Interview With Thirteen Shots
April 29, 2014
Combining their love for "classic" B-film cinema with churning guitars and a frenzied pace, a hint of surf reverb and punk rock sneer, the UK's Thirteen Shots are well known throughout the Punk and Billy scenes and have been making music their way since 2011. With songs about Soviet zombie invaders, dead girls, Batman, the boogie man, and dancing in graveyards, it's no wonder that they are often on the bill as support at psychobilly shows and headline their own. I had the pleasure of asking them about their group and their music and they were more than happy to share with us.
Tell us a little about yourself and your band.
Well, where do I start?! We formed in 2011 with one simple goal, to make a Mixed Genre Horror related band with the goal of trying to make Horror Punk more accessible. There are some stunning bands within our genre and I feel they don't get the love or attention they deserve. We have recorded two albums 'Vaudeville' in April of 2012 and 'Tales That Start With A Whisper' in May of 2013. Both albums were originally released on Psycho-A-Go-Go Records, but since that label dissolved they have been re-released on our new label Broken Door Records.
You call your music B-movie Garage Rock'n'Roll. Tell us a little about what musical stylings go into it, and how you came up with this combination.
We like to hear other peoples’ opinions on our 'style' that's why we created this style. People think what is this? And give us a listen. We like to be experimental, we are blessed to be welcomed into the Horrorpunk/Horrorbilly/Punkabilly community but we never think we have to write songs like that. We follow our hearts. Our set contains Rock'N'Roll songs, Punk Songs and dare I say slightly heavier songs. We try to keep the variety in every set we play. We have never been scared to pull out a heavy song at a psychobilly show!
Who came up with your band name, Thirteen Shots, and more specifically, is there a story behind it?
I wish I could say there was a meaning behind it but there's not! I just liked the sound of it.
You guys have played shows with a veritable who's-who list of musicians. Can you tell us some of your favorite moments from out on the road?
We have been very lucky! We have played with some very respectable bands. Highlights, I would say, were playing with Demented are Go! and seeing Sparky down the front enjoying what we do. The best show we have ever played, though, was The Graveyard Rodeo in Liepzig. They’re a very hard working promotion company who put on such an amazing show. Lucky the crowd was really into us and we played on that. We were having beers fed to us as we played, with Cigs hanging out of our mouths. I took down both George and Lewis during the set, giving Lewis a black eye. I would love to say that was a one off, but we are quite explosive live. ANYTHING can happen.
Is there a group out there that you'd give away your prized possessions to gig with?
For me, I would love to be in AMEN with Casey Chaos. That would be amazing. But in all seriousness, I feel blessed to share the stage with Chelsea, George and Lewis every night. They’re exceptional musicians and great people. It's not often you find people willing to be so open minded, musically.
Well, where do I start?! We formed in 2011 with one simple goal, to make a Mixed Genre Horror related band with the goal of trying to make Horror Punk more accessible. There are some stunning bands within our genre and I feel they don't get the love or attention they deserve. We have recorded two albums 'Vaudeville' in April of 2012 and 'Tales That Start With A Whisper' in May of 2013. Both albums were originally released on Psycho-A-Go-Go Records, but since that label dissolved they have been re-released on our new label Broken Door Records.
You call your music B-movie Garage Rock'n'Roll. Tell us a little about what musical stylings go into it, and how you came up with this combination.
We like to hear other peoples’ opinions on our 'style' that's why we created this style. People think what is this? And give us a listen. We like to be experimental, we are blessed to be welcomed into the Horrorpunk/Horrorbilly/Punkabilly community but we never think we have to write songs like that. We follow our hearts. Our set contains Rock'N'Roll songs, Punk Songs and dare I say slightly heavier songs. We try to keep the variety in every set we play. We have never been scared to pull out a heavy song at a psychobilly show!
Who came up with your band name, Thirteen Shots, and more specifically, is there a story behind it?
I wish I could say there was a meaning behind it but there's not! I just liked the sound of it.
You guys have played shows with a veritable who's-who list of musicians. Can you tell us some of your favorite moments from out on the road?
We have been very lucky! We have played with some very respectable bands. Highlights, I would say, were playing with Demented are Go! and seeing Sparky down the front enjoying what we do. The best show we have ever played, though, was The Graveyard Rodeo in Liepzig. They’re a very hard working promotion company who put on such an amazing show. Lucky the crowd was really into us and we played on that. We were having beers fed to us as we played, with Cigs hanging out of our mouths. I took down both George and Lewis during the set, giving Lewis a black eye. I would love to say that was a one off, but we are quite explosive live. ANYTHING can happen.
Is there a group out there that you'd give away your prized possessions to gig with?
For me, I would love to be in AMEN with Casey Chaos. That would be amazing. But in all seriousness, I feel blessed to share the stage with Chelsea, George and Lewis every night. They’re exceptional musicians and great people. It's not often you find people willing to be so open minded, musically.
You guys have a pretty impressive tour schedule lined up starting next month! Are these all places you've played before, or are there any new stops along the way? Do you have a favorite venue to play?
We love playing places more than venues. Germany is amazing, always so friendly and ready to party. The other place I would say is Wales for the same reasons. Also Wales is the home of Psychobilly in the UK - Graveyard Johnny's, The Dukes of Bordello and Cowboy and the Corpse to name a few!
Have you guys ever "come across the pond" to the US to do gigs here?
It's a goal of ours. We want to do that next year. It's just expensive. If any promoters/booking agents are reading this please get in touch!
Horror movies play pretty heavy into your music. Do you have a favorite horror film?
I would say we love all the cheesy B-Movies. They’re not scary, just really funny. But I can imagine in their day they were terrifying. I would like to think that in 60 years our 'scary movies' will be classed as B-Movies!
How about a favorite director?
I wouldn't say I have a favorite, but if we're talking actor, it's all about Vincent Price.
Tell us about your new single, 'First American Sweetheart.'
FAS is a tribute to Mary Pickford the 'First American Sweetheart.' She was a very strong, beautiful woman who changed the way woman were seen on the screen. She was flirty and emotional. She also directed most of her films and along with her long time lover - then husband - (Douglas Fairbanks) Charlie Chaplin and DW Griffith set up the first ever artist-focused production company United Artists.
It saddened me that despite everything Mary had done for Cinema, most people do not really know who she is. Because as is often the case when one flame dies, another one is lit. So this song was designed to gain exposure and re-light her flame which should never go out! I must say it's working pretty well, too. I'm getting messages all the time saying I never knew this.... Also radio stations who have interviewed me have done some research on her too.
You're working with Mary Pickford's foundation to create a video for your new single, what can we expect from this project?
Yes, the Mary Pickford Foundation have been very supportive, letting us use footage of her for our video as well as our artwork. The video is in final stages of filming and will be completed this weekend. Its aim is to do the same as the song - put our Mary back where she belongs.
If the opportunity arose to sell your soul to the Dark Lord, what would be your going price?
If the dark lord could take me back to the 60's and get me 45 minutes in the sack with Mary Tyler Moor he can bloody take it!!!!!
Only joking, he's gone down the pub for a few pints and a kebab. He usually makes a night of it and wouldn't remember what he promised you in the morning. But it's been great getting to know more about Thirteen Shots and we hope to see you on the road someday soon!
Thank you for your support!
Thirteen Shots are on tour this May to promote First American Sweetheart with support from The Dukes Of Bordello
23/05 - The Plough Inn, Bristol
24/05 - The National Custom Car Show, Peterborough
26/05 - Rockin Devil Radio (live online Set)
27/05 - Subway To Peter, Chemnitz
28/05 - V Max, Leipzig
29/05 - The Princess Royal Barracks (Army only show)
30/05 - Wild At Heart, Berlin
31/05 - Yesterday, Bremerhaven
We love playing places more than venues. Germany is amazing, always so friendly and ready to party. The other place I would say is Wales for the same reasons. Also Wales is the home of Psychobilly in the UK - Graveyard Johnny's, The Dukes of Bordello and Cowboy and the Corpse to name a few!
Have you guys ever "come across the pond" to the US to do gigs here?
It's a goal of ours. We want to do that next year. It's just expensive. If any promoters/booking agents are reading this please get in touch!
Horror movies play pretty heavy into your music. Do you have a favorite horror film?
I would say we love all the cheesy B-Movies. They’re not scary, just really funny. But I can imagine in their day they were terrifying. I would like to think that in 60 years our 'scary movies' will be classed as B-Movies!
How about a favorite director?
I wouldn't say I have a favorite, but if we're talking actor, it's all about Vincent Price.
Tell us about your new single, 'First American Sweetheart.'
FAS is a tribute to Mary Pickford the 'First American Sweetheart.' She was a very strong, beautiful woman who changed the way woman were seen on the screen. She was flirty and emotional. She also directed most of her films and along with her long time lover - then husband - (Douglas Fairbanks) Charlie Chaplin and DW Griffith set up the first ever artist-focused production company United Artists.
It saddened me that despite everything Mary had done for Cinema, most people do not really know who she is. Because as is often the case when one flame dies, another one is lit. So this song was designed to gain exposure and re-light her flame which should never go out! I must say it's working pretty well, too. I'm getting messages all the time saying I never knew this.... Also radio stations who have interviewed me have done some research on her too.
You're working with Mary Pickford's foundation to create a video for your new single, what can we expect from this project?
Yes, the Mary Pickford Foundation have been very supportive, letting us use footage of her for our video as well as our artwork. The video is in final stages of filming and will be completed this weekend. Its aim is to do the same as the song - put our Mary back where she belongs.
If the opportunity arose to sell your soul to the Dark Lord, what would be your going price?
If the dark lord could take me back to the 60's and get me 45 minutes in the sack with Mary Tyler Moor he can bloody take it!!!!!
Only joking, he's gone down the pub for a few pints and a kebab. He usually makes a night of it and wouldn't remember what he promised you in the morning. But it's been great getting to know more about Thirteen Shots and we hope to see you on the road someday soon!
Thank you for your support!
Thirteen Shots are on tour this May to promote First American Sweetheart with support from The Dukes Of Bordello
23/05 - The Plough Inn, Bristol
24/05 - The National Custom Car Show, Peterborough
26/05 - Rockin Devil Radio (live online Set)
27/05 - Subway To Peter, Chemnitz
28/05 - V Max, Leipzig
29/05 - The Princess Royal Barracks (Army only show)
30/05 - Wild At Heart, Berlin
31/05 - Yesterday, Bremerhaven