Interview: Noisepicker
We think it's a big improvement on the first record, not just in production, but in songwriting and performance. We're uber chuffed!
Doom/noise/blues duo Noisepicker have just released their second album The Earth Will Swallow The Sun and it sees the band excel with an eclectic collection of high octane noisy anthems. To celebrate the albums release, Gavin Brown caught up with Noisepicker singer/guitarist Harry Armstrong to get the lowdown on The Earth Will Swallow The Sun and all things Noisepicker as well as getting an insight into some of his other bands like Orange Goblin and Hangnail.
E&D: Your new album The Earth Will Swallow The Sun is out now. How excited are you to be bringing out this new Noisepicker record?
Harry: Always stoked to be releasing new sounds, but this one has that little bit of an extra excitement behind it, as it was written, recorded and mixed ourselves with the only expense being our time. And we think it’s a big improvement on the first record, not just in production, but in songwriting and performance. We’re uber chuffed!
E&D: As this is your second album, did you what to give even bigger with the songs on this album?
Harry: We just had a better idea of where this one was going. Once I had demoed all the songs, we knew it was gonna be better than the last album. We considered even going to a proper recording studio to lay it down, but decided that the only way we can be sure to get it how we wanted was to do it ourselves. With the first album we were kinda winging it, but this time we did our research and really took our time getting the mix right.
E&D: What have been the biggest influences in the sound of the new album?
Harry: The idea has always been Swans meets Tom Waits. One day we’ll nail it!
E&D: You have just brought out the video for the album track ‘Tomorrow Lied The Devil’. Where did the idea for the video come from?
Harry: A lifelong love of music and skateboarding! The idea of combining the two has been rattling around in my brain for a while. Just needed the right song and a drummer crazy enough to try it!
E&D: How much fun was it making the video? It certainly looks fun! and was there any injuries while making it?
Harry: It was a ton of fun. As the great Neil Blender once said “if what you’re doing isn’t fun, then it’s all a waste of time”. We spent the day laughing and falling over. The following day was when the bruises and aching limbs showed their colours!
E&D: Have you considered doing a gig on those skateboards like in the video?
Harry: That would mean a whole lot of logistic problems – and probably using wireless mics and all that stuff. It’s way beyond our pay grade unfortunately!
E&D: Are you both big skateboarding fans and who are some of your favourite ever skaters?
Harry: Yeah, I grew up on the Bones Brigade videos. Animal Chin and all that. Tony Hawk, Lance Mountain, and of course Neil Blender who we mentioned before.
E&D: Was the video for the song ‘Chew’ with the puppets fun to make as well?
Harry: Yeah, all of our videos have been fun. To be honest I’m not sure where these idea come from. I think they just hang about in the air waiting to get my attention!
E&D: How did Noisepicker start as a band in the first place?
Harry: I wanted to try a side project where I could really get what I hear in my head onto a record. Once I had a few ideas I played them to Kieran, who was working in my local bar. I saw him play a few gigs in there so we got chatting, and he was cool enough to agree to help me fine tune the drum side of things. He has a great understanding of how to stay true to the original vision.
E&D: Will you be playing be playing live in support of The Earth Will Swallow The Sun?
Harry: Yes. We are currently booking dates. We have a few confirmed in the UK and a couple of possibilities in Europe. Keep an eye on our web pages. We’ll be shouting about that stuff very soon.
E&D: What have been some of the standout Noisepicker shows that you have played so far?
Harry: We played Desertfest in London last year. We were on early but still had a great turnout. We got to test run a few songs from the new album that day, and that’s always good fun. That and the German punk rock festival we played where they wouldn’t let us leave without playing another song, and we’d played them all – so we made one up on the spot and it ended up being “I hear you talking and it sounds like bullshit to me” from the first album!
E&D: Can you tell us about what Orange Goblin have got coming up before the band comes to and end at the end of the year?
Harry: Yeah, the announcement that they’re calling it a day has brought in a whole bunch of gig offers. Most of it has already been announced, but there’s a few more special things being planned that I can’t mention just yet. It’s gonna be fun though!
E&D: What have been some of the highlights from your time in Orange Goblin so far?
Harry: Just making a noise with my friends. I’ve known those guys for years and it’s been a privilege to travel with them and help them smash out the last album. The writing process was a blast for me. It’s always fun to see behind the curtain and watch the cogs turning.
E&D: Is it a challenge for you playing in more than one band?
Harry: Not at all. Once Goblin call it a day, I may have to find a new bass playing role, ’cause I will miss it!
E&D: Do you look back on your time with Hangnail with fondness and what were your greatest memories of the bands?
Harry: Of course. We had a great time in that band. Just messing about getting drunk and playing gigs at our local bar, with no idea that we’d end up touring Europe and Japan. Getting signed to Rise Above by Lee Dorian was the highest accolade for the bands in that scene back then. We made the most of it and remember very little of it!
E&D: How was the experience of Hangnail getting back together to play the Ten Days Before Summer album to celebrate the 20th anniversary in 2019?
Harry: It was fun. Good to run those songs again and jam with those guys. We were all a little rusty, so the whole thing needed a good oiling. With whiskey.
E&D: Will Hangnail ever do anything again?
Harry: I doubt it. It takes a lot to organise these things, and I don’t really have the time right now.
E&D: What were the highlights of playing bass in Firebird?
Harry: Playing along with Bill and Ludwig every night. Those guys are a different level!
E&D: You’ve also played in many other bands, from Decomposed, Lord of Putrefaction and End Of Level Boss to The Earls Of Mars and The Winchester Club. Do you feel proud to have made music in so many great band?
Harry: I think pride is the wrong word for me. I’m very honoured to have been involved in so many projects with so many musicians, but it’s not something that I find pride in. Just a gratitude for having had the chance to do it.
E&D: Can you tell us about how you met Kieran?
Harry: I first saw him playing drums in a Star Wars themed jazz quartet, but since then he’s been involved in a whole load of stuff including his own band, Cold Comforts and doing session work for the likes of Paige Kennedy. He also plays in The Babsie Brown Miniature Orchestra, which is very cool. Check it out online. He has a very wide and varied catalogue of work!
E&D: Who are your favourite musical duos of all time?
Harry: There’s a German 2 piece band called Dyse that are quite simply the best live band on the planet. If you get the chance, go see them. You will not be disappointed.
Photo by Jerry Deeney
