QUICKFIRE WITH OH ROMANCE | INTERVIEW
“They say rock and roll is dead, but here we are…”
Introduce yourselves…
Alex: Hi, I’m Alex. I’m the rhythm guitarist and singer.
Blair: I’m the drummer and the all-around sound guy.
Kevin: I’m the lead guitarist.
Alex: Kev’s the coolest.
How would you describe your music?
Alex: Dirty, dirty, dirty music.
Blair: Anthemic
Kevin: Smelly riffs.
Alex: Seriously though, good music. Different. The sort of music that you’d find in a Cure b-side if it was written and recorded in 2016.
Do you have any new music coming out? Tell me all about it…
Alex: We just released ‘Tongue-Tied’ in June there – it’s a proper rock n roll tune. Give it a spin, and tell your pals. And your mum and dad.
Blair: We’re back in the studio recording our new song ‘It’s Not Fair!’ and we are so excited, going to be a belter.
Kevin: It’ll bop some heads.
If you had the opportunity to write an album other than one of your own, which would it have been and why?
Alex: ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect’ by The Last Shadow Puppets. Completely flawless record, we’d be doing it an injustice if we tried writing it. Nothing comes close.
Blair: ‘Meteora’ by Linkin Park. It shaped my music taste nicely and was one of the first bands I played along to when I was a wee guy.
Kevin: ‘I Forget Where We Were’ by Ben Howard. The writing is perfect. For someone who rarely turns off a distortion pedal for my guitar tone this album sparked something for me, really switched me on the production and exploration for unique sound.
Could you tell me which of your own songs is your favourite?
Alex: ‘Celebrity’. Criminally underrated banger.
Blair: ‘Call You Back’ or ‘Tongue-Tied’ I reckon.
Kevin: Has to be said, ‘Call You Back’ – best jam with the boys live.
What’s your current favourite song from someone else?
Alex: ‘Starburster’.
Blair: It definitely changes a lot, currently it’s Paramore ‘Ain’t it fun’ off their self-titled Album.
Kevin: ‘Uto’ by Dead Poet Society.
What venue is your dream to play?
Alex: Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow – bucket list venue. When that happens I’ll die happy.
Blair: Barrowlands is right up there, as well as O2 Academy!
Kevin: 3’s a pair, Barras is the dream.
What would be your most controversial opinion on anything?
Alex: Some punter always pipes out with the “pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza” s***e.
Blair: Nothing I can think of at the moment (pineapple does belong on pizza btw)
Alex: See what I mean. (He’s absolutely right though.)
Kevin: To be honest I don’t have any controversial opinions. Neutral good.
Where is the best pint or pub for that matter in the world?
Alex: Roseburn Bar [Edinburgh]. So good you’ll drop your pint of G’ in your lap.
Blair: Kinleith Mill in Juniper Green. Not even up for debate.
Kevin: It’s obviously Legends [Edinburgh], dirty pints and stinkin’ good tunes.
Alex: Kev’s a big fan of their buckie bombs – catch him there every Friday.
Beatles or Stones?
Alex: Bit a both. Beatles fan at my heart, but The Beatles didn’t write ‘Beast Of Burden’ or ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’.
Blair: Love both, but preferably the Stones.
Kevin: Love ‘em both, but it’s got to be the Stones.
Best UK festival and are you playing any festivals?
Alex: It has to be Reading and Leeds. No competition.
Blair: Reading or Leeds looks great, as well as 2000 Trees & Download – there’s so many!
Kevin: Download looks mad, would be a dream to play.
Alex: This year we’ve played a handful – we headlined King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in January for its “New Year’s Revolution” festival, then we headlined Stag & Dagger at Broadcast back in May.
Blair: Unreal scenes.
Alex: Didn’t expect to see Lennon Gallagher in the pit for ‘Animals’ but there you have it.
Blair: True story by the way.
Are you playing any gigs? Where and when?
Alex: We’re playing a few shows in September, with the plan of making it part of an impromptu tour. Bring the filth to our brothers and sisters in England.
Blair: Playing a wee festival just outside of Glasgow soon so we’re looking forward to that.
Kevin: Looking forward to a wee trip around the block.
Future plans?
Alex: We’re focusing on perfecting our sets and writing as much as possible for the next few months. We want to come into 2025 swinging.
Blair: Just keeping up the momentum! After some new tunes are sorted we’ll be gigging as much as possible to get our name out.
Kevin: We’re always on the grind but we’re excited to get back to playing!
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