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THE BASICS Name : Rachel Warburton Band : Newtonheath Job In Band : Bass/Programming/Vocals Website Address : www.newtonheathband.com HOME Hometown : Adelaide Hometown is best known for : Coopers Pale Ale Best thing about the music scene in your hometown : Many of the venues are in walking distance so can see lots in one night! Most influential band to yourself that’s come out of your home town : The Reckoning Best up and coming band from your home town would be : Tiger Stripes THE BAND What’s the story behind the band name? It’s a suburb in Manchester, UK where my dad grew up. When did the band begin and how did it come about? After our old band, Edison Music, called it a day in 2004, Matt Ho (Newtonheath Lead Singer/Guitarist) and myself tried a few other musical endeavors before starting Newtonheath in mid 2005, originally performing acoustic sets, but the intention of getting a full band together. Then we headed overseas for all of 2006, and we asked Dan Gaskin (Sumi) to join while we were away (on guitar and vocals) and started sending him MP3s so he could write his parts. Then at the start of this year we teamed up with Shaun Reilly (Before It All Ends) on drums and started playing full band shows in April. How would you describe your sound to the average Joe on the street? Rock n roll that’s a bit dancey. What’s your current release? Tell us a little about it… Our debut album “Come Together and Unite”. We wrote it while we were in Canada in our bedroom. It was snowing outside. What image do you think / hope your music conveys? Moody, dark but not too dark, questioning In five years time the band will be… Hopefully alive and still playing music OFF THE STAGE What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? The Muppets when I was pretty young and then teaching myself to play my mum’s old nylon string guitar for something to do when I was a little bit older. What was your first band name and what style did you play? Hone – arty rock. Tell us three albums you couldn’t live without in your collection At The Drive In – Relationship Of Command Sunny Day Real Estate - How It Feels To Be Something On Mew – And The Glass Handed Kites Best piece of musical advice you’ve been given Love what you do, do what you love Two groups/artists you’d love to take out on the road Plainsunset from Singapore and Cuthero from Adelaide. Favourite song of your group? Fixation The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is Catching up with people and meeting new ones. The thing you least look forward to before a tour is Having to get up early When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Hanging with friends or working with people with disabilities. ON THE STAGE / ROAD What gear do you use? Fender American Vintage Precision Bass and Gallien Krueger Head & Box Favourite place (city/town/country) you’ve toured… and why? Melbourne, good people over there and good shopping! The best show you’ve ever played was… and why? Probably our first show… it was in memory of our good friend Josh Arcus (who played in Edison Music) who along with his wife died in a car accident in Canada about a week before it. Very emotional evening. Who hogs the stereo in the van the most? This band hasn’t toured much yet (about to) but I imagine it’s going to be a battle of everyone… thankfully we’re all pretty eclectic in our taste and have quite a few similar artists that we’re into. After a week in the van/bus on tour which band member will have the messiest section, and what would we most likely find stashed there? I imagine it will be Shaun (our drummer), but I’m not sure what we’ll find!!! Who in your group has the worst “bad habit” on tour, and what is it? I will let you know but I think it will be Matt and Dan checking their hair looks ok. Most embarrassing moment on tour? Running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere and a mobile phone dead spot. “We should make it to the next petrol station…” Give us a good quick ‘on the road’ story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever… Matt tends to sleep with one eye open, sometimes both, especially in a car, so many conversations have been had with him when his still asleep. Your manager calls and says the venue you are about to play really wants to keep you happy, what’s the first thing you chuck on the rider? A good German beer. RIGHT NOW What’s getting the most spins in your stereo right now? The Editors – An End Has A Start Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why… Mew – from Denmark… took me a few listens but now addicted to their powerful but atmospheric sounds. If you could change one thing about the music industry today, what would it be? Less self-obsession. As soon as I’ve finished answering these questions I’m about to… Have a coffee and eat some lunch |
