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AN INTERVIEW WITH�.
ANDREW FROM MERCURY TILT SWITCH.

WHO IS IN MERCURY TILT SWITCH AND WHAT DOES EACH MEMBER DO?
Anthony Brachi - guitarist, OTT rock poses, driver, the macgyver.
Chris Bridges - guitarist, the calm head that guides us
Andrew McGarry- singer, minister for propaganda
Les Ogilvie - bassist, will do anything for a laugh...
Martin Robison - drummer, hits things very hard
HOW DID YOU ALL MEET AND COME TO FORM MERCURY TILT SWITCH TOGETHER?
I [andy] started a band with chris, then realising we'd need more members, found the rest of the gang.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC?
Dynamic, angular, punky, loud, energetic, rock.
WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
Bands that rock.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CALL YOURSELVES MERCURY TILT SWITCH?
I liked the name and thought it would look good on a poster.
YOU'VE ALREADY RELEASED YOUR DEBUT ALBUM. TELL US ALITTLE ABOUT IT.
The self-financed album "brundle kid" was recorded and produced by Michael Brennan Jr. (Mogwai / super furries) in jan 2002 over a few days. We wanted to document how far we'd developed. The likes of NME, Kerrang and Rocksound as well as zines like Fracture and Diskant gave it encouraging reviews. Its available to buy in HMV and in independent record shops around the UK (distribution by Cargo / Cat. No. PP002 ). The first run of 1,000 copies have all gone and a second pressing has been made.
WHERE CAN FANS BUY IT FROM?
Independent shops, or ask for it from HMV, or email [email protected]
YOU HAVE A NEW EP PLANNED. WHAT TRACKS WILL BE ON IT?
We've decided to put out album no. 2 instead now.
WILL THERE BE A TOUR TO ACCOMPANY IT'S RELEASE?
We've got 2 tours lined up for oct/nov.
AS A BAND, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
Putting out our own records, touring, and generally doing everything off our own backs. Its tough but rewarding. And staying friends!
YOU'VE PLAYED WITH HUNDRED REASONS AND HELL IS FOR HEROES AMONGST OTHERS. WHO HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED PLAYING WITH AND WHY?
Supporting the Deftones was a blast. HIFH took us on the road and opened a lot of doors for us in terms of getting gigs outside of Scotland. Without a label infrastructure behind us we've had to construct our own but HIFH really helped us so much in that respect. Supporting Mclusky was great also - they are such a great band.
IF YOU COULD PLAY WITH ANY OTHER BAND IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
We'd like to tour outside of the UK, that'd be enough! A pre-Nevermind tour with nirvana probably would have been pretty cool.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE GOING ON STAGE?
sometimes. depends how much time I have on my hands.
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT GETTING YOUR FIRST GIG?
booked it myself at a wee pub in Dundee. They dont even ask for demos so it was easy enough to get.
HOW DID IT GO?
It went ok. In hinsight though we must have been rubbish!!!
WILL YOU BE PLAYING THIS SUMMERS FESTIVALS?
We just did T in the Park - one of the best shows we've done in a while. We were just all really up for it.
WHICH OF YOUR LYRICS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
"I hear its what the kids are buying" - next single probably (off next LP)
WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER BECOMING A CONTESTANT ON BIG BROTHER?
god no.
YOU'RE FROM DUNDEE. WHAT IS THE MUSIC SCENE LIKE THERE?
I'm from Derry and moved to Dundee to go to uni. The local scene is very cool. Very left-field and truely alternative. We're kinda more accessible than many of the other bands that are about here. But thats one of my aims so there you go.
CAN YOU RECOMMEND TO US SOME BANDS WE SHOULD BE CHECKING OUT?
aereogramme - mclusky - Q and not u - jetplane landing - burning airlines
WHAT FIRST MADE YOU WANT TO JOIN/FORM A BAND?
the need to write songs, followed by the need of wanting people to hear them.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ANYONE THINKING ABOUT STARTING UP A BAND?
"Play from your fucking heart".

ALL QUESTIONS BY MR MARTYN.

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