Chad Bowar: How has the band’s sound progressed from Short Sharp Shock to The Dividing Line?
Mark Magill: We've gotten shorter, faster, louder and more abrasive. There is also a wider spectrum of musical influences present, although people tend not to pick up on that so much. It's certainly more diverse, whilst also being condensed. We've tried to trim the fat a bit.
The CD has been out for a couple months in Europe. What has the response been?
Good, I think. We've had plenty of really good reviews, but we haven't had the chance to tour much off the back of it, so it's hard to tell. Hopefully we'll get out and about
more in the coming months and can see how it's going.
What are your U.S. expectations?
I don't really have any, to be honest. What we sold the first time, it would be nice to top that, especially as we plan to get out there at some point. To get the record out more and spread the word is always the most we have ever asked for
What inspired the CD title?
The Dividing Line is us drawing a line in the sand. You're either with us or against us. If you’re on our side it doesn’t mean we’re on the same team, though. Make of that what you will.
Your songs are usually only 1 or 2 minutes long. Any particular reason for that style?
We get bored really, really quickly. We also don't get to to rehearse much at all, so it's much easier to write and practice short stuff than long complex passages.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
A UK tour in March and April and a U.S. tour in the summer with mainland Europe again at some point soon.
What are the best and worst crowds you’ve played in front of?
We've played quite a lot of big support type gigs, and they're always odd, because everyone obviously just wants to watch the main band. It's hard to get any kind of reaction when you play those huge type venues. Our stuff goes over their heads and ends with us turning on the crowd nine out of ten times. As for the best, when we played in Poland, that’s filled with good memories of gigs and mental people who just love music.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Nothing much, really. Maybe do a few arm and leg stretches, warm up my fingers and maybe warm up my voice a bit. I also don't like playing when I have anything
in my pockets, so I empty them out. Don't know why, just have always done that.
Whose in charge of music in the van, and what’s usually played?
Whoever is driving usually gets full reign on the stereo. It's usually either Foxy or me. If Foxy is driving it will be Flock of Seagulls, if I'm driving it will be Paul McCartney.
What’s the most memorable tour you’ve been on so far?
Our first UK tour was fun, as it was with two other Liverpool bands, Walk the Plank (who Dave and Pete played in) and the Down and Outs (who I play in). It was just loads
of mates out and about. Ten of us piled into a transit van, doing wheelies down the motorway. We did a short tour of Poland, too, with a band called Daymares, who took good care of us, and we got to play to some great crowds and see some good scenery
What’s the most twisted thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
To be honest, we're all pretty boring. Three of us are the wrong side of 30 and there's a couple of kids and mortgages flying around, so we're not exactly Motley Crue.
When we played Poland and the Czech Republic we always wanted to see a goat or donkey in the street. Unfortunately, this has yet to happen.
How did you get started in music?
I just bought an instrument and started to learn. As soon as I learned three guitar chords I wrote a song and then I was hooked forever.
Was there a song or album that inspired you to want to perform music?
Not really. I was into Iron Maiden and loads of metal when I first wanted to learn, but it was probably when I got more and more into punk rock that I realized I could actually
play music and write songs myself.
What was your first band?
It was called Malicious Intent, I guess I was around 15 or 16. We were a grindcore band, but only because we couldn't really play and just made a racket. We practiced in my school. We were trying to write thrash metal stuff, but we didn't have much talent. I bought the first Napalm Death album and we turned into a grind band overnight! We never played any gigs, but I have a practice tape somewhere. It's terrible, but al ot of fun.
Do you have a day job?
Yes. I work for a large video games company. I play music for fun, and don't have any serious aspirations to turn it into a job.
Who are your heroes (either personal or musical)?
Musical is Sir Paul McCartney and personal are my Mum and Dad.
If you could witness any moment in hi story in person, what would it have been?
Being in the studio when the Beatles recorded Let it Be.
What are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Apart from being a creative outlet, the best thing is probably getting to tour and visit places I would otherwise not be able to. Because of being in a band I've got to visit all over the UK, the USA and loads of mainland Europe. The worst is making music and making an effort when people aren't interested. It's at times like that when I remind myself I make music for me, not for other people.
