In Conversation with Hooker:
March 2004
A little background:
This is quite a straight forward little story here in contrast some of
The other stories that have happened for the interviews for Setting Sun.
Hooker are this raw three piece girl led band from Manchester, UK who
Certainly this edge around the edge of Babes in Toyland / Hole kind
Of sound.
I first became aware of them in 2001; I think when they were supporting
Somebody at a local venue in Manchester called Band on the Wall which
Is quite famous around Manchester for its Tuesday, when four local
Unsigned bands play.
I can't actually remember the band I had gone to watch, but what was ironic
Was the fact that Hooker stuck in my mind that as a band to watch at
That point. Over the next few years, I saw them play once or twice more
- With Desolation Angels (Another great local group!), and was impressed
Both times.
Fast forward to 2004, and I got hold of the band's website through
Stef at Desolation Angels and got the e-mail address through the website
And e-mailed Zoë, their lead singer. She replied straight away
And the rest is history as I always say.
For more information, why not check out their website:
Thanks to Zoë for the interview and I wish her good luck
Hopefully in the states - I could imagine them going
Down a storm there...
Andy N xxx
Setting Sun: How are you and what's happening at the moment?
Zoë:
I'm good thanks. At the moment we're trying to sort out another UK tour
And hopefully a US tour.
Setting Sun: I've heard of you for a good few years now certainly,
But as I always say for people, clearly there are people who haven't
Heard off you, so can you introduce yourself - tell us what got you all
And who fired the starting pistol etc, etc?
Zoë:
My name's Zoë and I'm the singer/guitarist in Hooker. We started in
1998 as a four piece; two members left then Mat joined. That's the
Short version! We've been a three piece since 2000 and that's when we
Properly began. I wrote a load of songs on my acoustic guitar then met Danny
(Our drummer) then we took it from there.
Setting Sun: Who have you been listening to
recently and how have you been
Listening to?
Zoë:
I've been listening to Kaito. A band hasn't excited me this much in a very
Long time. Also been listening to my usual favourites Sleater Kinney, the Gossip,
Bratmobile, Bikini Kill and of course PJ Harvey. I like a lot of music plus I work
In second hand record shop so I'm constantly listening to and buying music!!
Setting Sun: Why Hooker as a name? It is certainly an err... interesting choice....
Zoë:
I was trying to think of a name for the band and I was listening to the Grease
Soundtrack!! The song "Beauty School Drop Out" was playing and the line "...they
Said you were a Hooker" (or something along those lines!) made me go Oooh! I like
That.
Setting Sun: I know you have a mini album out, but generally I'm more aware of
You as a live band. How does it compare playing gigs / recording in a studio?
Is their one you prefer over the other - and how you transfer your live sound
To the studio?
Zoë:
I definitely prefer playing live. You can change the speed of songs and other
Little bits where as recording is more set in stone. I like recording but I'd
Rather record songs that have really developed. I don't like recording a song as
Soon as it's been wrote because I feel they need time to grow and to settle.
Luckily we've found a sound engineer we're really happy with and he knows we like
To keep the recording as basic as it is live. What's the point in using extra bits
That you can't do live!!
Setting Sun: Probably my favourite track of yours I have heard to date is "Like it
My way?" What's the story behind that?
Zoë:
We've just made a video for that song! There is a story behind all of the songs
But I think it's more up to the individual. I think you can take a lot of
Different things away from them. I'm not a big fan of explaining songs in case
I ruin someone else's meaning of it. Some of my favourite songs have been explained
And I've been under the illusion they've been about something completely different
Then I've listen to it again and it doesn't have the same effect on me.
Setting Sun: What has been your best / worst experiences of been in a band? Been
In a band myself I've had some fun to tell certainly so I could guess you are the
Same?
Zoë:
I think bad experiences are good experiences because you learn from them. They're
There for a reason. We've had some funny times. It's the little things like running
Out of petrol on tour and being stranded on the motorway or equipment breaking on
Stage. The good things are ace because they're unexpected. Being asked up on stage
With one of my idols, Kat Bjelland, to sing with her whilst we were on tour with
Katastrophy Wife. Listening to her stories. All the nice things people have to
Say about you. They don't realise how much it means especially when you're a bit
Down about how a gigs just gone and a complete stranger comes up to you and
Compliments you.
Setting Sun: What plans do you have for the future - do you have any more plans for
Gigs / recording etc?
Zoë:
We're planning to record another mini album in April. Planning a UK and
(Fingers crossed) US tour.
Setting Sun: What would do you when you are not a rock n roll star?
Zoë:
I'd like to have a head full of cool stories about Hooker, other bands etc.
Setting Sun:
What would be your dream job if you weren't a rock and roll musician?
Zoë:
Probably working with people. I'd like to be some sort of care assistant
In a psychiatric home/hospital.
Setting Sun: Lastly, something light to finish off with (Nicked from a pal's
Zine almost) "Imagine you were ship wrecked on a desert Island and could have
(Clearly have second sight here - lol) the choice of having 5 records or Cds
With you with a stereo of course - what would be your desert Island Discs?
Zoë:
This is really hard as I said earlier about me working in a record shop!!
Five's not enough!! I'd have to say if I left today:
1. PJ Harvey - Rid Of Me
2. Sleater Kinney - The Hot Rock
3. Belly - Sweet Ride (Best of)
4. Throwing Muses - S/T
5. Miss Kittin & the Hacker - First Album
