After being deafened by their pure raw energy at Galaxy Hut Sunday night, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ian Thompson (Drummer and Vocalist) to discuss the future plans for hardcore band Lions & Tigers & Whales (L&T&W).
What do you think of last night’s performance?
I’m still not sure. I have a hard time looking up when I play. I’m kinda shy. I think people enjoyed it, though. I can’t hear this morning, that’s for sure.
Some comparisons have been made… How do you feel about the analogy “a heart is to a pump as L&T&W is to a jet engine?”
That’s not too far off, I guess. We are loud as fuck.
Do you feel that you are back to 100% from your recent hand injury?
I guess so. I mean my hand is definitely healed, but the calluses on my hand were totally gone by the time they removed that goddamned cast. (Baby hand!) I hated that cast so much. May I, just for a moment, touch on the truth that it is very bad to break your hand, and I strongly advise against ever doing it… You will have to wear a cast, and it will make you go crazy and hate everything. Oh right, so my hand is good to go, but it still hurts when I play. Oh these smooth tender hands…
Where can I get your record? Why no Myspace page?
Our first 7″ is available from me personally, at our shows and very soon through my label’s website, CricketCemetery.com. Why no Myspace? Because Myspace is dumb. There’s barely any excitement in the process of discovering a band these days. It’s less of an adventure, at least for me. I miss the days of waiting for a record in the mail. Or going to the record store. This band and social media don’t get along very well. Don’t get me wrong – I love the internet. I use it every day. However, I just don’t see a place for this band on Myspace. We’re not trying to get a record deal or win a music award. I suppose I’m just trying to make the process more of a scavenger hunt.
What are you listening to right now or waiting for in the mail?
That new Ghostface, Merchandise, Borgore, No Knife. I randomly listened to Clarity while hiking the other day. I don’t like admitting it, but I rather enjoyed it.
Are there any free downloads of songs like “Feral”? You did the vocals for that one, right?
Not at the moment. Maybe in the future through Cricket Cemetery. “Feral,” along with “Victories at Large,” will be on an upcoming split record with State Violence. The five-piece will offer five songs on their four minute side. That will be distributed via Cricket Cemetery this spring. Vinyl only. No digital download. Oh and yeah, that’s me on “Feral,” you like?
Alright, so who is the official writer of this group?
Tough question. I’d like to say this is my project, but there’s no way I could do it without the other three guys. I do come up with a lot of ideas, some lyrics, and the framework for the song. I will speak out parts, “Duh duh dada duhhhhh duhhhh eeerghhhhh erghhhh reeeee reee duh duh,” and the guys will be like, “Oh you mean like this?” and play exactly what I said right back. It’s great. But once again, I do not play guitar or claim to know notes and scales. I love my band mates. It’s definitely a Captain Planet-type situation. Songs are commonly written in minutes, not hours. We record the same way. One or few takes (not bragging). I’m just very proud of how organic and raw this band is developing.
How many bands have you been a part of in the past, and do you feel this one is going to stick?
Bands worth mentioning: three. Bands that could have been real cool but only played one rad show and then broke up: one. Side projects: a bunch.
Thoughts on DC’s “scene,” your band’s place in it, and how you’ve been received so far?
I’m going to choose just to keep my mouth shut on that first part, for our readers’ sakes. L&T&W… I mean we’ve played 4 shows, I think… I guess we’re technically in this “scene.” I don’t know if anyone cares. I love playing music, and I work super hard, and at the end of the day I hope people dig my shit, but nobody owes me anything. If you like my band, or the way John plays guitar, or Ryan plays bass, or Bill barks at the crowd, or I play drums, then you’ve chosen wisely. We applaud your excellent taste in music and encourage you to attend a show. If not, even better.
Sweat dripped off of Ian’s shaved head as he banged the drum off of the stage, forced to pull the entire set back towards him to continue playing. John Crum & Ryan McLaughlin kept the boys in line by adding their creepy ambient sound to the steady bruising beat. And veteran vocalist Bill Sirl’s intense, controlled delivery completed this band’s easy chemistry.
My final thoughts as I left the show were that Ian should make more noise, and that I plan on listening to those six tracks again when I regain my hearing.
L&T&W are:
John Crum (guitar, vocals)
Ryan McLaughlin (bass, vocals)
Bill Sirl (vocals)
Ian Thompson (drums, vocals)
