So how did it feel to be headlining your first gig at The Cockpit?Well it was not our first gig at the Cockpit - we have played here many a time in the past, but it was our first major gig with our new drummer Jon Thornton, so it was a special night and we had a great time. It was full house, and we couldn't have asked for a better night! It's a bit weird, because our fanbase is increasing so much, we used to be able to recognise all our crowd but we are now having a full house of strangers in the audience we love it, bringing our music to new people is what we do best and we hope they continue to come!
The Dharma is a central concept that is used in order to explain the "higher truth" - would you like to tell our readers something truthful and unknown about yourselves or indeed, each other?
People, who know us, know we are all half brothers to the same dad, except Rob who is a distant cousin from an Iranian background.
For those who don't know, how and when did you get together?
Well the band has been together for around 5 years now originally called Unyson with Jimmy Naylor as drummer who is now the drummer of The Pigeon Detectives! We have had people come and go but the line up is now complete, with the newest addition Rob Stones on the keyboards and synths, which we are really excited about!
Do you think it is getting harder now for bands on the Leeds scene these days to find a place in the grand scheme of things, than say 5 years ago?
Yes, it's hard for any band these days (especially from Leeds). It's that old chestnut, it's all about 'who you know' especially in the Leeds scene. As people that work alongside bands in Leeds like promoters, venues, etc, don't give a shit about you unless you're flying under The Pigeon Detectives' wings or you're called the Kaiser Chiefs. So you have to take what you want yourselves, 'cause no one's going to give it to you believe me.
Who has inspired you so most as musicians individually and collectively to actually pick up an instrument?
As a band we are inspired by so many artists, that's why I think we have such a unique sound. Bands such as The Beatles, Oasis, The Strokes, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, Radiohead and Kings of Leon, are great inspirations to us just to name a few!
[Paul H] Lennon. Greatest ever songwriter and catchiest voice known to man, woman or child.
[Jon T] Personally for me as a drummer the guys that really inspire me as a performer are Buddy Rich from the Jazz era, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Dave Grohl - just great solid players with such attitude and aggression!
[John B] Destiny's child and Tina Turner... simply the best!
Describe your musical style for me in 6 words.
Air molecules vibrating in perfect harmony!
How hard is it for life as an unsigned band these days? Do you think there is room on the scene for you, and if so where would you like to fit into it?
As we talked about earlier it's hard for any band at the minute to make it and so for an un-signed band it's even harder! At the minute, we are working as hard as a band can be and the morale can sometimes be low when you are not getting any results. Last year alone, we played over 250+ shows including O2 Wireless Festival and the Millennium Dome and we have found a market for our music and this goes to show from our continual big crowds at our gigs. We have recorded our album which we are planning to release in 2009, and know it will be the start of something big for us.
You have come a long way from the first EP that I ever reviewed of yours, how do you think your style and sound have changed over the past 12 months and do you continually intend to evolve?
I know it seems like a lifetime ago now! We obviously try to stick with the times and as we have grown better as musicians, our skills have developed and new elements have come into the equation. We have been in the studio messing around with effects and crazy noises! We are really happy with our current sound - we have a new keyboard player which we are really excited about and that again may change the dynamics of the band - we go with whatever tingles us inside, and what will get the people in the crowd singing along to.
Another home grown talent "The Glitterati" sadly have not found fame and fortune on these shores, however they are huge in America and were offered a deal with Atlantic. Would that be something you would embrace or do you feel it more beneficial to establish yourselves on these shores first?
Well at the minute we are loving playing UK shows to our faithful crowd who follow us around the country; we do have a lot of interest from record companies, but we are keeping our options open at the moment. We are thinking about going over to the States next year to play a few festivals which we have been asked to do so who knows what could happen. The future is impossible to predict.
When can we expect the next EP, album and tour from The Dharma?
Well the album is finished and will be released in 2009 - so keep your eyes peeled for that - and we have a tour booked next year and the dates will be announced early next year, dates such as Surface Festival Cornwall in May 2009. We can't wait. See you all soon.
