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AN INTERVIEW WITH...
PAUL FROM HARPIES.

SO WHO IS IN HARPIES AND WHAT DOES EACH MEMBER DO?
Nicky & Laura, both on vocals, John on Guitar, Paul on Bass, and Ad on drums.
HOW DID YOU ALL MEET AND COME TO FORM A BAND TOGETHER?
Nicky & Laura had already established themselves as Harpies a while before myself and John were asked to join up, and Ad joined about a year ago. We had all been friends in one aspect or another, either knowing each other from their respective bands, or though other friends before the band started as its current incarnation. So it naturally felt right the way things got together.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC?
Light and shade. We like the heaviness of our sound but we try to combine it with a more gentle and intelligent approach.
WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
We all have such a diverse set of influences as group, so i can only really speak for myself when it comes to this question. I'm into my Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, Faith No More, Alice in Chains, Skid Row that kinda stuff as far as my influences go. Nowadays, a lot more keeps my ears up, especially the real heaviness... Killswitch Engage, Snot...the list goes on, and on, and on...
WHERE DID THE NAME HARPIES COME FROM?
When the band was originally formed with Nicky and Laura, there were only the 3 girls in the band. Nicky had been reading about greek mythology, and the story of the Harpies are that they were 3 winged shrieking female creatures put on earth to torment a man by the gods. After myself, John, and now Ad had joined up, the name wasn't really relevant any longer, you could say its just stuck.
YOU'VE JUST RELEASED YOUR DEBUT ALBUM, 'BLEED, BELIEVE'. WHERE DID THE NAME FOR THE ALBUM COME FROM?
To be honest with you we were really struggling to find a name that we were all happy with, and after a while 'Bleed, Believe' came up, what with it being the name of an old song, and it seemed to hit a nerve with us. If you want a meaning behind it, its about having the conviction to bleed for what you really believe in.
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM IT?
More songs that we've put on a record to date! No, seriously we've tried to combine the heavy stuff with the songs people don't get to hear live. A couple of more mellow tunes thrown into the mix.
BET YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT'S RELEASE?!
Yeah, totally!! Well an album is a big thing. Playing with the big boys and all that!
IT WAS DUE OUT A FEW MONTHS BACK. WHAT CAUSED ALL THE DELAYS?
Well, when Luke (our previous drummer) left it was a big blow for us. We were getting ready to get in the studio and get stuck in, but these things happen and we had to give Ad time to learn the songs.
SO FAR YOU'VE TOURED WITH BANDS INCLUDING SIKTH. IF YOU COULD PLAY WITH ANY BAND IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
i'd like to say Iron Maiden cos, well they're Maiden. No one does it better. But Rage would've been cool, and Faith No More too.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE GOING ON STAGE?
Every show I play!
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR SET?
We try to liken it dependant on who we're playing with. You know, get a feel for the crowd. I mean if you're playing as part of a heavy line up, then we can throw together a short, sharp, in your face set. We try to keep it relative to the gig.
WHICH TRACK DO YOU MOST ENJOY PERFORMING?
Everyone in the band has their favourites, so I can only really speak for myself and i'd have to say Lie Down or Octapied.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AFTER A GIG?
Nowadays its takedown of equipment. Not very rock n roll, but we don't got no roadies yet!
IS IT DISHEARTENING ON THE NIGHTS FEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO SEE YOU?
5 people is as good as 500. As long as you can make an impression. Admittedly if you have a big crowd, and a crazy as you like mosh pit then you can really draw off the crowd, and likewise them off you.
WILL YOU BE PLAYING ANY OF THE SUMMER FESTIVALS?
Sadly not. Wouldn't mind playing one though! (hint hint hint hint)
DOES EATING CHEESE GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES?
Everytime. Last time I ended up in some twisted version of a cross between Thundercats and Resident Evil...weird. Really weird.
MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY, WHICH OF THE SONGS YOU'VE WRITTEN IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
Again we've all got our favourites, but anything new always seems better you know. I love the lyrics to Lie Down and Fawn. I'm very proud of Fawn musically too. It was a big leap for us and I think we managed to pull it off.
WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING ANY COVERS?
I have! But everyone seems to be covering them before us. Sadly I don't think you'll see us doing one though, not just yet.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT YOU COULD MAKE AS A BAND?
Global World Domination. RAR!
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW AS A CHILD?
Thundercats, Transformers, The 'All New Spiderman Show'(you know the one with Iceman and Firestar, yeah you know the one I mean), and Ulysess. Oh yeah, and Centurions.
IS THE BAND NOW YOUR FULL TIME CAREER OR DO YOU STILL HAVE OTHER JOBS TOO?
I think of the band as my second full time job. We all work full time still, rent to pay and all. I'm an assistant manager of a games shop, Nicky is makeup artist, Ad is an architect designing shops, John works in a Pub, and Laura has just graduated from a Fine Art degree and is now working too.
WHICH DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE MOST... WRITING SONGS, RECORDING THEM OR PLAYING THEM LIVE?
Me? It'd be the playing live. There is no better feeling.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE WHOLE BIG BROTHER THING?
I'm not really into it, well, wasn't till one of my housemates insists on watching it. It seriously sucks you in doesn't it?!?
WHAT FIRST MADE YOU WANT TO PICK UP A GUITAR AND JOIN/FORM A BAND?
Girls. Girls and Money. heh hee heh.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT STARTING UP A BAND?
Try and be original. Being a clone of another band isn't what its all about. We need to keep the big industry going and the only way to do that is though originality and to keep people thinking. There already enough clones out there. Don't be one of them. (I'll put my soapbox away now yeah?)

ALL QUESTIONS BY SCREAMING TARTS.

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