By G. Cataline
WUMNews: WHERE IS THE BAND FROM AND WHEN AND HOW DID YOU FIRST FORM?
Donny: We're based in a nasty, violent little town in the Pennines of Yorkshire in England. It's a bleak, wet and cold place full of poverty, drugs and race hate. It's not a very popular holiday destination. We formed about a year ago I guess, although the others were already churning out some nasty punk sludge a few months before I wandered into the mix.
Mark:Yeah its grim up north! We were all mates for years me,matt and Scott (Donny) were in a band called Seal Team Six that toured the UK. Jonesy was a mate who had played in local punk bands Largactil, Razorback, Human Wreckage and Vendetta.
Jonesy: Yeah, we're from Halifax in the North of England. Mark and Matt wanted to get something together, I started jammin with them, Scott came in a little bit later and we took it from there.
WUMNews: BASED ON YOUR SONGS, "REVENANT," "RED CARPET," ETC. YOU HAVE A REALLY RAW, HEAVY SOUND… WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES?
Donny: Mine are pretty varied. Nick Cave, Bad brains, Killing Joke, Motorhead, Jesus Lizard, Godflesh, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash and Unsane. I am pleased with how much our sound on the album captures our "true" live sound. It reminds me a little of The Stooges early stuff, or maybe Pussy Galore.
Mark: i listen to lots of stuff my heavy inflences are godflesh, unsane, swans, helmet,Jesus Lizard, Melvins, Fugazi etc.
Jonesy: My main influences for what we are doing in The Black Lanterns are: Poison Idea, Killing Joke, Bad Brains, Motorhead, Discharge, with a few Sabbath riffs thrown in.
WUMNews: WHAT IS THE LOCAL SCENE LIKE WHERE YOU ARE AT?
Donny: In the UK, it's growing. More and more bands are emerging and self promoting. Facebook and twitter etc are making it easier for bands to get together, and there is now a great crossover between punk, metal, ska and other styles, which means bands get to play to audiences with wider appeals. Locally where we are, there isn't much of a scene, but more and more underground bands are playing and new venues are cropping up all the time, which is only ever healthy.
Mark: theres been a resurgence of late with really good bands,dolphins,himself, bleed, Extinction of Mankind who are also our friends.
Jonesy: Yeah, there are a few bands about which Mark has mentioned, but we lack venues, great shame about the demise of The Shay pub. We are very close to Leeds, Bradford and Manchester, and there is a good live scene for bands in those cities.
WUMNews: WHO IS THE MAIN SONGWRITER, HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT WRITING A SONG AND WHAT EXACTLY INSPIRES A SONG?
Donny: I write the lyrics, and am involved with structuring the songs, but the rest of them build the blocks of noise. The lyrics deal mainly with the fact that at 40 years old, I am still as unable to understand the world, have non destructive relationships and achieve any real happiness as I was when I was a teenager. Depressing stuff really. I might start singing about pool parties and shit.
Mark: a fucking huge riff added to some bigger ones we all have input but scott does the lyrics.
Jonesy: We all bring ideas and throw them together.
WUMNews: HOW MANY ORIGINAL SONGS DO YOU HAVE, AND DO YOU PLAY COVERS TOO? IF YOU PLAY COVERS, WHAT SONGS DO YOU PLAY?
Donny: I think we have about 20 songs that we would put in the set, we don't do covers, but if we did it would need to be an unusual choice. I get tired of "punked up" versions of existing songs. The only ones who could do that really well are the UK band "Snuff" (check out their version of Tiffany's "I think we're alone now".. awesome!). I'd like to do a Neil Diamond song or something like that.
Mark: no covers as yet but i dont thik it will be any punk covers, black steel by tricky was cool so maybe something on them lines.
Jonesy: all our songs are originals. I would like to do a cover of The White Punks on Dope by The Tubes or Bop til you Drop by The Ramones.
WUMNews: LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE SOME SHOWS COMING UP FOR OCT. AND DEC., DO YOU PLAY LIVE VERY OFTEN, AND WHAT TYPE OF TURNOUTS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?
Donny: We try to leave a couple of months before shows , as we don't want to take the piss out of the guys who come and support us , and we want to try and have new stuff for them every time they see us , so they get value for their money. Nobody is rich at the moment, so we massively appreciate the fact that these guys turn up at our gigs. They are great. I am gonna call them Lanternettes I think.
Mark: were currently booking gigs for spring next year any promoters please feel free to get in touch.we have'nt done that many gigs as yet,the upcoming gigs are with our friends dolphins,himself and bleed the turnouts are usually packed but thats because we play smaller venues haha.
Jonesy: just a couple of gigs booked, small local ones. yeh the turnouts have been good, and hopefully it will keep on growing.
WUMNews: DO YOU EVER PLAN ON COMING TO THE U.S.?
Donny: Yes! Dunno when or how, but yes!!! I wanna see all the buildings in new York that are n the Spiderman comics!
Mark :if we got an invite to do some gigs/tour the US we would be up for it! we would have to drug Matts milk before he gets on a plane though.
Jonesy: he ain't getting on no plane, fool! i would love to play in the US, ive been a few times and loved it.
WUMNews: I HEAR THE STONE ROSES ARE RE-UNITING, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?
Donny: Obviously ran out of money. They are an iconic band as they came about at the beginning of a movement, and brought out a great first album. The second coming was shit, and the next album will be too. Ian Brown was arrested recently for driving at 120 miles per hour. How in touch with the people is that? They are doing the same thing Westlife are: Cashing in.
Mark: i was never really a fan but it worked for the swans.
Jonesy: I couldn't give a shit.
WUMNews: WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU HATE THE MOST, AND WHY?
Donny: I don't really have a type of music, but that crappy urban RnB stuff like Usher makes my skin crawl. I just put that down to being an old fart though!
Mark: What happened to real hip hop?i agree with Donny, dont like the new rnb stuff,theres a new fad every week in the uk,take your pick
but the real music fans will always find the best stuff first on the underground.
Jonesy: jazz, it drives me round the fucking bend.
WUMNews: YOU HAVE A SEVEN TRACK ALBUM AVAILABLE FOR SALE, WHERE WOULD ONE GO TO BUY?
Donny: Until we get distributors, it's best to buy it from our website www.theblacklanterns.webs.com please bear in mind it will cost more for postage to the US so please email us first. You can also hear a couple of tracks on there, see upcoming shows and check out the video for "Red Carpet"!
Mark: As yet the website is the place to buy the physical CD release,there will be download available through Bandcamp or iTunes (uugh) soon.
WUMNews: WHERE DID YOU RECORD THE ALBUM?
Donny: In a Victorian Mill on a huge hill. Seriously.
Mark: Like Donny says its also our rehearsal room, its on the top floor of a huge victorian mill ...i wore a top hat!
Jonesy: yeah, a victorian mill in queensbury- the coldest place in england!
WUMNews: WHAT DO THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND DO OTHER THAN MUSIC?
Donny: I work for a telecoms company and wear a suit for work!! I also drink more than enough to kill most people.
Mark: We all work full time but i also do GUILD drone/experimental side project i also like a drink.
Jonesy: lots of things, work, rest and play.
WUMNews: WHAT IS THE WORST THING YOU'VE EVER EXPERIENCED IN THE BAND?
Donny: All my equipment breaks. Always.
Mark: Nothing too bad as yet.
Jonesy: queensbury!
WUMNews: WHAT'S THE BEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED?
Donny: Songs writing themselves… we jam and it's just like "Hey, that's a finished song!" best thing is, it keeps happening!
Mark: As Donny says the songs write themselves this makes us quite prolific.
Jonesy: getting it together and playing some gigs!
WUMNews: WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON ACCOMPLISHING WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR?
Donny: Another album, hopefully a couple of festivals, playing some gigs with some cool bands. I would also like to learn to drive and get a car. At my age, it's long overdue!
Mark: Decent gigs with decent bands and another album maybe some split singles.
Jonesy: hopefully play some good gigs with good bands.
WUMNews: IF YOU ONLY HAD THREE WORDS TO EXPLAIN THE BAND, WHAT WORDS WOULD THEY BE?
Donny: WHAT THE FUCK???!!!!???
Mark: Do It Yourself.
Jonesy: Raw Fucking Power
WUMNews: WHERE ALL CAN THE BLACK LANTERNS BE REACHED ON THE NET, WHAT ARE THE WEBSITES?
http://www.theblacklanterns.webs.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblacklanternsofficial
http://www.myspace.com/theblacklanternsofficial
https://twitter.com/#!/THE_BLK_LNTRNS
WUMNews: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Donny: Whatever you do, don't tug on Superman's cape.
Jonesy: Thanks for the interest, good luck with the fanzine. Keep it DIY!
WUMNews: THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW!