Today's surprise is...
RETURN OF THE FURIES!
Way back in 2005, one of the first ever bands Noisy ever interviewed was all-girl punk rockers Return of the Furies in our debut issue. Three years on, the band are still going strong - albeit with some slight line-up changes - we caught them at a few festivals this year including Cambridge Rock (where the above photos were taken) and the Pink festival where the band played super sets, even throwing in an Aerosmith cover for good measure! Check out the interview below for what they had to say back in 2005...
Return of the Furies are a 4 piece band from Essex, Middlesex, and London, comprising of Mercedes (vocals, guitar), Jo (guitar), Kat (bass, backing vocals) and Sarah (drums). Their name is derived from Greek & Roman mythology (the Furies were three dark and powerful Goddesses) and their music is dark, heavy and infectious. Here is a quick chat with vocalist/guitarist Mercedes & guitarist Jo.
When did the band start? How long has the current line-up been together? It seems there have been a few line-up changes, according to your website.
Mercedes: I think this band has always been in my head... but for us, it started about 2 and a half years ago. The current line-up has only been for just over a month, as Jake joined us on drums at the end of last year.
Listening to the mp3 samples on your site, your music reminds me of female punk rock bands like the Goops & Tuuli - have bands like these influenced you at all? What/who are your influences & how would you describe your sound?
Mercedes: Err i actually haven't heard of the Goops?! Are they any good? [yes, they are!] As for Tuuli I've not heard much stuff, but I was doing this kinda music before I heard them. We like bands like The Stones, Nirvana, Green Day, Iron Maiden, Quo, Guns & Roses, No Doubt, Hole, Pantera and so on... There's a mixture of different influences that have somehow become involved in our music one way or another. I think Jo playing those solos adds to the new flavour of the Furies. You're beginning to get a taste of the metal rock now, I think. We wanna be playing on a cliff top and riding out with the boys - guns a-blazing! None of this "girly-frilly-skirt" stuff.
Why did you call yourselves Return of the Furies?
Mercedes: The Furies are three dark, terrible and incredibly powerful goddesses from the Underworld. I had the idea of three females in a band. Imagination got the best of me, I guess.
So far you have recorded one demo - any plans for another release, such
as an album or EP?
Mercedes: Err, (laughs) we had an old demo, recorded in December 2002. We kinda want that to remain buried, now this one has come out... It probably wont stay buried now I've said that, though?! An album would be great. There's been talk about shooting a video for Megaera soon, too. Which could be an extra on the CD.
Tell us about the song-making process within the band - do you all write
lyrics & create music?
Mercedes: We share ideas, see what works, use what does and scrap what doesn't. I think it's best to write as much as you can. Out of those 10 crap songs, there's always that one great song!
You have been playing gigs locally in Essex & London - any plans to tour further a field?
Mercedes: Of course...
Jo: we hope to tour up and down the country
Mercedes: And there's been talk of a summer trip to the States with a band from LA.
Describe the live experience of Return of the Furies.
Mercedes: We play to entertain, that's what a band is there for. We enjoy what we play and the crowd enjoys it with a pint!
If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?
Jo: Queen
Mercedes: dead bands? Nirvana... alive bands? The Cure
Do you have any thoughts on the music scene here in Essex?
Mercedes: Yeah, it's getting bigger so more gig venues would be nice!
Why should we be Return of the Furies fans?
Mercedes: (grins) Because we want to fuck with your minds!
Lastly, where do you see the band in one year's time?
Mercedes: On a bus with the band, eating, sleeping and playing some good, hard rock every night!
Check out Return of the Furies' music on their myspace page here.