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Manefestivalen 2006 – Frerickstad, Norway Between 1997 to 2000 this dynamic trio were just experimenting with various musical ideas and then all of a sudden they decided to quit their day jobs take it seriously. ‘We started seriously working on the music in 2001. We got signed by an American record label and released two albums with them. This year we’re signed with Virgin Records in Norway, were releasing our third album in September.’ It seems that the band have grown since starting out seriously in 2001; ‘our show has kind of evolved over the years. Back in 2001 we were just three shy guys on the stage.’ The Ralph Myerz Band has been doing quite a few gigs all over, including in London. ‘We did a tour with the Big Chill and played at that festival. We did Glastonbury last year. We’ve been really luck in the UK. In 2004 we opened the main stage at Glastonbury. Outside of Norway we’ve been touring most of Europe. France and the UK have been particularly welcoming. We were hoping to do the Benicassim festival in Spain this year but hopefully it will work out next year.’ Like a number of upcoming artists these days, the band manage themselves for the most part; ‘We have a road crew who does all the production, and booking agents who find us the gigs but in the studio we do everything ourselves. We play it all live and write ourselves. We have our own studio in Bergen. We also have a small home studio where we make demos. Plus we take a small studio with us on tour.’ ‘We do some work on the side – Djing and session work. But there’s a lot or work now as a manager. When we had a management we were always checking up on everything anyways so now we just do it our selves.. We separate the work; live stuff, business, and promo’ The band has just released an EP – ‘Kill the DJ’ and are releasing an album in September. ‘Once it’s released we’re going to do a huge Norwegian tour.’ What about the name of the band; The Ralph Myerz and Jack Herren Band… that’s a long name! Ralph Myerz was one of our favourite film-makers. He made a lot of movies in the 60s and 70s and we were big fans. Jack Herren was his camera man. Its cool coz on the posters we have a whole line to ourselves – it is a very long name but we love it.’ What advice would you give to upcoming artists? ‘It’s really important to work really hard and take it seriously- it’s a full time job. You can’t just ‘play music’. It‘s really easy these days to be your own master. You can just put it out there. Getting a record deal is not absolutely necessary. When we did the major deal we made sure that everything was decided before hand. We just sold our project/product as one option.’ It’s also important to have fun and do what you enjoy. Do it thoroughly, and take care of yourself’ What about in 5 years from now, where do you see yourselves? Doing the same thing probably.. A bit slimmer maybe? Or fatter? A reunion album? Maybe we’ll have a fall out!’ One thing the band are looking to develop seriously over the next few years are concerts for children: ‘We try to do kids concerts for inspiration. We would love to do that in London. We want to do a tour when we only do kids shows – so they know it’s only for them, in a real venue. I remember every show I saw as a kid and how much it meant to me.’ And why was one of you wearing a wrestling mask today? ‘We did an interview with BBC a while ago and the girl interviewing felt that I needed a new outfit. This summer we went touring in Canada and before we left we saw Nacho Libra – the wrestling movie. When we got home I had this wrestling suit sent to me from the BBC girl. So I have to wear it!!’ ‘There was also a furry hat we wore, that was thrown up at Norwich. And today there was a white hat thrown up and we took that as well. So we just tend to take everything that comes our way.’ And have you done much work in England? ‘We had a UK label last year, they released out album in Europe so we used to go to London a lot. I love going shopping in Camden. We played 93 feet east, Cargo and a show with the go town project in Somerset House. We’ve also played the Mean Fiddler and did a show at the wireless festival in Hyde Park.’ ‘The reason we tour so much is because it’s such a great live show. England and France has probably been the best reception. Leeds and Reading was the best. The Big Chill as well – people bring out their families and kids. Last year we did two shows for school kids. There were maybe 3000 kids. They were so happy to be there and really getting into it. They spread the word like mad and market really well. They’re a really tough crowd too so you really have to project to them. It’s easy with adults; when drunk they’re happy. But with the kids you could have 80% into it and the hip hop kids in the back – not too sure, but by the end of the show they are all really digging it’ Look out for the bands new album out in September, we are sure to see them in the UK soon! |