Interview with The Orbital

1. How would you describe your style of rock music for those out there who don’t know you yet?

A…. Good...Sorry that sounded arrogant.o.k, how about Dark, honest, sleazy punk rock ‘n’roll with a twist

2. Who, or what, inspired you to be in a rock band?

A…. I can’t do anything else and the fact that I wouldn’t have to get up in the morning and go to work. I did that for a while and it wasn’t much fun.

3. The band got signed with a major management company with the same legal team behind Marilyn Manson and RHCP but this didn’t work out when you wouldn’t change your record the way they wanted. What’s the full story here and are you glad you stuck to your principles?

A…Well I never had any confidence in the deal in the first place, but went along with it as it seemed like a good oportunity. But as time went on they started to interfere with the music..They wanted to get someone in to re-write our tunes to make them more commercially viable and drop some of the more difficult songs (apprantley the general public don’t like variety!!)The final straw came when they said they wanted us to sound more like the libertines!!!!

4. You now have your own label, Corporate Whore Records. Was this because of your problems with the other record company? How is that working out for you?

A. We just wanted to get the album out, and didn’t want to wait around for a label to become involved, and then turn around and have the same problems as we’d had with the management. If possible It’s always best to do things by yourselves for yourselves. But, the disadvantage of that is you don’t get the money, connections, advertising, press etc that a larger label would give you. But as we’re not doing this to get our faces in magazines and be rich it hasn’t really been a problem

5. What’s your opinion of the current indie obsession and calling it rock?

A..The Bourgeoisie stole our music, and we’re going to have to fight to get it back. They seem have totally missed the point, watered it down and are very confused as to what to do with it

6. Do you reckon there is a place for classic rock n roll style today in the thrash or indie type trends that are really popular at the minute, or do you think it’s had its day?

A..The only 3 things that will survive a nuclear holocaust are Cockroaches, gaffer tape and rock ‘n roll. But Trends don’t really matter anyway, its songs that are the really important thing. Those bands and artists with the good songs will always transcend fashion.

7. What band/artist would you ultimately love to be compared to and why?

A..I would prefer if people compared other bands to us. It’s really flattering to hear that other bands are already covering our songs, that’s got to be the biggest compliment you can have.

8. Should politics be dragged into rock n roll, as bands like Green Day are doing?

A…As long as its honest, and not just for kudos or a lame attempt at credibility. It doesn’t matter what’s dragged into rock n roll, it’s an all encompassing and accommodating animal. You’ve always got to write about what’s on your mind, so if politics is bugging you that week then that’s what you’ve gotta write about. And after all, there are only so many songs you can write about girls.

9. You have just toured with the Ga Ga’s, how was that for you?

A…It was the first time we have ever been paid to go on tour, so for us it was pure luxary. In the past it’s been near starvation and sleeping on floors, even sleeping rough on the streets on a few occasions. So to have hotels and food was pretty cool. We also met some great people and we were all gutted when it was all over. The Ga Ga’s never gave us any grief or hassle like some other bands we have been out with have, so full credit to them.

Quick Questions…..

What song do you want playing at your funeral?

A…I am planning on living forever

And what song would you have had at your christening?

A...Carl Off’s ‘Carmina Buranna’ or something by Diamanda Galas to scare the shit out of the vicar

What do you think about the Crazy Frog?

A.. I wish I had thought of it!!!10 million downloads. It’s pretty scary to see how gulible the British public are though

Favourite band in the world?

A…Zen Motel on a good night

Worst band in the world?

A…Zen Motel on a bad night

Most annoying thing ever is ….

I could list thousands but here are three 1/Mornings 2/glastonbury festival 3/Vernon Kay