Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Jake Coxon - Vocals
Mik Crone - Guitar
Ben Taylor - Bass
Chris Lambert - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to The Sourheads? How long has the band been around?
We have all played in numerous bands over the years. KoKaine Black California, Pisky Sits, various underground Wakefield and Leeds bands. The Sourheads initially formed 6 years ago but the band as we know it today has been together for 2 years.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Jake and lamb our drummer thought of the name originally. A Sourhead can be a few things. You can be bitter at the world you, could be hung over or genuinely just a grumpy person. We like to think that we are actually happy in real life but the name has stuck.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
We all right the music 25%. Some of us come up with ideas and then we record them on our mobile phones. Once we have a song structure Jake takes the recordings and writes his eccentric poetry over the top. We like to tell stories in our songs and some of the topics include possession rock and roll lifestyle and raging Mad Dogs. Secret cigarettes as well.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We all have different influences. Jake is into his 60s rock like The Doors and Iggy and the Stooges, lamb likes The Charlatans and has a more indie music influence, Ben likes his grunge and softer stuff like Radiohead. I'm into 70s Rock like Deep Purple and Kansas and 80s Punk / metal. I'm currently listening to The Plasmatics a lot.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
As a kid I used to love the theatrical side of rock music bands like kiss and Ozzy Osbourne with their larger than Life characters. Alice Cooper is also a major influence on me getting into music. Horror films are also one of my favourite things. I think if the other guys answered this question it would be completely different. Jake is more of an arty kind of guy who likes to paint and think deep thoughts.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Nothing in particular, just have a few beers, sit around chat with the other bands, sit at the merch stand hangout with the audience. Some of our shows are pretty energetic but so far we have been lucky to not injure ourselves. I need to start taking off my leather jacket but there's something about that Ramones look that kinda sticks with me.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Signing to Oak Island records was a cool moment knowing that our releases would be coming out on vinyl. We had a strange occurrence happen at our album launch where Tom Watson the deputy leader of the Labour Party was in attendance. He tweeted our picture and said can you hear this London. Whatever your political leanings are that was still a great bit of exposure for the band.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Any of the classic rock bands that have the past would be good. We kind of already played with The Doors. Well the Doors Alive. That was a real busy hometown show. Any band that is of the same kind of mentality would be cool but also some bands you and I expect. Playing with Chic and Nile Rodgers would be cool. Deftones, Clutch.. a reformed Oasis. Guns and Roses.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for taking the time to interview us websites like yours really help up and coming bands. Anybody wanting to check us out go to www.thesourheads.com we are a bunch of guys who are just trying to keep it real honest and rocking