Gig at Nottingham Trent Students Union

Fridays gig went well. 1000miles away (formally the 7.21s) were up first and yet again I was captivated by the sheer height of their lead singer, the tallest person I think I ever met. The Ambassadors and the Burt Bacharach Fight Club also played fun sets but alas I’m here to talk you through Kazooee time.

Finally a proper stage, a proper sound man and a proper venue, it felt good. We kicked off the set with Bad vibes making sure it came across that we meant business, heavy rock business and the crowd gathered in response. It’s so much fun to be in the moment with the band and I know the boys feel the same so together we stormed through some of our favourites. Thanks to Leon (dude you rule) the entire set was captured on film some of which you can see on our youtube channel. As seems to be our style we worked ourselves up into a sheer frenzy by the time we ended with Now with both Ben and Andy giving it everything they had in end of set excitement, if they weren’t so cool I think they would have smashed their kit up. In fact here’s the proof:



Mark from Trent FM kidnapped Ben after the set to get a quick interview and said he hopes to play us soon on his new music pod cast. He’s a honey. In other podcast related news we were also played on leftlion. They kicked off their show with Bad Vibes and said we were “awesome” so thanks to Rosa for her support.

Ask Kazooee Part 3

What were your initial influences when you first started and how have they carried through to your current style of music?

JQ: My influences started with a lot of alternative bands like greenday, nirvana, silverchair and The offspring but then I discovered garbage and the whole riot girl scene containing the likes of Sleater Kinney and L7. My style of writing and playing is identifiably inclined to 90’s grunge but my influences expand as I find new music, people like the Dresden dolls, the gossip and Tegan and Sara.

Ben: I learnt to play Therapy's “Troublegum” almost in it's entirety. I think that album, along with Hole's “Live Thru This” and Green Day's “Dookie”, epitomizes the early/mid-90s rock sound that was a huge influence on me both musically and personally

Andy: Early influence was bands like nirvana, soundgarden and hole. I got wrapped up in the whole grunge scene. It was a way of life. You were only allowed to like one type of music! It’s like from then to now I've gone full circle. I’ve been into all types of music in between but I’ve ended up playing drums in a grunge band! Grunge is back!

What kind of thing frustrates you as a musician?

Ben: Other musicians!

Andy: the same things that would frustrate me if I wasn’t a musician, everything! (I’m a grumpy old goat!)

JQ: The idea that music is a route to fame and not a form of expression.

What are your top-five favorite books???

Andy: In no particular order, Michael Marshall Smith, spares. Banksy, Bruce parry, tribe. Chuck Palahniuk, fight club. John King, England away.

JQ: 1)The trick is to keep breathing by Janice Galloway, 2) The doctor and the soul by Viktor Frankl 3) And I don’t want to live this life by Deborah Spungeon 4)The heart is deceitful above all things by JT Leroy 5) Any music biography, ever.

Ben: To tell you the truth I find many books to be too bloated and I often don't finish them. Martin Millar tells a really good story and his books have many characters I'd actually like to meet. I'd recommend Good Fairies of New York or Dream of Sex and Stage Diving as a starting point.

EG Review

Whilst tinkering about the internet looking for music, as I do when I have a cold and am too poor to go out on a Friday night, I came across this little gem on the EG Magazines myspace.

"Kazooee: Wish I Had A Wolf Suit

Coming together nearly two whole years ago, this quartet have slowly but surely been constructing a reputation for themselves through a radiant collection of directly easy pop rock creations. With a non compromising alternative rock feel, accompanied by a throw yourself around grunge sound, from the very beginning this is a blazing and detailed debut that manages to spark attention. From the sinister bass lines of Feet First to the beautiful hooks of Not The Devil, this quartet's severe focus and dynamic finish make for a solid offering. While the band fire on all cylinders courtesy of some creative and catchy instrumentals, lead vocalist and guitarist JQ appears out of place with her gentle voice never quite capturing the bands intensity. Despite this, Kazooee are winners in almost every way."

Matthew Smith EG Magazine Myspace

Some nice comments I think you'll agree and bless him he thinks my voice is gentle, the boys would disagree with that for sure!

Here's Hoping your New Year hang overs are receding.

xJQx