INTERVIEW: The Marksmen

There’s only so much industry cynicism that you can squeeze into a press release but, after all, it is that very thing that caught Gigslutz’ attention. Say ‘hello’ to The Marksmen. Hailing from good old LDN, the band of six make music of the most enjoyable quota: primal, energetic and just plain fun. Having recently unveiled their debut EP on Soundcloud, Gigslutz grabbed the three vocalists of the good-time band for a chat to find out more.

Hello there! How are you and what do we find The Marksmen doing today?

Jim – Driving to Southampton, making a curry and restringing guitars.

Shona – Busy, happy and excited to be doing an interview.

Paul – Annoying each other with random mutterings, e.g. one of Arran’s comments today: “My fingers don’t need a brain. Waltz it right up. Like that scene in Labyrinth.”

You’ve recently released your debut EP. Did the writing process flow smoothly?

Jim – Very, thank you. Well, it did for me.

Shona – Quite smoothly. Everyone was completely professional apart from me who decided to get a trial infection on the day of singing my vocals. Hence the huskiness.

Paul – Yes, very smoothly. We were drunk.

The members of The Marksmen have all joined from a variety of different bands. What was it that led you all to join forces and create this current project?

Jim – I have always been in bands with Arran, and despite what he might think I have always wanted to be in a band fronted by Paul. Rob is a great songwriter and I get to just play the guitar.

Shona – Fed up of being in bands that don’t consider you as an individual who can bring things to the table. We all contribute and I think that’s what makes it work. No one is suppressed.

Paul – I joined to make my ex jealous.

Not many bands have three lead singers. How do you think this benefits your sound?

Jim – It gives it a bit of variety. And why not, we thought!

Shona – I think it makes it more of a collective than a band + one singer.

Paul – It doesn’t.

Your press release states that you draw loose influence from artists such as Adam Ant, Pixies and Deerhunter, which is rather eclectic. How have you channelled such different inspirations into The Marksmen?

Jim – Without wanting to sound like a helmet, I don’t think it really matters. They are just bands we love. They are all about the melody and the power of a good tune and so are we.

Shona – Well, I want to sound like Kim Deal’s love child that got left behind in the UK, and we all love to mix and merge our styles.

Paul – The reason it works is that there are so many influences. We use this as an advantage.. There wouldn’t have been Pixies without The Carpenters.

You also state that, as a band, you are not “in it for the fame, success or money”. Do you think that these are aspects that are fundamentally wrong with the present state of the UK music industry?

Jim – We aren’t going to turn down money fame or success, it’s just that we don’t fit the Ed Sheeran, 1D mould.

Shona – I think success and money are put forward as the primary goal rather than talent and personality. Hence the cookie cutter nature of the music industry. Preaching over, sorry.

Paul – There’s a music industry?

What can bands (such as yourselves) that are not interested in such things do to get themselves out there without selling their souls?

Jim – No one is buying!

Shona – Play, have fun, inspire others and let anyone who wants to enjoy their music not feel left out.

Paul – We haven’t yet found the answer to this… Otherwise we would be doing it.

Your videos are inventive and a good bit of fun; they make a nice change from standard performance videos. Who’s in charge of that side of things and do you all enjoy taking part?

Jim – Rob (band member) does all that.

Shona – I personally am camera shy and only let Rob film my arm as a waitress in the last video.

Paul – Rob is the genius behind the videos. He usually only takes one take so it’s all quite spontaneous, which probably constitutes to the humour involved.

What can we expect to experience from a Marksmen live show?

Jim – You will have to come and see.

Shona – Chaos, banter, drunken rage from Arran and noise.

Paul – So far they have been very random. A combination of nerves, the audience, booze and too little or too much confidence…

The Marksmen play The George Tavern on Friday 24th October.

Kayleigh Watson

@ooKayyy

Kayleigh Watson
Twenty-something tale-spinner and culture hound. Lover of rowdy rock, synth pop, Game Of Thrones and cake.
Kayleigh Watson

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