Interview: Nephu Huzzband
January 6, 2008 by Paul Bamforth
For our first feature of the year, we took some time out to badger Nottingham four-piece Nephu Huzzband. The band describe themselves as ‘lads who play sonic, noise indie music’. Nephu Huzzband are Rob, Adam, Tom and Jamie.
AudioScribbler: You must get asked this a lot but I’m sure there is a good story behind it, how did you come up with the name?
Nephu Huzzband: The name came from unpublished poems, it was used to describe visions of God. It seemed original, and we’re pretty sure no-one else would have it.
AS: Have you got any new year’s resolutions?
NH: Not particularly, no. Generally, our aim, collectively, is to get on with an album and get it recorded. We’d also like to play more material and play a lot more gigs.
PB: I see you’re playing a show with the mighty ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’, are there any other contemporaries that you’re all into at the minute?
NH: Yes, plenty. The UK music scene is extremely vibrant once again, we all seem to like Die! Die! Die! and The Victorian English Gentlements Club.
PB: Post-punk seems to be the in-thing at the minute, what would you say makes you stand out from the other bands of your musical persuasion?
NH: Our individual influences are all varied and extremely different. When we write, we each put our own touch on the music based on our experience and taste. I guess that’s how we mould our sound overall.
PB: What approach to song writing do you lot take? Is there a chief songwriter?
NH: Musicall, we all contribute towards the writing process when we practice. That’s how our individuality contributes to the Nephu Huzzband sound. Tom is responsible for writing the lyrics.
PB: I’m doing a DJ set on Saturday, and I’m going to play ‘Papers’. What 80’s classics could you see your track working alongside?
NH: We once heard ourselves played alongside Jesus and the Mary Chain, which worked well. Also, The Smiths, The Cure, Sonic Youth, Joy Division and New Order would go down a treat.
PB: How do you feel about the state of the record industry at the minute, ie. the ‘download takeover’, Radiohead kicking up a fuss, print is dead, and the like?
NH: Downloads have really helped us to gain a public reception, so it’s really about getting our music out there. However, print is not dead. I think people will always want to have something physical to own when it comes to music. In fact, we recently had 3 tracks from our E.P remixed and cut onto vinyl. Viva la print!
PB: Name me a few of your favourite albums, one’s that have really inspired you/
Rob: Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits.
Adam: He Poos Clouds by Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett).
Tom: Madonna by …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead.
Jamie: The Ugly Organ by Cursive.
Collectively, Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.
PB: I see you’re playing a show with the mighty ‘Meet Me In St. Louis’, are there any other contemporaries that you’re all into at the minute?
NH: Yes, plenty. The UK music scene is extremely vibrant once again, we all seem to like Die! Die! Die! and The Victorian English Gentlements Club.
PB: What’s the best and worst gig you’ve played so far?
NH: The worst gig would be playing at Warsop one time, that was awful. The headline band forgot to check if the place was populated before booking a gig there, althought it must have been because someone was there to hammer those nails into our car tyres! Our best gig would either be the supports for Die! Die! Die! at The Social, The Blood Arm at Rescue Rooms or The Victorian English Gentlemens Club. They were all extremely good gigs with great audience response.
PB: So far, what has 2008 got in store for Nephu Huzzband?
NH: For the first 3 months - sifting through a load of radio sessions being offered and doing our best to do them. The next one is the BBC6 live session 08.01.08 10:30-11am on the George Lamb Show.
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