Chuck HinsonTHE FORE interview (Pt II)
September 29th 2008 04:26
Okay, Rockiteers … here’s Part 2 of the interview that’s got rockers around the globe buzzin’ — and anxious to hear the rest of the story from Spencer Hannabuss (bass, vocals, songwriter, founding member), Luke Bentley (rhythm, vocals), Simon Thompson (drums, vocals) and Matt Hardy (lead, vocals) — collectively, THE FORE!
(I was told that waitin’ for Pt. 2 is like waiting for the conclusion of a popular old TV series’ two-parter. Well, I might be a batty man, but I ain’t gonna be robbin’ ya of this part –unless some joker at IP Central disconnects me!) So, without further ado, I (oh? I didn’t use gotham? Mebbe ’cause it’s made up of two separate words that can make me very hungry …) give you Pt. 2 of The Fab FORE Interview!
(Now, remember … I printed the questions out exactly as you wrote ‘em! Of course, this was done before Luker left the band, so his input's included. And Matt couldn’t make it to the “meeting of the minds” for this, but he had the others answer on his behalf).
The lads’ answers are in bold type:
“Is that song Man of Few Words really about Simon the drummer? He sounds o much like Buddy Holley its (sic) gives me goose bumps. U should let him sing more sometimes.”
SPENCER: MOFW’s was originally written with Matt in mind (which funnily enough matches up with the last question about him!) but I think Matt saw it as a slight on his personality and wasn’t comfortable with singing it. Simon then joined the band and took to the song like a fish to water (again, can you really imagine anyone singing MOFWs other than Si?).
We do have another song that I’m keen to give to Simon to sing, called It Doesn’t Matter which is very Buddy Holly! I think Simon will do the song proud. Hopefully one day we’ll record it.
SIMON: I wouldn’t class myself as a “man of few words.” If I had a mic all the time you’d probably hear me joking with the guys in-between songs.
“How often does the band rehearse their songs and how do they pick the ones they do in concert?”
SPENCER: Rehearsal time is at a bit of a premium really since we’re so busy on the road all the time. Songs will often be learnt individually and then rehearsed in sound checks before being given a chance in a set.
Funnily enough, we’re talking at the moment about doing more rehearsals so that we can learn the new material for the next (second) album!
The set list for a concert is usually picked by me. I will take into account the audience that we are playing to and the time that we’re playing for. I try to ensure that the set is balanced in terms of who sings and also a varied amount of slow/medium and fast-paced numbers in it.
“I’d like to ask Neil and David got to be managers. Do they have anybody to help them like secretarys (sic) or promoters? As good as the band is, they could have managed the Beatles!”
NEIL WHITE (co-manager): No, no one to help us in the UK (could do with a secretary, though!) but The Relic is doing an awesome job across the pond. Dave and I just work it out between us. We don’t mind what we do, from being roadies, publishing the website and Fore-um to booking gigs and talking to promoters. To be honest, we just do as much as time allows with help from the band. It’s all enjoyable and, of course, the aim being to get these guys signed! (not sure we deserve the Beatles compliment though, but thanks! lol)
SPENCER: Both Neil and David have made a huge impact on our lives. Music aside, we all feel that both are good, trustworthy friends and I wouldn’t swap them for anyone. I’m sure they’d be the first to admit that a lot of the good work that goes on behind the scenes wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for our satellite helpers across the world whom, without their help, we wouldn’t have the presence outside of our own country.
We will always encourage outside help from anyone and are always happy to talk to people wanting to lend a hand in our push for that record contract!
“When will we see the new CD come out? If its half as good as your other one its going to go platnum (sic).”
SPENCER: Well, who knows? We have just finished our first session in the studio. We may need a second session, which is likely to be in October. I’d like to record around 20 songs and then choose an album of 14-15 songs from that. Maybe the other songs could be release at a later date!
SIMON: It’ll be the ”must-have’ Christmas present!
“What do the band members like to do on their days off from performing?”
SPENCER: You mean … there are days that we aren’t performing?? 
At the moment, time off is very scarce. I’ve just adopted a couple of fluffy cats so they’re taking up quite a bit of time at the moment. Their names are “Womble” and “Muffin.”
SIMON: If I’m not banging my drums onstage, you’ll probably hear me banging my Roland kit at home, or crashing out in front of my big TV in my new apartment watching American TV shows.
LUKE: Well, we all work full-time so we don’t get much time off at all! But if we do, we like to have a beer and chill out.
“What is each band member’s favorite color?”
SPENCER: Always liked Red (I’ve only owned red cars), but black and brown are two of my favorite colours to wear.
LUKE: Blue!! I love the blue!!
SIMON: You’ve probably guessed already (that) it’s black. I like the old style Beatles look so I wear it when I can onstage.
“When will we see them in the US? I hope soon. They are the best thing to hapen (sic) to rock and roll music since the Beatles and we sure need their music over here.”
SPENCER: Well, we want to come over, too. We need to get more exposure over in the states, and, when the time is right and that breakthrough happens, we’ll be over like a shot!
SIMON: As soon as we get the call I’ll pack my bags and jet off to all you lovely American Foreheads!
“I like the acting they did on Love For Sale on youtube. The dog was precious. Was he any one of theirs? They could go into movies they are all so good looking.”
SPENCER: “Flea” belongs to Matt’s brother-in-law (who’s also called Matt!). Some might say that the dog out-performed the band …
SIMON: Gee shocks, thank you! “Flea” is owned by Matt’s brother-in-law who was the brains behind the video and scripting.”
Now, Part 3 is comin' up in 24 or less, yardbirds ... and you're gonna want to be around and find out what's up with the band as I post an important update after the third installment! So stay tuned ... and remember ...
Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music ...
and I'll see ya on the flip side!
(I was told that waitin’ for Pt. 2 is like waiting for the conclusion of a popular old TV series’ two-parter. Well, I might be a batty man, but I ain’t gonna be robbin’ ya of this part –unless some joker at IP Central disconnects me!) So, without further ado, I (oh? I didn’t use gotham? Mebbe ’cause it’s made up of two separate words that can make me very hungry …) give you Pt. 2 of The Fab FORE Interview!
(Now, remember … I printed the questions out exactly as you wrote ‘em! Of course, this was done before Luker left the band, so his input's included. And Matt couldn’t make it to the “meeting of the minds” for this, but he had the others answer on his behalf).
The lads’ answers are in bold type:
SPENCER: MOFW’s was originally written with Matt in mind (which funnily enough matches up with the last question about him!) but I think Matt saw it as a slight on his personality and wasn’t comfortable with singing it. Simon then joined the band and took to the song like a fish to water (again, can you really imagine anyone singing MOFWs other than Si?).
SIMON: I wouldn’t class myself as a “man of few words.” If I had a mic all the time you’d probably hear me joking with the guys in-between songs.
SPENCER: Rehearsal time is at a bit of a premium really since we’re so busy on the road all the time. Songs will often be learnt individually and then rehearsed in sound checks before being given a chance in a set.
Funnily enough, we’re talking at the moment about doing more rehearsals so that we can learn the new material for the next (second) album!
The set list for a concert is usually picked by me. I will take into account the audience that we are playing to and the time that we’re playing for. I try to ensure that the set is balanced in terms of who sings and also a varied amount of slow/medium and fast-paced numbers in it.
“I’d like to ask Neil and David got to be managers. Do they have anybody to help them like secretarys (sic) or promoters? As good as the band is, they could have managed the Beatles!”
NEIL WHITE (co-manager): No, no one to help us in the UK (could do with a secretary, though!) but The Relic is doing an awesome job across the pond. Dave and I just work it out between us. We don’t mind what we do, from being roadies, publishing the website and Fore-um to booking gigs and talking to promoters. To be honest, we just do as much as time allows with help from the band. It’s all enjoyable and, of course, the aim being to get these guys signed! (not sure we deserve the Beatles compliment though, but thanks! lol)
SPENCER: Both Neil and David have made a huge impact on our lives. Music aside, we all feel that both are good, trustworthy friends and I wouldn’t swap them for anyone. I’m sure they’d be the first to admit that a lot of the good work that goes on behind the scenes wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for our satellite helpers across the world whom, without their help, we wouldn’t have the presence outside of our own country.
We will always encourage outside help from anyone and are always happy to talk to people wanting to lend a hand in our push for that record contract!
“When will we see the new CD come out? If its half as good as your other one its going to go platnum (sic).”
SPENCER: Well, who knows? We have just finished our first session in the studio. We may need a second session, which is likely to be in October. I’d like to record around 20 songs and then choose an album of 14-15 songs from that. Maybe the other songs could be release at a later date!
SIMON: It’ll be the ”must-have’ Christmas present!
“What do the band members like to do on their days off from performing?”
At the moment, time off is very scarce. I’ve just adopted a couple of fluffy cats so they’re taking up quite a bit of time at the moment. Their names are “Womble” and “Muffin.”SIMON: If I’m not banging my drums onstage, you’ll probably hear me banging my Roland kit at home, or crashing out in front of my big TV in my new apartment watching American TV shows.
LUKE: Well, we all work full-time so we don’t get much time off at all! But if we do, we like to have a beer and chill out.
“What is each band member’s favorite color?”
SPENCER: Always liked Red (I’ve only owned red cars), but black and brown are two of my favorite colours to wear.
LUKE: Blue!! I love the blue!!
SIMON: You’ve probably guessed already (that) it’s black. I like the old style Beatles look so I wear it when I can onstage.
“When will we see them in the US? I hope soon. They are the best thing to hapen (sic) to rock and roll music since the Beatles and we sure need their music over here.”
SPENCER: Well, we want to come over, too. We need to get more exposure over in the states, and, when the time is right and that breakthrough happens, we’ll be over like a shot!
SIMON: As soon as we get the call I’ll pack my bags and jet off to all you lovely American Foreheads!
“I like the acting they did on Love For Sale on youtube. The dog was precious. Was he any one of theirs? They could go into movies they are all so good looking.”
SPENCER: “Flea” belongs to Matt’s brother-in-law (who’s also called Matt!). Some might say that the dog out-performed the band …
SIMON: Gee shocks, thank you! “Flea” is owned by Matt’s brother-in-law who was the brains behind the video and scripting.”
Now, Part 3 is comin' up in 24 or less, yardbirds ... and you're gonna want to be around and find out what's up with the band as I post an important update after the third installment! So stay tuned ... and remember ...
Keep yer eyes on the skies, yer feet on the ground, yer heart with the music ...
and I'll see ya on the flip side!
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