Interview with Band Of Skulls

Don't let the name fool you.  Band Of Skulls isn't some intense speed metal outfit.  Hailing from Southampton, England, the affable trio is actually a sagacious alternative rock band that delights even the most pretentious of indie music snobs.  Though their member number is small, their sound is big.  Russell Marsden (guitar/vocals, Emma Richardson (bass/vocals), and Matt Hayward (drums) project raw, unembellished melodies that resonate powerful and full.  Before their show at the Walnut Room in Denver on August 4, the musicians were gracious enough to sit down to answer a few of my questions.  Polite, thoughtful, and charming, they made conversation easy and interesting.

Originally known as Fleeing New York, Band Of Skulls changed their name not long ago.  "We had this band a few years ago and we ran into some trouble with some people we were working with," Hayward explains.  "We took some time off, regrouped, started writing some new songs, and it just felt like a different band.  There were some band connotations with the last name, so we cut that off and started fresh." He smiles and finishes, " It worked out pretty good.  Here we are in lovely Denver."

So how did they come up with the name Band of Skulls?  "The venue where we used to run a monthly club night is called the Talking Heads, but of course that name was already taken," Marsden laughs.  Outside of the theater, there was a Hamlet-style painting (in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince Hamlet performs a monologue with a deceased court jester's skull).  Intrigued by the picture, and thankful to the venue for letting them play there, the musicians liked the idea of incorporating 'skull' into their name.  They put their heads together and decided upon Band Of Skulls. 

Each Band Of Skulls member participates in the song-writing.  "All three of us contribute, it's kind of a battle to get all of our ideas heard," Richardson says honestly.  "Russell or me or Matt will come up with an idea and pass it along to another person and see what they can do with it."  "It's probably our defining thing," Marsden declares.  Are there ever any clashes during the process?  "Only musical ones," Marsden laughs.  "We learn how to not get offended by someone saying they don't like a song that you've just spent two days writing," Richardson says.  "I have yet to learn that though," Marsden admits and the others laugh.  "But it ends up making us have a high level of quality."

Marsden and Hayward have known each other since they were kids.  Their parents paired them up to keep them busy.  "They gave us a bunch of instruments, tucked us in a room, and said 'See you in five days,'" Hayward relays.  "They thought it would be the end of it.  But they started something they couldn't really handle," Marsden adds with a grin.  The two childhood friends picked up Richardson after Marsden and her met in art college. 

Cut to November of 2008 when Band Of Skulls inked a record deal while they were still in the studio recording demos.  After that, things happened fast.  "Every song we did opened up another opportunity, so by the time we finished the record it was all ready to go," Marsden informs me.  Baby Darling Doll Face Honey was recorded, produced, and mixed within a matter of months and digitally released in the US in April 2009.

Also during April, the single "I Know What I Am" became the iTunes Single of the Week.  Industry executives were so anxious to unleash Band Of Skulls to the world, they begged for the song before it was even finished.  "It happened while we were in the studio, that's the reason we had to finish it so quickly," Marsden describes.  "They came and said 'We'll give you this chance, we want that song.'  But that song wasn't finished."  Nervous chuckles emanate from the other bandmates.  "We had to finish the record and get it to these people or we wouldn't get the chance.  We were like 'Shall we risk doing it? Or shall we just take our time?'  We took the risk, and it worked out pretty good."  "It was like two months of work crammed into three weeks," Hayward affixes. 

Band Of Skulls takes the time now to appreciate and absorb their whirlwind ride to success.  Richardson comments that she loves being on the road and playing in so many different venues.  But her defining moment thus far?  "For me, it was holding our first record, seeing it in vinyl.  It was released in the shops this week so it was pretty cool."  "They put a big banner out at Amoeba Records, that was a defining moment.  It was like 'Oh yeah, we've made it.'" Marsden says excitedly. 

When they're on the road and away from their native England, Band Of Skulls misses English tea the most.  "It's not the tea, it's the water,"  Marsden details.  "The water's too good here.  Our water at home has got loads of limescale or alkaline or something in it, but it makes the tea taste like English tea." 

In terms of pre-show rituals, Band Of Skulls keeps it pretty simple.  Marsden makes sure he's got his lucky coin in his pocket, and all three have a few drinks to loosen up.  "Get a little lubricated, that always helps," Richardson reveals.  They also like to indulge in a couple of beers onstage, except for Marsden who claims, "I'm far too busy to be drinking onstage.  I used to, but now there's no time."  "I've got loads of time to drink onstage," Hayward proclaims smugly and they all erupt in laughter.

All three band members have unique stories.  Richardson grew up a swimmer, even winning some medals for England during competitions.  Though she doesn' t race now, she still enjoys getting in the water and doing some slow laps if she gets a chance.

Hayward's dad played in bands all his life and even supported the Rolling Stones while they were taking off.  He also ran a recording studio in England, where Band Of Skulls used to rehearse. So he is really involved with their career, making sure they're always at their best.  "After every show, normal parents go 'Oh it was so great!', but he's like 'The third bar, you kind of sped up on that beat...'  He's very critical of what we do but he's so proud," Hayward says affectionately, then laughs. "Now that we're in the states and he can't be at the shows, he sees the YouTube footage and then he sends emails."

Marsden survived a near fatal car accident when he was young.  The driver, a friend who had just gotten his license, was swerving along to the beat of Motorhead's "Ace Of Spades".  "I can't listen to that song any more," he states. "It makes me sweat."

Band of Skulls is on the fast track to worldwide success, but they still support the Southampton music scene that they emerged from.  "There's some good bands breaking through," Hayward claims.  Richardson recommends The Moulettes, while Hayward suggests pop-punk band Thomas Tantrum and the Portico Quartet who just got nominated for a Mercury Prize.

As this fresh, exciting band bursts onto the scene, all they want is to be able to keep playing music, travel the world, and enjoy themselves.  "We want to keep putting out records and get as many people involved and just have fun," Hayward relays.  "As soon as it stops becoming fun, then there's no point in doing it."

Photo Credits: First photo- Band Of Skulls promo picture from Shangri-La
                        Second photo- Darling Baby Doll Face Honey album artwork

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