The Glasgow PodcART

Glasgow PodcART were lucky enough to interview Adam from 85 Bears prior to Hinterland. We were then even more fortunate to catch up with Adam and other ’Bear’ Alex following their first gig at Hinterland.

85 Bears proved undoubtedly to be one of our favourite bands performing at Hinterland. They are one of the most ferocious yet technical gifted bands on the scene. We chatted to them about future plans and their first time playing Scotland.

How are you since the last time we spoke to you?

Adam: We are good, Ben isn’t here though. We don’t know what’s wrong with him. He has swine flu or something.

Alex: Something wrong with his paws? Mange?

What’s been happening over the last few months?

Alex: Just playing shows really.

Adam: Getting ready for Hinterland, just getting ready and rehearsing to the hilt!

After last nights performance, was Glasgow the best crowd ever?

Alex: Possibly (laughs)

Adam: Last night was really, really good. The response from the people was really cool. I have heard good things about the Glasgow crowd. I wasn’t expecting it to be bad but I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was.

Alex: I knew it could be good I just didn’t know if it was going to be good for us. It went down really well and we made a load of friends.

Is there an album in the pipeline?

Alex: We are recording another EP in June and hopefully will get some shows off the back of that.

Adam: We have one out at the moment and we have started to put that out. You never know maybe we could put the two EP’s together and make an album.

What is your writing process like? Is it a collective thing?

Adam: Definitely, each of us will come in with separate ideas at separate times. A lot of it comes from jamming in the studio.

Alex: Someone may come in with a riff and we take it from there. We even started with a drumbeat once and went from there.

Adam: Especially when you have a drummer like Ben, the world is your oyster. He is a beast, we were in a band previously and I practically hijacked Ben and took him with me. I don’t think I would have started a band otherwise. They do say your band is as good as your drummer and he is fucking awesome.

I think I can speak for the Glasgow PodcART when I say you are one of the best bands to come out of London in recent times. What do you think of the music coming out of London at the moment?

Alex: There are some really good bands but they just aren’t getting enough exposure.

Adam: There are some little nuggets out there you just have to look. Dredlunadare are good, I think people get bogged down with the London music scene. The skinny jeans brigade there is a lot of that and image attached to it. I don’t think these bands are going to be around forever.

Alex: It’s really hard for bands to even get noticed. It’s only now with people like A Badge Of Friendship who are prepared to harness the potential of those kinds of bands and are giving them an outlet.

Adam: Claire and Paul from ABOF are half the reason, if not the main one, as to why we have had so many great shows. I think you guys have similar ethics to us as well.

Alex: Coming up here and meeting so many great people gives you that kick up the arse.

Adam: Glasgow PodcART rules by the way.

What are your genuine aspirations as to where you want to take 85 Bears?

Adam: I just want to play some really great gigs, get some releases out. We are not above our station we know where we stand.

Alex: I am not sure how far it can go? It’s like instrumental. I am not even sure I thought we would go this far.

Adam: Look at Battles. I know they are doing adverts and it’s a bit of a sell out but who cares. They rule. We have even thought about doing music to film, we have access to somewhere where we would be able to play along to something like pick a film of choice. Alex did that in previous bands. I would love to do something like that. It’s just ideas but we are young as a band. Live visuals are definitely something we would do.

Are there plans to come back to Scotland?

Adam: Definitely.

Alex: we have no plans set at the moment but we will definitely come back. We like it up here and the people are cool. I don’t think anything else matters really.

Adam: I know this is the first year of Hinterland but next year even if we are not on the bill we may kill some other band members and pretend to be part of them.

Halina Rifai

85 BEARS MYSPACE

Shipwrecking EP is currently available from their Myspace.

Photograph by Alistair Burton