The tribal rhythm is out in full force with BA – what bands were influencing you when you started working on the project.
Brian – I think the main influence was the drive with Angus and me to get something together that we could perform live. We had several other ideas over the years that never made it out of the kitchen and beyond the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. I think with Brain Anguish we wanted to do something worthwhile and this is why it has taken such a long time from concept to actually playing the songs live. It was a deliberate decision to sound the way we did. We wanted a stripped down basic rhythm with repetitive chord structures, using the imagery of anarcho punk. I would say key musical influences would have been Flux of Pink Indians, Killing Joke and Antisect.
Did you always plan to have a drum machine over a live drummer? Aside from logistics, what is it that drove you in this direction?
Yeah it was always the plan. The decision was probably in part due to the logistics of it all as well as what I said above in that we had an idea of what we wanted the band to sound like and a drum machine fit those needs. Getting together to rehearse with just the 2 of us is difficult enough so adding an additional member to the mix would have made that even more problematic. Plus it’s great that we easily fit in a car without having to worry about carting a drum kit all over the place.
Obviously, its early days but what do you have in mind for 2019? Do you feel any pressure given your background with other groups?
I would say the main focus is to get a proper recording done and get something physical released to try and get the band out there a bit more. Hopefully this will allow us to play more gigs. I can’t speak for Angus but I personally don’t feel pressure. I’ve always see this as Brain Anguish; it’s a different band which sounds different to the other bands I have played in in the past. People will either like what we do or not. I can’t change that outcome so as long as we are happy with how things are going then it will be what it is. However, in saying that though, there is pressure coming from a different side in that we are still trying to grasp all the different jobs we’ve given ourselves whilst playing. For example, Angus has never played a bass in his life, never mind play and sing at the same time! I’m still in the infancy of learning how to use a looper pedal properly and we’re still trying to grasp the concept that if we make a mistake the ‘drummer’ keeps on playing.
The gig in Feb is at Sleazy’s which has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance as a key venue for punk gigs in Glasgow over the last few years. What does Sleazy’s mean to you guys? Any gigs from the old days that really stand out for you?
I’ve played and watched numerous gigs at Sleazy’s from the 90s to present. It’s a great venue and probably doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves in supporting the DIY scene by allowing people like us to organise gigs and play there. I think as well with people like James T doing gigs there now it’s even better. Like us, James comes from the DIY scene and knows what’s what and it’s made for gigs there being a great experience in general.
Gigs of the past that stand out? Hmm Jawbreaker, Lungfish, Health Hazard, One By One, Hiatus, Post Regiment, Unhinged. There have been tons of great gigs. Recent great memories have been Mob 47, Active Minds, Mwstard and Fit to Work. Long may it continue!
