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18th November 2006
yourmusicbox.org Interview

26/10/2006
YourMusicBox.org Interview with David R Black

Manchesters three piece alternative art-rock band David R Black are no strangers to the touring world having supported the likes of Living Colour, Hugh Cornwell, the reformed spin doctors and punk rock legends – 3 Colours Red. After the successful 18 month tour for the last record Trinity parts 1 and 2, now DRB are still working on the new album (Hearts and Stars) with producer Joe Gibb who has also produced albums for artists such as Leftfield, Madonna and Janes Addiction.

Following the the release of their new album on the 9th October this month, we caught up with David R Black on their current tour with Hugh Cornwell to grill them with a few questions.

Right so for future fans and followers, who are “David R Black”?

Sarit: David R Black is David R Naylor – David R, he’s the david R part – he’s vocal and guitar. I’m sarit black – I play bass and vocals – this is pai – he’s the drummer.

Can you describe your music to us?

Sarit: Erm, avante garde, alt rock, yeah we’re call art rock as well. We leave it open to everyone elses interpretation really

How did you guys meet and then eventually form a band together?

Sarit: I’ll leave david to answer that one.

David: We all rehearsed in the same rehearsal rooms in Manchester, we’ve all been in bands previously but the band that I was in at the time – we’d been together for almost four years but we were offered and agreed to play a tour with a local Manchester band that had reformed and the band that I was in had split before the tour started but I was contractually obliged to play. I already knew sarit and we just threw it together really to do that tour, I mean the first sort of gig we did was the dinxpop festival in the Netherlands and that was in front of ten thousand people – I mean we weren’t really sure but it worked really well, it went really quickly – we were only together for two months before our first show. It worked fairly well because we’re all quite easy going people – so we kept going from there.

You’ve been going for a long time now – about three or four years – do you think that’s helped or hindered your progress in any way?

David: No it’s helped us, we’re very focused. Once we figured out it worked very well and we liked each others company and enjoyed it – we were quite focused and ready to go, rather than wait about – I think the problem with a lot of new bands is that they wait around for something to happen whilst we just actively went out and wanted to be a touring band – we just wanted to be on the road. About 18 months after we were formed we put out our first proper record as we were touring Europe and going to the states.

So what goes into the music making process at David R Black HQ? Do you experiment a lot with your music? How do you write your songs?

Sarit: Sometimes we focus on the music and sometimes we focus on the lyrics.

David: Yeah, there’s not a set formula. In previous bands, I’ve never been in a three piece band – it’s always been four piece or five piece bands and there’s always been a lead guitar and an accompanying guitar but for this one, I play guitar and sing. People say there are limitations to the dynamics of a three piece band, but there a lot of great three piece and I think if you do it properly – it works really well.

Have you ever considered adding a fourth musician to create more of a dynamic sound?

David: We got asked this yesterday and to be honest, we don’t know really. There’s no real politics and there’s never any split decisions because it’s just the three of us.

So do you always make your decisions as a unit?

David: Yeah.

. Sarit: When we worked with other musicians we really enjoyed the company, I mean our album has other accompanying musicians – we had an additional guitar player, an accordion, a cello – and for some tracks the extra musician worked really well.

Your new album “Hearts and Stars” was released earlier this month (9th October). How difficult an album was it to record considering your first release ‘Is a Spell EP’ was back in march 2002?

David: Well I mean between that time we started out with the trinity, which was two parts and if you put them together you’ve got about 14 tracks, which is basically our first album. This one, well with trinity we recorded it in between touring, small studio and not a lot of time but this time round we had a big studio and we took a lot of time over it – we had 6 months to record the album which these days is a long time really but there was a point when we were going on tour – for the trinity release we did in excess of a hundred and twenty shows over seven or eight countries, so when we finished that tour we were quite tired and quite fried really.

So you’ve spent the past month touring with Hugh Cornwell, how has it been going? Any highlights?

David: It’s been good, we’ve played with him before so we did around six shows at the start and we did a show at the Manchester academy – which was great, really enjoyed that and we’ve done the last ten with Hugh, I mean it’s been brilliant, Hugh has been quite supportive of us.

You’ve played quite a few venues over the years, what’s been your favourite?

David: Mean fiddler I always enjoy, it’s just a cool venue.

Sarit: Manchester Academy has always been awesome.

Do you remember your first gig together? What was it like?

David: Yeah like I said it was an outdoor festival, it was in front of ten thousand people…(Good response?) yeah yeah, I mean I was quite G’ed up, so was just looking to get out there and play like nothing could stop me.

So what do you think of the current music scene with the rise of “indie rock” bands – good or bad thing?

David: Yeah it’s a good thing - I mean there’s lots of different bands – we’re sorta DIY rock and I think there are a lot of garage bands. I mean I also think there a lot of hyped bands that are getting signed by big companies for the sake of being signed and coming out with nothing really substantial.

What are you guys listening to at the moment?

Sarit: I listen to the radio quite a lot – radio 2 whenever I can, the last CD I bought was sigur ros – the one with brackets. Recently I’ve also been listening to Remy Zero (oh yeah, they did the theme tune to smallville – I like the episode where they manage to plug themselves, HEY WHO ARE THESE GUYS THEY’RE GOOD – REMY ZERO MAN, THEY ROCK!). Haha yeah I was watching that one and was quite surprised, I actually bought the album a few years ago before they got big, I’ve only just started listening to it again recently.

David: I got the first two kate bush albums an they’re really good (what’s her new album – is it aerials?) Yeah that’s right and… trying to think what’s in my CD player – not really many new bands, the editors album – I like the singles but I don’t really like the album.

Pai: The new red hot chili peppers album.

David: Yeah! I’ve been listening to that (I’ve not heard it yet, any good?). Yeah it’s not bad, obviously not as good as their early stuff like sex blood sugar magic or californication.

Given that you often get compared review wise to bands like the pixies, early smashing pumpkins and placebo – would you agree with the comparisons?

David: I’m not a big fan of placebo but they’re a good band so there’s much worse, I mean we get a lot of sonic youth comparisons as well, I mean it’s a fair comparison.

Who would you liked to be compared with?

David:I’m a big fan of bob mold who was just recently doing some gigs in Manchester, I was actually doing some promotion for some solo shows of his. Again it’s bizarre we did a radio thing on Saturday and he was playing him on the radio as we came in to promote the album which “hearts and stars” is the last track on the album – I don’t think it’s the strongest, which is a bit like manics – gold…

Sarit: Gold against the soul..

David: I mean you quite like the manics..

Sarit: yeah. (I really enjoyed generation terrorists – my favourite.)

David: (towards sarit) yeah that’s what you say as well.

How do you guys like the spend your free time?

Sarit: Writing new songs, reading books…

David: We don’t have much free time, I think this is the first year where we’ve had a bit of time to ourselves, we did the new model army tour in may and then we got a bit of a break, we’ve kind of been faffing about really.

How did you spend your respective summers then?

David: I just sat about lounging around in the summer really. Went back to see friends and family in Manchester.

Sarit: We went about clubs and played acoustic shows, I mean it’s been ages since we’ve done one, so we spent ages practicing

David: Yeah you organized one for..

Sarit: a benefit gig for the WSPA – world protection of animals, which I put a lot of effort into – something I really believe in – it was a good start to the tour as well

You’ve supported a lot of different bands over the years – the spin doctors, three colours red, new model army and elbow – whose been your favourite to support so far?

(deep in thought..) Pai: Living colour and new model army.

Sarit: I would say new model army and three colours red.

David: I dunno, it’s a tricky one (it’s ok you can talk about them behind their backs), haha, probably living colour and the spin doctors, three colours red was really good as well. We did a gig once with a local band called “the tubes” and that was good just because it was so crazy. New model army were decent as well.

Are you hoping to play more festivals this year?

David: Yeah, in the new year we definitely are going to try and get more festival gigs.

Being a fairly underground band are you looking forward to more mainstream success with the release of the new album?

David: Not sure.. I mean with the band there’s no set genre or age group and we like that, I mean I wouldn’t want a lot of people to come just for the hell of coming, I mean we’re quite happy sort of playing local gigs for the time being.

You’ve toured all over Europe and America, is it any different from the touring in the UK?

(Collective agreement)

David: (I’ve always found that whenever I’m in a foreign country – people are so much nicer, no one wants to beat your face in for fifty pence..) haha, yeah I mean we just love playing so as long as the crowd is kind, we don’t really mind.

So have you guys ever had any conflicting views within the group about music?

David: Not really, I mean there’s always some musical tension..
Sarit: But that’s really a good thing

So have you guys ever considered changing your name to include paul here?

David: Erm, NO. (laughter)

Sarit: We sometimes joke that the R in David R Black stands for Rodriguez because in his passport photo he looks like a Mexican, haha.

So what does 2007 hold for David R Black?

Sarit: We’re hoping to do another single, we’re going to try and work on Europe as well. Try and get on some festivals – have some fun really.

Thank you for your time, it’s been a pleasure – any last words?

Errrrm. Buy the album!

Thank you very much.

Interview by Adam Chiu

www.davidrblack.net

www. wspa.org.uk

31st October 2006
Screaming Tarts Interview

AN INTERVIEW WITH... DAVID R BLACK.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SO FOR THOSE, WHO DON'T ALREADY KNOW, WHO IS IN DAVID R BLACK AND WHAT DOES EACH MEMBER DO?
David R - Vocals/Guitar, Ms Sarit Black - Bass/Vocals, Pai - Drums

YOU'RE BACK WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM, 'HEARTS AND STARS'. WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT?
Dave - I think with the new album we've managed to combine all the different facets that make up the David R Black sound - alt-rock, gothy, nu-wave, grungy, and a bit of punk. I know on paper that sounds a bit messy but I think all three members of the band bring something different to the plate.

HOW DOES THE NEW MATERIAL DIFFER FROM YOUR PREVIOUS WORK?
Dave - We've refined what we do best, there's progression and a lot more energy in the new material. Also, our choice of studio and producer was quite inspired; we were lucky to find a producer (Joe Gibb) who could translate our ideas and we were able to work in an environment that we felt very comfortable in.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD GIVE US A BRIEF TRACK BY TRACK GUIDE TO THE ALBUM.
Dave - 'Cassette Song' is a spontaneous low-fi intro, 'Empire Building' is the new single and the big opener, its a bit punky and quite raw. There's a number of themes to the album - how we justify the decisions we make in life, when we make a stand what we make a stand for, morality and duty. With 'Down TO The Wire' there's definitely an anthemic quality with big guitars and it's kind of the ying and yang to 'Silence and Sound' both lyrically and musically. 'Down to the Wire' is lyrically bleak yet musically uplifting, whereas 'Silence and Sound' is the opposite.
There's an odd crossover going on with 'Signals' as we do the quiet/loud thing and its got a feel of early David R Black to it circa Dark Halo, its more oppressive and dark. With 'The Incident', friends have commented that it sounds like a guitar riff but its actually bass featuring cello. Because it is instrumental you can draw your own conclusions, we each have different incidents in our lives that change everything.
'No Code' has a definitely grunge vibe, its amazing how many unsavoury characters you met in the music business but I suppose that equally applies to anything in life where big business is involved. 'Jetfighters' is the most obviously themed track on the album and the buzzsaw guitars and odd time signature brings a certain immediacy at that point. 'Shot To Pieces' continues the theme of being destroyed to rebuild again and has a nu-wave rock feel. 'Serenade' is old-skool DRB, we pinched it off our first Trinity record and gave it the big studio make-over although both versions stand up equally well. 'Lost A Friend'- we took a chance with this one as it's a ballad of sorts. We thought it was finished but there was still something missing so we eventually drafted in a friend of mine to play accordian, which wasn't an easy decision to make for a rock band but it works really well. 'Hearts and Stars' is the big finish and the title track, this was difficult to mix as we wanted to keep the vastness but not go over the top.

ANY INTRESTING TALES FROM THE STUDIO YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
Dave - We recorded at Mighty Atom Studios in Swansea which is the old BBC studios. It has quite a history, Dylan Thomas did broadcasts fom there and its supposed to be haunted so Sarit went ghost hunting with the camcorder but was frightened off by something going bump in the dark. There was nearly another ghost there at one point, well at least nearly another murder - we do tend to fight a lot in the studio as part of the creative process.

MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY, WHICH OF THE SONGS YOU'VE WRITTEN IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
Dave - 'Empire Building', 'Signals', 'Down To The Wire', 'Lost A Friend' stand out on the album. We're all quite critical in the band but I must admit overall the whole album is very stong.
Sarit - 'Lost A Friend' and 'No Code'

WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING ANY COVERS?
Dave - We actually played a acoustic gig recently for charity (world society for protection of animals) and we chose to do a couple of covers - we did golden brown by the stranglers as hugh cornwell himself showed me the chords and is a friend of ours, and we did a rather interesting version of the passenger. But for full electric sets we don't play covers.

YOU'RE HEADING OFF ON TOUR NEXT MONTH. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LIVE SHOW?
Dave - Very intense, a lot of energy and passion.

IS IT DISHEARTENING ON THE NIGHTS FEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO SEE YOU?
Dave - We've been quite lucky with the Trinity tours as they were well attended and we did a number of supports in the bigger venues in front of 1000+ crowds. However, I think every band in the world has played shows to just a handful of people at some point in their career. We always give it our all regardless.

WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR VERY FIRST GIG? HOW DID IT GO?
Dave - First gig as David R Black was at the Burnley Mechanics festival, we were on the billing as my old band Kings of Hong Kong, it was a gorgeous day and there were about 10,000 people there, and we were shockingly bad but had a great time!

WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIG YOU WENT TO AS A PUNTER?
Dave - christ I have no idea
Sarit - Suede in Manchester, can't remember the year - '94 or '95?
Pai - Metallica in milton keynes '93

HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR SET?
Dave - We argue a lot over the order and as you accumulate a body of work it doesn't get any easier. We usually include new singles, title tracks from Trinity, couple of old ones, couple of new ones, and at least one surprise. We can never please everybody and we always end up missing out somebody's favourite.

WHICH DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST... WRITING SONGS, RECORDING THEM OR PLAYING THEM LIVE?
Dave - They all have their own pleasure and problems. I really enjoy the creative process and actually recording, I become enveloped and totally absorbed when writing or recording, although the rest of my life goes out of the window and obviously with playing live you get that instant reaction. I do however feel the pressure of coming up with an delivering the goods.

WHAT IS THE ONE SONG YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?
Sarit - Bohemian Rhapsody...it's genius and probably the best song in the world...ever!
Dave - I'm struggling to pick one.

IF YOU COULD PICK ONE ARTIST TO WRITE OR PERFORM WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Sarit - I could probably make a list
Dave - Me too
Sarit - If I had to narrow it down Nirvana would have been in there, but equally Aerosmith, Queen, Led Zep, Rammstein.
Dave - Its difficult some wit once said you should never meet your idols because invariably they're a let down. I'm a big Husker Du fan and recently met Bob Mould but not sure I'd want to work with him. Also, the Police. Though in all fairness I quite liked New Model Army. We toured with them recently and they were a pleasure to work with.
Pai - There's loads of bands I'd love to tour with but I reckon Pantera would be up there cos they like to smash things. Any bands playing stadiums so we can have some stadium shows, that'd be cool!

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS AT THE MOMENT?
Sarit - Sigor Ros, Rammstein, Remy Zero (i used to listen to their stuff years ago got their first couple of albums, saw them play over here once but they never caught on in the UK and I kind of forgot about them until I was watching Smallville and realised they do the intro music. They're a good band and I was glad to see they've got some recognition especially in America from that.
Dave - There's not much about at the moment that floats my boat. What albums have I bought recently, the Nirvana greatest hits, got it all on vinyl but not CD. Ten by Pearl Jam, got the editors album - thought the singles were good but teh albums a bit of a let down. Having said that, they're a poor man's Joy Division and i'd sooner listen to the real thing.
Pai - There's not a lot of new bands have have gripped me recently, but most pre-2000 rock and metal does it for me!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD?
Dave - Bagpuss
Sarit - Thundercats
Pai - Knightrider, streethawk, A team
Sarit - Yeah the A-team rocked!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE WHOLE X-FACTOR THING?
Dave - I think its sad and damaging, and offensive to genuine bands and artists who actually put their time in touring and building a following, learning how to actually write and record songs.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE WEB OR FANZINES SUCH AS SCREAMING TARTS TO BANDS LIKE DAVID R BLACK?
Dave - We're big supporters of the whole web and fanzine culture, and increasingly we think they're vital for the whole underground music scene.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Dave - Thanks, keep up the good work and if you're reading this support live music and buy our new album, then get your friends to buy it as well.

Mr Martyn.