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AN INTERVIEW WITH....
MICHAEL FROM KINESIS.

SO FOR THOSE WHO DON�T KNOW, WHO IS IN KINESIS AND WHAT DOES EACH MEMBER DO?
I (Michael) sing and play guitar. Conor plays guitar, Tom plays bass, and Neil plays drums.
HOW DID YOU ALL MEET AND COME TO FORM KINESIS TOGETHER?
Tom, Neil and I met at school, and Conor lived just around the corner from me.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC?
I find it hard to describe it, as we try to keep it pretty diverse.
WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
Bands, artists, authors and anyone else who stands out about their peers in some way.
YOU HAVE JUST RELEASED YOUR DEBUT ALBUM, �HANDSHAKES FOR BULLETS�. WHERE DID THE NAME FOR THE ALBUM COME FROM?
It is from a lyric in the song 'Civilised Fury'
ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT IT�S RELEASE?
Very much so. It's the culmination of 2 years' work, so we can't wait to get it out.
WHICH TRACK ON THE ALBUM WAS THE HARDEST TO WRITE LYRICS FOR?
All the tracks presented their own challenges.
MUSICALLY AND LYRICALLY, WHICH OF THE SONGS YOU'VE WRITTEN IS YOUR FAVOURITE?
One Way Mirror, Cling to your Innocence, Generation Devoid of Inspiration right now.
WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING ANY COVERS?
Yes, we did a cover of the Smiths' 'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side' at a couple of dates on our last tour.
YOU�VE TOURED WITH BANDS INCLUDING MANIC STREET PREACHERS. WHO HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED PLAYING WITH AND WHY?
The Manics gig was great because it was a chance to play to a full Brixton Academy, with a band we have respect for. It was also good to tour with Sparta, as we are all big fans of theirs, as well as At The Drive-In.
YOU PLAYED YOUR FIRST FESTIVALS THIS SUMMER. HOW DID THEY GO?
They went well. Move was a little shaky, as it was our first ever outdoor festival, but the rest were excellent.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE GOING ON STAGE?
Not particularly, every so often if it is a big gig.
HOW DO YOU STRUCTURE YOUR SET?
We like to open with something that grabs attention, and keep energy levels high throughout.
WHICH TRACK DO YOU MOST ENJOY PERFORMING?
Proabably Zyklon B or This Dead End.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AFTER A GIG?
Sit down and catch breath.
DO YOU EVER GET HOMESICK WHILE ON TOUR?
Not really, we haven't done any tours that are long enough for that yet.
IS IT DISHEARTENING ON THE NIGHTS FEW PEOPLE TURN UP TO SEE YOU?
Yeah, it can be. But then again, the few people who have turned up deserve the same show as those on a sold-out night, so it's no excuse for a poor show.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DARKNESS?
They are alright for a while.
WHAT WAS THE LAST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT?
Muse - Absolution
DO YOU HAVE ANY ALBUMS YOU ARE EMBARRASSED ABOUT OWNING?
I would say Kula Shaker - K, but I am in fact proud of that one.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT YOU COULD MAKE AS A BAND?
To get as big as possible, without compromising our original principles too much. 'Too much' is the important point, as once you sign a deal, there is always an element of compromise, you just have to define your limits and stick to them.
WHAT IS IT LIKE HEARING YOUR SONGS ON THE RADIO AND SEEING YOURSELVES IN MAGAZINES ETC?
It's good, but I'd like to see more of it!
DO YOU FEEL FAMOUS?
No.
IF YOU COULD INTERVIEW YOURSELVES, WHAT QUESTIONS WOULD YOU ASK?
Something that we haven't been asked before, which would force us to think, rather than reeling out stock answers.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TV SHOWS SUCH AS POP IDOL AND FAME ACADEMY?
They are an ugly contimuation of the downward trend in TV generally. Real creativity and art has been replaced by the spectacle of fools doing jumps for fame.
DO YOU EVER READ ANY OF THE MESSAGES YOUR FANS LEAVE ON YOUR FORUM?
Yes, regularly. I reply if I have something to add too. Obviously I don't usually have time to read them all, but I like to stay in contact. IF YOU FOUND OUT YOU ONLY HAD ONE DAY TO LIVE, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?
Probably desperately thinking of something worthwhile to do with my last day. Or go round looking for rich, pregnant women for next time.
WHAT FIRST MADE YOU WANT TO PICK UP A GUITAR AND JOIN/FORM A BAND?
When I was about 12, I got a second hand electric guitar with a Nirvana songbook. That was probably the start of it.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT STARTING UP A BAND?
Think hard and find people as committed as you (hopefully) are.

ALL QUESTIONS BY MR MARTYN.

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