Fists are a band that have been getting attention in and around Notts for a while now, and they've just started getting picked up by the likes of XFM and Artrocker too. That's because they've finally dragged their guitars, megaphone, chord organ, washboard and beat-up casios into the studio to record their debut single ('Cockatoo'/'Skit') which has been released on local label Hello Thor Records. We caught up with singer James to find out about their future plans, his funk metal past and to pick up a few cooking tips while we're at it...
Where did you start out in music?
I started out in a classic heavy metal band called Morphene (spelling mistake deliberate). It became obvious that we would probably never get out of the garage so I defected to a funk metal band called Nervebomb. I was about 14 or 15. The music was obviously disgusting but girls liked it so I didn’t care. I got a girlfriend who wore stripy tights and did sex. I later found out she was also into Satanism and whole bottles of Thunderbird and weird body tolerance experiments with coffee that would fuck up her menstrual cycle and leave me terrified about being a teenage father. It didn’t last and neither did Nervebomb. Once I’d started listening to the Pixies and Nirvana I lost the heart for it. It suddenly became embarrassing.
Who plays what in the band?
Everybody swaps instruments and takes turns singing. The swapping stops us from getting stiflingly proficient at one instrument. Tez is the only constant on drums which is needed to keep us together.
What's your favourite of your own tracks?
At the moment it’s a new one Angi’s written called Ace is the Way. The main vocal hook reminds me of a kind of freaky Charles Manson commune song. It’s a bit of a mantra. Every time we play it I imagine loads of damaged hippies chanting it whilst trapped in a terrifying acid cycle. I’m hoping we’ll get the chance to re-create that feel in the studio but I’m not entirely sure if everyone else feels the same way about it yet. It’s still pretty new so we’ll just have to see.
What's your favourite track of all time?
Witchita Lineman.
What are your favourite cities and venues to play?
Nottingham and Leeds are good. We played the Holy Trinity Church in Leeds recently which was really weird but interesting. I also like The Chameleon in Nottingham because the sound there is really good at the moment. We haven’t actually played there ourselves yet so I guess that doesn’t actually count.
If you could get anyone in to play with you, who would you choose?
Kim Deal, because we’re looking for a bassist and she’s king.
Who are the best up and coming artists we should check out?
I’m into local band The Cusp at the minute.
What can people expect from the show on 25th April?
Lots of jubilation and heart, probably another outing for the Donkey head, some super-sharp, weirdo clothes courtesy of Kathleen & Lily’s who are sorting some stuff out for us to wear, maybe some new material and most likely a few mistakes as well as we haven’t played live for so long. There’s also 3 other acts on as well; Rory McCarthy, Mexican Kids at Home, and Harry Merry plus DJ’s and visuals and it’s totally free.
What do you listen to on the stereo at home?
Mostly Grime. I’ve got really into it lately. Grime and an early Queen record called Sheer Heart Attack from when they were a glam band. It’s just mind boggling. I put it on for someone recently and they puked. That’s the sort of shit we’re dealing with on that record.
What was the last album that you bought?
'Nouns' by No Age.
What was the last book you read?
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Saffran Foer
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
The "something’s broke in my ass" scene in the Coen Bros film Burn After Reading.
What was the last thing that made you cry?
Band of Brothers. I’m currently working through the box set.
What is coming up for Fists over the next year?
We quite like the idea of being a singles band that releases loads of collectible 7’s, so more singles. Oh and live shows to sell them at. We also want to do a bit more with Ox & Lamb (the Fists side project) too. We recently did some Ox & Lamb rehearsals with a friend of ours called Leon who’s joined us as a fourth member and it turned out really well. It’s very different from the Fists stuff. It’s more of a trippy country thing with loads of reverb and synthesizer. We’re thinking of giving it a bit of a dreamy electronica spin in the studio with glockenspiel, chimes, delay pedal and country singing. We’re pretty excited about it.
Do you have any advice (good or otherwise) that you'd like to share?
Sure. When chopping onions don’t chop the root off until last because that’s where the stuff that makes you cry secretes from. Don’t put tomatoes in the fridge because the cold dulls the flavour. Use an electric hand whisk for mashing potatoes, it makes them fluffy and creamy and delicious with a fraction of the effort that’s required for hand mashing and much better results.
Fists and Swimming play LeftLion at Brownes on Friday 19 June 2009.
Fists website
Hello Thor Records MySpace
Hello Thor Records website
Fists
Write Commentby Hello Thor Apr 25, 2009, 05:19:53 pmNice one Fists. I'll put that line about the Satanist in the next press release.
by Haych May 01, 2009, 11:06:22 amOver-rated.
by Lord of the Nish May 01, 2009, 01:27:46 pmIf more Notts bands started getting overrated, maybe more people would be interested in our scene.
by Jared May 01, 2009, 02:19:26 pmHaych is entitled to his opinion fo sure, but i'd say they Fists can only possibly be 'over-rated' to a very small amount of people (ie those on this forum). It's not like the NME are lauding it over Fists as the next big things is it (not yet anyway)? They're too busy bumming wanky Southern bands like White Lies and Does It Offend You, Yeah?.
For my money i've enjoyed Fists a lot every time i've seen them play, we've even asked them back for a LeftLion gig (playing in June with Swimming, which should be a smasher!)
Though I haven't heard the new single yet. Where can I physically buy one Thor fellas?
Edit - just seen the tagline on your posts for ordering online. Is the 7" in any shops yet though?
by Hello Thor May 01, 2009, 02:27:11 pmIt'll be in Anarchy Records and Recreation from Saturday 2nd May. And as soon as Selectadisc re-opens it'll be there too. It will also be on sale when Fists play the Acoustic Rooms at Rescue Rooms this Monday, and at all other Hello Thor and Fists gigs.
by floydy May 01, 2009, 02:35:48 pm
by cheque May 01, 2009, 04:32:31 pmI love 'em. They're kind of effortlessly appealing, eh? I mixed loads and loads of bands when I used to engineer gigs and Fists were among the nicest people I ever dealt with, too.Which city they're from makes no difference to me, frankly.
Any band that people get excited about will always get accused of being overrated. It's one of the consequences of being 'rated' I suppose. You'll never appeal to everybody and if you're quite popular, the people who aren't feeling your tunes will call you overrated. If you're not popular, then those people will just call you shit. Better to be called overrated than just plain shit!
In my opinion, the single kind of sells them short. My opinion generally proves to be worthless on these kind of matters, though...
by Haych May 01, 2009, 07:26:05 pmHaych is entitled to his opinion fo sure
Ta for that.how? by whom? as what? etc...
On this site. By everybody who reckons they're the best thing since sliced white. As an interesting band. Etc.I love 'em.
That's just splendid.QuoteThey're kind of effortlessly appealing
Where's the fun in that?QuoteI mixed loads and loads of bands when I used to engineer gigs and Fists were among the nicest people I ever dealt with, too.
I'm sure McFly are nice guys too. Fuck 'em.QuoteBetter to be called overrated than just plain shit!
Couldn't agree more. Best of luck to 'em.If more Notts bands started getting overrated, maybe more people would be interested in our scene.
But Notts bands are content to play to their mates & remain perennially "local". So who cares?
by R O B May 02, 2009, 10:09:45 amI wouldn't say notts bands are content to play to just their mates?? Maybe some are? There are notts bands playing Glastonbury, bloom festival and Summer Sundae festival this summer. That'll be to more than just their mates I imagine!
Fists aren't everyones wet dream but it's good to see/hear a 'local' band getting national airplay and growing a national following.
by Haych May 02, 2009, 10:28:55 amI wouldn't say notts bands are content to play to just their mates?? Maybe some are? There are notts bands playing Glastonbury, bloom festival and Summer Sundae festival this summer. That'll be to more than just their mates I imagine!
Except... they'll be playing at 2pm when everybody's still hung over in their tents, hungover & sobbing...QuoteFists aren't everyones wet dream but it's good to see/hear a 'local' band getting national airplay and growing a national following.
It'd been even better if they were a great local band rather than just an OK one though, eh?
by Daysleeper May 03, 2009, 06:34:29 pmUrgh, they ARE a great local band!But I can understand if you don't like them, and I am probably one of the people who you have accused of 'overrating' them on this site. But when a good local band comes along, it's exciting!
And I heard that McFly are actually cunts.
by Haych May 04, 2009, 10:55:39 amNever said I didn't like them did I?
And yes, you probably are.
by TheGreatSage Jun 26, 2009, 05:30:55 pmHey Haych Mish! for someone who thinks this band is Overrated you sure do like to go on about 'em alot, Overstated? Yes, I think so Bloo, that's what we have here.
by Haych Jun 26, 2009, 08:46:09 pm
by windows78 Jun 29, 2009, 01:16:44 pm
