The Partizan Elektra are a four piece hailing from the Black Country & the North of England. Their sound has evolved from a fusion of influences from the likes of The Stone Roses, Brian Jonestown Massacre, T-Rex & countless others.
We slung the boys some questions about life, music and more…
Where did the name Partizan Elektra come from?
There’s no great meaning or mystical story surrounding the name to be honest. We liked the word partizan & what it stands for; resistance group or devotee to a cause, which is what it feels like making music in these times. The word Elektra is a bit of a tribute to the great American record label & it looked aesthetically right. The most important thing about a band name is that you define the words with your music & not the other way round.
How did you guys get together?
Shaun, Rich & I were in a band previously to this, we went to University with Tom a few years ago & when the lead guitarist spot became available he was our first & only choice. We’ve known each other years & are firm friends, which really helps as it gives the music that extra sense of meaning & truth. A lot of our favourite bands are proper gangs & if you’re lucky enough to have that then it can only be a blessing.
I see you are from Wolverhampton, what’s the music scene like there at the moment?
Non existent unfortunately & it’s been like that for as long as I can remember. What sums it up is that Slade are probably still the best band to come out of this City. Tom isn’t actually from here, he’s from a town in Cheshire called Congleton, and the music scene is livelier there. It’s a real shame but it’s something we’d like to have a go at changing, though it won’t be easy.
How much has this area influenced the sound of your music?
Musically not a great deal, as I say there’s nothing really to take inspiration from round here on a musical level. Lyrically it’s completely influenced by these parts; most of the time I’m writing about my life & living here you can’t help but write about what you see & how you see it. Wolverhampton isn’t the most glamorous place in the world but I am proud to be from here, it’s down to earth, genuine & Steve Bull comes from here so what more could you want…
You launched your EP back in March, what is the story behind that and do you have any plans for more recording/releases?
We’re looking to record again in the next few months, we wouldn’t really call this first recording an EP, it’s very much a demo. It’s more of a footprint in the snow than anything else. We’re not quite the band we could be as yet but the rate of progression is rapid & I’m sure that over the next few months we can fulfil our own expectations & become the group we know we can & should be.
You seem by your band literature that you are pretty pissed off at the current radio/music scene. Are you positive about the future of music and how do you intend to navigate through this malaise?
The band literature is just taking the piss really, we ain’t got no axes to grind with anyone. The thing with the whole 80’s electro / math rock genre is it just don’t speak to me at all, looking at it from outside it seems quite a superficial movement, all based on style with no real substance. It’s Topman rock for clones who will probably grow out of it when the trend changes. I can remember Oasis changing my life & I just don’t see that with this 80’s revival, the 80’s were shit in the 80’s, so how & why it’s made a comeback is beyond me. It is very difficult to get anywhere in music at the moment, we all know how bad things are but the only thing you can do is stay true to yourself & make the best music you possibly can, like minded souls will always find you, you have to remain positive. Just to add to that the only UK band over the last few years to really excite me are Exit Calm, we’ve had the privilege to play with them on many occasions over the years & will hopefully be sharing a stage with them again later in the year. The point is good bands are around you just have to scratch below the surface to find them.
Name four bands you just can’t live without?
Very hard question & this would change on a daily basis. The Beatles were & are the best band that ever lived so we’re excluding them to be fair to everyone else. We have been diplomatic & had one each…
Shaun – The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Tom – The Rolling Stones
Tim – The Stone Roses
Rich – The Beta Band
What about live where can people get to see you?
We’ve got something really good in the pipeline that we can’t announce as yet. It’s not that easy to pick up good gigs at the moment, a lot of promoters expect unrealistic guarantees which makes things difficult. The only thing we’ve got 100% confirmed at present is a Scooter weekender in Tom’s home town, Congleton on 18th of June; it’s like a mini festival with a few other groups so that should be good. There will be more to follow over the summer.
Last question; is there any DJ currently alive or dead who you’d like to champion The Partizan Elektra? Now’s the time to name names!
BBC 6 Music has some good shows going on, Radcliffe & Maconie are very good. Maybe someone like Andy Weatherall as well. The options ain’t endless unfortunately. But there’s really only one, the late great John Peel, music really misses his individuality.
The Partizan Elektra are:
Shaun Owen – Bass
Rich Jewell – Drums
Tom Williamson – Guitars / Vocals
Tim Baker – Vocals / Guitars
