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THE VOICE INTERVIEWS ANDRES
18th June 2007

In the interests of getting to know the band a little better, the Voice has managed to corner the members into giving us a brief interview. We'll go easy on them for the first round.  First up is our drummer, Andres or Spanish as he is more commonly know among friends.

The Voice: Hello Andres! First of all I’d like to officially welcome you to the band. Albeit a bit late, but it’s not exactly rock and roll to be on time anyway. So, in the interests of being fashionably tardy, tell us a bit about yourself. Where may we have we seen you before?

Andres: Well, I’ve been playing drums for 20 years now, being inspired by father’s band. I’ve played for soooooooooo many different bands of all music styles, some good, some bad, but all giving me the invaluable experience you need to get a rounded musical education. Well, I think, anyway. Some of my previous bands include, Juice, Gardenstate 78, TV For Dogs, Dean Howard Band, The Latch and shitloads more, including the all important function bands. You know the ones where you have to stop for bingo

*At this point, the Voice ponders shouting “Two Fat Ladies” at the next show to see what happens.

The Voice: You state that you're half Spanish. Which half?

Andres: Well, that all depends on which day!

The Voice: ‘nuff said. Who are some of your influences?

Andres: My Dad’s Latin band at first and then I discovered Led Zeppelin who blew me socks off! As far as drummers go, I can learn from everyone, as nobody plays the same. They’ll play something I never thought of.

The Voice: You and Dave joined the band after the EP had been recorded and three weeks before going on tour. That seems like suicide to me. It means you are either very brave, certifiably insane, or Toby has some pretty serious dirt on you :) Which is it?

Andres: Drummers are generally bonkers anyway, but when an opportunity comes along like this, you have to grab it with both hands. Toby has no dirt on me. Yet. That’ll be the next tour, he he!

The Voice: Is there a song by any artist that you wish you could have performed on?

Andres: Not really played on, but I would have loved to have been in the studio watching Dream Theater record “Train of Thought”. Monster fucking Album!

The Voice: On the forums, there is a discussion about the number of drummers Toby has worked with and the obvious comparison to Spinal Tap. So, with this prerequisite knowledge of a potential low life expectancy, what survival skills do you bring to the table to ensure you don't mysteriously disappear or spontaneously combust?

Andres: Luck! Drummers in general all have this image of being the loony ones and when you think about it, you have to have a certain aggressive personality to bang the crap out of drums. In a purely musical context of course. This is where it goes wrong i.e Keith Moon, John Bonham. The list goes on. But I think that has changed from the mad days of the 70’s. In excess lies the danger, so a little bit of (almost) everything is the way forward for me.

The Voice: What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done on stage?

Andres: Well there was one show where I never turned up as I had my dates wrong.

The Voice: Toby is famous for going through guitar strings when performing. Do you intend to join this trend and should concert-goers be on the look out for broken drumsticks ricocheting into the crowd?

Andres: Not that I want to, but when you play with so much rawk, things tend to break. Cymbals are the thing I dread breaking as they are so bastard expensive. Grrr.

*The Voice makes a mental note to stand further back next show. Much further back.

The Voice: Name three words that describe you starting with the letter "S".

Andres: Too hard as I’m too hung over.

The Voice: So I guess sober wouldn’t be one of them? Lol Do you have a message for the fans?

Andres: Be good to your mother and I’ll have a pint, cheers! Oh yeah and Toby’s supporters are a loyal bunch and I hope I’m doing the music proud!

All photographs ©2007 Les Linyard