Stewart MacPherson moved from Plymouth in 1999 with a fairly optimistic view to finding some like-minded musicians to work with. Let’s say it didn’t quite go to plan, as it took a good few years for that to happen… Eventually, his patience was rewarded when he found two like-minded individuals in the form of Dom Geargeoura and Nick Chmara.
The boys formed a band called WEWEREFOR, and set about the task of finding a bass player to complete their line up. In the meantime, the bass-less trio continued to gig the London circuit, ironically becoming known for their cranked guitar led sound combined with pummelling bass lines, despite (paradoxically) not having a bass player in their ranks. Disappointingly, the boys search for a suitable bassist proved harder than expected and they withdrew from the live scene to work on new material and catch a breath.
After a very productive break, Stewart, Nick and Dom discovered New Zealander bassist, Ashley Cacciappoli and their line up was complete.
Now as a foursome, the boys decided to draw a line under WEWEREFOR and had no intention of simply brushing up on previous tracks. “We thought it would be the best way to make Ashley feel like he was part of a current project – not just joining an existing one” It turned out to be the right decision. A new name was required to go along with this new sound, thus Bible John & The Reptiles were born.
We caught up with Stewart and asked him a few questions about his influences and his plans for 2011.
How did the band meet and come together? I [Stewart] met Dom through a long-term friend back in 2002. It took a further year to even discuss forming a band, to which Dom suggested Nick. We set about creating WEWEREFOR, and gigged the London circuit for nearly 4 years before calling it a day. 3 years later, I had written a load of ideas and really felt the need to make use of them. Dom and Nick felt the same and we had always agreed that if the right bass player came about, we would jump straight back into it. We returned to the comfortably dim-lit rehearsal rooms in Spring 2010, but this time with a fourth member…bass guitarist Ashley. Ashley got in touch via an advertisement in Free Ads and his method of playing just seemed to work effortlessly with the rest of the band.
Where did you get that name? It started off in the way most bands come up with a name…we each went away and created a list of 6 names each. We then put it to the vote and two names had the majority vote. ‘BIBLE JOHN’ and ‘REPTILES’. We then decided to just stick them together. We have since discovered that Bible John was a mass murderer in Scotland, but hey ho!
Describe your music in three words? Social break down
Who are your major influences? I grew up with a pop radio DJ for a dad. When I first picked up guitar, I was listening to Metallica, Extreme, Steve Vai, Malmsteen, Deep Purple and any other band that had a guitarist who could over-cook a song with guitar solos. From that period, I went on to the likes of Black Sabbath, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Black Crows, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. Now it ranges from anything from Manchester Orchestra, Radiohead and Arcade Fire to Part Chimp, Them Crooked Vultures, Seasick Steve and Black Keys. I guess they have all influenced me in some way and based on the jams we collectively have, it’s pretty mutual.
If you could take one record onto a desert island what would it be? It’s got to be something loud, because all that quiet would drive you nuts! But it’s also got to have some blues influence, so it would be one of Sabbath’s albums!
What’s the best gig you have experienced? Not that I was particularly into this band, but when Travis played Glastonbury in 1999 (I think). It started raining when they played ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me’, and stopped straight after. It was the only time it rained all weekend as well…weird!
What are your plans for 2011? Gigging is pretty important for our souls, so there will be a lot of that. We are also releasing an EP in March, followed by an Album in the Autumn.
You can catch up with the boys on Friday 11th March at The Bowery, London.
Download ‘Human Nature’ HERE
