Introduce yourself…
Mark Midgley (Bass Guitar) , Scott “Donny” Rogers (Vocals) , Jonesy (Axe duties) Matt Fortune (Drums)
How did the band start?
MM - We've always been mates/drinking buddies from around the Halifax area,Me Matt & Scott were in Seal Team Six years ago,prior to that Matt and Jonesy were in Largactil with Scoot (Doom), Matt and I were in Falconetti for approx 10 years which had more in common with Swans, This was just the next step.
MF-After playing in falconetti for 10 years with Mark playing slow chilled out heavy music it was time for a change so me and Mark phoned up our old band mates from the early 90s to just go at it to see what happens. Mark seems to have summed it up. We started jamming and it panned out nicely!-Jonesy.
SR- No idea. One day I was hanging around a children’s play area innocently tring to sell vodka to single mothers and the next… I am in this band!???
How did you come up with the name?
MM - Medieval Hangmans Noose...apparently
MF-Scott came up with the name,we had a load of ideas for a long time but none really stuck.
The Black Lanterns was the only one where everybody went ahhhhh hmmm. Exactly-Jonesy
SR- I think that’s correct, it’s a Victorian English nickname for a Hangman’s noose. It also happens to be a team of DC Comics heroes who have been reanimated as people eating super powered zombies. I prefer the second answer, but let them keep believing it’s nothing to do with comics hehe!
Who would you say are your influences?
MM (me personally) Swans Godflesh Unsane Killing Joke Prong jj paradise players club,Melvins,
MF-(me) Godflesh,Swans (filth),Slint,Red House Painters,Unsane and a lot of Earache stuff from way back when. Jonesy- Killing Joke, Motorhead, Early Discharge, Poison Idea
SR- My favourite ever punk bands are RUTS , Ramones, Kennedys and Bad brains. I also think that there is a lot of Motorhead, Unsane and Helmet in our sound.
What was the punk scene like in the U.K.? Was or Is?Currently,
MM - It has been bad but its getting better than a load of hipsters throwing shapes,I think thats why there has been a feel for the need for a lot of the old School bands reforming,to see what it was about originally.
MF –My mate Scoot from Doom, Extinction of Mankind are really doing well at the moment,there is a massive under ground hardcore scene buzzing about around Yorkshire.Its all good. Jonesy -It's had its ups and downs, yeah there's some good bands about-Random Hand, Restarts, King Blues and some good old ones doing the rounds
SR- The punk scene here has been terrible lately, it’s all been about trendy feather haircuts and posing. The only thing the recent “Punk” scene has done is put up the price of Converse shoes! I think right now in the UK , Punk is enjoying something of a revival, as people want to know where it came from. Shows like UK Subs, GBH and Vice Squad are touring again because people like Gallows have talked about them as influences. More and more bands are coming out wanting to do it DIY too, instead of the “dream of the big record deal”, which means more and more bands are in it for fun. Also, metal has replaced punk in the last few years in the UK, so the gap between the two is very slim, with a lot of bands playing comfortably in both camps.
What is the song writing process?
MM- Very fast, it's life spans as long as it takes to write it haha- One of us will come up with an idea - someone else will come up with a verse -
someone else will come up with a chorus etc.
Yeh that sums it up - Jonesy
MF- As Mark says, everybody will have an input from start to finish.
SR- I honestly don’t know. I turn up , open an can of beer, shout some scribbled words out of my little notepad, and there’s a song.
You guys are currently working on releasing your first album, tell us about the album...
It's loud!-Jonesy
MM - Initially it was going to be released as 2 EPs but eventually decided on the album format, 8 dittys recorded and released completely DIY .
MF – Its our first release as a band, done by ourselves (MM).I’m looking forward to the reactions we will get due to the diversity and influences that are apparent.Its all a bit exiting.
SR – I am hopeful that this CD will please quite a few people. There are some fast, aggressive all out punk tracks, but these are also balanced with some heavy Godflesh and Ministry type riffs and even nods towards bands like the Jesus Lizard and Fugazi.It was also recorded mainly live in our rehearsal room, and was oproduced by Mark, so it captures our full on live sound nicely.
Have you guys released anything else?
MM -Not yet, possibly another mini LP on the way
MF –No not yet, but more stuff will be on the way in the near future
We've not quite finished the first one yet... -Jonesy
SR- I have just this minute released some noxious gas, and in the past I have BEEN released from jail, if that counts.
Who are some of the bands you have done shows with?
MM-Humanfly, Bleed,
MF-Not many, Humanfly, Bleed early days yet.
SR- Humanfly were ace. Really heavy, sweaty and energetic. We seem to be playing with a lot of metal bands. Bleed are great, oldschool UK punk rock who hammer it out with safety pins and snot !
Do you prefer to do shows at large venues or small clubs?
MM -I'd rather play to a packed small venue than a half empty big venue I agree with Mark.
Small venues have the best vibes. Jonesy.
MF –Small, packed really tight sweating venues.Just how i like my women
SR- I agree. I think that part of a band’s job is to invade personal space. Let’s get sweaty and enjoy ourselves!!
Where have you toured?
MM -Touring will begin next year,were currently honing our shows
MF –Local gigs first and touring will begin next year.
SR- In former bands, we toured everywhere, but we wanted to have a good, lively set first, and we have been gigging across the North of England to gauge the response and so far it has been very good!
Is there a favorite band you like to do shows with?
MM- Our pal Scoot with Extinction or Doom
MF- Us and Unsane would be a really good gig.
Jonesy- Fucked Up, and our mates Bleed.
SR- I would love to play with Gallows, Motorhead, Killing Joke or Unsane.
Is there a favorite place you like to do shows at?
MM- Any place is good, were currently looking for shows to promote the album
MF-No,anywhere with a load of people with the same mind set.
Jonesy- Any gigs are welcome at the minute.
SR- There is a place called Rio’s in Bradford and it’s a good little venue. Mainly metal, but a lot of punk bands on there too. I’d like to do a prison gig like Johnny Cash!
What do you see is the future of the Black Lanterns?
MM- 5 years then exploding.
MF- I don't know, apparently we’re all going to die next year so if we don't, as long as I'm still here playing my drums with my mates that's my future. Oh and world domination
SR- We are playing in Bradford on the 9th of July and doing a couple of brand new songs, which I am looking forward to. If you’re nearby, get down to that one! Otherwise I can’t really see beyond the next rehearsal, we don’t have a game plan as such, which is what makes it feel spontaneous and fun. I would like to release an album of Justin Beiber covers, even though I don’t know any of his songs. And I will kill him with his own fringe to mark its’ release.
How can people contact the band?
theblacklanterns@rocketmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001741420828
http://www.myspace.com/theblacklanternsofficial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHueu7OqyE&feature=share
http://markmidgleyofficial.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/THE_BLK_LNTRNS
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblacklanternsofficial
http://www.youtube.com/user/theBlackLanterns
or if you are within a few meters, shouting works too.
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