On Song :: Band of Skulls

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Band of Skulls, whose debut album is available now, got Emma Richardson (bass / vocals) to answer our On Song questions… It’s perhaps easy to see where their bluesy, dusty influences came from with a childhood involving the British Invasion, Bonnie Raitt and Muddy Waters…

What was the first song that really caught your imagination?
When I was a young-un I sneakily put on my dads records when he was out and I discovered that Dizzy Miss Lizzy from the Beatles album Help, was the best song id ever heard as it was loud and fast and had a guitar line that made me wanna dance and jump around on the sofa and I didn’t know why but I loved playing it over and over again. That song led me onto discovering Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and a lot of other rock n roll greats.

What was the music your parents liked and do you think it’s influenced you at all?
Their tastes definitely influenced me yes… My Dad loves the blues, he has a lot of records from the British invasion lot, and American blues legends. I remember early peter green Fleetwood Mac, the Blues Breakers with John Mayall, the Paul Butterfield blues band, Muddy Waters Hard Again, the Stones, sticky fingers and exile on main street – sweet Virginia was my favourite song for ages as a kid because of the big sing along vocals in the chorus, I used play it on repeat. My Mum would sing along to James Taylor and Simon and Garfunkel in the kitchen and Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, hearing just vocal and acoustic or a minimal band, was really effecting. They both played a part in educating me musically but I like picking up musical tip offs from anyone. I got into a lot of old jazz singers, easy listening and classical, and trashy garage rock and American punk and lo-fi through swapping stuff with people, American music was always around

What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?
Didn’t really put many posters up, I liked putting up photos and pictures from magazines I liked. I never really went out and bought them, I would rather have spent my pocket money on a tape or a cd. I remember having a tape of Michelle Shocked album short sharp shocked, on repeat for about a year and trying to learn all the chords and her phrasing with singing, I though she was amazing

Which songs or albums would you play at a party?
I like to play old time favourites, blues and jazz and rock n roll, stuff you can twist to when you’ve had a few whiskeys!

Which songs remind you of a rainy day?
If its a rainy day I would put on anything by Dusty Springfield, Lee Hazlewood, The Ink Spots, Staple Singers or Scott Walker

Which album do you seek solace in when you are feeling sad?
Anything by Etta James when she was recording with chess records, Bonnie Prince Billy, Chet Baker, Tom Waits.

Which album would you play when you wanted to get you down to some lovin’?
No distractions please

What music was, or would be, the first dance at your wedding?
I have no idea

What was the first gig you went to as a paying customer?
The Bluetones at Southampton guildhall

Name the one song you think everyone should hear?
It changes every week but at the moment im pushing… Baby Huey and the Babysitters, with Mighty Mighty… if you were ever feeling blue this would turn you right around and get you moving with a big ol grin on

Which one artist do you think not enough people know about?
Well I think more people should know about The Moulettes as they are one hell of a band check their wonderfulness at www.myspace.com/themoulettes

What’s the best thing you’ve heard recently?
As of late I have not been able to stop listening to the great great songs of a band from the US called Bishop Allen

Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Howling wolf
Edith Piaff
Tom waits
Jimi Hendrix
Jaqueline du pre

We’d like you to pick us a mixtape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Ok here is a mixape with the theme of ‘DANCE’
1. Al Bowlly – Hang Out The Stars In Indiana, from the album – the DANCE band years
2. Bunker Hill – The Girl Can’t DANCE
3. ESG – DANCE
4. Madeleine Peroux – DANCE me to the end of love
5. The Vampires Of Dartmoore -DANCE of the vampires

And finally, who would win a fight: a stoat or a goat and why?
A goat as it has better facial furniture and a mean kick

Band of Skulls on Myspace