Villainous Vincent
Vincent Vincent and the Villains' unfathomably infectious blend of modern rock 'n' roll has so far been showcased in late-night London dives and on limited indie pressings, but - as with all good things - word is spreading fast. With a hardcore live following, ever-growing fanbase, and new abum out early next year, the band are set for big things in 2008. I caught up with their frontman, um, Vincent.
Where does the name come from?
I’m Vincent Vincent. We were originally called the Vincents but it seemed like there were a lot of bands with Vincent in their name. We wanted something that sticks in the head. Our name’s catchy and a bit weird.
Who's your favourite villain of all time?
Vincent Cassell always played good villains. I also liked Vincent Price.
Any non-Vincent villains you like?
Not really.
What makes you stand out from all the other trilby-wearing guitar bands who hit the Camden circuit?
Our music is heavily influenced by early rock’n’roll. Our song writing’s about all aspects of life and not the same old trite subjects you get from other bands. The sound we make is a real punk din. We take rock’n’roll and bastardise it into a modern sound.
Do you think other bands are too concerned about image?
A band’s image is the first thing people see so all bands are concerned about it. The trouble is when the image overtakes what a band does. That’s something you have to live with. But stay true to what you think sounds good and hopefully in the end even fickle people will come around to it.
Your music is influenced by 50s rock’n’roll. How did you get into that style of music?
When I grew up as a spotty teenager with no social life I used to rummage through my Dad’s vinyl collection. I got myself a record player and started going to record shops and discovering more and more rock’n’roll. There’s so much stuff out there, things always surprise you.
Who are your favourite 50s musicians?
Bo Diddley… Chuck Berry… too many to name.
What about Elvis?
Of course. He’s a massive influence. But It doesn’t help when his estate release all his singles. They’re not releasing his good songs. What about ‘I Beg Of You’ or ‘Treat Me Nice’?
So which Elvis songs are your faves?
‘(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care’. I also like ‘Trouble’, because of the rag time jazz band kicking in.
Are you a fan of Happy Days?
No. I hate it. It was made in the 70s. The only reason I get asked that is because it was set in the 50s.
Some of your lyrics refer to dead end jobs. What’s the worst job you’ve had?
I used to work as a cinema attendant. I may as well have been a wooden dummy with a spike for people to put tickets on. Cleaning up the crap after people left wasn’t too great either. But there’s always romance in it. I did it to follow my dreams so it was a worthwhile experience and I got a good song out of it.
Former frontman Charlie Waller left to join The Rumble Strips. Are you mates with him now?
Yes. We fell out for a bit. It was traumatic time. We got to a stage where people began taking notice of the band and then we hit a brick wall.
What do you think of The Rumble Strips?
That’s a contentious question. Are you looking for a controversial answer?
Naturally
No, I like them. I think Charlie’s a great singer.
Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
I’d like to still be writing songs. I’d probably be too old to be a viable frontman but I’d like to still be writing and recording.
Why should people come to see you live?
Our performance exciting, adventurous and theatrical.
Where does the name come from?
I’m Vincent Vincent. We were originally called the Vincents but it seemed like there were a lot of bands with Vincent in their name. We wanted something that sticks in the head. Our name’s catchy and a bit weird.
Who's your favourite villain of all time?
Vincent Cassell always played good villains. I also liked Vincent Price.
Any non-Vincent villains you like?
Not really.
What makes you stand out from all the other trilby-wearing guitar bands who hit the Camden circuit?
Our music is heavily influenced by early rock’n’roll. Our song writing’s about all aspects of life and not the same old trite subjects you get from other bands. The sound we make is a real punk din. We take rock’n’roll and bastardise it into a modern sound.
Do you think other bands are too concerned about image?
A band’s image is the first thing people see so all bands are concerned about it. The trouble is when the image overtakes what a band does. That’s something you have to live with. But stay true to what you think sounds good and hopefully in the end even fickle people will come around to it.
Your music is influenced by 50s rock’n’roll. How did you get into that style of music?
When I grew up as a spotty teenager with no social life I used to rummage through my Dad’s vinyl collection. I got myself a record player and started going to record shops and discovering more and more rock’n’roll. There’s so much stuff out there, things always surprise you.
Who are your favourite 50s musicians?
Bo Diddley… Chuck Berry… too many to name.
What about Elvis?
Of course. He’s a massive influence. But It doesn’t help when his estate release all his singles. They’re not releasing his good songs. What about ‘I Beg Of You’ or ‘Treat Me Nice’?
So which Elvis songs are your faves?
‘(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care’. I also like ‘Trouble’, because of the rag time jazz band kicking in.
Are you a fan of Happy Days?
No. I hate it. It was made in the 70s. The only reason I get asked that is because it was set in the 50s.
Some of your lyrics refer to dead end jobs. What’s the worst job you’ve had?
I used to work as a cinema attendant. I may as well have been a wooden dummy with a spike for people to put tickets on. Cleaning up the crap after people left wasn’t too great either. But there’s always romance in it. I did it to follow my dreams so it was a worthwhile experience and I got a good song out of it.
Former frontman Charlie Waller left to join The Rumble Strips. Are you mates with him now?
Yes. We fell out for a bit. It was traumatic time. We got to a stage where people began taking notice of the band and then we hit a brick wall.
What do you think of The Rumble Strips?
That’s a contentious question. Are you looking for a controversial answer?
Naturally
No, I like them. I think Charlie’s a great singer.
Where would you like to be in 10 years time?
I’d like to still be writing songs. I’d probably be too old to be a viable frontman but I’d like to still be writing and recording.
Why should people come to see you live?
Our performance exciting, adventurous and theatrical.
posted by Andy Dangerfield @ 10:52 AM
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