The rockabilly band Them Tornadoes has been around for a long time and still gets the crowd grooving. Ian Arrow, lead guitarist and vocalist, answers some questions.
Good day, Ian. How are things?
Things are things and that's how it is.
I was at the show in Mercury on Saturday 25th – first time I’ve experienced your live show. You guys have been around for a long time, though. How have your live performances changed or developed over the years?
We've been playing our brand of rockabilly for thirteen years, just three of us and everyone else is the crowd. Must say, the crowd is developing more than us.
All three members of the band have distinctive, unusual performing styles – in particular, a standing drummer isn’t something you see every day. Were these conscious decisions in terms of where you wanted to go with the band, or did the gods lead you to cross one another’s paths in this way?
Rockabilly is best when it's played on the edge and we often find ourselves on the other side – you can't keep a good man down.
You guys describe rockabilly as the bastard love child of rock ’n roll and hillbilly country music. What is it about the genre that initially got you excited and has kept you pursuing it for so long?
That was penned by a fan who felt we needed a better Facebook profile. Rockabilly is all we know.
Despite your long career as a band, you’ve refrained from putting a lot of albums and/or singles and videos out there. How does or did this fit into the band’s plans and prospects?
Recording is killing live music.
The video for “Psycho”, which was shot in 2010, is set in a mental institution. Apart from the obvious connotation with the song title, does the band feel there’s some connection between the music style or output and being a tad off the middle?
That was a film school project we were helping a fan out. The psycho in the music is critical and very real.
A band who’s been around as long as you guys must’ve seen and experienced some interesting and odd places and venues. Any anecdotes you’d like to share? Where, if anywhere, will you never return to?
Don't bring her into it – if you must know, we just happen to be good friends.
What’s the strangest thing any fans have ever said or shouted to you?
“Nice show.”
What long-term plans or prospects are in store for Them Tornados?
To keep on rocking those bones.
What is the meaning of life, according to Them Tornados?
Life is long and full of stuff.
Teken in op LitNet se gratis weeklikse nuusbrief. | Sign up for LitNet's free weekly newsletter.