Sticks & Stones are one of the most respected bands on the Welsh circuit. Noted for their distinctive sound and unique style, they are poised to move to greater things.
Formed in April 1991, the trio’s sound evolved more by accident than precision planning. They knew they wanted to be different but nothing more. They decided to throw in all their experiences and influences and before they knew it, they’d discovered the one thing every band worth their salt work towards- an individual sound.
The new style of indie-folk-pop received its first public airing at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach on June 7th 1991.
White Lemonade decided to track the band down before they start doing popstar-like-things such as Tv shows, world tours and stadium gigs.
Do you agree that the band are noted for their political statement making, if you’ll allow me to call it that?
“After a decade of Tory rule even pop music has been affected. A lot of today’s music is too safe or escapist and all about losing yourself where as our music is realistic, confrontational and motivating. We have strong beliefs and opinions in certain things and this comes out in the lyrics we use. Safe sex, issues concerning women e.g. physical and mental abuse in relationships, false imprisonment and racism e.g. Cardiff 3, freedom to be yourself, industrial injuries and the mining tragedy at Aberfan are just a few of the issues touched upon. Some of those topics may sound heavy but on stage we’re anything but! Our performance is positive and from a strong and thoughtful perspective which is unusual in a male –dominated industry.”
Moving away from politics, which bands do you particularly admire and why?
“We like bands who are good musicians, wh9o have energy, belief in what they are doing and who give the audience something they didn’t have at the beginning of the gig.” Karen continued, “I must admit I’m very critical of bands and find few I rave over. Recently Dave and I went to Glastonbury and a band which fulfilled all these qualities for us were The Family Stand. The lead singer was a really strong woman with an amazing voice and stage presence. They were really inspiring and liberating.
“We also like bands that do something different and refuse to jump on the band-wagon for success as so many bands do.
Another band at Glastonbury, Blurt, definitely fell into this category. The singer doesn’t sing but mumbles and shouts different phrases which seem to come into his head at that moment. He plays sax as well, which is similar to our band. The performance is very tongue in cheek and very unexpected.”
From what and who do you take their influences?
“I like Edie Brickwell & the New Bohemians, The Indigo Girls, Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Douglas Maclean, Aretha Franklin, Carter USM and Prince!“
Dave (bass), “I like The Smiths, Wedding Present, Brilliant Corners, Dinner Ladies, The House Martins. Why? Because I like good songs!”
The Clash, The Housemartins, Lloyd Cole, Nirvana, The Godfathers and the Specials feature amongst Steve’s favourites, “Yeah, I also like Bob Marley, Lenny Kravitz and PJ Harvey. I like the vocals and style of music; some sensitive, intense moments, some groovy moments, some moments of energy and sincerity and good songs.”
So are you like any of those bands live? How about describing the Sticks & Stones live experience for anybody who hasn’t seen it?
“Sticks & Stones play music with ovaries. The live experience is a spontaneous event and one which welcomes hecklers. We enjoy building up a rapour with the audience, this stems from my inability to stop talking! Every gig is usually different from the last. This sets us apart from a lot of bands, instead of ignoring we acknowledge. It’s a high energy, varied and fun event and we hope it’s entertaining and thought provoking too. At our gigs now we’re having more unusual support acts rather than just another band. This is more interesting for the audience and also they don’t get one and a half hours of high powered-blow-your-ears-off of music, they get 45 minutes of us instead! A wacky magician and an actress presenting her one woman show are just two examples of recent supports acts!”
It’s rumoured that you didn’t enter Red Dragon Radio’s recent competition for south Wales bands, why was this?
“No we didn’t. Why enter it? Apart from the £500 prize money of course, which does sound attractive in these trying times! However, we don’t like band competitions. How can you judge bands which are so diverse and different. We don’t like our music to be judged against someone else’s. Good music is good music. Competitions can lead to bad feelings and produce conflict and unnecessary competition within local bands rather than unity which is what we need.
“We also don’t want to play in a Bay Corporation sponsored event.”
What do you think of the winners, The March Hares?
“We fancy them!”
On a lighter note, what do the band like to do in their spare time?
“Steve likes to make Airfix tanks, I play with Barbie dolls and Dave is still trying to get the underpants off his Action Man.”
Have you any interesting stories to tell?
“Well going back to our live work, gigging outside of Cardiff usually results in an element of uncertainty and surprise. Many have been frustrating because we usually end up supporting heavy metal bands!
“We got a gig at the Mean fiddler in London by lying about bringing a coach full up from Wales. Only one person turned up to see us, luckily she was from Virgin Publishing and liked us. The gig was a turning point for us because we decided that however small the audience, we would always play at our best. It was one of our most enjoyable and successful gigs!
“Part of the creative edge of Sticks & Stones comes from living on the edge. We were up in London a while back having a few meetings, we got completely broke which resulted in us doing a runner from Pizza Hut and hiding in the train toilet on the way back. Later was also got chased around Bristol, us on foot and them in a squad car when they caught us fly-posting for our Fleece ‘n’ Firkin gig.
“We’ve had two excellent demo reviews, one in Melody maker and one in Music Week which resulted in a lot of interesting phone calls.
“There’s a guy who videos bands as a hobby and he’s filmed five of our gigs. Dave and I edited the videos of the song ‘Snake Charmer’ onto one tape and so we’ve now got a live video – it’s actually quite good too!”
What about your future plans?
“More writing, more recording, more gigging and perhaps a small tour. Today Wales, tomorrow the World!”
To be honest, I wouldn’t put it past ‘em!
Interview by Darren Jones