Soundtrack Of Their Lives: The Wave Pictures
Artist:
The Wave Pictures
We at DIY are a curious bunch. We want to know what makes musicians tick and what brought them to their current role. We'll be aiming to bring to you the tracks which helped shape the music you listen to, what gems are uncovered, what crimes are admitted to – we'll be bringing you the 'Soundtrack Of Their Lives'.
The Wave Pictures release their new album, 'Instant Coffee Baby' on 5th May, which rather obviously features recent single 'Strange Fruit For David'. The band have let us in on their personal musical makeup, which includes a love of Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC and Christian soft rock...
David Tattersall (lead vocals, songwriter and guitarist)
Whilst I could name any number of obscure bands that I could claim to be inspired by, it seems better to be honest and admit that I am inspired by Bruce Springsteen.
I don't like to think about Springsteen's obscene wealth or his sinister ability to turn a stadium full of individuals into a mindless screaming mob. I like to think about his voice, which is warm and direct. I like to think about his guitar playing, which is spiky and urgent, full of the crackle and twang of early 60s radio. And I like to think about his songs. His songs are hopeful, because he is an optimist, and sad, because optimists know all about disappointment.
This might explain why I find his music so moving but the truth is probably simpler: I just happen to like his style. I happen to like American music: the blues, country, rockabilly, rock and roll and garage rock. I can hear all of these sounds on Bruce Springsteen's records. He has also made the only keyboard-based pop music that I have ever enjoyed.
I have no desire to be as rich or famous as him. Nor would I like my songs to be as tightly arranged and performed as his; I have too much fun playing freely and loosely with Jonny and Franic. But Springsteen still inspires me to be a better songwriter, singer and guitarist, and my ambition doesn't really extend beyond that.
Franic Rozycki (bass, vocals)
AC/DC's 'Let There Be Rock' has a great live sound, as if the band is playing in somebody's bedroom. The guitars are scraggly and small, and the bass and drums play straight and tight. Each song is a catchy riff that repeats over and over and over, until the song is finished. The music is compact and driving. There is nothing extraneous on the album. The band play together to make a solid rhythm, and Angus Young plays a ripping guitar solo in the middle. The solos are always ripping. I like the notes Angus uses, and he never jazzes things up.
The drumming is excellent. Phil Rudd doesn't throw in anything at random, and doesn't stray from a perfectly straight beat unless he has to. When he does go for a roll or fill he plays something simple that never fights with the other instruments. I admire the way the bass sticks to playing mainly root notes all the way through every song. It sounds great. On this album AC/DC really stick to playing straight and playing together to keep each riff rolling along, and this is all that seems to matter.
This is definitely my favourite AC/DC album. Then 'Powerage', 'If You Want Blood... You've Got It', and 'Highway To Hell', in that order. Which is also the order they were released. 'Let There Be Rock' sounds like it has no production. Each studio record after this one has something extra, like they have added a 'bigger' sound each time, making a more stadium rock sound. I don't think this ever adds to the sound that the band have on 'Let There Be Rock'.
I told some French guy I liked AC/DC and he said he could hear it in my bass playing. I don't get why, but I guess that is good.
Jonny Helm (drums, vocals)
In junior school I had some lessons with an old teacher who said I should let the sticks bounce on the snare skin like peas. Thats about all I can remember from those lessons but it stuck with me. In high school I had some lessons during which I tried to read drum music and learn drum rudiments, the teacher said I could play the whole kit next lesson if I correctly played a double flam tap parraddidle in 3/4 time. Or words to that effect. I also learned to play beats using drum music written in a book. I played on a cover of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' with a guy called Bean Head for a GCSE performance thing.
During my late teens I played in church. It was a lively church and we played music in a classic Christian soft rock vein.
When I got to university I started jamming with some friends. We played jazzy little songs and called ourselves The Refuseniks. We had a song in 5/4 time called 5/4. I really enjoyed playing with them.
Around this time Franic was handing out copies of 'The Airplanes At Brescia' by The Wave Pictures, I liked it. When I heard that they needed a drummer for a gig I offered my services and was accepted. Since then I have been mainly influenced by Franic Rozycki and David Tattersall.
This Is Fake DIY
The Wave Pictures Official Site
We at DIY are a curious bunch. We want to know what makes musicians tick and what brought them to their current role. We'll be aiming to bring to you the tracks which helped shape the music you listen to, what gems are uncovered, what crimes are admitted to – we'll be bringing you the 'Soundtrack Of Their Lives'.
The Wave Pictures release their new album, 'Instant Coffee Baby' on 5th May, which rather obviously features recent single 'Strange Fruit For David'. The band have let us in on their personal musical makeup, which includes a love of Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC and Christian soft rock...
David Tattersall (lead vocals, songwriter and guitarist)
Whilst I could name any number of obscure bands that I could claim to be inspired by, it seems better to be honest and admit that I am inspired by Bruce Springsteen.
I don't like to think about Springsteen's obscene wealth or his sinister ability to turn a stadium full of individuals into a mindless screaming mob. I like to think about his voice, which is warm and direct. I like to think about his guitar playing, which is spiky and urgent, full of the crackle and twang of early 60s radio. And I like to think about his songs. His songs are hopeful, because he is an optimist, and sad, because optimists know all about disappointment.
This might explain why I find his music so moving but the truth is probably simpler: I just happen to like his style. I happen to like American music: the blues, country, rockabilly, rock and roll and garage rock. I can hear all of these sounds on Bruce Springsteen's records. He has also made the only keyboard-based pop music that I have ever enjoyed.
I have no desire to be as rich or famous as him. Nor would I like my songs to be as tightly arranged and performed as his; I have too much fun playing freely and loosely with Jonny and Franic. But Springsteen still inspires me to be a better songwriter, singer and guitarist, and my ambition doesn't really extend beyond that.
Franic Rozycki (bass, vocals)
AC/DC's 'Let There Be Rock' has a great live sound, as if the band is playing in somebody's bedroom. The guitars are scraggly and small, and the bass and drums play straight and tight. Each song is a catchy riff that repeats over and over and over, until the song is finished. The music is compact and driving. There is nothing extraneous on the album. The band play together to make a solid rhythm, and Angus Young plays a ripping guitar solo in the middle. The solos are always ripping. I like the notes Angus uses, and he never jazzes things up.
The drumming is excellent. Phil Rudd doesn't throw in anything at random, and doesn't stray from a perfectly straight beat unless he has to. When he does go for a roll or fill he plays something simple that never fights with the other instruments. I admire the way the bass sticks to playing mainly root notes all the way through every song. It sounds great. On this album AC/DC really stick to playing straight and playing together to keep each riff rolling along, and this is all that seems to matter.
This is definitely my favourite AC/DC album. Then 'Powerage', 'If You Want Blood... You've Got It', and 'Highway To Hell', in that order. Which is also the order they were released. 'Let There Be Rock' sounds like it has no production. Each studio record after this one has something extra, like they have added a 'bigger' sound each time, making a more stadium rock sound. I don't think this ever adds to the sound that the band have on 'Let There Be Rock'.
I told some French guy I liked AC/DC and he said he could hear it in my bass playing. I don't get why, but I guess that is good.
Jonny Helm (drums, vocals)
In junior school I had some lessons with an old teacher who said I should let the sticks bounce on the snare skin like peas. Thats about all I can remember from those lessons but it stuck with me. In high school I had some lessons during which I tried to read drum music and learn drum rudiments, the teacher said I could play the whole kit next lesson if I correctly played a double flam tap parraddidle in 3/4 time. Or words to that effect. I also learned to play beats using drum music written in a book. I played on a cover of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' with a guy called Bean Head for a GCSE performance thing.
During my late teens I played in church. It was a lively church and we played music in a classic Christian soft rock vein.
When I got to university I started jamming with some friends. We played jazzy little songs and called ourselves The Refuseniks. We had a song in 5/4 time called 5/4. I really enjoyed playing with them.
Around this time Franic was handing out copies of 'The Airplanes At Brescia' by The Wave Pictures, I liked it. When I heard that they needed a drummer for a gig I offered my services and was accepted. Since then I have been mainly influenced by Franic Rozycki and David Tattersall.
This Is Fake DIY
The Wave Pictures Official Site
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