Here is the original, unedited answers to the people at Teletext...
The March Hares demo arrived with a defiant snarl... "no we DON'T have a manager, we're not a supermarket."
We liked them already and the feisty first track, Father, didn't disappoint either.
We had to find out more, so we did. So all the way from London, a big fat Planet Ace welcome please, for the March Hares. A word of warning, though, they're Gooners...
Current line-up with ages?
Stephen Yeates - vox/guitars/bass (21 - The Age of Enlightenment)
Josh Surtees - vox/guitars/bass (25 - The Modern Age)
Jimmy Mulvihill - lead guitar (21 - The Romantic Period)
Daniel Uwagbae - drums (19 - Barely Legal)
Where from?
All based in the North of the Cold Grey City of London. (Hoxton, Finsbury Park, Dalston and Colindale)
When and how did you form?
Jimmy :
Josh and Steve met at Highbury Stadium, formed the basis of the band, I
answered an advert from Denmark Street titled "whatever happened to great
British bands?" and Dan was discovered by Stephen at his college
Stephen :
I wanted to start a band, Josh was also bored of being on the conveyor belt
of the mundane, Jim's band split up onstage, and Dan went to my College,
that's how we got together...basically.
Joshua :
On the terraces at Highbury at a time when Arsenal were throwing away the
title. We formed out of a necessity to bring back some of the old spirit
of Swinging London but in a way that meant something to people without two
pennies to rub together.
Daniel :
The March Hares Formed before I was their Drummer, I joined in June 2004
Where did the name come from?
Jimmy :
You'll have to ask Steve or Josh that. I asked what the name of the band was
that I was auditioning, I was told The March Hares and that was that!
In fact, I didn't even like it to for ages...
Stephen :
From a string of failed attempts before, some bloody bad names existed.
Joshua :
From a sense of Englishness, with inspiration from the
Rolling Stones and Lewis Carroll.
Daniel :
Stephen and Josh's Brain, I just drum >
Do you have day jobs/students? Where do you work/study?
Jimmy :
I work as a recording engineer and a promoter.
Stephen :
A uni student, the perfect little hobby while trying to get a few numbers
out there. May I say to the taxpayer that I have taken the lowest loan
possible, I am itching to pay it back, I am sorry.
Joshua :
To my eternal shame I once worked at the House of Lords. Now I'm incurring
debts at university... it beats drug dealing.
Daniel :
I work part time, I was at Uni but left as it wasn't for me.
How would you describe your music?
Jimmy :
A mix between the punkier element of bands such as The Libertines,
The Buzzcocks, The Undertones, mixed with the classic British sounds of
bands such as The Beatles, The Kinks, The Smiths and The Jam. In short,
very British!!
Stephen :
Taking Pop by the hand and walking it back to its rightful godfathers.
Joshua :
Pop music. I'd like to think they'd play our songs at Mod discos, 80's nights
and rock'n'roll clubs...
Daniel :
Refreshing and exactly what British music needs.
What's your ultimate selling point?
Jimmy :
That when we sell ourselves, you don't have to dip into your pocket to buy
anything. All the music is free, and it's good music.
Stephen :
That we don't sell anything at all, all of our music is free while we are
getting going. How bands can ask people to spend a fiver on music they have
never heard is an insult.
Joshua :
Hopefully that our words will entertain and our music will get people on
the dancefloor.
Daniel :
We are all former Chippendales.
First gig...
Jimmy :
At the Dirty Rider Club, in Bethnal green as a three piece without drums, or
a sound engineer may I add (the venue forgot to book one... ... ..) at the
Dirty Rider Club in kilburn as a four piece with drums.
Stephen :
Bethnal Green, a shambles.
Joshua :
At the Dirty Rider Club in the Pleasure Unit. Don't worry it wasn't a
swingers club as much as it sounds like it.
Who are your heroes/inspirations/guiding lights/role models:
Jimmy :
Mainly the people that had it all at their feet and threw it away have
influenced us the most, in a lesson on how to not conduct yourselves.
Stone Roses, The Libertines, etc.
Stephen :
Ray Davies, Arsene Wenger, Charles Dickens, my Mum.
Joshua :
Morrissey, Arsenal 1988/89 team, Paul Weller, Tracey Emin and my mum.
Daniel :
Various drummers past and present, Stuart Copeland, Steve Gadd and
Fab Moretti - I'm not as good as them yet.
What's the most exciting think that's happened to you as a band?
Jimmy :
This interview......................
Stephen :
Someone managed to get us all in the same room for a whole hour!
Joshua :
Every gig we play is exciting. At the last one me and Steve were both
chucked out by bouncers, which was quite exciting in a nihilistic way.
(We managed to sneak back in for the party)
Daniel :
I think when we first started getting reviews, also our second gig with me
drumming, everything about that night was perfect.
Worst setback:
Jimmy :
There haven't been too many to be honest.
Stephen :
Auditioning so many drummers who couldn't keep a rhythm, I mean, were we
asking too much?
Joshua :
Probably a sprained ankle. There's been no split-ups, drug overdoses or tour
bus fatalities as yet.
Daniel :
Erm...I can't recall any while I've been with the band.
Which established act would you most like to be?
Jimmy :
An established March Hares will do just fine.
Stephen :
I really can't say, originality is important.
Joshua :
I wouldn't mind being a fly-on-the wall on tour with Babyshambles.
Daniel :
The Jam I think...
Do you play live? Where?
Jimmy :
Mainly in the north London region, although not we're getting a bit of demand
from all over London, so anywhere there is a stage to be filled, a PA to be
abused and a good time to be had.
Stephen :
All gigs have been in London so far, I'm looking forward to branching out.
Joshua :
We'll play wherever whenever. The Midlands are quite enticing and the
North East but we have to establish ourselves on the London scene first.
Daniel :
Of late it has been for The Dirty Rider Club.
Have you sent the demo to record companies?
Jimmy :
No, we like to have things in our control, and produce and release our music
ourselves. But obviously if a label were to offer us a wedge, we're not
stupid enough to turn it down.
Stephen :
Ask Jim, as far as I know it has been mainly magazines & radio stations
for reviews/airplay etc.
Joshua :
Give us a chance; we've only played 3 gigs!
Daniel :
Jim takes care of that.
If so, what did they say?
Stephen :
80% has been very positive...the other 20% will come round maybe, something
to do with a bandwagon and jumping on it I hope.
Daniel :
No idea.
Ambitions:
Jimmy :
To be the first band to compete on the Crystal Maze. Or Nightmare.
Stephen :
To make truly great music that will at last give everyone, everyone,
something to speak about, even if opinion is divided, but just to provoke
a reaction and, this is corny I know, but to give the kids some heroes, they
don't have enough at present.
Joshua :
I'd like to play a gig on the Gaza Strip but I'd be in heaven if we get to
do a European tour...
Daniel :
To be the best band we can be, and the best drummer I can be.
Best gig you ever saw...
Jimmy :
Corny as it sounds, Bruce Springsteen, Crystal Palace 2003.
Stephen :
Oasis, Wembley, 2000. Great support, great venue, cups of piss flying
through the air, perfect day.
Joshua :
Oasis, Wembley 2000 or Radiohead South Park 2001
Best album ever made...
Jimmy :
At the moment it's either The Beatles - Revolver/Rubber Soul or Neil Young
On the Beach/Rust Never Sleeps. Sorry, that's 4 albums......
Stephen :
Revolver (The Beatles)
Joshua :
The Beatles' Revolver obviously (closely followed by the Smiths First LP)
Favourite radio show/presenter/DJ
Jimmy :
The living legend that is Mike Spenser, ex Radio Caroline presenter
and band compardre
Stephen :
Jonathan Ross.
Joshua :
'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' on Radio 4. Long live the BBC...
Current favourite music
Jimmy :
From the new bands that are out at the moment, apart from the odd good single
here and there, and SFA, Metro Riots, Ryan Adams and White Stripes for me,
not a lot. Although I'm not speaking for the others here.
Stephen :
J. S. Bach, Dexy's Midnight Runner's, Interpol, The Beatles,
The Kinks, The Stetsons.
Joshua :
Beethoven, Babyshambles, Metro Riots, The Stetsons. Small Faces are never
far away from my turntable.
Daniel :
Sting and The Police and The Jam
Any vices
Jimmy :
Cheap, bastard brand Jack Daniels that cost �7 for a litre.
Stephen :
Vodka... and Yorkshire Tea.
Joshua :
Vodka-Martinis and Football accumulator bets...
Daniel :
Actually no.
Do you have masterplan for world domination? If so, what is it?
Jimmy :
Erm, not really a plan for world domination, just a desire to make some
fucking great music.
Stephen :
No, no, no! It would just be nice to take our material to the rest of
Britain first, to tour would be an honour, our roots are the priority.
If we get the chance to see other places then that would be a bonus.
Joshua :
World domination? I think Donald Rumsfeld's got that pretty much under
control. As for the pop world, cosy up to Bono and keep mentioning
power-sharing deals?
Daniel :
I don't think we do, just get up there (the stage) and charm the audience
with our Songs, if that works then great!
Public Enemy No 1:
Jimmy :
Are they? Chuck D will be pleased.
Stephen :
Are they No.1? "I'll show you my gun, my uzi weighs a ton" -
inspirational stuff.
Joshua :
To be honest I preferred N.W.A...
Daniel :
Bloc Party, Kings of Leon and Franz Ferdinand.
An unusual fact about someone in the band:
Jimmy :
I used to be a butcher and can cut a whole cow up into meat in about
10 hours!!! No shitting, a whole fucking cow!!!!
Stephen :
Jimmy's uncle is Terry Wogan, I don't believe him though.
Daniel :
Jim is actually a woman.
Anything else to declare?
Jimmy :
Yes, if you download our music free and distribute it to anyone, we won't
come after you Metallica-style, and sue you. Download the album free off
the net, and share the goodness around. And come and see us live!!
Stephen :
Just, thanks really, thanks for taking an interest.
Joshua :
Tell a friend about us...
Daniel :
Nope.
© The March Hares 2005