q&a: the fearless vampire killers
When most bands celebrate a single release, they might organise a launch. Find a venue willing to host them, get someone on merch and ticket sales, and hope it sells out. Granted, The Fearless Vampire Killers, did do this (May 28th at The Toff), but before that, they organised a secret house party boasting ‘free entry, free beer’ for fans and friends.
Their debut LP is out later this year, but in the meantime, lip had a chat to vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Seán Ainsworth.
Describe your sound in five words or less.
Swampy/Surf/Western/Pop/Rock
How did the house party go? Did it gather you a lot of exposure?
The house party was so much fun! We had a great turn out, bathtubs of free beer to give away, and there were many good times had. I wouldn’t say that it gathered us a lot of exposure. But it did go down exactly how we wanted it to.
Was there a particular moment or artist that made you want to pursue music?
About ten years ago there was a blackout in my street. With no TV or computer games at hand, boredom quickly became a reality. So my dad brought out the acoustic guitar and started to strum away some old 70’s classics. I picked up another guitar and said “What do I play?” After that night I never put the guitar down.
Who were your early influences? What was the first record you bought?
I started to really get into The Beatles around the same time I started to play guitar. And I remember going out and buying the ones my parents didn’t own. But I think the first record I ever bought was Michael Jackson’s Dangerous.
If you were a groupie to any band, current or past, which band would it be?
Would have to be Led Zeppelin. As well as being one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time, they were also one of the loosest units of all time. And they also had their own private jet called the “Starship”. I mean, c’mon?
What would be in your perfect backstage rider?
A fridge that doesn’t run out of beer would have to be first on the list. Further down the list there’d be something along the lines of a pool table, a jumping castle and Bob Dylan serving cocktails.
Greatest achievement to date?
Making it home alive after our single launch…
A song I wish I wrote/played is…
Harvey Danger – ‘Flagpole Sitta’. Otherwise known as ‘I’m Not Sick But I’m Not Well’. This song will always be good!
I couldn’t live without…
Cheese. Tried to go without it once, and it was impossible. Everything good has cheese on it!
The best advice I ever received was…
Howlin Pelle from The Hives: “Kick as much ass as humanly possible”.
When I was little I wanted to…
Host my own chat show. Kind of like Rove Live, but better?
What’s up next for TFVK?
We’ve got an album ready for release later this year. But we’ll be releasing a new single prior to the album.
What have you always wanted to be asked?
What have you always wanted to be asked?
