Third Lung crashed into my inbox a couple of weeks ago with their new EP. Spoilers: it’s pretty awesome so keep your eyes here for the upcoming review. But to whet your appetite, we threw our Band of the Day questions to them to dig under the surface.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Reading, UK.
How did you meet?
I met Cams at Reading College and we played in bands together for a while. Whilst working on some of my own stuff, I got in contact with Rob through a friend who was playing in a band with him. We got playing together and I haven’t played with another bass player since! Sam and I knew each other through close friends and he was playing in function bands, who were gigging all over the UK. We eventually got in touch and the rest as they say is history!
How long have you been playing as a band?
The 4 of us have been playing for nearly two years together.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
My mum! Bless her rockin’, rollin’ socks!
What are your influences?
Together the four of us have a very collective mix of musical influences such as U2, Radiohead, Queen, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Queens of the Stone Age, Muse, Robert Plant, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We have all done a bunch of music individually before Third Lung came about so I guess we bring our unique styles and influences into the mix which makes our songs and sound what it is. Essentially though we’re a ‘come together’ band. Everything seems so polarised today. A lot of people are preoccupied with working out what “group” they belong to. We’re all just individuals muddling our way through. Anyone telling you they’ve figured it all out is just trying to sell you something. Come together and we’ll soon figure it out.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
It obviously can depend song to song but for example, lyrically, our EP Sooner or Later I see as having 2 sides. Both circling around 1 common theme: choice. In both “Sister Sinner” and “Sooner or Later” you have a very optimistic, positive message of self-determination. Choose to embrace life despite its challenges and filter the light from the dark. “Can’t Be Taken Back”, however, is delivered from the perspective of someone who has fallen into despair and wants to make others feel their pain. “While You Sleep” is all about control. The story comes from someone’s need to manipulate their surroundings and everyone in it in order to feel secure in an unpredictable world. I found the lead character’s frustration in the chorus’ of “While You Sleep” strangely hopeful. Being, as they are, unable to pin down hope and joy.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
We must have played hundreds of gigs by now. Our shows pack a punch from start to finish.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Not telling you that! Buy us a pint and maybe then we’ll tell you!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Cams makes noise using an Epiphone semi hollow body guitar through an Orange Crish Pro Head and Bassbreaker Cab. Running through MXR analogue delay, Jekyll and Hyde distortion and overdrive, MXR micro amp and Butterfly Kiss chorus pedal.
Sam plays a big Gretsch Renown kit because of its big open rock sound. Cymbals, he abuses 2 Zildjian Hybrid K Custom Crashes 16” and 18,” the hats are Zildjian Dark K’s and finally 1 Sabian Rawbell 22” Ride.
Rob plays a Fender Precision through a Mark Bass Big Bang head and a Boss C-3 compressor . He Uses TC Electronic Cabs.
Tom plays a Fender Tele through a Vox AC 15/30 depending on the venue. Pedals: Tube Screamer, Space Echo, MXR Chorus, Cry baby Wah.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Our next release is our 4 track EP Sooner Or Later due for release on 1st March 2019.
What are your plans for 2019?
After we release the Sooner Or Later EP we’ll be working on a load of new material before the summer which we are really looking forward to. Some exciting festival announcements coming soon as well. Details are yet to be finalised but come the autumn we’ll be sharing new music. It’s gonna be a great year!
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!
U2 to headline with Holy Holy to open for us.
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