100,000 Bodybags Q&A - from the archives 2015

Here's previous interview I conducted with 100,000 Bodybags for Llanelli Music Scene!

Can you introduce yourselves and tell us what each person’s role in the band is ?

We are 100,000 Bodybags and band members include Craig on Bass/Vocals; Anthony on Guitar/Vocal and Simon on Drums/Vocals.

Update 2017 - with Neil Dugmore on Keyboards.

Can you tell us how long the band have been together ?

The band formed in 1992, and released the first recorded single in 1993. Apart from a short break of about 2-3 years around 2000 we’ve been writing, gigging and recording constantly since then.

How would you describe your music ?

The music very much has rock as it’s root. The old days were heavily influenced by punk and grunge, but the band’s song writing style has matured and evolved a lot. The songs are based heavily around heavy bass, intricate guitar and catchy chorus hooks.

Where do you get your influences for your songs ( e.g lyrics etc)?

Lyrical content is really just a reflection on what we see happening around us. Songs now are much more personal in content and less overtly political than in previous years. Lyrics now cover everything from conspiracy theories, domestic abuse, personal relationships etc . What makes you different from other bands? I think the longevity of the band sets us apart from most other bands. I don’t think there are many other bands about now who are making music even similar to what we’re doing.

What’s the best and worst thing about being in a band?

Best thing is being able to create art amongst ourselves as friends and then noisily force it upon others by playing a gig or recording a CD. Worst thing is slowly watching the local band scene dying to the point where four bands can get together to put on a gig locally and end up playing to an empty room .

What do you feel is the bands greatest achievement to date?

Greatest achievement is releasing the 1st 7” single and seeing how well it sold worldwide to the point we were getting hand written letters from all around the world telling us how much they loved the single. Personally though, I think the newest CD “Breaking Something Beautiful” is up there for best achievement as it’s comfortably the best thing we’ve released to date.

What are the future plans for the band?

We plan to carry on writing and gigging. We have enough new material now to get another CD recorded, so we’ll be hitting the studio at some point over the summer.

What are your experiences of Llanelli?

We’ve played Llanelli several times now, and have never failed to have a great time. The gigs we’ve done at The Masons Arms have, without exception, been brilliant fun and there seems to be a thriving and vibrant rock scene in Llanelli that is struggling in places like Cardiff and Newport.

What can people expect when they see the band live?

Live you’ll see a band enjoying what they do. We have a lot of fun playing our songs and hopefully that comes across to people watching. We also like to throw in a few curveball covers every now and then so people get a good chance to sing along. In fact, I’d say if there’s one word that would describe what you’ll see live its “singalongs” haha.

Where can people find out more about the band ?

We’re on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/100000bodybags) Twitter (@100000bodybags) and have a new website www.100000bodybags.com

Trudi -first published in 2015

Cool fact - Bodybags under their previous name, Funeral In Berlin, were supported by the Manic Street Preachers at the iconic gig at Blackwood Little Theatre in the autumn of 1986. The night descended into a riot, reported to be the only riot to have ever taken place in the old coal mining town, which is also the Manics hometown. Remembering the night, Fat Wreck bassist, Julian Hunt, who is also from Blackwood, comments, ‘it was beautiful. A year after the end of the Miners Strike and the place was rammed. FIB (Funeral In Berlin) and the Manics were the main bands in the town at that time. I recall during the Manics set, their manager, Mad Mark, chasing cans of Breaker that were being thrown at the stage and drinking anything that was left in them. Things kicked-off during FIBs set. There were so many us packed in to this small little theatre and more people kept coming and coming. I’m pretty sure both bands had to stump-up the cost for the grand piano that was wrecked at the venue. It was a beautiful, crazy night – It was our statement’!! Footage of the iconic Blackwood gig can be found on YouTube! (2017)