Today we meet, “Acting Strange” These 2 are blowing it away with nods to VU , and the Beatles, writing some killer catchy tunes. I like these guys a lot, they have a sincere coolness swirling all around them, while they join together and harmonize at the same microphone as in the days of yesterday. I’m looking forward to hearing more from them when their 1st EP goes live around the middle of September.
Hi our name is….
Acting Strange
our sound is……
Currently it’s a drivey acoustic led sound. The slide guitar seems to have made it onto most of the recordings.
We are…..
Billy Strange and Ali Strange
We are from…….
East Kilbride originally (a town just South of Glasgow). The band is based in Glasgow’s East End.
Who are some that have an influence on you
Our musical influences can be found on our sleeve. Outside of music I like Bill Hicks, the dry British humour found in Kingsley Amis Books, Carry on Films and seaside postcards. Film Noir. Wes Anderson. Bowfinger, who makes our videos, is very into Kevin Smith. He takes the ‘fuck it’ approach.
How old were all of you when you started to play and who plays what in the band:
About 14/15. Live we’re both playing semi-acoustics and singing. When we record it’s anything goes: spoons, melodica, bird noises etc. We take a White album approach. Billy takes care of lead guitar/keys, I do bass. I’m a chord basher, but it gets the tune out.
Can you tell us about the process you use, from writing the songs all the way through getting the songs out
Just now they’re all written using acoustic guitars, sometimes you have a start melody rattling about between your ears to get the ball rolling. Lyrics sometimes come with the melody, often they show up late, stinking of cheap beer. The best ones happen when you’re dicking about and not trying to write. I don’t think there’s a set formula, unless you’re Nickleback.
what are some of the challenges you face as musicians and how have you overcome those challenges
Singing came as naturally as riding a unicycle. Like most musicians we’re always skint, most of us would rather spend time on our music than focus on the career ladder. We have jobs but we aint getting employee of the month.
1st concert you went to and age….
I went to see Sum 41 on their ‘Does this look infected?’ tour, I was 13. The pop punk thing was massive when we were at school. Dick jokes been sang over 3 chords, who could resist?
coolest band t-shirt you ever bought…
I have a white Crash Club t shirt that I wear just now, it’s meant to fit a girl though. They are a Glasgow Electro rock band. All my other ones have bomber holes in them from smoking solid as a teen.
some albums that you listen to the most….
Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan
Lust for Life – Iggy Pop
Acid Tongue – Jenny Lewis
With the Beatles – The Beatles
Kind of Blue – Miles Davis
If you could open for any Band right now who would that be …
Fingers crossed David Bowie will start touring again.
My youngest son is 13 and in a Band, what advice would you offer him…
Don’t be afraid to steal bits of what you like. In most cases it’s better not to over egg the pudding, my uncle used to say “Notes are expensive, spend wisely”.
your thoughts on the state of music in 2015…..
It’s great, you hear a lot of people moaning about rock ‘n’ roll being dead. Is it fuck. Current chart music is pretty weak, but that’s not where art happens, that’s where products are sold.
Our plans for the rest of 2015…..
We’re releasing an EP next month, we’ll do some more gigs around then.
Acting Strange:
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