Arm The Pit - The Frenzy of Tongs

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

We are Legion. We are the frenzy of tongs. A weeping angel spoketh the name unto Justin (royal blue jumpsuit) during the Raelian fast of atonement. And it's always "the" frenzy of tongs. Turns out there's another band in Akrotiri name Frenzy of Tongs. They made us add the "the"

ATP

So who's in the band and what's everyone's life story in 100 words more or less?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Jenkins singsish sort of. That's about it on him. Except he's secretly a... You've got Justin in the blue jumpsuit. He cries. A lot. And prays. It's weird. Nason (yellow jumpsuit, devilishly handsome); the Faceman of the frenzy of tongs A-Team. Oly on bass. Pretty mysterious. May be a government assassin. His brother Ojie on drums. He plays drums. All day. And when he can't play drums, he taps his fingers on his forehead. We're pretty much trying to entertain ourselves onstage. Usually because no one else sticks around for more than 1 or 2 "tunes". They're afraid.

ATP

In a nutshell, please describe your sound.

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Majestic punk rock songs about Chinese buffets and Dr Who and monsters. As opposed to majestic punk rock songs about being punk rock or Irish or something. If you get it, you get it. If you don't, that's fine too. Pretend you get it - because there may be nothing to get. Get it? To paraphrase Joel Hodgson; we're not making tunes for all the people, we're making tunes for the right people.

ATP

Why did you each of you start playing music and was there a turning point from becoming the dream child that every mother and father hopes their child will become before discovering music? Why did music become a career choice for you?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Chicks. Except for Justin. He wants to praise the Raelian Overlords with song.

ATP

What instruments do you each play? How did you learn to play, self-taught or school?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Obviously self taught. Except for those of us who may have taken a few lessons (it should be pretty obvious who he is)

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Jim Neighbors, George Formby, the Well to Hell audio, Saxon

ATP

What makes your band unique?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

We're all Chaotic Neutral Paladins. Except Ojie he's a Lawful Evil Mage.

ATP

Do you write your own music? If not, who writes the music?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Now we write our own music. We didn't used to. We used to be the pretty face used to sell our Svengali former manager Sinclair Tarvis Uppingham IV's musical visions - sort of like The Archies, or Metallica. But then we broke free!

ATP

What inspires the songs you write?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Chinese buffets and Dr Who and monsters. And choas.

ATP

How long does it take you to write a song that�s ready to record?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

We don't write songs. They are delivered unto us in dream-trance.

ATP

How would you describe your local music scene? Likes, Dislikes. What would you change?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Well, there are some clubs and bars.

ATP

What is your favorite local venue? Why?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Whichever ones will let us bring our monstrous musical mayhem to their stage.

ATP

What's the biggest problem you find when working with other bands, booking agents, promoters and venues when settting up a show or a tour?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

We have no problems. Likely, this is because everyone is so awestruck by the majesty that is the frenzy of tongs that they don't give us any. Plus they're all pretty cool. Except the ones that aren't.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

THE FRENZY OF TONGS

Well, Nason is a bit of a "just the tip" man onstage. Jenkins is a celibate. Ojie is a Leo. Oly commands his zone. Justin has experimented with being on stage, but he's not quite sure yet.