THE BURNING QUESTIONS - DUMMY RUN

Name of Band - Dummy Run

Where does the name come from? We stole it from El Majestico

Booking/contact details - www.myspace.com/dummyrunmusic dummy.run@hotmail.co.uk

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Sam Foster - Piano/Lead Vocals, Andrew Balin - Bass/Backing Vocals, Ben Harris - Drums/Backing Vocals

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Our first songs and gigs

What does xmas mean to you? The only thing that makes winter worthwhile. Money and presents. But we hear it has something to do with love and kindness too....

What was you best ever xmas present/memory?
Andrew: When Santa Claus ACTUALLY came to my house on Christmas day when i
was 5 and gave me a watch that changed colour with temperature.
Ben:A half eaten bag of crisps from my somewhat senile Grandmother
Sam: Nintendo 64- unfortunately it left me socially inept for the rest of my life.

Who is your musical inspiration?
I guess communally and predominantly Ben Folds, but any well formulated music is attention grabbing to us

Where do you see yourself in ten years? A band! (we wish)

What are your plans for 2007? To write some more songs and get to play more venues

Best venue in Cornwall? So far, our first venue, Bunters

Recommend a book to the world -
Andrew: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Ben: Delia Smith's 'how to cook with eggs'
Sam: 50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Trying- the Official Adaptation of the Motion Picture'

Recommend an album -
Andrew: Absolution - Muse
Ben: Silver Sun - Silver Sun
Sam: Meligrove Band-Planets Conspire (under strict instruction of Ben)

Half full or half empty? Half full AND half empty (and visa versa)

A message to your fans - Hi Mum & Dad!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? A chocolate chip cookie, for our little brown nuggets of joy

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - GOWEN AND CROSS

Name of Band – Gowan and Cross

Where does the name come from? Mark and Merv met and started a band called Zenith back in 1979. They joined forces as songwriters and decided that Cross and Gowan sounded like a tin of soup.

Booking/contact details – markgowan@uwclub.net 01209 891345 / 01492 530265

Names of members of the band and instruments played – Mark Gowan on acoustic, electric and bass guitars. He plays mandolin, piano and keyboards as well. Mark also sings lead and backing vocals. He’s a goddamn one man band!!!
Elliott Gowan on drums and percussion. The best drummer in Cornwall, and only 17! Watch out for him DJing as well! "Ell-Z"… bookings on above contacts.
Mervyn Cross on acoustic, electric and bass guitars. Merv also sings both lead and backing vocals.

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Having the facility to write, record and produce songs at our own pace. We never tire, only in the summer when it’s too hot to breath! Global warming?

What does xmas mean to you? January’s credit card bill.

What was your best ever xmas present/memory? Getting snowed in at a recording studio in North Wales. Our keyboard player said that a polar front was due and we should consider going home. We told him to f**k off…24 hours later, no munchies, no booze! Keyboard players eh?…Think they’re soooooo smart!

Who is your musical inspiration? I don’t think people are really that arsed to be honest.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Just like today…………….Happy.

What are your plans for 2007? Plans? Ha Ha!

Best venue in Cornwall? Got to be Newquay Rowing Club, without a doubt!!!!
(Except for the bloody stairs)

Recommend a book to the world –Lee’s Lieutenants by Douglas Freeman and the latest Gibson catalogue.

Recommend an album – The Division Bell – Pink Floyd, a master piece!

Half full or half empty? Doesn’t matter as long as there’s something left.

A message to your fans – You still owe us a beer, remember Alien!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? A Ginger nut, coz unlike the rest, when dipped in a hot liquid it stays firm and hard!! A rock an’ roll treat to behold! You did ask!

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - THE REELS

Name of Band - The Reels

Where does the name come from? - A random search from a dictionary!

Booking/contact details - www.myspace.com/thereelsband / Alex 07910030540

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Alex Hill - Vox, Guitar / Neil Hawkins - Bass / Jeremy Chapman - Drums (Currently looking for new lead guitarist!)

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? K Festival - Playing with the likes of Athlete, GLC, John Butler Trio and Upper Room was a great experience for an at the time 8-month old band!

What does xmas mean to you? Family, good food great TV!

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? My first bass. Who knows what I might be doing now if it weren't for that!

Who is your musical inspiration? As a band, we're all big admirers of The Beatles and Radiohead.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Touring, a few albums under our belts and a boat! haha

What are your plans for 2007? Same as 2006. Keep writing, recording, gigging and progressing very nicely as we have. Hopefully, an album will be finalised!

Best venue in Cornwall? St Agnes Hotel is a really nice place to play. Great landlady and locals. But we do have a soft spot for the Prince of Wales in Falmouth. It's where it all started for us!

Recommend a book to the world - Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. The prequel to the Da Vinci Code, and perhaps better!

Recommend an album - Cliche time! The Bends by Radiohead.

Half full or half empty? Full!

A message to your fans - Do we have any? Ummm... have a great Xmas. Eat and drink lots, all the best for 2007 and see you at a gig soon!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? Blatantly a Fox's Cream Crunch! Good solid unit for the biscuit, and an intriguing but delightful creamy centre!

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - PSYKIC FARMERZ

Name of Band - Psykic Farmerz, aka the piss kick wankers aka the fizzkick pharmacy aha no1 can spell our name on flyers.

bEz: Before we start i'd just like to apologise on behalf of dj buddy b who couldnt attend this interview.
I'm sure he's deeply gutted and in a way..we all are.... That guy can really talk. If he was here you'd probably need more pages... anyway...

Where does the name come from?

bEz: from the deepest realms of our stupidly corrupted minds. we actually thought of it in asutralia... so.. musta been the heat. blame the ozzies.

Juraff: wot bez said, but add some spinich, i'm sure i was baked
bEz: no doubt mate

Booking/contact details - www.myspace.com/psykic farmerz or call 07877 297052.
BRING THE LOVE! We'll play anywhere. If you dont have a phone or the internet you can contact us by standing in the street and clapping 3 times while humming the theme tune to rocky.

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Dj Buddy B - using the 1 and the 2's aka the decks to scratch and cut some lovely noises during the live show. bEz + Juraff - the mic is our instrument! Verbal communication, a way to touch without hands.

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you?
bEz: for me I'd say supporting Coolio at Barracuda. It was the biggest crowd we've played to, like 600 +.. and good to get our name to the "masses" aha. Shit I also liked our beach cafe gig not long ago, it was like a home comming thing. yeh.
Juraff: yeh coolio was pretty dope

What does xmas mean to you?
bEz: um..... watch the cash. spend a day with the family. Have an excellent piss up on xmas eve. "man last year went well quick"..
Juraff: A day off.
bEz: ahahahahaaa

What was you best ever xmas present/memory?
Juraff: Just being with family, the normal christmas gatherings around a tree and opening of presents which i'd end up breaking later that day.

bEz: hmmmmm. I remember I got a wicked orange mountain bike when i was
about 11. does that sound gay? who cares It was the best thing ever. You couldnt stop me, i was like a wobbley version of superman. Turns out the breaks were shit but I'm alive to reminis the good times.

Who is your musical inspiration?
Juraff: hmm, who inspired me to start rapping was cypress hill, but musical inspiration comes from everything around me could be anyone i meet, or a place or something that's happened in the past.

bEz: Loads of stuff really. hip hop wise it has to be quirky stuff like ugly Duckling, combined with the rawness of Cypress hill, plus a bit of wu tang chopped up in a bowl with some Braintax and Foriegn Beggers. Sprinkled with some tasty green. I find loads of other music influences too, like old Sinatra classics, great for sampling. Oh and s club 7... yeh... they`re like amazing raw hardcore head nodding shit.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Juraff: Out on the street, homeless, still carrying with me a poster of memories from the past, telling passer bys, how I used to be famous, as they look upon me with disgust and spit in my face.

bEz: Musically I doubt we'll be doing it, not cos I'm negative, but unless we get signed or something I can't see us persuing it past the age of 30. Our kids would just laugh at us. Imagine your dad rapping... exactly.

What are your plans for 2007?
Juraff: to take it as it comes, I've not actually thought about it.

bEz: I have... we want loads of gigs. we want festivals, we want big support slots, we want an new ep in January. we want more radio play, we want to be busy and spread the psykic word. we want groupies to chase us down the street so fast that their clothes fall off so by the time they reach us they`re all just naked and damn we'd have to succumb to them because we're just that nice.

Best venue in Cornwall?
Juraff: I dunno, they all come with different experiences, I like each place we've been too.

bEz: The Stannary is good when full up. Maybe not for us because we'd never fill it, but for a big band the stannary can be pumping. I also like the Koola bar for hip hop gigs.

Recommend a book to the world - Richard Branson Biography. Great advice for anyone with ambition who
doesnt mind taking risks.

Juraff: Aint read a book in ages, am a thicko.

Recommend an album -
Juraff: Cypress hill, temples of boom, such a great album to chill too.

bEZ: Fugees The Score. I'm old school. Never get sick of that one.

Half full or half empty?
Juraff: Neither, no such thing.

bEz: Depends how much coke you have with your JD. but if you add ice... does that count? was this question an attempt at trying to get us into some deep spiritual discussion? we failed? nah wait you failed!

A message to your fans -
Juraff: Buy our music and make us rich, I don't wanna work at asda anymore, nah only joking, hope you're all well and enjoy yourselfs at chrimbo, peaceeeee.

bEz: COME HUG US IN THE STREET. Jump on us.. girls kiss us... flash us... touch us. come to gigs! Tell your mum,tell your mums mum. Buy the EP! I need a girlfriend by the way so...

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why?
Juraff: no idea, soo many to chose from.

bEz: Hob Nob....... ahah this question has spun me out, so I can`t give you a reason right now. Instead I'll spit a free.
"yo, for me to be a biscuit I`d be crunchy and sweet, coming unwrapped give ya mum something to eat, dip me in a cuppa but u never seen me crumble, chocolate chipped with whipped cream pick my biscuits in the jungle, zippie and bungle type magical flavours, come in a packet like having a wank while eating quavers. save the day by consuming more snacks that a fat lady stuck on her back undernath a flat packed factory stack, of milky ways, my silky sprays make milfs think it was happy days, so pass the rich tea, quickly, so we can sip three cups of coffees and sniff green till infinity. aha. yeh."

PEACE

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - NERVOSA

Name of Band - Nervosa

Where does the name come from? Hunting around for a band name, we decided to thumb through a book on abnormal psychology (it seemed as good a place as any) for inspiration. We may well be the skinniest band in Cornwall, but that’s genetic!

Booking/contact details – email us at mail2nervosa@yahoo.co.uk or contact us through our Myspace site www.myspace.com/nerv0sa (with a zero!)

Names of members of the band and instruments played – Jon Winter (Guitar / Bass / Vocals) Bryn Powell (Bass / Guitar / Vocals) Laura Shepherd (Drums) Andy Cunningham (Lead Guitar / Glockenspiel / Decks) Beccy Melling (Mandolin / Vocals)

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you?

Becs (B) 2006 has been full of them! We’ve gone from the initial conception stages of the band where it was just Jon and myself writing and recording a few songs, to getting some fantastic musicians and great friends on board. The buzz of hearing a little acoustic song transformed into an epic 55 tracks on cubase is never lost on us. If we had to choose one highlight it would be recording our song Black Box and shooting the video for it, we’re so excited about the result, which should be on our Myspace site very soon.

What does Xmas mean to you?

(B) Family & hangovers.

Jon (J) Joy to the world, spending time with family and getting hammered

Laura (L) Celebrating the existence of mushrooms.

What was you best ever Xmas present/memory?

(J) Erm….. A Manta Force big red space ship. It was ace, and big and red

(B) A Fashion Wheel. I always wanted a Mr Frosty, but never got one. I never got over it.

Who is your musical inspiration?

(B) Matthew Bellamy / David Gilmour. I love the classical edge their material has, how their music spans genres, and even people that don’t get their music should appreciate the musicianship involved. (

J) Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Saxon (

L) Oliver Charles, Josh Freese, Gavin Harrison, my mate Si.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

(B) Retired? Or living in a lighthouse. I’ve always fancied that.

(J) Bigger house and a recording studio? It’d be nice to have made it with music, I’m sure that’s what anyone in our position would say! But who knows what the future holds?

(L) Wishing I was ten years younger.

What are your plans for 2007?

(B) To launch onto the live scene, bring out our album, and push back the boundaries of what we are doing even further.

(J) Go live! Go big! Go even bigger still. I want to make our music even more epic. We generally work with nothing holding us back. We all play loads of instruments, so the songs always sound really full. You never know, I might even get the sitar out!

(L) Rehearsing, recording and I guess we'd better do a gig at some point.

Best venue in Cornwall?

(J) It’s got to be the Keay theatre. Not enough original bands are using it, but it’s getting more and more popular. It’s a big place, with amazing lights and a great sound system. More people should rent it out for the night!

(B) I’d love to play The Eden Project one day. Watching Muse at Eden gave me goose bumps.

(L) The Eden Project

Recommend a book to the world –

(B) 1984 by George Orwell was the first book I ever reread so often it fell apart. I love depressing literature. Other favourites are Brave New World, Catcher in the Rye and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

(J) Inside Out: A History of Pink Floyd by Nick Mason. Even if you’re not into Pink Floyd, it’s a fantastic book.

(L) Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson

Recommend an album –

(L) Radiohead- Hail to the thief

(J) It’s got to be Dark Side of the Moon. Or Crusader by Saxon… ha ha.

(B) Just one? Well Pink Floyd have already been covered, Most people are aware of Muse, so check out Against Perfection by Adorable. They were on Creation Records back in the day, and got dropped because Oasis were more commercially viable. But not as good in my opinion.

Half full or half empty?

(J) Empty.

(B) Full.

(L) Full.

A message to your fans –

(J) Thank you for listening to our music.

(L) Cheers very much

(B) Play a mandolin!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why?

(B) A Foxes Crinkle Crunch Cream. Surely no explanation required?

(L) hobnob WTF?!

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - MECHANICAL SWAGGER

Name of Band - Mechanical Swagger

Where does the name come from? - The magnets on my fridge. We were nearly called "Hyperbolical Sponge"

Booking/contact details - www.myspace.com/mechanicalswagger (07884144270 / 07969157632)

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Jonny - Guitar&Vox/ NJ - Bass/ Chris - Drums

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Personally it would be Reading Festival, but not all of us were there. As a band, it was probably being called "a bunch of nutters led by a fraggle" in CLGR.

What does xmas mean to you? "A time for giving, a time for getting. A time for forgiving, a time for forgetting"

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? - Hepatitis C

Who is your musical inspiration? - Michael Jackson. And not just because he touched kids.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? - Still saving for a new PA.

What are your plans for 2007? - Steal a child and sell it on the ebay/the black market, in order to buy a new PA.

Best venue in Cornwall? - Nicals. hahaha. But seriously, the Green Room was always an old favourite of ours and its great that they've started doing gigs again.

Recommend a book to the world - The Very Hungry Catapillar. It has a hole in every page showing you exactly what he munches his way through. He certainly was a hungry little fellow. Cracking read!

Recommend an album - Joanna Newsom - The Milk Eyed Mender.

Half full or half empty? - I suppose it depends on the status of the container beforehand. If it was empty to start with and somebody fills it up half way, then it is half full. If it was full to begin with and half of the contents is discarded it is half empty. In terms of positivity and negativity, we're pretty 50/50.

A message to your fans - Reveal yourselves!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? This reminds me of a question from Blind Date: "If i was a tub of ice cream, how would you have sex with me?" We would be a Nice biscuit. As in the brand, not the adjective! They're pronounced differently anyway.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - EVEN NINE

Name of Band - Even Nine

Where does the name come from? Bury St Edmunds

Booking/contact details - evennine@hotmail.com

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Jody - vocals, Rick - geetar, Greg - Bass, Brett - Drums

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? All of our gigs and getting a new guitar

What does xmas mean to you? The birth of Father Christmas

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? Probably the Ewok village toy - still play with it!

Who is your musical inspiration? Greg

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Getting a proper job

What are your plans for 2007? See above

Best venue in Cornwall? Blue bar/ Bunters

Recommend a book to the world - Motley Crue 'The Dirt'

Recommend an album - Even Nine 'Feed'

Half full or half empty? Short changed!

A message to your fans - Thank you

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? Chocolate Hob nob, cause they remind me of our mate Baz Cox

Cheers,

Rick (Even Nine)

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - WILLIAM GREGG

Name - William Gregg

Booking/contact details - Mobile Phone : 07834531631 E-Mail : new.one@hotmail.co.uk

Names of members of the band and instruments played - William Gregg - Guitar/Piano/Violin/Bass/Vocals
Bertie - My Cubase Drum Machine

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Andrew Bate at Golowan was pretty awesome I must say!

What does xmas mean to you? Nothing I prefer proper english,...nah it's all about having a good time best time to go on holiday cause everyone else prefers to stay at home

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? Hmm thats actually really hard, possibly when I was 7 when it actually snowed near christmas day I thought that was well cool at the time...can tell I'm cornish

Who is your musical inspiration? Smashing Pumpkins, I listen to them alot and I do take a lot of my ideas from listening to them, I guess I get alot of inspiration from local bands as well as it's good to see it is actually possible to be good and live in cornwall!

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Ha, well I would like to see myself having achieved something maybe a studio engineer or a composer, I can't see myself performing live on my own for too much longer.....no thats not a hint that I'm forming a band...

What are your plans for 2007? Finish recording my epic 2 disc album and movie hopefully, also to try and get a lot more experience in recording and studio work in general.....oh I also want to see some more local live gigs 'cause so far all the ones I have been to are great!

Best venue in Cornwall? I guess I should say Acorn 'cause I work there, but I do like the swan as well as they seem to just keep churning out week after week of good music, I've heard good things of 'The Stannery' but never actually seen a gig there.

Recommend a book to the world - Bonfire of the Vanities - Tom Wolfe, pretty complicated with lots about American politics but a very good none the less!

Recommend an album - N'Taka by Terrafolk, for anyone who doesn't know they are a band from Slovakia and they are really amazing!

Half full or half empty? Ooo this one always gets me....one reason is because I can never remember which one means which....I reckon my glass is half full at the moment though

A message to your fans - Ummm okay, is this a perfect opportunity to slip in that my myspace is www.myspace.com/williamgregg and my studio myspace is www.myspace.com/pluginandplaystuidos
I would also just like to say that I know don't tend to do many live gigs but I'm trying to sort that out at the moment....so yer cheers and bye!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why?Oh what a cool question, I would have to be a Plain Hob Nob, because I'm a bit plain but once you know me I'm really nice, Okay and a bit sad so make that a Soggy Plain Hob Nob!

Keep It Cornish

Will

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - THE REPLICAS

Name of Band - The Replicas

Where does the name come from? After much heated discussions the band finally agreed on the word ' The ' , and then flicked through a crappy novel until we found another word that we all liked , which ended up being ' Replicas '.

Booking/contact details - Nigel 01726 890975 , nigel@kernow62.freeserve.co.uk , www.myspace.com/thereplicasband

Names of members of the band and instruments played -
Joe Green - Vocals/Sax, Jake Edwards - Vocals/Bass, Aaron Cotton - Guitar/Vocals, Sam Hicks - Drums

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Winning the Battle of the Bay Competion in Feb with our very first public performance.Receiving a request for our demo and live dates from Parlophone Records.

What does xmas mean to you? Mistletoe and Wine

Who is your musical inspiration? Joe and Jake are inspired by numerous punk and ska bands.Aaron has destinct Emo tendancies , and Sam only listens to Symphonic Death Metal !

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Living it up in our Rock Star Mansions, or in some dull job.

What are your plans for 2007? As many gigs as possible ( please book us ! ).Hopefully a short UK tour in the school holidays.

Best venue in Cornwall? O'Callaghans, St Austell. Harry was the first person to give us the chance to play live, and has us back on a regular basis.A great supporter of local talent !

Recommend a book to the world - Lord of the Rings ( I think a few people may have heard of this one ! )

Recommend an album - Easy , the greatest album ever made is ' Can't Stand the Rezillos' by The Rezillos.

Half full or half empty? Full of course !

A message to your fans - Thanks for all your support through 2006 , here's to a lot more fun in 2007.Let's make every Replicas gig a wild party !

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? A Four fingered Kit Kat.Each piece equally important, and always ready to take a break !

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - RICH PARTINGTON

Name -Rich Partington ( of The Frenzy)

Where does the name come from? My mum and Dad gave it to me, or so I'm led to believe

Booking/contact details - if you fancy a chat go to www.myspace.com/richthejournalist

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Some great gigs, particularly in Bodmin, Perranporth, and Newquay. Also, writing The Frenzy song "Choke (Downfalls)", which I'm very proud of.

What does xmas mean to you? I don't like it when people call it Xmas! For me, Christmas is great for christians but as a non-christian I don't think I should be celebrating it - it's all about commercialism. Unfortunately everyone else does it and, hypocritically, I don't want to be seen as a scrooge - but it really does piss me off when you get christmas decorations up in october! shouldn't be anything til december, really!

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? Of christmas time, I love going to Boxing Day football, to see Plymouth Argyle. It's the best day in the whole year to see a match, always a fabulous atmosphere

Who is your musical inspiration? Frank Black, John Frusciante, Thom Yorke, Kurt Cobain. And currently, Jesse Lacey (Brand New).

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Hopefully still alive! And enjoying making music.

What are your plans for 2007? Not fail the first year of my degree. Get my new band (as yet unnamed) going. Drink lots.

Best venue in Cornwall? Nicals, Bodmin, for me - just cause whenever I've played there there's been tons of people, and it's been great fun.

Recommend a book to the world - George Orwell's 1984. But you've probably already read it, no?

Recommend an album - The Crimea's Tragedy Rocks. Best album in the last two or three years.

Half full or half empty? Half full, always! Unless it's a drinking contest...

A message to your fans - Umm, fans? I'm not pretentious enough to think I/we've got fans, just mates who like our music.

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? It'd have to be something unconnected with Nestle. Which probably doesn't exist.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - HOLOSUN


Name of Band - Holosun

Where does the name come from? Originally we were going to call the band Hollow Sun, after the feeling you get when you look at a sun in the morning and it's a poignant reminder of the night before, something's missing, something's empty... And it became Holosun as one word as a reference to the Holographic universe.

Booking/contact details - holosun@gmail.com, www.myspace/holosun, 07891097876 (Mark/ Laura)

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Well, there's 2 Martins. Martin Goodman on drums, and Martin Bass on erm... bass!! Then we have Jon the vocalist and myself Mark (better known to the band as Bob) on guitar.

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Recording our EP Alpha at Troubadour Studios, Falmouth.

What does xmas mean to you? Christmas to me is seeing all the family, and getting together with old mates for good times.

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? I have this memory of being like 6 or 7 and I was just on that cusp of not believing in Santa Claus. And I woke up on Christmas morning to discover crumbs on the plate where I'd left my mince pies, and the whisky had been drunk, so my faith was restored... It's only now that I'm older I realised it was Dad's favourite brand of whisky, but the crumbs were a nice touch!

Who is your musical inspiration? Guitar wise I would say I like a lot of Graham Coxon's own stuff, and Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth... Musically in general, I dunno..? Aphex? As a band we have inspiration from all angles, as each band member has their own influences, but puts his own stamp on our sound. Martin Drums is into Proggy stuff, like early Genesis and Floyd, Martin Bass is a huge fan of The Mars Volta, and Radiohead, but his basslines are busy dancy sounds. Jon is from a Hip-Hop background, so his writing can have that element in it, with a melodic voice comparable to Brian Molko.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? That's an impossible question!!! But where I'd like to be is playing outside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul!

What are your plans for 2007?
Lots more local gigs, and then some summer festivals.... Playing more nationally by Christmas next year!

Best venue in Cornwall? Gotta be The Minack Theatre!!

Recommend a book to the world - The Illuminatus Trilogy by Anton Wilson because it's like a collection of random hallucinogenic stories including a Golden Submarine, The Great God Pan, and a mock James Bond 00Negative. It culminates in a nice life lesson that reads as a religious text, simultaneously mocking them.

Recommend an album - Dark Side of the moon by Pink Floyd. A group of us recently tested the Wizard of Oz conspiracy theory (that Floyd wrote the album as an alternative soundtrack to the film) and it was class. Some points synced so well, it was ace, but obviously the album is a lot shorter than the film! It lead us on to thinking about other good synchronisations there may be!

Half full or half empty?
Full! Full! Full baby! Always!

A message to your fans - Come and see us live! And Have a Wicked Christmas.

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Probably a chocolate HobNob because its sweet, but has substance!

(Photo by Richard Viner)

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - THE NOEL PRIOR BAND

Name of Band - THE NOEL PRIOR BAND

Booking/contact details - myspace.com/noelprior, thenoelpriorband.com, 07968482114

Names of members of the band and instruments played -

NOEL PRIOR - Vox & Guitar

LIAM JOLLY - Drums/Percussion

TOBY SETH - Piano, backing vox

HARRY MACKAILLE - Bass

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you?

Liam (L) THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL, NOT THE GIG BIT BUT THE RIDICULOUS 15 HOUR JOURNEY TO GET THERE IN THE BACK OF A TRANSIT WILL STAY WITH ME FOREVER! RADIO 2 WAS ALSO INSANE, STILL DONT THINK IT WAS REAL!

Noel (N) Two things: Playing BBC Radio 2 and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Oh yeah and getting a publishing deal

What does xmas mean to you?

(L) GETTING PISSED ON CHAMPAGNE INSTEAD OF BEER AS ITS A 'SPECIAL' TIME OF YEAR! NAH A GOOD SOCIAL TIME I SEE ALL OF MY FRIENS AT XMAS SOME THAT I DONT SEE ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.

(N) A time to sit and reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ

What was you best ever xmas present/memory?

(L) MY STAR WARS 'AT.AT' (I think that was what it was called?? you know those big walking things from The Empire Strikes Back!!!???) AT ABOUT AGE 6(ish.........)

(N) Celery sticks with cheese and chive dip

Who is your musical inspiration?

(L) BILLY CHILDISH

(N) Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, Lonnie Donigan, Leadbelly, Howlin` Wolf, Robert Johnson, Jim Noir and others

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

(L) HOPEFULLY LIVING A CONTENTED LIFE SOMEWHERE MAKING ART AND MUSIC ON A DAILY BASIS AND STILL AVOIDING HAVING A 'REAL' JOB!

(N) The Moon

What are your plans for 2007?

(L) BUY THAT VAN THAT I KEEP TRYING TO SAVE FOR SO THAT I CAN GO PLACES AND DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RUSHING HOME - I CAN SLEEP IN IT! GENIUS! RELEASE OUR SECOND ALBUM, FULFILL TWO PLANNED EXHIBITIONS, MOVE IN WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, PLAY SOME BIGGER GIGS??.......

(N) Release new album, play more gigs and have fun and adventures along the way

Best venue in Cornwall?

(L) TOUGH ONE.......PROBABLY THE MOST SUPPORTIVE OF LOCAL BANDS IS BUNTERS. THE SWAN ALSO DO A GOOD JOB ON SUPPORTING BANDS IN THE EARLY STAGES (HAVE SEEN SOME WILD GIGS THERE THIS YEAR!) BUT THE GIG THAT HAS BEEN KINDEST TO US IS THE KAZBAH. WE DID OUR FIRST 'PROPER' GIG THERE AND EVERYTIME WE RETURN IT IS AMAZING. IT IS SO SMALL IT IS JUST ELECTRIC WHEN IT'S RAMMED WITH A CRAZY AUDIENCE.

(N) The HFC or The Falmouth Pavilions

Recommend a book to the world -

(L) ART IN THEORY 1900 -2000. IT MAKES MORE SENSE THAN THE BIBLE.

(N) The business of music - Donald S Passmann

Recommend an album -

(L) JUST GOT A COPY OF THE NEW BRAKES ALBUM AND IT'S AMAZING, DUNNO WHAT IT'S CALLED THOUGH. ALSO EVERYONE MUST CHECK OUT LARRIKIN LOVE.

(N) Pet Sounds (Beach Boys)

Half full or half empty?

(L) OVERFLOWING. (YES I AM QUOTING PETE TOWNSHEND, BUT OVERFLOWING IS VERY PRECISE RIGHT NOW!)

(N) Half empty

A message to your fans -

(L) YOU SHOULD ALL COME ON ONE OF OUR BUS TRIPS NEXT TIME. HONEST!

(N) If you have ever thought, or even condoned the thought of eating raw eggs, then don`t. It is disgusting and you will regret it.

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why?

(L) HOB NOB !!!!!

(N) What a silly question, I`m not answering that

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - ANDREW BATE

Name - Andrew Bate

Where does the name come from? Birth!

Booking/contact details - E-mail: trfnnabat@yahoo.co.uk Myspace:www.myspace.com/andrewbate

Instruments played - Guitar, vocals, piano

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? The summer was very cool but mainly the late october early november period alot going on

What does xmas mean to you? Pure elation!

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? Too many to tell

Who is your musical inspiration? Jeff Buckley

Where do you see yourself in ten years? ...Alive hopefully

What are your plans for 2007? More music, hopefully more solo shows but i want to try and get back into acting again but music comes first

Best venue in Cornwall? Ah...Kasbar was cool...i don't know i haven't played in many places

Recommend a book to the world - "A Wished For Song" Merri Cyr, "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy" Tim Burton, "Dream Brother" David Brown, "The Lord of the Rings" J.R.R. Tolkien

Recommend an album - Sigur Ros: Takk, Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Silverchair: Diorama

Half full or half empty? Doesn't matter at least i've had half

A message to your fans - (I have fans?) Thank you all so much i love you!

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? Shortbread they are just the king of biscuits.

THE BURNING QUESTIONS - GLASS SHARK

Name of Band - Glass Shark

Where does the name come from? It's a sex toy

Booking/contact details glasssharkinfo@yahoo.co.uk

Names of members of the band and instruments played - Matt Anderson: bass, vocals, Jimmy Green: guitar, vocals, Tam Johnstone: drums, lead vocals

What has been the highlight of the 2006 for you? Having our first press backlash!

What does xmas mean to you? Christmas balls and chocolate money

What was you best ever xmas present/memory? For Glass Shark, every day is like a happy xmas present/memory

Who is your musical inspiration? LCD, The Police, Yazoo, (old) Rapture, Bee Gees, Tom Tom Club...

Where do you see yourself in ten years? In our 20s, 30s and (gulp) 40s.

What are your plans for 2007? To rock where no Cornish band has rocked before

Best venue in Cornwall? Our home gig, The Harlyn Inn

Recommend a book to the world - Moon Palace by Paul Auster

Recommend an album - Glass Sharks' Xmasmix.

Half full or half empty? Half full

A message to your fans - Keep it local

If you were a biscuit, what type would you be and why? A chocolate digestive because they are the life saver of the late-night recording session.

THE XMAS CHARITY SPECIAL 2006 IS OUT NOW!
(WITH FREE CD!)
GET YOURSELF A COPY NOW, GET A FREE CD WITH EVERY COPY AND DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR CHARITY! (THE CORNISH AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE)