#amplfied

Today marks 46 years since we lost one of the greatest and influential musician and poet to grace this planet. James Douglas Morrison, also known as Jim Morrison or his alter ego “The Lizard King” was the front man for the psychedelic rock band The Doors. Personally, The Doors and especially Jim have always been a huge part of my life, from their music to his poetry. The emotions I experience through his lyrics are something that artists these days rarely convey through their music. The true expression of feelings, almost feels caged in today's popular music industry, and to how we have become so disconnected to real musicianship is besides me. This is why my vinyl collection ranges from The Doors, Blondie, Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones to Frank Sinatra. I believe that real musicians speak through their music, and don’t hide away from truly embracing who they are as individuals. Like Jim, he was never afraid to truly portray his emotions and experiences through his lyrics, this was something that caught my ear when first listening to them. Although, they were around many decades before I was born I feel more connected to their music and many others artists from the 60′s & 70′s, than the artists around today. Therefore, I would like to thank Jim for truly changing the perception of the music industry for the short time that he had on earth, and embracing us with unique lyrics and poetry for which he will never be forgotten. 

1)Today joining me are “Everyone Just Knows”. Hey guys, would you like to tell us a bit about yourselves and what you do in the band?

Hey Catherine, so we started off working on a project, the album “1 in 7”. We all met at concerts where we were playing for different bands and at university.

Meet the band:

EJ Kempson: Vocalist, Guitarist

Jake Hodgson: Guitarist

Ben Harris: Bass

Max Crook: Drums

 2) What would you say got you into music? Who and what inspired you?

I guess there’s not one specific answer to that question. We all listen to such a variety of musicians and genres. We all got into it as most musicians do without trying to sound stereotypical, we loved it from a very young age.

Max: (drummer) inspired by Guns n' Roses, Cream, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the Killers

EJ (vocalist) is inspired by artists and bands such as Queen, Sixx A.M., Evanescence, Joan Jett, Stone Sour, Pink, Foo Fighters, Halestorm, Madonna, and Tina Turner.

Jake (guitarist) inspired by a number of artists and styles ranging from Motley Crue, Guns “n” Roses and Sixx AM through to BB King and blues styles.

Ben (bassist) idolising bassists such as Steve Harris (Jamiroquai), Dirk Lance (Incubus) as well as Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Fieldy (Korn)

 3) How did you form “Everyone Just Knows” is this the original line up?

No originally for “1 in7” the owner of the studio “The Paddocks” Ross Hillard, did that epic bass. For Live performances, of course we needed another bassist, so we posted on ACM’s Facebook page and that’s how we met and came to love Ben. We had a great drummer called Reiss Hemming on the album as well, he was actually the reason we started rehearsing for gigs after the studio. But the commitment was too much and he wanted to focus on his session work. So EJ invited her drum tutor from school along to one of the rehearsals and everything just fitted in to place. Jake and EJ actually met at Ilfracombe Rocks beforehand where Jake was playing with his band “Downfall “and EJ was playing as an acoustic act.

 4) Have you had any music released? If so what song would you say describes you best as a band?

Yes I guess the one that describes us most is the start of the album “Bloodsucker” it’s just really fun and catchy to play, with great breaks, slap bass, great solo and catchy chorus.

 5) What is your usual writing process? Who is the main songwriter? Or do you all collectively have an input?

We work collectively, if someone has an idea they bring it to the table and we all work on it and improve or come up with new ideas. EJ ends up writing lot of the lyrics because we get caught up in our instruments.

  6) What has been your biggest achievement so far?

We’ve got a good following, we’re doing a lot of gigs, I guess personal our biggest achievement is finding each other, it’s so nice to work with the guys, we just get so much done and have an amazing time.

 7) How do you usually prepare for your gigs? Do you have any pre-gig rituals?

Usual telling max that he’s not allowed to moon the audience repetitively. So far, we’ve been lucky and he’s listened.

 8) Do you have any upcoming gigs that we should be aware of?

 19th of May: Potters Bar Battle of the Bands

6th of June: Future Legends at the Star

10th of June: The old Tavern Plymouth

23rd of June: The basement door Richmond upon Thames

15th of July: White Heart Basingstoke

22nd of July: Fundraiser for Mental Health in Beaconsfield

18th of August: Face bar Reading

 9) If you could support any band in the industry, who would it be and why?

Jakes dream was always Motley Crue however after their final tour that is no longer a possibility, though Sixx AM would be absolutely amazing, me and him are both massive fans of that band, and Jake in particular of Nikki Sixx (Bass) and DJ Ashba (guitar). However, I’m sure the others would probably have different dream headliners such as maybe the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

 10) Where do you hope to see yourselves as a band in 5 years’ time?

Five years’ older same drive, same passion playing big festivals and venues. As long as the passion is there and the music is flowing then it’s all time and energy well spent

Thank you for taking your time out to join me at “Amplified mag” it has been a pleasure! 

https://www.facebook.com/EveryoneJustKnowsEJK/

https://twitter.com/EveryoneJKnows