The Moshville Times - Band of the Day: The Blend

Dylan from The Blend got in touch recently, sadly with too short notice before their recent gig in Coventry for us to make it down to see them. However, we managed to (somehow over the internet) strap him into a chair and shine a virtual light into his eyes until he answered our invasive questions…

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

I’m Dylan, I’m the guitarist and lead singer of the band. Me and my brother Freddie, who plays keys, are originally from Coventry but now we live in North Devon with the rest of the band where there’s not much of a ‘music scene’ it has to be said.

How did you meet?

We met at school. Fred has always been best mates with our drummer Francis, and that’s how I got to know him too. We used to leave school early everyday, get on the bus and head down to an old empty factory nearby to rehearse and write our songs.

How long have you been playing as a band?

It’s probably about four years now. It’s mental to think how far we’ve come in such a short space of time, especially at our age. Before we’d even left school we’d already played big gigs in different countries! I’m very proud of what we are doing and I’ll tell anyone that. I don’t give a fuck what any jealous little kids have got to say about the band. It doesn’t bother us.

Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?

I’m already sick of being asked. I chose it because I like it. It sounds good and it’s simple as that.

What are your influences?

I listen to lots of different stuff, all the real bands. Everyone in The Blend has a different taste really, maybe that’s why we have such an amazing sound. Obviously we are all into The Who, The Stone Roses, etc. Fred likes The James Taylor Quartet. But for me, my absolute number one band are Blondie. They’re the best band ever. Apart from The Blend, bless them.

To be honest, I’m up for giving anything a listen as long as it’s got nothing to do with Simon Cowell.

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

Our music is the most powerful music around today! It’s a fact. There’s no one out there right now that plays their instruments with as much power and anger as we do. So I guess that makes us unique… If you don’t believe me, come and see us play live. But apart from that, Fred’s organ and keyboard sounds are just out of this world! He is light years ahead of anyone else, he’s really top of his game, and again if you don’t believe me… Come and see us live.

Do you have any particular lyrical themes?

Well… That’s for the listener to decide, but our debut album All Departures is full of clever little digs at ‘certain stripy people’ believe it or not. Give it a listen, and read into it a bit. That’s the sort of songwriter I am. Recently through, my lyrics are really upping the level, can’t wait to get back in the studio soon.

What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?

We’ve played hundreds, we’re a live band. That’s what we do, that’s The Blend, and anyone who follows the band will tell you that. Our live performance really is special, for us boys it’s the best feeling in the world to walk out onto a big stage in front of shit loads of people and just absolutely blow the place apart! It’s what we live for. As I said, we are the most powerful and tight band around right now, there’s no one that compares to how we play. The man who mixed pretty much every album The Who have done mixed our album, and he said our 17 year old drummer is the closest thing he’s ever heard to Keith Moon. So believe me, our live shows are mega.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

That’s a hard one, there’s too many to think of. We are not one of these muppet bands that dance around the stage like fuckwits. But once at a gig in Camden, some mad tripping hippie got up stage in front of everyone and Fred pushed him over. Him and his girlfriend ended up on the floor in loads of smashed glass still singing. I hate hippies.

What kit do you use/guitars do you play etc.?

The best kit. The best guitars.

What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?

We’ve got a single out at the moment called “Stars & Stripes“. So put your tightfisted hands in your pockets and [amazon text=go and buy it&asin=B06XV1G696]. The CD artwork is wicked, it’s us boys burying X Factor in a grave! But the back is even cooler, it’s us getting in shit with the police! That was my idea to put that on the back of the CD.

What are your plans for the rest of 2017?

We are going into Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden’s studio soon to record some really cool new music. But I won’t say too much about that.

If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

It’s hard to find a band that doesn’t look like a joke going on before or after us at a gig. So we’ll leave it at that… and no there’s not a ‘mates band’ we’d like to plug.

From previous Band of the Day Jukebox Monkey: What is the local scene like in your area, and are you confident in your future prospects?

Local scene? Are you alright? There ain’t one. We’ve got very big plans for the future so yes, we are confident.

From another BotD, Crow Country Outlaw: Would you trade your current life for another musician’s in terms of success, style, friends family, etc.?

I know plenty of other musicians, I know multimillionaires that are in some of the biggest bands in the world, they live the dream. But no I would not trade my life for anyone else’s. I’ve got soul. I love what I do, we have come from the bottom, and we are going to the top. I want to be in my band, no one else’s.

And from Laser Flames on the Great Big News: What’s the deal with trains?

I hate trains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm3J8Rc2d4I&feature=youtu.be