In Conversation With - Strange Bones
Blackpool experimental punks STRANGE BONES have just released their new EP ‘Blitz Part 2’ - which sees the band moving away from their guitar singalong style and embracing a more electronic side. We had a chat with vocalist Bobby Bentham about the band and what direction their music is now focusing on.
Where does the name Strange Bones originate from?
The honest answer to this question is obsessively listening to the Cramps and watching dinosaur documentaries.
How would you describe your sound and what are your musical influences?
This question is hard to answer, I have no idea what my musical influences are anymore, I believe a lot of it to be subconscious, based around a feeling a song gave you years ago, that you’ve completely forgotten the title of. But the feeling is still there.
What can you tell us about your forthcoming EP? How is it different from previous releases?
Its rounding of the Blitz series, the end of an experiment. This EP is the start of where I want to be with music.
Is there a full-length release on the cards?
There is, I’m taking this time in lockdown to finish all the songs.
How would you describe your gigs to someone who’s never been to one?
Bedlam.
All your videos have pretty striking visuals. Who comes up with the ideas and what’s the creative process behind them and your artwork?
Half the battle is putting what you have in your head to paper. Once the set is dressed it’s just a matter of pressing record and seeing what happens. I have notebooks full of ideas for videos, most of the time I write a video idea whilst I’m writing the song.
You’re featured on Fred Perry’s Subculture, so I’m guessing fashion is a big part of your identity as a band. How did this come about? How do you relate to Fred Perry as part of the punk culture?
Fred Perry have for many years been champions of sub culture. My first experiences with Fred Perry was seeing all the skinheads at the punk festivals, then at school all my scallywag mates in their FP track suits.
If you could change something about the UK punk scene nowadays, what would it be?
Nothing.
What up and coming artists should we listen to?
Calva Louise, Death Tour, King Yosef, Crows
Lastly, three out of four band members are blood-related. What is it like to be in a band with your brothers?
A fucking nightmare on one hand, but very useful on the other. Arguments don’t last long.