Artist: MEXICOLAS
Label:
In Exile Records
Here's the deal. Here's the BiG DeaL. That
shitty four-piece you've been in with your mates since Year 8 eventually managed
to get some daft industry type to hand over a blank cheque and to tell you were
going to be famous. Very famous. You wouldn't have to talk to your former classmates
at school. You wouldn't have to get up early. They only thing they didn't tell
you was that music was more than just writing songs and shaking your balls on
stage. It was about being there on time. Releasing something on time. It was about
being famous on time. And sometimes you just hook-up in a phonebox and things go on from there. Signed to independent label, In Exile Records the West Midlands trio were number one on the Overplay Unsigned charts for over 9 weeks, have recently done a session for Kerrang radio had a song used by O’Neill Sports and are currently being filmed for Channel 4’s ‘4Play’ series. When they're not holed up in the band's self contained factory studio/rehearsal/living space in Birmingham, that is, which is where they've put together their punchy new single 'Come Clean' (released Oct 29th, In Exile Records) - a fractious study in QOTSA-sized riffing and vengeful, aggressive stormclouding.
Where di the name came from? Itinerant, wordly front man, Jme Evans laughs, "Off a flight ticket while out in the US and read; LA-Mexico outbound and Mexico-LA inbound. The flight number was Mexico/LAs111. We decided it will do for now having pondered on 100's of very wacky other names.
So there you have it.
Only Jme Evans has more ...
How did you get signed?
Asked politely. Our bassist Del was the last to join. A few 6 hour jams and things just seemed to click. It was pretty instant for Del. I actually met Del in a phone box while he was placing an advert in NME to play bass. I was around for awhile before that doing solo stuff. Supported Def Leppard once. Me and Tim started the band in April 2004 with “a dictaphone and acoustic guitar, just a handful of sketchy ideas
How did you celebrate?
We got straight into recording demos … you need a clear head for that my friends!
 Did you have any other labels biting at your heels?
Quite a few labels had been tracking us for some time, but no-one had the balls to put their money where their mouth was. In Exile Records gave us an amazing deal. We were all happy to go ahead.
What would you NOT be prepared to do to promote yourselves?
We would hate to sell out in order to get promotion, reality shows, naked photo shoots, biting heads off unsuspecting animals…All the usual stuff!!
How famous would you say you are right now?
Absolutely massive in Siberea, but still relatively unknown here, which I like.
Live circuit or showcase? Did you do it the hard or easy way?
Live Circuit…The hard way. We did manage to get a Number One on the Overplay Unsigned charts for over 9 weeks but the live dates were how we did it. The Bull & Gate in Kentish Town was a particular fave. It's taken about 3 years to get where we are now. It’s nice to just get out and make a lot of noise and win some new fans over.
How did you blow your advance?
On a 1977 black fender telecaster…I still sleep with it you know.
How much did getting signed rely on being tied to a scene?
Not at all, we were never part, or are a part of a scene. We feel it’s necessary to create your own patch. Scene’s are like clubs. May as well join the scouts if you’re going to kop out and follow the leader!
Daftest story they’ve ever invented about you for the press?
Nothing daft really…It’s been the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth ;-)
Does your label or your management support or discourage unruly rock n’ roll behaviour?
Is locking you in a room with three girls, supporting or discouraging rock and roll behaviour?
Where’s the strangest place you’ve been asked to do publicity?
In a shopping centre
Ever burned a copy of an album put out by your label for a friend?
Naturally
What words would YOU use to describe the release?
It’s a brutally honest, heavy, moving record that deserves a place in your record collection.
How many years do you give yourself in the industry?
As long as it takes.
How dirty a word is the ‘industry’ to you?
It’s filthy. Although there are some honest people in there somewhere, it’s all geared around how much money you make. It seems the quality control officer has gone on holiday where most are concerned.
If it were all to collapse tomorrow would you go back to your old job?
No way, this is all I’ve known since I was a kid. It’s the best job in the world. I haven’t worked a day in my life! I’m a gypsy warrior. Don't know about Del though. He's been everything from a lifeguard to a shelfstacker. Oh, I worked in a pizza place making pizzas and burgers. Would you go back to doing that?
MEXiCOLAS -
'Come Clean'' single out 29. 10.07 on In Exile Records.
relevant
sites:
www.myspace.com/mexicolas
Tour dates:
Fri 12-Oct Southampton, Joiner’s
Sat 13-Oct Plymouth, Uni Student Union
Sun 14-Oc Bristol, The Croft
Mon 15-Oct London, Dublin Castle
Wed 17-Oct Southend, Chinnerys
Thu 18-Oct Dorset, The Powell Theatre
Fri 19-Oct Tunbridge Wells, Forum
Mon 22-Oct Liverpool, Barfly
Wed 24-Oct Bath, Moles Club
Thu 25-Oct Sheffield, The Corporation
Fri 26-Oct Birmingham, Bar Academy
Sat 27-Oct Leeds, Faversham
Tues 30-Oct London, Water Rats
Nosey Bastard for Crud Magazine 2007© |
