AN INTERVIEW WITH PHOENIX BUTTERFLY
courtesy of LEE APPLETON...
1. WHO MAKE-UP PHONENIX BUTTERFLY DEN?
Hi Steve. The band consists of me, Lee Appleton (guitar) James Southgate (Drums) Simon Marchington (Bass) and Christian Starkey (vocals). The line up has been together since about August 2002.
2. MUSICALLY, WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
If we have to be pinned down to just one mission then I guess its to prove that an English band can make a creative and commercial impact without bowing to the omnipresent American influence of Nu-Metal/ Skate Rock nonsense, and to be able to do things on OUR terms OUR way. Anyone who listens to our CD or sees a live gig or whatever, will be able to tell that we are coming from a completely different angle to other stuff out there. Our 'English-ness' is something we are NOT ashamed of.
3. YOU SOUND TO BE TRYING TO RE-WRITE NU-METAL CLICHES TO GIVE YOUR MUSIC A ROLLICKING EDGE TO IT... DO U LIKE THE NU-METAL SCENE OR DO U CRAVE MORE FROM YOUR METAL, AS ELICITED IN THE MUSIC YOU'RE MAKING?
Ok, well I must point out that the whole Nu-Metal phenomenon has kinda passed me by in terms of my position as a 'guitarist/songwriter in an English band', as is the case with the rest of the guys. Its not something I have ever been a fan of. This whole Rap-HipHop-Metal crossover thing doesnt feel very good to me. When I was a kid I grew up as a fan of Metallica - they changed my life, because they wrote 'One' and 'The Thing That Should Not Be' and I dont see any American Metal band that has emerged in the last 10 years getting even close to that standard of songwriting. I believe the music that you write should reflect who you are/ where you are from/ what you aspire to be/ what is inside your brain/what you dream of. It sounds far fetched but if you think of a band like U2- they are unmistakably Irish. And thats what we aspire to. That level of sonic ambition.
4. ANY CHANCE OF AN ACOUSTIC GIG?
Yep, definately. Why not? All our songs are written as riffs on an acoustic guitar anyway to start with, because its not always practical to get all your gear set up and stuff. Then obviously we crank it up at rehersal and bash out the tune. We've done quite a few acoustic gigs in the past and they are pretty cool, much more laid back and relaxed.
5. WHERE ARE YOU GUYS ACTUALLY FROM?!
We all live in Colchester, in Essex - The oldest recorded town! What a shit rock and roll claim to fame.
6. WHO'S THE MOST GUILTY? BUSH OR JACKO?
Jesus. I am not particularly savvy with regards to politics, I think the situation with Iraq is one big mess. But since 'Bad' was the first album I ever bought in 1987, then I feel I can speak with total authority on Jackson!! I watched that documentary and half of me felt very, very sorry for the guy and the other half of me wanted to jump into the screen and beat the shit out of the lying, vanity driven, shit-robotic-dancing, child obsessed, money obsessed Peter Pan freak! He honestly thinks he can act how he wants because of who he is, how much money he has got and his disfunctional childhood - fuck that Jackson you are going down son!
7. HOW CAN THE GOOD PEOPLE IN THE UNDERGROUND GET A HOLD OF YOUR DAMN BRILLIANT MUSIC?
They can email me at [email protected], introduce themselves, tell me what bands they like and if they provide me with their address I will happily send one to them - they are �3 including p+p and come in a dvd case with full colour inlay so not only does it sound amazing but it looks fucking cool too!
8. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY? REMEMBER... ANYTHING YOU DO SAY MAYBE GIVEN IN EVIDENCE...
Firstly, thanks for the interview and your continued interest in our band - it means alot to us. Secondly, Id like to encourage any English bands out there - signed or not -to fuck the rulebook right off and do what they wanna do and not to think about being cool, or being American, getting signed and target audiences and all that industry shit. All the classic bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin are still selling records because they took a fucking chance and by burning the rulebook! English music will rise!
So, if you are thirsty for more PHOENIX BUTTERFLY coverage, nip across to my review of their utterly stunning demo, where you'll also find their contact details... Ta!x
Alternatively, just E-mail Lee 'ere and now... [email protected]