SMALL GREEN INVASION - FEATURED ARTISTSIntroduce yourselves and tell us what you've been up to recently?
We are Small Green Invasion. Our music is a fusion of aggressive drumming, slap of de bass, filthy punky riffs and in your face vocals. Rather menacing! We are a 3 piece from Stockport and aged 15. We’ve recently been recording our first EP “Look At Me” (which has just been released), and also trying to perfect our cover of “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine. FUCK YOU I WON’T DO WHAT YOU TELL ME!!! Our 6ft 4 bassist enjoys screaming that down the mic, and at teachers…
And how did you get together? The name?
We’ve been playing together as a 3 piece for less than a year, and things are going swell. Recently releasing a music video and EP and regularly playing venues such as the dry bar, academy 3 and retro bar, we’ve not got much to complain about! The names an interesting one, “Small Green Invasion” what kind of a freak comes up with such a weird yet oddly intriguing name? …Harry Wilkinson, drummer and part time guitarist of Small Green Invasion. It came to him in a dream, after passing out drugged up on…. codeine. Drugged up on codeine, very Rock n Roll. After dreaming about aliens, flying fucking saucers he woke up with a Small Green Invasion ringing in his ears, and since the band were struggling for a name…
Who are your biggest influences?
Influences influences influences. The people who have heard our EP say we sound a lot like Muse. What????? Muse??? Don’t get me wrong, we love muse, and it is a hell of a compliment to pay us, but personally I don’t see it! Each band member is individually influenced by a variety of music, like for example our bassist (Callum Beesley)…(or more commonly known for looking rather like a slug), is influenced by the likes of Victor Wooten, which can be heard in his playing and he’s very into jazz. Whereas Liam Laurence (lead singer/guitarist/Part time drummer) is more influenced by American Rock/Grunge/Alternative, basically more commercially American music, like Blink 182, Nirvana and the Chilis. Then again Harry Wilkinson (Drummer/Backing vocals/Part time guitarist) is more into funk, punk and everything in–between. So it’s hard to pick an overall influence!
Which is the one song you with you'd wrote and why?
Liam wrote the song “Funny Guy” (track 2 on our EP!), as a sarcastic love letter to those who took the piss out of us as a band when we first started out (back in the day when we were a 4 piece). Not only that but also as a thank you to our fans, but more of a fuck you to the dick heads who used to take the piss! I think musically it describes us as a band, aggressive yet funky drumming, complex slap bass lines and powerful vocals. Lyrically it shows we’re not afraid to explore different avenues of “poetry”.
Here at Designer Magazine we're all about supporting the scene.. which are your fave local bands and why should we check them out?
I’ll tell you who to check out, Blank Cheque. Brilliant band, great lads. Completely different to us, they are an acoustic act but incredibly entertaining and funny as well as being technically very gifted musicians. Check them out!!
What's your biggest promo tips you can give to other local bands? How do you push your band forward?
Our biggest promotion tips to local bands would be just to ask their fans to get down! (Repeatedly), as I find that to be the best technique, if you nag and nag your fans to come down they will eventually by a ticket, even the really lazy ones who can’t be arsed bringing in a scrappy fiver! Granted they will get sick of you but then when they get to the gig and you put on a sizzling performance, next time they will be asking you for a ticket! (Any fans reading this, we love you dearly).
What's the best gig you've played to date and why?
Best gig we’ve played to date? I would say our last dry bar gig is definitely up there, we got a big crowd down and the atmosphere was splendid! We played a fast, hard set and all our fans said they had a great night (got paid quite a bit as well which is always a bonus!) But I’ve got a feeling this next dry bar gig this Friday is going to be one to remember…
Where do you go for pre gig food and where do you go post gig clubs in Manchester?
Before a gig we have the difficult decision of (as I’m sure many bands will agree)… Kebab, Maccie D’s or that minging chicken place at the end of the street where we’re 99% sure the meat is undercooked humans. Yes, it is usually that place.
What do you like most about Manchester?
The music scene in the Northern Quarter has to be my favourite thing about Manchester. It is an escape from the rush of Piccadilly centre, and a great place to chill or play at. I think it shows a more artistic and creative side to Manchester, which is good to have in this climate.
Best gig you've been to of all time (and why?)
I recently saw Kings Of Leon at the M.E.N, now I’m not a fan of the venue, but it was the fucking Kings Of Leon!!! Birthday present from the mother, best seats in the house, and boy oh boy were they worth it. KOL played an incredible set, covering nearly all of my favs, and seen as though they are one of my favourite bands, what more could I want?
What one book would you say all of your fans should read and why?
READ SCAR TISSUE, ANTHONY KIEDIS’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Great book, incredible guy, I have nothing more to say on the matter!
Fave movie or TV show of all time?
Favourite film? It has to be School Of Rock, Jack Black at his finest, filled with tunes by Led Zep, Black Sabbath, AC/DC etc. Definitely worth a watch, (or in my case thousands) I literally know the film word by word. Hilarious film, I RECOMMEND!
And finally we're all about the live sweaty gigs - final chance to say why we should check you out live?
If your looked for a laugh, a good night out and to go mental to a band that always provides a fiery set, then Small Green Invasion are the band for you. Also, if you’re looking to see a bassist that looks a lot like a slug (which I know many of you are) then Small Green Invasion is also the band for you.
And if we want to know more whats your facebook / twitter addresses?
On facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SmallgreeninvasionOn twitter - @smallGinvasion
On youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIsT69tipts
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