New Artist Profile

Ripchord

Don't be misled by the fact that Ripchord spent a good few weeks in our SSL room, whilst thinking they were in a completely different studio - they weren't necessarily supposed to know! You can however be assured that they are a hugely popular band with a big future, as many leading figures of the music press have acknoweledged. MILC take pride in introducing, Ripchord...

Name of band members (and instrument of choice):
Phil Wallbank - vocals + guitar
James Sullivan - lead guitar + backing vocals
Beal - bass guitar
Roz Duignan-Pearson - drums

Quick band history - when formed, previous bands you were in, etc, etc.:
Sulli and Phil met at school and immediately started playing together. After meeting Beal and Roz around the local area they began playing gigs as often as possible. Soon James Endeacott got in touch and began coming to gigs and meeting up with us.

What project are you doing here at Miloco (e.g. recording, mixing or remixing/single tracks or album) and when's it due to be released?
Mixing the album due for release September/October time (2007).

Which Miloco studio are you using and why did you choose it?
Studio 1 - available when we needed it!

(they were actually in Miloco 5 - The SSL. Oh.)

Please describe The SSL in one line:
We don't know what The SSL is!!!

(ahhhh, all explained!)

Who was your studio assistant, and how was your studio assistant?
Adrian Breakspear - blonde and beautiful

How would you describe the material you are working on?
Guitar pop with Beatles harmonies and frenetic guitars

Support slots with in-the-spotlight bands such as Babyshambles and The Kooks have certainly drawn the media's attention. Is there one particular support slot that stands out in your memory the most and why?
First date of Kaiser Chiefs tour at Manchester Apollo. By far and away the biggest crowd we've ever played to. Beal spent the entire gig wandering around the stage! (p.s. almost falling off it!)

Comparisons with Blur seem to be frequent. Are they in your mind a major influence on your music, or are the number of comparisons somewhat of a surprise?
Definitely a major influence. Blur are one of the few bands we all agree on. Brilliant band who've stood the test of time - pop songs with loads of energy and clever arrangements.

How did the working relationship with producer James Lewis come about, and what do you feel James brings to the recording project thhat other producers wouldn't necessarily?
Suggested by our manager, did a single, "Backstabber". and it turned out great so he did the rest of the album. Great to work with,, always offering new and interesting ideas. Loads of enthusiasm and always gets things spot on. Good hair too.

A few silly questions that really don't mind silly answers!! -

The song you wished you'd written:
The theme tune from 'Keeping Up Appearances'

The song you're glad you didn't write:
The theme tune from 'Emmerdale'

What's the strangest rumor any of you have heard about yoursleves?
Beal's first name is Dorian

What's the worst behaviour you've ever witnessed at a gig? (Can be your own / someone else's / a combination of the both...)
We once saw the band Tommy Schitt and the Punishment Fuckers, and they wouldn't sign the anthology box set we had of theirs.

Draw us a picture:





















Choose 3 desert island discs...
Blood, Sweat and Towers by Towers of London
Girls Aloud - Best of...
Tommy Schitt and the Punishment Fuckers - Anthology Volume 1

Official Myspace address: message us at www.myspace.com/ripchorduk

Do you have any upcoming live dates/other events? Please list them.
Mumm-Ra tour, Wireless Festival, Great Escape Festival.

Ripchord were speaking to Milc in April 2007

© MILC@Miloco 2007