// INTERVIEW - WE'RE NO HEROES // SPOTLIGHT //

We're No Heroes are a band from Wales, which consists of Tom Collins (guitar, vocals), Michael 'Dewey' Owen (bass, vocals), and Luke Llewellyn (drums, vocals).

They first got together as a band in the summer of 2009 at a downtown South Side recording studio in Chicago, USA. (How? Don't ask.)

In the past, they have supported bands like 'Catfish And The Bottlemen' and 'Public Service Broadcasting'.

The band has been making waves for a while now, and it seems everyone has something to say about them. With their music being described as raw, experimental, indie, groovy, and many things in between... It is easy to get lost in their identity.

So... What exactly are they? 

Previously, they have described themselves as : 'An alternative, new wave, indie rock three-piece from Cardiff who combine funk-inspired rhythmic guitars with mellow, impassive vocals and some techno, 80s-esque synth effects for good measure.'

Personally, I found their music to be weirdly calming, almost pacifying (Which, seeing as it is based mostly on real catchy guitar riffs, is very curious). 
It really is intriguing. Let's just say, it sounds good and feels good.

But all that aside, let's get on with the interview.

1. If you weren't in a band, what would you see yourselves doing in life? 

Luke: I'd be involved botany, probably a Phenologist.

Michael: I'd probably join the family business and be a chemical engineer.

Tom: I probably would have gone to art school & disappeared up my own arse.

2. Which song(s) of yours are you most proud of?  

Luke: Our latest unreleased track titled 'YOUTH' is my most proud output thus far. It's the smoothest, most coherent track we've made together. Really loving another unreleased track we've been playing live called 'VOLCANO LIKE YOU'; it's this massive funk rock anthem.

Michael: Voodoo I'd say, it got a great reception when it was released. Made it all worth while.

Tom: Our new track ‘Youth’ is next level and has to be heard to be believed; your ears won't be the same again.

3. You released a vinyl recently. What inspired this decision?

Luke: It's quite a self indugent thing to be honest with you. It's nice to hold and look at. I almost feel like an old over weight and ugly millionaire grasping my trophy wife. 

Michael: Well who doesn't like vinyl?!

Tom: We’re big vinyl lovers, it’s just one of those things; if your in a band you ultimately want your music on some hot wax, there’s something special about it.

4. You have a really kickass band-name as such, but if you had to change it, what would you change it to?

Luke: Thanks for the compliment, it's a marmite name for sure so it's nice to see what side you lean on. The right one of course! I'd love to call the band Positive Mental Octopus.
Michael: Lyf Boat.

Tom: 'Plus Support' just for gig poster related lols; either that or 'Fit Vicars'.

5. What is one song of another artist that you wish you'd made?

Luke: Little Miss Lover by The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Michael: Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade. They must be minted.

Tom: Most recently Tame Impala ‘ the Less I Know the Better’, that riff is so simple but so effective.

6. Aside from music, what are the band members' other passions?

Luke: Gardening, surfing and travelling as much as possible is my bag.

Michael: I'm into my sport. Football and American football especially. 

Tom: I love doing gig posters and artwork for bands and musical related things. 

(NOTE: It really is good stuff. You can check it out at tcols.tumblr.com)

 

7. Your videos are always a treat. Who comes up with the ideas?

Luke: We collectively sit down with the team behind the video and discuss the theme of the song and build around that. The last two, Voodoo & Stay Weird, were thought up by Josh from Storm & Shelter production company.

Michael: The recent ones are the babies of the amazing guys at Storm and Shelter.

Tom: Our mate Josh from Storm & Shelter gets the credit for that.

8. What type of music do you enjoy (both making and listening to)?

Luke: I love my classics like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath & Budgie but also I'm really into funk music like Parliament Funkadelic, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chk Chk Chk, Defunkt, Rick James, Ohio Players, the list goes on.

Michael: The music we make is exactly like the music I love. I wouldn't be into it otherwise.

Tom: We all love funk music; I always try & keep on top of new releases. Anderson Paak's ‘Malibu’ is probably my favourite album this year.

9. What are your views on the piracy of music?

Luke: Stealing anything is never a good thing, especially from someone who has slaved away their whole lives to create something that can be so easily stolen. I can relate to the frustration. Also though, the way the industry capitilises on this and sometimes doesn't really pay artists very well is also a bad thing. There needs to be a medium ground; I see a lot more work needs to be done to protect everyone involved, I guess.

Michael: I think it's gone past the point where people care about it now. It's already accessible enough with places like Spotify that it makes no sense to pirate.

Tom: It's important to buy records from artists you love so they can keep making that music; piracy isn’t a bad thing, artists hardly get a dime from Spotify either so there’s not a lot of difference. Just support the artists you love, the best way doing that is buying their music & merchandise and going to their shows.

10. Are there any artists you'd like to collaborate with in the future?

Luke: I'd love to do a We're No Heroes record with some of our talented musician friends that's a complete different direction than we'd do on our own records. 

Michael: Anyone and everyone.

Tom: Yes, and George Clinton still hasn’t returned our calls!

11. Where do you see the music industry going in general? 

Luke: The thing with music is no one ever knows. It's all one big gamble and any one person could suddenly change everything. It's quite exciting. That's why it's futile to have an opinion on it, in my opinion, which is a bit of an oxymoron in itself. You just have to open your heart up to the cosmos and grab on for the ride.

Michael: The industry goes round in circles. Cassettes and CD's will probably make a come back. 

Tom: What Luke said.

12. What can we expect from you in the future?

Luke: More of everything. More music to be released, more gigs and tours to be played, more of Dewey's big fat bass humpin your face, more of TC's sexual strings making you mothers and daddies sing and certainly more of myself bringing cosmic love funk deep stealth.

Michael: More tunes, tours and terrible answers.

Tom: Yep, more sex strings.

So... Intrigued yet? You can check out their music at their bandcamp or soundcloud.
To buy their groovy beats on Itunes, click here.

Other links : 

Official site

Youtube
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