Interview with Jam Tub

So going straight in, you guys are releasing a new single on April 19th 'Hostility or Handshakes'. We absolutely love what we've heard so far but we want to know just what influenced the sound of it?

The whole song started with just guitars, which definitely took a lot of inspiration Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits with an inflection of Hendrix with his chordal playing, but when we all got together and played it as a band that's where our twist on it came from as we all have different images of what the song is to us. It all stemmed from the blues riff that comes after the chorus and evolved from there. 

Exactly what is  'Hostility or Handshakes' about?

It came from a really jolly place and I think that's definitely shown in the song. It was written after we all got together and made pizzas at Fergus' house, where that idea of people you can stick by really came from in the song and avoiding all the conflict and kerfuffle of other crowds.

To someone who hasn't heard the sound of the song yet, how would you describe it?

The sound is derived mostly from classic rock with an indie twinge, however we still incorporate our own heavier side a little bit here and there. It's like a pick and mix.

Would you say you've went down a different writing route compared to your EP or are you keeping everything relatively the same?

We wrote the song around the time the EP came out, so it’s likely to have been influenced in one way or another. It has a different sound but at the same time catches the same vibes as the EP. We wanted to show the various sounds we are capable of.

If any artist, dead or alive, could feature on 'Hostility or Handshakes' who would you choose?

Stevie Wonder.

If  'Hostility or Handshakes' could soundtrack any film or TV show, which one would it be and why?

Shrek 4.

What was the recording process like creating  'Hostility or Handshakes'?

We worked with a different producer to our last releases, George Collings. He’s got a great style, we spent 2 days on the one song, which is longer than we have for previous releases, but it really gave us a good chance to flesh out the demo we went in with.

If any celebrity could feature in a music video for  'Hostility or Handshakes' who would you choose?

Jack Black.

And to finish it off, where and when can people hear this new tune, what are your next upcoming gigs, what's next for you?

It’s out on Saturday, April 19th, on all streaming platforms. 

We’re playing in hmv Newcastle for the release party at 12pm on Saturday. Can also find us supporting Welly at Three Tanners Bank in North Shields next week. The one we’re probably most excited about is NX in Newcastle on the 2nd May supporting the Sherlocks. Mental.

Words- Katie Graham

Photo- Tom White