Exclusive Interview with Cormac from The Answer
Since we are esteemed rock journalists, we always go and catch the opening act. You sometimes catch some of the best bands in the world opening up for your favorite bands. Go and support the openers you lazy fuckers.
Anyway, AC/DC hasn't toured in almost 10 years and people are excited to see who could be worthy of the opening slot. Here in America, The Answer is not well known, and some criticized AC/DC for not picking a band with some press behind them. But AC/DC knows what they are doing because they are introducing us to one of Northern Ireland's best imports, The Answer.
The Answer seamlessly mixes AC/DC blues riffs, Led Zeppelin like stage antics, and raw musical prowess like Aerosmith. They have certainly done their homework when it comes to studying the greats of Rock N' Roll. After seeing the band open for AC/DC, we sat down with lead singer, Cormac Neeson. You can listen to the audio of Cormac's sexy Irish accent at the bottom of the text.
BnR: How did a relatively unknown rock band in the United States get the coveted opening slot on AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour?
Cormac: That is a good question. It basically came down to the choice of the band [AC/DC]. That is correct in saying we are relatively unknown in the US. Back home, in Europe, Japan, and Australia, we have been touring for three years and had an album in those territories. Luckily enough AC/DC got their hands on our album and decided they wanted us to support them on tour. It just came down to the band's choice. We are not complaining.
BnR: Has Angus Young taught you guys anything about touring, music, or life in general?
Cormac: I think the whole band puts on an amazing live show night in and night out. We are playing with them for 42 dates across America. I think we are on our 14th or 15th gig and enjoy the show every night. I am amazed at the energy, especially Angus, puts into their live show. I think from that perspective there is a lesson to be learned there.
BnR: Have you been utilizing any of Angus' moves on stage?
Cormac: I think Angus' moves are his own. We are not afraid to loosen up while we are on stage because we have to compete as best we can.
BnR: How have the American audiences received the band?
Cormac: American audiences have been great so far, fingers crossed. We played a gig in Minnesota last night in St. Paul. It was the best response we had so far. About 80-90% of the venues fill up by the time we are on stage. They are not all out in the parking lot smoking it up. A lot of people are seated and ready to go. From what I can tell people are really into it. We have had thousands of hits on our MySpace, people talking about how they are enjoying the band, and how we are a worthy support. It is a tough band to support considering they have been on their own for seven or eight years. People are very impatient to a point to hear AC/DC. We have no beer bottles thrown at us so far. So we are happy.
BnR: When we saw you guys open for AC/DC in Philadelphia, we noticed a huge Led Zeppelin influence. We started reading about you guys and rock icon Jimmy Page has been seen at several of your gigs. Have you met him?
Cormac: We have met him at an awards ceremony for Classic Rock Magazine. He was an absolute gentleman. He sat down and told us how he really enjoyed our music. We actually bumped into him on the street in London the day after the big Zeppelin show at the O2 arena. We were at a music shop in Piccadilly Circus and he was in the same shop so we were able to go up and congratulate him on the show. He is not one of those superstars that has their head permanently up their own asses. He is the polar opposite of that, which is refreshing.
BnR: After the AC/DC tour, are you guys planning a US tour by yourselves?
Cormac: We have to wait and see if get offered the European leg of the AC/DC tour before we start on planning coming back to America. I know we are going to do a gig in New York when this tour comes to an end on the 31st of January to launch our album, which is coming out in a couple of weeks around the middle of February. That is the only show we have planned in America. It is absolutely necessary that we follow up this tour with a tour of our own.
BnR: I would just like to see an expanded setlist. I know as an opener you only get a specific amount of time...
Cormac: Yea that is the one frustrating factor in this whole thing. We only get 30 minutes when we like to play an hour and 30 or an hour and 40 minutes. We've got an entire albums worth of new material that we have yet to road test. We are playing a few songs when supporting AC/DC, but we would like to play all 11. The problem is when we go to the West Coast, we are going to try and fill up our days off with gigs of our own. As far as I know we are doing a gig in San Fransisco, L.A. and Athens, GA.
BnR: You guys are from Northern Ireland. Have you heard of any of these US cities that you are playing in, like Athens, GA?
Cormac: Athens, GA is a place I have never heard of, but our tour manager is from there. He ensures us that it is a pretty rock n' roll town. There are a few top musicians in the town and they are hopefully going to get up and jam with us. That is part of the tour, to tour places we otherwise would not have. For instance, I am sitting here in Lincoln, Nebraska. I never thought in a million years I would be spending the night in Lincoln. It is a good opportunity to discover America.
BnR: I have been to Belfast and it is very scary there. Has growing up there influenced your music?
Cormac: To be honest, generally the young musicians coming through the Belfast music scene, tend to get into the music as an escape from everything that is going on. I don't claim to be this spokesman for Northern Ireland politics. I take a keen interest in it, but I try not to let it directly into our music. I think there is always a danger that we will come across as a band that talks about ending the terrorism or the troubles. Northern Ireland is a lot more peaceful than it was 15 years ago. If anything, there is an optimism that creeps into our music from the current situation.
BnR: You acknowledge the Queen as the supreme ruler of the United Kingdom...or whatever. Who would you say is the supreme queen of rock n' roll?
Cormac: To be honest, I would rather not acknowledge the Queen as the supreme ruler of the United Kingdom. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who is the supreme queen of rock n roll. Can I get back to you?
BnR: Certainly. I classify Tina Turner as one of the Queens of rock n' roll.
Cormac: Tina Turner was the first name that came to mind. I have yet meet my Queen of rock n' roll. I am going to marry her.
BnR: Are you enjoying the American women?
Cormac: It is hard not to enjoy the American women. There is a lot of pretty ladies in the Heartland of America. You know we get plenty of opportunities to get out to the bars. We get to meet a lot of pretty ladies. You are blessed
BnR: What city has had the easiest women for you?
Cormac: Columbus they were particularly friendly. You have got to love the college towns.
BnR: What was the coolest place you have played so far...in your entire career?
Cormac: We had a great time in Sydney Australia. We did a tour with a band called the Eagles of Death Metal. It was an awful lot of fun on that tour. Sydney is great city. Friendly people who are easy to get a lot with. 24 hour bars that never close so there is no shortage of places to go after the gigs. Actually on the same tour we went to Tokyo Japan which was another awesome experience. We are looking forward to getting back to those towns.
BnR: Do you find European football better than American football?
Cormac: Yea, definitely. It took us a while to get into American Football. We kind of got no choice. You go into any bar in American and there are two or three games on. We have an American football pool going on with the band and all the crew. AC/DC and every body pays 10.00 and picks the winners of that weeks games. Whoever picks out the most winners that week gets the money. We have yet to win a single dollar. We are optimistic as we develop a keen interest in the sport. We are starting to learn who is going to win and lose. We got to see the Chicago Bears in Chicago. That was a good experience. Lots of beer, lots of hot dogs. It is a good way to spend your Sunday.
BnR: What is The Answers, favorite alcoholic beverage?
Cormac: I can't speak on behalf of the band, but mine is definitely scotch, whiskey, with a Guinness chaser. That is kind of stereotypical, but that is me.
BnR: It sounds very Irish.
Cormac: It does sound very Irish, but what I can I say...I'm Irish.
BnR: Our final question is who do you consider the best James Bond?
Cormac: Sean Connery, without a doubt.
We thank Cormac for sitting down and chatting with us. Everyday Demons will be released on February 17, 2009. Check out The Answer's Official website for more information on tour dates. Check out their MySpace page to get a glimpse of their sound.
Now go to our Podcast page to listen to the interview in it's entirety. here is the link to the interview. Blogs N' Roses Podcast. Interview starts after ad.
Anyway, AC/DC hasn't toured in almost 10 years and people are excited to see who could be worthy of the opening slot. Here in America, The Answer is not well known, and some criticized AC/DC for not picking a band with some press behind them. But AC/DC knows what they are doing because they are introducing us to one of Northern Ireland's best imports, The Answer.
The Answer seamlessly mixes AC/DC blues riffs, Led Zeppelin like stage antics, and raw musical prowess like Aerosmith. They have certainly done their homework when it comes to studying the greats of Rock N' Roll. After seeing the band open for AC/DC, we sat down with lead singer, Cormac Neeson. You can listen to the audio of Cormac's sexy Irish accent at the bottom of the text.
BnR: How did a relatively unknown rock band in the United States get the coveted opening slot on AC/DC's Black Ice World Tour?
Cormac: That is a good question. It basically came down to the choice of the band [AC/DC]. That is correct in saying we are relatively unknown in the US. Back home, in Europe, Japan, and Australia, we have been touring for three years and had an album in those territories. Luckily enough AC/DC got their hands on our album and decided they wanted us to support them on tour. It just came down to the band's choice. We are not complaining.
BnR: Has Angus Young taught you guys anything about touring, music, or life in general?
Cormac: I think the whole band puts on an amazing live show night in and night out. We are playing with them for 42 dates across America. I think we are on our 14th or 15th gig and enjoy the show every night. I am amazed at the energy, especially Angus, puts into their live show. I think from that perspective there is a lesson to be learned there.
BnR: Have you been utilizing any of Angus' moves on stage?
Cormac: I think Angus' moves are his own. We are not afraid to loosen up while we are on stage because we have to compete as best we can.
BnR: How have the American audiences received the band?
Cormac: American audiences have been great so far, fingers crossed. We played a gig in Minnesota last night in St. Paul. It was the best response we had so far. About 80-90% of the venues fill up by the time we are on stage. They are not all out in the parking lot smoking it up. A lot of people are seated and ready to go. From what I can tell people are really into it. We have had thousands of hits on our MySpace, people talking about how they are enjoying the band, and how we are a worthy support. It is a tough band to support considering they have been on their own for seven or eight years. People are very impatient to a point to hear AC/DC. We have no beer bottles thrown at us so far. So we are happy.
BnR: When we saw you guys open for AC/DC in Philadelphia, we noticed a huge Led Zeppelin influence. We started reading about you guys and rock icon Jimmy Page has been seen at several of your gigs. Have you met him?
Cormac: We have met him at an awards ceremony for Classic Rock Magazine. He was an absolute gentleman. He sat down and told us how he really enjoyed our music. We actually bumped into him on the street in London the day after the big Zeppelin show at the O2 arena. We were at a music shop in Piccadilly Circus and he was in the same shop so we were able to go up and congratulate him on the show. He is not one of those superstars that has their head permanently up their own asses. He is the polar opposite of that, which is refreshing.
BnR: After the AC/DC tour, are you guys planning a US tour by yourselves?
Cormac: We have to wait and see if get offered the European leg of the AC/DC tour before we start on planning coming back to America. I know we are going to do a gig in New York when this tour comes to an end on the 31st of January to launch our album, which is coming out in a couple of weeks around the middle of February. That is the only show we have planned in America. It is absolutely necessary that we follow up this tour with a tour of our own.
BnR: I would just like to see an expanded setlist. I know as an opener you only get a specific amount of time...
Cormac: Yea that is the one frustrating factor in this whole thing. We only get 30 minutes when we like to play an hour and 30 or an hour and 40 minutes. We've got an entire albums worth of new material that we have yet to road test. We are playing a few songs when supporting AC/DC, but we would like to play all 11. The problem is when we go to the West Coast, we are going to try and fill up our days off with gigs of our own. As far as I know we are doing a gig in San Fransisco, L.A. and Athens, GA.
BnR: You guys are from Northern Ireland. Have you heard of any of these US cities that you are playing in, like Athens, GA?
Cormac: Athens, GA is a place I have never heard of, but our tour manager is from there. He ensures us that it is a pretty rock n' roll town. There are a few top musicians in the town and they are hopefully going to get up and jam with us. That is part of the tour, to tour places we otherwise would not have. For instance, I am sitting here in Lincoln, Nebraska. I never thought in a million years I would be spending the night in Lincoln. It is a good opportunity to discover America.
BnR: I have been to Belfast and it is very scary there. Has growing up there influenced your music?
Cormac: To be honest, generally the young musicians coming through the Belfast music scene, tend to get into the music as an escape from everything that is going on. I don't claim to be this spokesman for Northern Ireland politics. I take a keen interest in it, but I try not to let it directly into our music. I think there is always a danger that we will come across as a band that talks about ending the terrorism or the troubles. Northern Ireland is a lot more peaceful than it was 15 years ago. If anything, there is an optimism that creeps into our music from the current situation.
BnR: You acknowledge the Queen as the supreme ruler of the United Kingdom...or whatever. Who would you say is the supreme queen of rock n' roll?
Cormac: To be honest, I would rather not acknowledge the Queen as the supreme ruler of the United Kingdom. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who is the supreme queen of rock n roll. Can I get back to you?
BnR: Certainly. I classify Tina Turner as one of the Queens of rock n' roll.
Cormac: Tina Turner was the first name that came to mind. I have yet meet my Queen of rock n' roll. I am going to marry her.
BnR: Are you enjoying the American women?
Cormac: It is hard not to enjoy the American women. There is a lot of pretty ladies in the Heartland of America. You know we get plenty of opportunities to get out to the bars. We get to meet a lot of pretty ladies. You are blessed
BnR: What city has had the easiest women for you?
Cormac: Columbus they were particularly friendly. You have got to love the college towns.
BnR: What was the coolest place you have played so far...in your entire career?
Cormac: We had a great time in Sydney Australia. We did a tour with a band called the Eagles of Death Metal. It was an awful lot of fun on that tour. Sydney is great city. Friendly people who are easy to get a lot with. 24 hour bars that never close so there is no shortage of places to go after the gigs. Actually on the same tour we went to Tokyo Japan which was another awesome experience. We are looking forward to getting back to those towns.
BnR: Do you find European football better than American football?
Cormac: Yea, definitely. It took us a while to get into American Football. We kind of got no choice. You go into any bar in American and there are two or three games on. We have an American football pool going on with the band and all the crew. AC/DC and every body pays 10.00 and picks the winners of that weeks games. Whoever picks out the most winners that week gets the money. We have yet to win a single dollar. We are optimistic as we develop a keen interest in the sport. We are starting to learn who is going to win and lose. We got to see the Chicago Bears in Chicago. That was a good experience. Lots of beer, lots of hot dogs. It is a good way to spend your Sunday.
BnR: What is The Answers, favorite alcoholic beverage?
Cormac: I can't speak on behalf of the band, but mine is definitely scotch, whiskey, with a Guinness chaser. That is kind of stereotypical, but that is me.
BnR: It sounds very Irish.
Cormac: It does sound very Irish, but what I can I say...I'm Irish.
BnR: Our final question is who do you consider the best James Bond?
Cormac: Sean Connery, without a doubt.
We thank Cormac for sitting down and chatting with us. Everyday Demons will be released on February 17, 2009. Check out The Answer's Official website for more information on tour dates. Check out their MySpace page to get a glimpse of their sound.
Now go to our Podcast page to listen to the interview in it's entirety. here is the link to the interview. Blogs N' Roses Podcast. Interview starts after ad.
Comments