tactfully - “..difficult”

They decided that at the end of the day, it all depends on the situation, though James adds, “We’ll end up all fighting over who wants to bang her.”
And there was me thinking that maybe there was a chance that they’d grown some tact from last year? Seems some things will never change.





As we neared the last questions of the interview, I asked – what would they like to be remembered for?

“Making people dance” smiles James. “We’re not really about anything other than enjoying ourselves and making the most out of life. When people come to our gigs we aim to make sure they leave with a massive smile on their face.”

“And really sweaty!” Adds Rob.

The interview was filled with laughs - during an answer – we’re interrupted (for about the fifth time) by, sometimes support guitarist the Pooboy, ringing Daves mobile. Daves ringtone being South Park’s Cartman singing “Shut Your F*ing Face*




To summarise, 6.5 are just normal fun loving lads – who hate screen protectors – apparently “a girl thing”. (I’d like to say AGAIN that 6.5 are clearly not a sexist band.) Talking to them – it’s clear to see that there’s some genuine honesty behind their words. It’s easy for bands these days to claim that they’re doing what they love because they want to be rockstars but Six.Point.Five seem to have it sussed.

“Yeah we have fun but the moment we walk on stage, we become business men – yeah we’re ruthless capitalist bastards!! Ooh maybe we’ll come on in suits next time...”

But who knows what’s in store for the year to come? It’s just as Rob says.
“I have sat here so many times thinking – what’s next? And I am always surprised by what comes along.”

TheBootsGirl meets Six.Point.Five - One Year On.

Last year, TBG met up with local band Six.Point.Five, and “one year and one week” on, (according to vocalist and guitarist James), a lot has happened...

TBG – Right, you ready?
Six.Point.Five – Yeah.
Simon: Are we missing someone..?
Noddy (Fell Silent) : Shit, am I in your interview?
Six.Point.Five- DAVE!!

*some time later*

TBG – Right guys, it’s been about a year… over a year since I last talked to you guys
Jim – A year and ONE WEEK
TBG – What? You kept the date?
*silence*
*laughter*
TBG – I know it meant a lot *nods*

So who am I with and what do you do?

Simon – I’m Simon, I play bass
James- I’m James and I play guitar and sing
Max - I’m James and I also play guitar and sing
Rob - I KNEW IT WASN’T GONNA GET ROUND
Dave – I’m Dave … and I bang things.
*laughter*
Muzz- I’m Ewan, I play sax
Rob – I'm Rob, I play sax, vocals, and also stage entertainment
Ewan – And I’m Muzz and I play err… the trumpet

Okay – someone give me a brief lowdown of what you’ve done I the past year. I know you’ve done a lot so.... hit me. Something standard textbook maybe?

*everyone looks to James*

JAMES - Well, we’ve done loads of gigs, we recorded a new 4-track CD, well –half of it and then we blew the PC up..
MUZZ – We recorded at Abbey Road mate!
ROB – We’ve lost like half our body weight in sweat and tears and -
SIMON- We HAVEN’T recorded at Abbey Road since a year ago Murray
*general consent*
Dave – Yeah, we’d already done that
MUZZ – Ah yeah, shit, sorry.
James – Do we really need to talk about this whilst we’re being interviewed?
*laughs*

TBG- But lets talk about Abbey Road – I mean, technically, Abbey Road is like one of the most famous recording studios in the world. That’s got to feel good right?

Six.Point.Five- Uh huuuuh
James – It feels daaaamn good.
Muzz- ….*continues* actually, but we hadn’t already recorded at Abbey Road – cos it was my birthday and then
James – Murray. Shut the fuck up man!
*general shouting at Muzz*
*confusion on tape*
Dave – Oh wait! Wait… yeah, he’s right! Do you wanna start again?
*laughs*

TBG – Did you meet anyone famous

Rob- Yeahhh – shook Paul McCartney’s hand, in the garden
James – We met Ally and Sharleen Spiteri from Texas and I met Fran Healy – got some photos taken with him :)
Rob – But did you shake Paul McCartney’s hand James?
James – I did.
Rob - …but was it this hand? *licks his hand*
James - *silence* … well at least I haven’t got a small penis.
*laughs*

TBG – What was the experience like for you – I mean, walking in the space where the Beatles recorded?

Rob – Yeah, the best thing about being at Abbey Road is the fact that you were treated and you behaved and you acted like professional musicians – for an entire week, we were living, this amazing lifestyle. Getting up, taking a 5 minute stroll to Abbey Road and then staying there til 10 o clock at night.
We were living like rock n roll stars!
Max – No we were living like POP STARS.

*Dave’s phone rings*
TBG – Real professional Dave
Ewan – He picked it up when we were playing a gig!
TBG- Really?
Ewan – Yeah, in between songs, he picked it up and started talking.

TBG- So have you guys been on like a tour?

Rob – Yeah well at the moment we’re doing like a little mini-tour, we’re going places like Northampton – where else did we do?
Ewan – Purple Turtle, Camden
Rob – Pretty much the south of England and we’re going to Weymouth, Bridgewater
*Dave is now off the phone*
Dave – No, Weymouth
Simon – ..We did St Albans the other day to two men.


TBG – Have you got stories from other venues – what are those venues like compared to The Pitz. Are they as good as The Pitz?

Six.Point.Five – Nahhhhhh!
*laughs*
Dave – They’re not as reliable. And you can’t guarantee there’s gonna be people there.
James- But that’s cos it’s not our hometown.
Rob- The thing about The Pitz is – I think we’re spoilt
James – Wait wait wait, the thing about The Pitz is err – sorry, I like to interrupt sometimes...
Rob - I think we’re spoilt having Milton Keynes as our home venue. We go to London and it’s a tiny smelly little venue with no backstage. This backstage… it’s.. *points* we got our own showers, *points* we got our own toilet, we got our own er... bench!

Max – Check out this sofa! (referring to the small table he is sitting on)

Simon – Dave’s got specially designed showers
Rob – The Pitz is amazing.
James – Yeah, we are spoilt! Obviously there are a lot of good venues out there but …. This one’s the best.
*laughs*

TBG –Muzz, I’m going to pick on you – you haven’t said anything. If you had a dream venue – where would you play?

Muzz - … The Pitz?
*laughs*
TBG – I’m not even in a band and I know where I would play. Carling Weekend. Reading Mainstage. That’s where I would do it.
James – That would be pretty cool - I would prefer the Concrete Jungle stage
Dave – I mean, even the NEW BAND stage!
James – The sound’s shit on the main stage – I’d do Wembley though!
Simon – Yeah Wembley!
Dave – HEADLINING WEMBLEY
TBG – It’ll be good this year – Capdown, Adequate 7, Captain Everything..
James – Lightyear! Last ever gig. Again.
Max – Their second “last ever” gig
Dave – They’re copying Desperate Cycle.
*laughs*
Rob – Yeah, we were gonna split up last week and have a come back gig - bit of marketing spin!


TBG – This time last year – did you ever see yourself being in this position now? Like, having recorded at Abbey Road and gone and done gigs in places OTHER than Milton Keynes?
James- Not really no
Rob - These two buggered off around the world (referring to Muzz and Simon)
Dave- We thought it would all come to a stop, having lost two members and playing with five people – it’s a totally different sound.
James - *answers phone* Sorry, I gotta take this.… Hello.... MURRAY? For fucks sake man!
*laughter*

Ewan – And I wasn’t in the band this time last year.
TBG – So Ewan how has the past year been for you?
Ewan – Erm well it’s very different
Simon – This time last year, he was a sad lonely soul
Ewan – Yeah sitting in my basement with my bottle of whisky… nights blended into days ..
TBG – Are you glad that you joined this band in particular?
Ewan – Hell yeah – this band is wicked. Plus there aren’t many bands that use sax locally anyway
Simon – If he wasn’t in this band he couldn’t go – (*the infamous intro to Hassle* ) duh na duh na duh, duh
Six.Point.Five- … brawwwr

TBG – This summer we’ve got Band Blitz and you guys probably had the most success cos you won your Band Blitz and then went on from there so … who have you got your eye on this year?
Six.Point.Five – (without hesitation) – 2FT HIGH!
TBG – *laughs* I THOUGHT that was gonna come up.
Rob- Have you seen their picture actually? It’s well funny cos-
James – I don’t CARE about their picture – we’re doing an INTERVIEW.
*more discussion about 2ft High*

TBG – As they’re quite young, seeing them, do you see yourselves back when you were their age?
James – We were talking about that recently and we find it weird that like, whereas before, when we were just starting out and travelling to play gigs we were always like...quite young. And now, I’m not saying we’re OLD but, we definitely have noticed the young generation coming through and … we feel quite old now.

TBG – It’s kind of a success, when you think about it, because not a lot of bands have stayed together for so long. I mean, last year – you said Phema were fucking veterans right? And in a way, that’s kind of you guys now. How does that make you feel?
James- OH MY GOD!
Dave – We don’t see ourselves like that. We just see ourselves as several guys just having a laugh. Fair enough we have people who watch us and like our music but..
James- At the end of day right, in MK, you may consider us part of the older generation
TBG – But outside of the pond?
James- ... outside of MK, it’s like we start anew every time. On the grand scale of everything, we’re still at the complete beginning of our careers. Even though we’ve been doing it for like 3 years, which is quite a while –but considering we want to do this for the rest of our lives – it’s nothing.
SIMON – The experience of the last 3 years really comes in handy
Dave- The past 3 years has been learning from the experiences we’ve had and now, we’re like starting again, using what we know.
*James phone rings again – it’s a twinkly ringtone*

TBG – For an MK band you guys have stayed together for quite a long time, so what is it that has made you stick together where other bands have split up?
Rob – It’s the fact that we don’t like each other, we hate each other. Quite formally.
James – *announces* By the way Murray’s car has just broken down.
Dave- He’s only just pulled out of The Pitz!
Rob – I think the thing about running a big band is good communication. When Dave was in Guildford, we really struggled. Having a drummer in a different town was hard cos you need him when writing new songs. It almost broke down a certain number of times didn’t it? Cos there was no communication, people weren’t finding out what was happening, Dave wasn’t finding out what was happening.
Dave- Yeah that was a bad point – there was only a full band rehearsal every couple of months or so.
Max- The main reason though, was just cos it was …fun.
Dave – Yeah – even though we went through all that, with like a year at college – we still pulled through. We were like, we’re gonna keep doing it anyway. It was difficult, and we knew it was gonna be hard for us but we could overcome that cos we wanted to keep playin the music.
Rob- If you’re having fun, why stop? That’s the key to a good band
TBG – Is that like your advice to younger bands?
Dave – Yeah – if you want it that bad, keep going, you’ll get there eventually. Even in 20 years time you’ll be somewhere further than you were 20 years ago..
Simon – We’ll be 65 years old… with our first number one..
*some improv. jazz singing*
Rob – People say that everything in life worth having is harder to achieve. I apply to everything, music, work.
Dave – Especially Music.
Rob- You gotta sweat on the road - Like we were sitting in traffic jams all of last week..
TBG – In that heatwave..
Rob – Boxed in, that middle lane- stuck in like a little train of cars.
Dave- But you forget about all that – and you think, it’s a good venue, might be a good night
Rob – Yeah, you get to the gig and play.
Dave- Unless it’s a shit venue! Or if there’s like no people outside and you know there’s only like 7 people watching you.
Simon – Better seven people than none
TBG – Very optimistic Simon
Rob – Good boy Simon!

TBG- Okay, we talked about last year, what about next year and the year to come? What are your plans?
Ewan – World domination.
TBG – You getting a new bass player?
Simon – We have one
Max – (*whispers*) Unfortunately
Rob- Simon’s gonna learn the keyboards..
Simon – He’s ginger and his names Rory. And he’s WICKED.
TBG – Oh I get it, the Gingy Ror!
Dave – He’s a legend – I
Simon – I don’t think he really IS ginger actually. James just nicknamed..
Max – Dave’s telling a story!
TBG – Sorry Dave, carry on.
Dave- I met him at college when I played in down there in some bands and I stayed in contact with him when I moved back down. So he’s moved in with me now and he’s practicing with us every now and again. And he’s waiting to take over.

TBG- So basically, you’re readjusting your line-up?
Rob – Yeah well Ewan (tenor sax) and Muzz (trumpet) are off to Uni so we’re going to get some new horns in, we’re thinking maybe trombones, trumpets, tenor saxes, we’re going to keep it open. It might change the sound a bit but we’ll still be playing the same songs, writing the same sort of stuff
Dave – But if anything, better.
Rob – It’s just that people go away, people change, people make decisions to go to Uni.

TBG –Is it still no girls?
*at this point Jim walks back in*
*laughs*
Simon – Why are you back – hasn’t Murray’s car broken down?
James –Nahhh, I fixed it ;)
TBG – Jim’ll fix it.
Simon – I know how you fix things – you just kick em
*laughs*

James – Right, it’s not that we’re a sexist band. Well, I guess we are a sexist band but..
Rob – You CAN’T Say – “we’re a sexist band”
*laughs*
Dave – Well I’ve been in bands with girls and it’s just .. difficult. The way they think. At the end of the day, it all depends on the situation.
James – We’ll end up all fighting over who wants to bang her.
Dave – No. It’d be who’s going to go first.
Simon – That was the answer last time.
*laughter*

TBG – So what about recording? You got ay plans for recording coming up?
James – We’ve got about an album and a half’s worth of new tracks
Max – But they’re not good enough
Simon – Shut up Max – we’re doing an interview!!
James – The thing is we wanna record a new album and we got 15-20 songs to pick from but it costs a lot to do a good album so we’re like, biding our time.
Rob – We’ve done a 4 track EP with a local guy – Ande from Aurora
TBG – You got a name for it yet?
James – We haven’t even thought of a name for it yet
Rob – Yeah- if any of the listeners can think of a good name for the CD – let us know!!
Dave – We haven’t actually finished it yet though.
Max – I think we should say thanks to Ande. And his mum.
Six.Point.Five – Yeah his mum!!
Dave- The best food!
Rob – It was wicked – we walked down for lunch and his mum had laid down sandwiches and Dr Pepper and Sprite..
James- Ahhh those snack sandwiches – like salami, with tomatoes and peppers
Rob – And they don’t drink tap water – if you ask for a glass of water – they give you bottled, from the fridge – it’s class!
Simon – Pure service
Rob- They should run a hotel!
Max – Mini Cornish pasties!!
Rob – Yeah they were good!
James – The best man!

TBG – So next year, if you could choose anyone to support, or anyone to support you, who would it be?
Max- Paul Simon.
*laughs*
James- I would love to play a gig with Lightyear
*Six.Point.Five agree*
Dave – Mad Caddies! I’d love that.
Rob – Yeahh, Mad Caddies.
Dave- Streetlight. Love em.
Max – Nahh Streetlight.
Simon – Do you reckon we could get Queen at all?
Rob – Bob Marley. We should support Bob Marley alright?
Ewan – AND Jimi Hendrix
Simon – The BEATLES man.

TBG – This is a hard question, but where do you see yourself “a year and a week” from now?”
Six.Point.Five – Togfest!
*laughs*
James – Sitting in a changing room.. doing an interview?
Max- Hopefully signed?
Rob – Yeah signed!
TBG – Are you looking to be signed this year?
Dave- It’s not something we’re pushing for. It’s not like we wanna be signed but if we get a good deal – we’re not going to turn a good deal away.
Rob – It’s just not the driving force really.
Dave – yeah if something comes up and it’s not what we’re looking for, we’ll be happy to refuse it.
James – I think the main word is SHUNNED.

TBG- What do you want your band to be remembered for?
James – Making people dance.
*Six.Point.Five are in agreement*
Rob – Yeah, making people dance and having a good time
Max – I concur!
James – You need to have a gimmick, to be successful, you need to be ABOUT something. And we’re not really about anything other than enjoying ourselves, making the most out of life and the one thing that we aim to do is, when someone comes to our gigs, make sure they walk out the door - with a massive smile on their face
Rob – And really sweaty.
James- We don’t even care if they remember our music – as long as they had a good time while they were here.
Rob – Every time we go to a different town and play a gig to a new crowd – when people start dancing… it’s the best feeling. Cos they’ve never experienced you before, you’ve never spoken to them before, you’ve never even seen them yet, you’re doing something that you love to do and they love it too.
Ewan – That was a good one Rob.
James – In a years time, I’d love to just be touring all the time – obviously we’ve got next year.

TBG- Have you got any funny stories from the road?
James – None that err…*gestures at voice recorder*
*laughs*
James – The other day we did St Albans topless and in our pants – the hottest day of the year. Lots of naked car journeys.
Ewan – Come back in a week.
James- Most of it happens on stage. Like Dave. Answering his PHONE.
Six.Point.Five – Ohh yeah!
James – We were playing a gig in this pub and there were loads of people around –and the front door opened in the middle of Campinos On Ice – these two ladies were trying to get through and it just so happened that we were at that point where it goes – dedelendundun – and I went STOP! – everybody stopped and I said “….let these two ladies through” and they walked through the middle. You couldn’t have done it better even if you’d have practiced it.
Rob - … that was the PINNACLE of our careers.
James – Yeahh the best thing, I stopped the music and let some women walk in. Wheyyyy
*laughs*

TBG: I suppose, for the future, I suppose you can’t really predict much...

Rob – That’s the thing - I have sat here so many times thinking – what’s next? And I am always surprised by what comes along.
James – Over the next year, it’s going to be hard work replacing Simon and Murray and if Ewan goes to university as well – that’s like half the band. So the main thing is rebuilding the band and practicing. We’ll be writing new songs but we’ll have to play the old ones so it’ll be all about getting tight again and practicing all the time...
*Dave’s phone sings – Shut your f*king face*
Dave: Alright Pooboy?
*laughter*
Dave – You’re on the interview!

TBG - Well, I suppose all I can say now is, I hope next year goes as well for you as it did this year.
Six.Point.Five – Thank you very much.

*Sound clips coming soon.*

Six.Point.Five (minus the Tenor Sax)

Last week, TheBootsGirl and the TemporaryBootsBoy (Lee, of previous Drastic Rustle fame), met Six.Point.Five at TOGFEST, the annual music event held at Bradwell Abbey. Like the enquiring journalist she aspires to be, straight after the gig, TBG immediately caught Dave , the drummer, backstage. Luckily for you readers, unlike the person who writes about herself in the third person, these are complete transcripts of what was said.
Right down to every last detail. Enjoy.


TBG: Hi Dave, do you mind if I ask you a few questions and stuff?
Dave: Sure! But it depends on what it’s about really
*laughter*
TBG: Okay, first of all, NICE set today
Dave: Thanks!
TBG: And what do you think of the whole Togfest idea? Good opportunity for kids who wanna get into music or..?
Dave: Yeah, definitely, definitely, cos it’s a family venue as well so anyone can come along and experience different styles of music. Like, theres parents who until today might never have listened to it beforehand.

Now, with the arrival of Bassist SIMON, it gets tricky as the conversation splits into two. First of all, TemporaryBootsBoy and Dave, as they were actually talking about music-related things. TheBootsGirl and Simon chose to discuss the merits of free food.

TBB: So do you go to school in ACM?
Dave: Yeah, I’m in Surrey at the moment studying. Well “studying” of course.
TBB: Whats it like?
Dave: Yea its pretty good
TBB: Is it really hard work?
Dave: Well, its not too bad really

TBG: Hi Simon!
Simon: Helloo
TBG: Have you SEEN the free food and drink? Knocked myself out on that!
Simon: *laughs* Is there any beer?
TBG: There’s a beer thing.. bar.. over there
Simon: Sorry, I’m probably interrupting your interview
Dave: Yeah you ARE Simon!

TBG: Anyway, whats the deal with your sound at the moment? Because I’ve heard rumours.. RUMOURS that you’ve been changing. Of course some fans are happy, some fans arent, what do you think?
Dave: I agree, yeah we have changed. Erm I suppose on our first album, all the songs on that, some of them are quite different but I think its cos we’re developing our sound and that was our first recording and stuff. And now our new material, I think that’s more.. the way we wanna go. But we tend to just write what comes to us really.
Simon: Exactly.
Dave: Its true a lot of the riffs we’ve written recently have got a slightly more heavy element to them rather than all just being happy-go-lucky ska. Cos its too cheesy *laughs*
TBG: So how do you guys write your songs? Like some people have one person writing all the songs..
TBB: Or do you just have a jam?
Dave: Err normally like a guitarist or bass player has written a riff and they break it to us and we all like-
Simon: -develop ideas as a band.
Dave: Yeah, we all work on it together and write more riffs and harmonies and stuff to make it sound like it does!
Simon: And sort of when you play it you add new bits and you think like yeah that’s good. We really kind of do it as a group really.
TBG: I spy Rob coming over...
Dave: ROBERT!
Simon: You can ask Rob questions too now!

Right, here at MKSZ, we like to think we give the people what they want, THUS (and how I love that word) before the interview itself, TBG went around asking certain MKSZ readers for questions that they would like to be asked. Let’s just say the chosen question was the most “normal” out of the lot.

TBG: Okay I gotta ask you a question from the readers themselves now. Its not mine, so please dont give me strange looks, erm here we go – If your music was a colour, what colour would it be?
Rob: *with determination* Purplish blue.

<*laughter*>

TBB: And why?
TBG: Thats a good question. I’m meant to be asking the questions here.
Dave: Cos we’re liking those colours..
Rob: Cos. We’re. GAY.
*laughter*
Rob: Nah, I’m only joking
Dave: Black! *does death metal stance* Blaack!
Rob: Yeah! Black, cos it’s metal.
Simon: And we’re metal?
[Simon and Dave do “metal sounds”, you’d get it if you heard it.]

TBG: Talking of metal, do you think your sound has become more metal these days?
Rob: Not really, I think, we just play what we like and.. we’re all into our metal and stuff so.
Dave: Yeah, I think rather than the “metal noise” its more.... chunky riffs really.
TBG: What do you think of your fans?
Rob: Nice people
Dave: They’re great, they’ve supported us all the way
Rob: We appreciate it as well, they’ve been so good to us.
TBB: Are some of them a bit too.... WAAA *goes on to imitate a crazed fan* (It was good)
Rob: HYPER? *laughs* Nah nah, it all adds to the crowd
Dave: Yeah its cool, I mean its something you gotta get used to, cos I mean we weren’t used to it at first *laughs* But we’ve seen those that have come tonight, we’ve seen people every time, even if they live miles away, they somehow manage to find a way to get to us
Rob: Yeah we appreciate what they do.
TBB: And what’s the groupie situation like then?
Simon: Its gooood.
TBG: Any vacancies?.... For ....TBB of course.... ahem
*laughter*
Rob: Yeah, every now and again
Dave: There’s a three month waiting list


*********************************


Okay, its well known that when interviewing your idols collectively for the first time and whilst winging it, you can say THE most stupid things. And its true. When meeting with the rest of the band (minus Tenor Sax, Andrew), TBG starts with the most retarded opening line “Feel free to repeat yourselves”
(Quick! Here's my chance to redeem myself!) It WAS aimed at the previously interviewed, Rob, Simon and Dave but…. well... you can see what happens next.

[*muffled sound as recording contraption thingy is switched on*]

: Okay
: Okay
: Okay
: Hi my names David
: Hi my names David
: Okay

*laughter*

TBG: We were saying about your fans earlier, what was it you wanted to say?
Voice in background: (Okay)
James: Just a big thank you really and we’re all really grateful to have them and we’d be nothing without them so erm.. they are really important….
*pause*
Rob: *knowingly*… standard textbook answer
*more laughter*
James: Ohh yeah! (which I’m later told was not unlike Duffman from the Simpsons lol)
TBG: Alright, [to Dave, Rob, Simon] I already asked you guys about the colour but [to James] Ive got a question that’s from the MKSZ readers and this time it was “If your music was a colour, what colour would it be?”
Dave: *whispers* Black, say black!
TBG: Its gotta be his own answer, I’ve already asked you!
James: Pink
*laughter*
Voice in background: Greebo colour
*more laughter*
James: Erm...er.. I dunno, [that’s because here at MKSZ we like to challenge the mind of course] I’d probably say
Voice in background: Brown cos its shit
*laughter*
James: Yeah *laughs* brown cos its shit
Dave: A kind of sloppy brown as well

TBG: *laughs* Right, so you’re all what? 18—19? So most of you are students as well. What’s it like having to juggle music and student life?

Voice in background: Its rubbish
Rob: We don’t, we just play music
James: Yeah, we just play music, *laughs* We’re all failing our A-levels. We’ve all finished our exams and err, a couple of us are free now so we now er.. have to go get jobs. So that should be fun...

TBG: So what are your plans for the future? Are any of you going to Uni, and if you do, what’s gonna happen to the band?
James: Andrew’s going to Uni and erm, we’re gonna be looking at getting another Tenor sax player in. Erm everyone else is gonna be free for the next year so we’re just gonna push the band for the next year and see where it goes and if next year people wanna go to uni, we’ll see where we’re at.

TBG: Do you definitely see music as something you want to do in the future?
James: *without hesitation* Oh hell yeah, I can’t see myself doing anything other than music.
TBG: How old were you when you realised that?
James: It was Tuesday last week
*laughter*
TBG: [to rest of band] You can all speak as well you know?
*laughter*
James: Yeah, I was probably 8 or 9 when I first realised that I er.. wanted to do music
[*TBB asks Dave something*]
Dave: What was that? Ohh, ermm when I started drumming I was like, I’m not gonna do anything else, but get into a band.
TBB: When did you start drumming?
Dave: Erm... when I was about... eight?
TBB: Wow.

TBG What about the venues in Milton Keynes? Like, the one’s you’ve played at.
Rob: The Pitz is the best venue in Milton Keynes, without shadow of a doubt
James: I like Madcap. Madcap is.. good.
*laughter*
It’s a really cool venue, they should put more gigs on there it could be a wicked place. There’s so many like er, there’s so many venues, they just like, they need the support of the local people but they have the possibilities of –
Dave: Mono
James: Yeah, like Mono-s – it has the possibilities to be an amazing venue, Empire especially. Its just needs the support from other people.
Dave: The only way Madcap ever put on gigs there is if you actually go to hire it out and do it all yourself. Then you have to put in loads to make a go of it so
James: But we made loadsa money so its all right!
*cheers followed by laughter*

TBG: What do you think about MK bands as well?
Rob: MK bands are well good cos [James: SOME of them are] like of the Pitz and the new bands showcase
[Voice in background: Except Fell Silent!]
[Voice in background: I think we are special]
[Voice in background: Shut up]

TBB: So which ones are you watching out for?
James: I think the bands that are .. well good in Milton Keynes are Fell Silent – not just saying that cos we are mates but they are genuinely are a talented band
[Voice in background]:Phema
James: Phema are wicked but they’ve been on the circuit for years, they’re fucking veterans. But yeah [voice in background: Thios] there are so many well good, up and coming bands Thios like. Err Anti Vigilante [voice in background: Don’t say Thios please, they’re gonna hear us], Desperate Cycle, like all of those bands
Dave: They are all up and coming. I mean some of them are more underground than most but they’re definitely coming out and sounding really good.
*general agreement*

TBG: When recruiting, do you think you’ll take any female members in? Cos I know you’re all like ... guys... *laughter*
James: Alright, I don’t want to sound sexist but
Voice in background: No.
*laughter*
James: *continues* But there will never be a female in the Six.Point.Five. I don’t mind all-girl bands, I have NO problem with all-girl bands but I–
*laughter*
Voice in background: –in your band you wouldn’t...
James: I just think [Muzz: We’d all try get with her!] Yeah, [Voice in background: *laughs* Just like Murray] we’d all try and bone her. (Muzz: What?!) (Voice in background: Yeah, have you seen Murray with-)
*laughter*
James: Have you ever seen six guys and one female? It is NOT pretty!
Dave: By the way James, theres SEVEN of us in the band.
Muzz: Yeah, and Rob’s got a girlfriend
James: The thing is..
Dave: James, there are seven of us in the band you know?
James: *laughs* The thing is, we can’t say we wouldn’t have a girl in the band.

[ *the rest of the band are now at this point discussing with TBB what they would do with a female sax player* ]

James: If we met a really good, a really good sax player who was female then we’d probably consider her because of her talent.
TBG: Of course.

Rest of band and TBB: *still on previous topic*.... and we’d put her in the middle... with a knife...
(I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS ABOUT– its literally six other voices excitedly talking and shouting in the background)

TBB: so yeah will you be releasing Limited Edition six point five wristbands?

James: No, most definitely not!
TBG: What do you think of wristbands and the like?
James: Wristbands right. *pause* I got this Livestrong band from this American kid who’s dad had testicular cancer. And he gave it to me before they were even out in England.
Voice in background: Wow
James: *laughs* And it had proper sentimental value to it and now there’s so many fucking rip-offs of these things that its like, more of a fashion accessory. Yeah, more of a fashion accessory than people actually

[Simultaneously]
[Dave: Tell us *something incoherent about dying *]
[Muzz: Tell her about the –]
Voice in background: Tell her about the time Lewis stuck his toe up your ass!
*laughter*
Voice in background: Yeah, he’s all up for that!
TBG: [*if I could express a double take in words, I would write it here*] Say that again?! *laughs* now THIS is quality journalism..

Rob: Ask James to tell a story!
TBG: Tell a story James..

[Simultaneously (again!)]
[Tell us about you almost like dying!]
[Or you in (something that sounds like – underwear)]
James: Well BASICALLY I was in hospital the other day
Rob: Tell her about your time in World War II
Muzz: Shit Ive never listened to those
Rob: I remember.. back in the day..
*laughter*

TBG: Okay talking of stories, have any of you got anything embarrassing things that you have done on stage?
Muzz: We all fell over loads
James: Yeah
Dave: He [James] fell over, when we were on stage, about a minute ago (James: Well, I always trip over my leads) - TWICE.
*laughter*
Dave: James pulled out his wireless, as well, a minute ago. Pulled out the plug.
*laughter*
James: Yeah, during that set we just played, my amp vibrated my wireless frequency box off-
Rob: Yeah, what was that noise?
Dave: That was the box! The cable fell out and unplugged itself and just lay there on the floor like-
James: -Yeah, that was the lead which’d come out and was like-
[both imitating the noise that occurs when the cable is unplugged during a show]
[Dave: PHWSSH]
[James: EERGH]

Max: I snapped a string as well.
Dave: Yeah, Max snapped a string as well and everything went wrong but still everything went all right.

TBG: So did you think today was a good day for you guys?
Dave: Well everything going wrong like that tends be... the usual that happens *laughs*
TBG: And what do you think of Togfest?
James: Togfest is wicked. Togmor are wicked. They are proper quality.
[General agreement all around]

TBG: Are you guys staying for Togmor then?
James: Yeah, definitely we’re going to stay around and err.. get wasted *laughs*
TBG: What do you think about the crowd that Togfest attracts?
James: Err, its well good cos theres such a mix, there is so much variety like we got little kids here and .... and ... really old peoples.
*laughter*
James: Which is good!
Muzz: But they refuse to PAY US.
*laughter*
Dave: That’s Murray, all about the money.
*laughter*
Muzz: I want my MONEY.

TBG: So when are you guys next playing then?

Theres a rise in volume as everyone starts to plug the next gig. Simultaneously – who could have guessed?

[Voice in background: Next Sunday]
[Voice in background: Bedford!]
[Voice in background: July]
[Voice in background: Dude, when ARE we playing?]

Dave: *laughs* Yeah we’re playing the 3rd of July in Guildford, Surrey
Max: Have a flyer *hands one to TBG*

{ – maybe MKSZ will offer it as a competition prize “Flyer- touched by Max”. Maybe.}

TBG: Why thank you.
Muzz: Advertise our gig for us!
*laughter*
James: Our next gig near Milton Keynes is on the 16th of July at er...
Muzz: If 20 people dont buy tickets for that by next Thursday then…
TBG: Trying to fill up the coach eh? Well heres your chance, what can you say to persuade us to get on that coach? Tell me why should they go on the coach!
James: It will be a laaaaaugh
Muzz: There will be drugs, alcohol and .... SEX
*laughter*
James: Maybe not in that order.
TBG: Fair enough.
TBB: Will the people going be involved in any of that? (TBB sounds interested all of a sudden!)
Dave: Well we’ll all just be going out for a laugh
James: Yeah, it will just be a good day out, there’s always a well good atmosphere on these trips. Regardless of the band.

[At this point Muzz, who seems to have started on the drink already if you ask me, makes some kind of animal sound. No, really.]

James: We are just getting some support down to Bedford but yeah its cool, it will be a good day, we’lll have a good time.
TBG: All right then, well thanks very much, thats all I got.
James: Oh, and if you dont come, then you are a c**t
*laughter*

Great ending to an eventful interview, there were plenty of laughs this time round as the Five.Point.Five that we talked to are genuinely decent blokes. Its not often you cover so many issues in such a short space of time and in such an .... interesting way.
And for the ladies who want to get in there? You heard the man – All you have to do now is learn to play the saxophone.

Six.Point.Five are playing Bedford Esquires on 8th July. To buy tickets and for more info go to http://shop.sixpointfive.co.uk/

Nick of THIOS

This week, TheBootsGirl catches up with local MK band Thios.

First off, for the newbie listeners in the crowd, who exactly are Thios?
Thios are a 4-piece rock band who have been around about 2 years. Until recently we were a 3-piece but we recently added another guitar into the mix.
The music is heavy and experimental and heavily influenced by bands like Tool, A Perfect Circle, Radiohead, etc.

And who are you?
Nick . Vocals and guitar

Right. So tell me Nick, what have Thios been up to recently?
Basically we have been teasing in the new guitarist and some new material is on the way. We are maybe gonna record a new CD this summer if we get our act together.
We are playing The Pitz on 27th May which is pretty much our main gig this month. But its a good line-up and should be a good night. We were also supposed to be playin ‘Jam in the Park’ in Leighton Buzzard but that got postponed. We may be playing that in august.

Have you played at The Pitz before then?
Yeah we played The Pitz a few times. Like many bands in MK, we did our first gig there so it kinda feels like home to us.
Whatever people say about that venue, locally it is the best place we have found to play - particularly sound wise. Dave (the sound guy) really knows what he is doing and it always sounds really good which makes it all the more fun.

Sounds pretty cool. Who are you playing with?
Graveltrap, Six.Point.Five and Fell Silent.

That is a decent line-up, what do you think of the other bands then?
I'm not really into my ska or my punk but I really like Fell Silent right now. They are heavy and rhythmic and atmospheric and it all sounds good to me! The other bands are tight and should bring a good crowd.

And what do you think of the whole MK scene in general?
I like a lot of the stuff that is going on. Some awesome sounds out there. Right now I'm liking Modus Vivendi, Elation Through Sound, Facade, Fell Silent, and some more I could care to name. There is no shortage of good bands that’s for sure.
If anything I feel the scene is a tad ageist - and it definitely knows what kind of music it likes. We have been doing this for couple of years now and it is still kinda hard to get gigs locally on a regular basis.
Maybe it is us. But I know a lot of younger bands finding it hard too. It’s like there are the big bands who can get headliners, then you got your hardcore fortissimo kids and then there is everyone else y’know? It seems a little slow at times - nothing against those other guys though.
It’s essentially a good scene.

And finally where can people find more info about Thios?

www.thios.tk, or www.purevolume.com/thios or our myspace account.
Or come talk to one of us - we don't bite!

Thios will be appearing at The Pitz on Friday 27th May as part of the Local Bands Night with Graveltrap, Six.Point.Five and Fell Silent.
Get your tickets quick people, rumour has it they're selling fast.