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Band page - Two Choices
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What is your name and your current position in the band?
Tom Clarke, Guitarist
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
We are a pop/rock band. In the beginning I suppose you could place us in the pop-punk category, but I think our style has matured as we've grown as a band.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Longest Journey. Why should you buy it.. hmmm... We like to think that we make good songs. Not songs written just to make people move, or just for the benefit of live shows, or just to get a point-of-view across, but good all round songs. We've spent a lot of time refining the songs and have really worked hard on our sound. This coupled with great production we think has resulted in what we think is a really good, balanced debut, with literally something for everyone (we hope). Our music tends to appeal to everyone from 13 year old girls to 60 year old bikers and everyone in between... so if you fall into that category, who knows, you might just like us!
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
Well we're just coming into our 10th year. We got together when we were just 14 years old at school, all 4 of us have stayed together ever since. Our band evolved as we all went from us not being able to play/sing almost at all, to where we are now, I think that comes across in our gigs and on cd. Our highest point would probably be supporting The Who in Brighton... that was unreal. 3000 people in our home town, there's nothing like it.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Yeah sure, I think one of our biggest obstacles is the syle of music we play. We're getting a lot of positive feedback, but we need to get out there and get heard. The club scene isn't really for us, so the real goal is to jump on tour with an established band and play to as many people as possible. We're going on a eurpean tour this summer so that should help matters!!
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Well personally, I remember the moment at the Who gig in Brighton when the lights went out before we went on stage. I felt sick, but in a brilliant way. Everyone says to you, "you'll be fine once you get on that stage!".. they're lying, I honestly thought I was going to be sick for at least 3 songs. So that was one.. As for the other.. hmm... I think it was probably hearing the final mix of our album and being so happy that we'd done it. It's been 8 years in the making so I guess that was quite a proud moment..
How is the writing process in the band?
I remember Michael Jackson once answering the same question with something like "The songs just come from the sky man" and me thinking "hahaha what an idiot!".. But to be honest, I really don't know how we do it, maybe they do come from the sky like MJ said! The basic process is the following... Me or Tim (bass) play a progression or riff... Boyce (Drums) plays a beat. Ash (singer) sits down in silence for an hour in the corner, writes some lyrics then 3 hours later we have a song! I think the best songs are the ones that were the quickest to write... they seem to write themselves.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
All of us are trying to hold down jobs in between touring just so we can afford to keep going, but I can tell you now, I wasn't meant for the world of IT! We're all taking lots of holiday (and sick days.. sssshhh) so we can still keep the band going full throttle. It looks like we'll be going full time by the middle of 2009 anyway so bring it on!!
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Me personally? I think the only person I'd realy get star struck by if I met would be Mark Hoppus from Blink182. That band made me play guitar, simple as that. Also Richie Sambora. He made me wanna really play the guitar and not just thrash out pop-punk songs. It's funny, I'd lay £100 on the fact that we'd all say someone different. Ash really likes Elton John and singer songwriters, Tim loves classic rock, AC/DC, GNR and the like and our drummer is in love with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. I think if you listen to our stuff it makes a lot of sense hearing names like that. All of our influences are in our music somewhere, you just gotta listen carefully!
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career?
For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Hmm.. I don't thiink so. We're still young and looking forward, so maybe in a few years we'll get to answer than question!
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
No I don't think so, if people like our songs in a way that makes us like em more! Having said that, we did once write a song about someone we knew, well a hot girl who went to our college actually! Everyone loved it.. and we did too.. at first. Now we still get people asking us to play this really teeny-pop sounding song.. We may pull it out of the bag at practice once in a while, but that's it!
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Ash writes great lyrics. I think aslong as those lyrics mean something to him/us and they sound good, (oh and maybe rhyme) then who gives a dam!
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Full of liars, money grabbers and people who couldn't care less about music. But. It's a business, so you've gotta roll your sleeves up and play the game. It really is a place where you have to work HARD and perhaps get a little luck along the way to make it. But you've gotta know good people who want to help. Thankfully, we've got a few of those people on our side, so hopefully we've got a better chance of succeeding!
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I think people will always steal music, but the easier it is to buy music, the less people will steal. Admittedly I used to use Napster, Kazzaa and the like, but since iTunes, it's so easy to buy an album, song or whatever, that there really is no excuse! Two things, make illegal downloads more difficult and legal purchases easier, it'll never be completely outted by it would be a start!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Hmm... If you can keep your head when all others about you are losing theirs... You'll be taller than everybody else!!
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Yeah sure, I'll do both lives I lead.
Boring Work life: Get up 7:30 am, go to work, sit infront of a computer ALL DAY, hate my life, look forward to weekend/next gig etc.
Band Life: Get up at 10:00 am, check email, watch Jeremy Kyle, get in the van, laugh a lot, unload, play gig, pack up, get in van, drive! Bliss!
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
I really enjoy Photography, Golf, watching and playing Football and going out with friends in Brighton, I love my home town!
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Craziest?? hmm.. We're really UN Rock n Roll as a band, none of us smoke or do drugs or drive cars into swimming pools or throw tvs out of windows.. so i guess it would have to be the opposite then.. In one single trip to Weymouth for a gig I visited the Sea Life Centre AND a Tank Museum in one day. Hows that for crazy!
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums:
The Killers - Sams Town
Blink-182 - Enema of the State
The Who - Who's Next
Books:
Roald Dahl - Charlie and the Chocolate Factoy
Ray Mears - Bushcraft Survival
Ordnance Survey - Map of Desert Island
Movies: (Nothing depressing)
Ali G: Indahouse
Mighty Ducks 2
Cool Runnings
What is your favourite joke?
Guess who I bumped into in Specsavers the other day?? Bloody Everyone!!!
Not my fave but I couldn't think of a better one..
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
In a nutshell, to go on tour with a big band (like McFly or some one of equal biggness) and be able to play and record music all over the world, full time, forever. Simple really
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Well, that was quite a productive way for me to spend my afternoon in my boring job! I hope you liked what you read but more importantly I hope you like what you hear, so get yourself over to www.myspace.com/twochoices and have a listen, if you like us, send us a message, we will ALWAYS answer. Thanks again!
Added by Steen - 1/24/2009
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