How did the tour go?

Chris: It went really well yeah, mainly consisted of drinking, being uncomfortable, and dicking about really. Actually, saying that, sounds like most of our tours! The difference being I think we actually walked away with a bit of coin this time!

Did the bus improve?

Chris: If you mean was the van for this tour better than the last one, then yeah definitely. We did the last tour in a rented van, which had two seats in the front, and that’s it, everyone on a free for all in the back with all the gear. Its not fun trying to sleep in one of those things! Then again, none of them will ever compare to ol’ Black Betty… ah we miss her!

Art of Fear - days gone by but still mighty fine, can’t you do a remix or something lol?

Scott: Well I totally agree - thats the 1st ‘midasuno’ song I wrote. The demo version session was done on my friends 4 track, just drum machine, 2 guitars and vox, and it came out great. There was another song done at the same time called ‘die a hero’ which was a sister-piece but was totally different, really optimistic and poppy. I’m glad I took the darker route though. I’m sure it will make a return someday.

How has the album been doing?

Scott: The album’s done really well as far as I know, the sales have been great for an indie record with only good press and our fanbase’s belief to sell it. I’m so proud of everyone who bought it and spread the word, its amazing people have continued to support us. As for sales - I dont know, but we heard some cool things to make us at least believe its done OK.

Most people know the band’s history - it’s been a rocky road and the drive is clearly stronger than ever but is it still as enjoyable as the early days?

Chris: Errr, it’s different… Leave this one for Scott haha!
Scott: It’s hard because as you grow up, responsibility and shit get in the way and having to earn money etc can mean you can find making music and touring really hard - it’s why so many good bands bite the dust between the ages of 18 - 22 cause thats the age everyone makes their serious choices in life. We’ve been lucky that we love doing this more than ever. I’m fitter than ever, so I’m ripening so to speak

What’s your favourite track ever to perform live?

Chris: Speaking on behalf of myself, I’m going to say Sister Temptation. It’s got the biggest riff, the grimmest verse, and a huge chorus! Besides, who wouldn’t love a song about entering a sibling haha!
Scott: Tear - It’s a fucking free for all, lots of emotion and acrobatics etc, its just a blast to play. It’s very primal and sends me off on one. I’m not sure if the boys agree, but its fun.

You’ve performed the new material from ‘Songs…’ live loads now - how does it compare to the older stuff?

Chris: Well, there are a lot more ideas going on in the new tracks, and playing them live is always a blast, there are more hooks, more riffs, and we generally enjoy playing them more. When you hear and play older songs so much you get a little bored of them. But again, there’s a few oldies that we haven’t written off as retired just yet that could have easily made it onto the album in their newer versions, so the newer stuff is just giving us better performance ideas for the older tracks… I’ve lost the point now, what’d you say again?

Who would you most like to team up with for future projects (producers or artists)?

Chris: If money and time was no boundary, then I’d love to work with Ross Robinson… just so he could discover what At The Drive In should have done with their careers instead of stopping taking drugs and going all prog on us after Relationship of Command… but again, I’d like to work with a lot of people…I know we’ve been thinking of persuading Ginger (The Wildhearts) to produce something for us… we’ll see.
Scott: Ive got some people in mind already. im trying to get in touch with Guy Mcknight from 80’s matchbox for a track. I drunkenly got onstage with them at thier last Cardiff show, and met them in Brighton on our last tour and apologised for it, but they thought it was banging. So that would be great. Also KC from Newport, shes a grime / rap / hop-hop crossover artist and has a really cool vibe….it would be totally different but I’m well up for it.

Scott, you’ve described the last single as you’re most important piece of work to date - what most inspires you right now ?

Dont drive was probably my most concise work….really visceral yet important lyrics…almost storylike if you can follow them. Musically, its a really good pop format yet there loads going on there, prog pop if you will. Inspiration for the new material is quite primal, very sex and violence themed. It’s all done with flair and decorum, but its really filthy and over the top but there’s choruses everywhere at the moment, msn names for everyone hahaha.

Do the other boys ever tell you if they think your lyrics are crap?

I won’t let it get to that point - I know whats good and wouldn’t let a real stinker creep out. There’s a few things I can imagine the boys haven’t got a fucking clue what I’m on about, but guys, just like women loooooooooove mystery hahaha.

Whose head would you most like to smash a guitar over?

Chris: Ooooh.. there’s a few people who’d deserve it.. but I can’t think of one person to hand, so I’ll just smash the guitar in general, no one else involved haha!
Scott: Bon fucking Jovi’s. I hate the cunt with a vengence.

What’s been the biggest regret/the one thing you would have done differently since Midasuno began? And your greatest achievement?

Scott: Nothing, we’ve done everything we can since we started and any success that we haven’t attained is in the hands of ‘god’. We have done what we’ve wanted and that is an achievement in itself.

You’ve got enough to choose from so have you got a favourite/worst gig/venue?

Scott: Mexborough Civic is an amazing venue, the owners are so hospitable, the venue is a dream…everything about it.

What do you do to chill out?

Chris: Breaking things… It’s become one of those things now that people sort of expect the behaviour of us..but it’s not like that - whatever happens onstage happens, its not because “oo breaking things is cooool x rock n rooollll maaaan” - its genuinely because, if somethings pissed us off, or your in the heat of the moment and something goes wrong, all you’ve got is this plank of wood with strings on in your hands, so it gets the brunt of the matter - like when you see couples arguing and they throw their phones in temper - same thing! If it breaks it breaks, nothings deliberate or planned - it just happens… We can’t really afford it either, which is why all our gears held together with gaffa tape. We need anger management or something, haha!
Scott: I cannot chill out, sadly I’m so highly strung the only time I’m really chilled is when I’m asleep or so drunk I’m not awake.

What do you love and hate most about being in the band?

Scott: love - rocking out, touring, following in the footsteps of my heros and building on their inspiration.
hate - having to play with fakers and people who just do it for the social status, and being broke as a cunt.

Describe yourselves in 3 words!

Scott: paranoid / driven / pointy.

Did you enjoy school? Was there a particular teacher that influenced you the most?

Chris: I didn’t really enjoy school… but I didn’t dislike education… Tredegar Comprehensive was/is shit, and probably won’t be there in five years time… but that’s irrelevant anyway haha! Yeah, I only got into trouble really when I was skiving off to go on tour, which was hilarious, cos you get some teachers giving the old “don’t give me your excuse, I’ve heard them all before” - so they sort of stand corrected when they’ve asked where I’ve been and I say something like “in Nottingham filming a music video” haha! But surprisingly, I got through school, A level year attendance below 40% I should’ve got kicked out, but my head of year bent over backwards to keep me in school. So I guess he deserves a shout out of some sort? But none of them really influenced me musically…so the short answer is no.

Musically, what’s next on the agenda for Midasuno?

Chris: I think we’re keeping it quiet whilst we demo and record our second album, there’s some good things on the horizon but we’re keeping our cards close to our chests….

What is the one thing you have learned or done from being in the band that you’d pass on to your kids as a cracking piece of advice?

Chris: That boys in bands are no good! Hang on, did you say we’ve got kids..?!

Cheers fellas!
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