Perksy Jobsworth
interviewed Bones and Proteus
of KOMA & BONES
and heard some very interesting stuff…

12/9/03

PJ Where did the names come from?
Bones This is a childhood nickname! And it's obvious why I was called Bones! [PJ – he's not fat…]
Koma Falls asleep a lot, also back in the day used to make laid back smokin' tapes.
Proteus Ever seen the film ‘Demon Seed'? [Although Jude is not in fact a computer who spends it's time trying to impregnate women!] The name was given to me by me mate Foz.

PJ Where are you from?
Bones Lancaster born and bred – all of us.

PJ How long have you known each other?
Bones It's weird – for ever – but not as really good mates til about 7-10 years ago. We've been in the same friendship circle since I can remember.

PJ Tell me a bit of background.
Bones I started deejaying and asked Andy to deejay with me, after Andy'd had a break [from playing out]. Andy had played loads, all round the NorthWest. We weren't getting many gigs so we made some tunes with Jude about 5 or 6 years ago. Sent a tune to TCR [Thursday Cub recordings – an influential label owned by producer and DJ Rennie Pilgrem] – they told us what wasn't right. We came up with ‘Power Cut', and Rennie wanted to sign it. Before that Bladey at Unique did some remixes for us.

PJ What's the function of each of the 3 of you within K&B?
Bones We all write the tunes, me & Andy DJ, and Jude is the studio man. He sometimes comes along when we play out, for inspiration. All of our ideas, samples and sounds are put together by Jude's craft and skill. But we're all geeks.

PJ I love this question! – what was the first record you ever bought?
Bones Radio Gaga by Queen! No it wasn't – might have been ‘99 Red Balloons' by Nina. The B-side was in German. But I went off her cos she had massive armpit hair on TOTP…

PJ Musical influences?
Bones Mantronix – Joy Division – New Order – Radiohead – Rock bands! Loads! Any form of music is an inspiration. Everyone takes something different from books and records.

PJ What music do you listen to (I noticed the entire Radiohead back catalogue out by the CD player whilst having a snoop)
Bones Radiohead! Actually don't listen to music that much, maybe the radio or new Breakbeat stuff we get sent. We're 5 days a week in the studio, and play out all weekend. It's nice to have time to chill.

PJ What influenced you in this direction?
Bones We wanted it! We all love playing and making music. It's not money or fame, it's something we've always done. We're lucky enough to make a living out of what we love.

PJ Do any of you ever go on the dex at a mate's party?
Bones No! But Andy might after a few cans!

PJ What equipment do you use in the studio?
Proteus Without giving too much away – cubase on a PC, Akai samplers, and a Nova synth.

PJ And your record label?
Bones We record for TCR, and also have just put out the last ever release on one of our own labels, Forged. It's a tune by Brothers of Dub.
Proteus Our own new label is called Burrito, and we've signed up some local artists. 1st is Inertia, 2nd is Tonk, the next one shall remain a mystery, and you might see something by Proteus soon!

PJ What next for Koma & Bones?
Proteus The new album, Shutter Speed, comes out mid September, and the single is called Black Satsuma.
PJ Erm, Black Satsuma?
Proteus You had to be there!
Bones Following the album launch, non-stop deejaying – the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, SE Asia. Also mixes and interviews to do for radio stations. Annie Nightingale's show on Radio 1, and something for Fergie's show too.

PJ How do you incorporate your social life with all this work?
Bones It's better than when I worked for someone else! We can take days off unless we're booked for a gig or on tour. I try to catch up with mates in the local – you've just got to fit it in.

PJ What's your idea of a good night out?
Proteus A curry and getting pissed. Iky's or the Shabab.
Koma Probably going camping!
Bones Pub food and a few drinks.

PJ And when you're at home?
Bones Some lovin'! and I'll cook a nice roast dinner, watch a film, drink a bit. The others would probably do about the same. Oh yeah, I'll abuse the cat.

PJ Do you get recognised ever?
Bones Yeah but mainly at gigs. We're always polite. It's nice to be nice.
Proteus I don't go out anywhere – oh – I did once…

PJ OK, clubbing – can you lot cut it on the dance floor?
Bones I think I'm all right! (laughs). All 3 of us think we're all right! We probably look complete twats, but it's never stopped us. Just have a good time.

PJ Do you have ‘people looking after you' when yr on the road?
Bones NO! We do it all ourselves.

PJ And now for the bad behaviour question: ever done any throwing things around in hotel rooms? That kind of stuff?
Bones I've thrown Andy around hotel rooms! Otherwise no bad stuff. We're 3 nerds who don't make trouble.

PJ Lets talk about the new album. It's due out in mid September?
Bones Yeah. It's taken a year and a half to make. There's 11 tracks, mostly breaks, but lots of different styles – housy, funky, tearing dance floor. There's 2 vocal tracks; one vocal by Robert Owens [famous American house vocalist] and the other by Matt Maudsley [singer with Lancaster covers band The Natural Thing]

PJ Have you got a favourite tune on Shutter Speed?
Bones Just proud of the whole thing!
Proteus Me too, but if I had to say – Donkey Spanner.

PJ Favourite from the first album?
Proteus Deadbeat
Bones Fundamental

PJ Has there been much media interest in album no.2?
Bones We're in IDJ, DJ, Mixmag, Jockey Slut, Knowledge, Breakin' Point, and there's the radio stuff – websites – you lot –

PJ So now the album's ready to go, all done & dusted. How do you feel now you've stopped working on it?
Bones We're all proud of it. After you finish there's a bit of a void, but you just keep working, just keep pushing yourself.
Proteus I was at a loss at first! Now, just going for it and keeping busy.

PJ Got a message for fans?
Bones Buy our records! Threesomes are expensive!
Proteus Cheers! Thanks for all the support – the best is yet to come.

Rennie Pilgrem speaks to Perksy Jobsworth:

(and he was a right nice bloke as well – not at all starry, just genuine and pleased to have a chat. Aaaah!)

Rennie: TCR (Thursday Club Recordings) is 10 years old this year, and we're about to relaunch our website. Of course any record label is all about its artists, and TCR has got myself, Koma & Bones, and Blim, all album artists; and we've got Smithmonger, Chris Carter, Friendly, 2sinners, Breakneck, and Ellis D.
At TCR we're gonna carry on with Breakbeat based music. Breakbeat is evolving all the time – you can be fluffy or hard – keep it open. We're spreading the word!
Albums are the way to profile artists – not everyone has a pair of decks!

[PJ, sorrowfully – I haven't even got a turntable…]

Rennie: Yeah 5 years ago no vinyl being sold in high street shops. But go in HMV now and spot the difference!

PJ: And about yourself as an artist?

Rennie: I'm working on an album to come out in the spring! I kind of have to wait my turn, because TCR has a busy release schedule. I'm working a lot on my laptop on planes, which helps my fear of flying. I do a lot of remixes etc but want to concentrate on my own stuff at the moment.

PJ: What's the album like so far?

Rennie: I hope every track stands up! It's dedicated and focussed.

PJ; Any message?

Rennie: We'd love to come up North!