Blackburn. It is quite possibly one of the dullest towns in the entire British Isles. But one band are setting out to change all that, however hard it may be. Enter Deaf Circuit, who cover too many genres to list. However to give you a taster, metal, rock, concrete metal and hardcore punk are all on the bands CV! Having released two EP’s back in 2008, the band are now gearing up to release there first fully professionally produced album, aptly named “Deaf Circuit”. I was invited down to the studio in East Lancashire to get a sneak preview and have a chat with the guys.
Once we hit track 4 I seriously need some time out. Deaf Circuit is being blasted out of the small converted barn studios heavy sound system, and I am literally blown away. The album carries a huge sound, and by the time you get a quarter of the way through you really do need a break.
Rick, the lead singer was aiming for this effect right from the get go, “Yeah, its what we wanted. We want someone to listen to the album and not forget about us for weeks. Hopefully they will remember it because of how good it is. But, if not, were happy for them to remember us as the band who left there ears ringing for weeks!”
Angus, the lead guitarist, goes on to state how harsh the recording process has been. “We have been starting at 9am in the morning, and finishing at nine at night, around three times a week, for a month or so, and its been hard. I don’t think it would have been half as bad if we played lighter stuff, but, due to us playing heavy music, I really think it is heavier to record. I’ll tell you the truth, I am fucked!” We soldier on through the LP and, by the time we get to the last two tracks, I am excited. The album is bound to be a success. It’s a magnificent album, and, hopefully, they will get the recognition they deserve. It’s a 12 track LP, and yet they have no record deal. All the money has come out of there own pockets, and for the amount of sessions they have done, that’s a lot of money.
Out of the five band members, two work, whilst the other three don’t. Rick, Danny and Michael are all student’s, so the recording process has hit them hard. But despite this, the band are proud that they have received no backing at all. They have done it themselves, and what ever rewards come from the album, they will certainly be reaping them!
Michael explains, “We never wanted a record deal. Fuck that. Why would we? I mean yeah you get a nice advance, but so what! It’s not like you get to keep it, is it? I’m all for bands like Fugazi, who basically give a massive two finger salute to the clean shirts in their swanky offices in London and such. Fugazi did it on there own and look at them now, they’re huge.”
Hearing this you may be thinking that they think they are destined to get to the top, but you would be wrong. They are one of the most down to earth groups I have yet had the pleasure to meet. Angus goes on “There are two ways this could go, the good way and the bad way. We’re taking a massive risk here. We have all taken out loans to get this LP out there, and if it backfires, like we see all too often, then so be it. If we fail with this album, well have a few months out, and then get back to it. We won’t quit, not yet at least. Maybe in 10 years when we have had fuck all recognition, maybe then we’ll call it a day.”
Along with their new album, the band are set to go on tour for the first time. Prior to this they have rarely ventured out of Lancashire. “We’re all excited. We’re taking our music to the masses, and that is something I really get a buzz out off” Rick comments.
The tour, which has 16 planned dates, spans from their local pub, right to down to Portsmouth. “It’s pretty big yeah, the tour that is! I mean the venues aren’t exactly massive, I think the biggest venue booked can hold about fifteen hundred, which will do me fine.” Danny says triumphantly!
So, things seem to be looking up for Deaf Circuit. With a new LP on the way, followed by a huge tour, the band can finally look forward to getting out of Blackburn. “Ha ha, yeah it’s a bit of a dump. I mean I live in Leeds at University so it aint all that bad for me, but I feel for the other guys who live here full time! I’m looking forward to getting out on the road, It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully, the album will get some coverage abroad, and, fingers crossed, well get to go on a jolly in Europe!” Michael may be aiming high here, but I don’t see why they can’t do it. I am impressed, a lot with the new LP.
But things haven’t been all rosy with the band. Having been created by the five in a college class, things started very well but soon hit a wall. Rick explains, “Yeah, we sort off ran out of ideas. I mean we knew we were a Heavy Rock / Metal band, but we just couldn’t write songs for shit. I mean we all disagree with playing covers, It’s all well and good when you have made it, but I feel it shouldn’t happen when you’re a small band trying to prove yourself. So, we all took six months out, got listening to the music we love again, and really hit it off. We got our own rehearsals room, and, from then on, we haven’t looked back. We have all improved as musicians, the level of skill we now have on Bass, Guitar and Drums is phenomenal. Not to mention my vocals! This is why I am 99% confident the LP will be a success.”
The LP is due to be released in two months, and the first night of the tour commences at the Cellar Bar in Blackburn on 30th March.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
this is now the updated version of the article, there isn't much change in the content of the magazine, but this is now grammatically correct and ready to go.
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