Black Bordello

Musicians — London

01Profile

A Black Bordello Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
S: Sienna, Peckham.
A: Anthony, Ewell West.
E: I’m Eddie, I’m from Peckham. 
H: I'm Henry from South London.

Describe your style in three words?
E: Practical, brazen, layers.
H: Man in black.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
S: Iron Maiden at Download 2007 (I’ve seen them 11 times) and Bruce flew in on an aeroplane. I was with my mum. She screamed "Bruce, be my child’s daddy!" and pointed to me. I was embarrassed and confused, but mostly amazed. A giant Eddie robot walked itself across the stage breathing fire. Then the sky went pink and orange like it was on fire and the crowd all waved their arms and sang the opening riff to ‘No More Lies’ - I’d never heard that song before and it was incredible because the riff reminded me of Turkish music my granddad used to play me. It was like the song had been in the background of my entire life playing quietly but I’d never noticed until then.
E: One of my favourite gigs was seeing Felix’s machines and Plaid perform at Terraforma festival. It was in the middle of a hedge maze in the grounds of this really old mansion. I was blown away by the sheer complexity of their performance and my surroundings made it a real memorable moment.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
S: PJ Harvey and System of a Down. If I could have more I’d add Primus, Death in June and Mr Bungle.
A: Probably Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, I love ‘Jubilee Street’, and maybe Grizzly Bear; my favourite song of theirs is ‘Half Gate’.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
E: Growing up in South London, I was constantly surrounded by a wide range of different cultures and styles, which all affect how I create - it’s the blend and constant generation of subcultures that have kept music/art interesting for me. In recent years, sound system culture and the experimental electronic music scene has definitely been a main influence on my playing and how I make music. However, afrobeat, punk and pc pop also definitely come to mind.
H: I've spent time with theatre-makers and punk rockers. They're both subcultures where the people in them have a lot of inventiveness and adaptability.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
A: James Baldwin. I’ve been doing a lot of research into his activism and I know a conversation with him would be a massive eye-opener.
E: I’d definitely be up for chatting to Erik Satie, the pianist/composer for an hour. He had such an interesting/new approach to harmony, I reckon he’d have some stuff I'd want to hear.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
S: The Windmill has given us some of our best gigs. The place is heaving with energy. I tend to be a bit repulsed by clean-cut yuppie stages and fancy gear. It’s all about people - it’s about the engagement. Everything in The Windmill is designed for people who give a sh*t about music and each other and nothing else. That’s the way it should be. Sister Midnight is wonderful too as is Off the Cuff!
E: I love playing big venues, and nothing beats playing a festival stage in a sunny field. However, one of my favourite venues has to be The Windmill Brixton. It's just straight up no messing about and it always feels like you can actually connect with your audience there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
S: Laurie Spiegel. She basically invented synths/sampling and generally music production as we know it. She programmed a computer to make its own music, yet no one ever mentions her and electronic music/sound design is still recognised as being pioneered by male figures. I want to scream her name from the rooftops.
A: Joe Osbourn. Most of the songs I grew up listening to, he played bass on them. Listen to Simon and Garfunkel ‘The Only Living Boy in New York’.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
A: '54-46 Was My Number' by Toots & The Maytals.
H: 'Song 2' by Blur, while cycling really fast up and down the street in 2002.

A song that defines the teenage you?
S: 'Cake and Sodomy' by Marilyn Manson.
H: 'Drug Ballad' by Eminem. We learned all the words.

One record you would keep forever?
E: 'Demon Days' by Gorillaz.
H: 'Station To Station' by Bowie.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
S: “You’re calmer than the seas of the arctic ocean; at least they flap their fins to express emotion…”
From 'A Fine Romance' by Billie Holiday.
H: "I'm living in a wiggly world"
From 'Wiggly World' by Devo.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
A: 'Fantastic Man' by William Onyeabor.
H: 'Party Hard' by Andrew W.K. might do it.

A song you wished you had written?
S: 'Wake Up Alone' by Amy Winehouse.
A: 'Love' by Mica Levi.

Best song to turn up loud?
A: 'Open Eye Signal' by Jon Hopkins.
E: 'Spry Sinister' by Gantz.
H: 'Rock Show' by Peaches.

Best song to bring people together?
S: 'You Give a Little Love' by Bugsy Malone (Paul Williams).
A: 'I Was Made To Love Her' by Stevie Wonder.
E: '17 Days' by Prince.
H: 'Short People' by Randy Newman.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
S: 'Man in the Maze' by Goth-Trad.
A: 'Weary' by Solange.
E: 'Yummy - Country Remix' by Justin Beiber.
H: I like Russian rave bands. 'Voyage' by Leningrad is great.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
S: If not 'Is That All There Is?' by Peggy Lee, then it has to be  'Lil’ Darlin’' by Count Basie (I can’t make my mind up).
H: The Friends theme song ('I'll Be There for You' by The Rembrandts) should get people out.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
A: I really like 'Bones' by deathcrash.
MUNGRUL. is really awesome, listen to his latest track 'Acid Jazz.'
'Collide/Construct' by Still Moving.
H: Garden Centre.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
S: Sienna, Peckham.
A: Anthony, Ewell West.
E: I’m Eddie, I’m from Peckham. 
H: I'm Henry from South London.

Describe your style in three words?
E: Practical, brazen, layers.
H: Man in black.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
S: Iron Maiden at Download 2007 (I’ve seen them 11 times) and Bruce flew in on an aeroplane. I was with my mum. She screamed "Bruce, be my child’s daddy!" and pointed to me. I was embarrassed and confused, but mostly amazed. A giant Eddie robot walked itself across the stage breathing fire. Then the sky went pink and orange like it was on fire and the crowd all waved their arms and sang the opening riff to ‘No More Lies’ - I’d never heard that song before and it was incredible because the riff reminded me of Turkish music my granddad used to play me. It was like the song had been in the background of my entire life playing quietly but I’d never noticed until then.
E: One of my favourite gigs was seeing Felix’s machines and Plaid perform at Terraforma festival. It was in the middle of a hedge maze in the grounds of this really old mansion. I was blown away by the sheer complexity of their performance and my surroundings made it a real memorable moment.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
S: PJ Harvey and System of a Down. If I could have more I’d add Primus, Death in June and Mr Bungle.
A: Probably Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, I love ‘Jubilee Street’, and maybe Grizzly Bear; my favourite song of theirs is ‘Half Gate’.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
E: Growing up in South London, I was constantly surrounded by a wide range of different cultures and styles, which all affect how I create - it’s the blend and constant generation of subcultures that have kept music/art interesting for me. In recent years, sound system culture and the experimental electronic music scene has definitely been a main influence on my playing and how I make music. However, afrobeat, punk and pc pop also definitely come to mind.
H: I've spent time with theatre-makers and punk rockers. They're both subcultures where the people in them have a lot of inventiveness and adaptability.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
A: James Baldwin. I’ve been doing a lot of research into his activism and I know a conversation with him would be a massive eye-opener.
E: I’d definitely be up for chatting to Erik Satie, the pianist/composer for an hour. He had such an interesting/new approach to harmony, I reckon he’d have some stuff I'd want to hear.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
S: The Windmill has given us some of our best gigs. The place is heaving with energy. I tend to be a bit repulsed by clean-cut yuppie stages and fancy gear. It’s all about people - it’s about the engagement. Everything in The Windmill is designed for people who give a sh*t about music and each other and nothing else. That’s the way it should be. Sister Midnight is wonderful too as is Off the Cuff!
E: I love playing big venues, and nothing beats playing a festival stage in a sunny field. However, one of my favourite venues has to be The Windmill Brixton. It's just straight up no messing about and it always feels like you can actually connect with your audience there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
S: Laurie Spiegel. She basically invented synths/sampling and generally music production as we know it. She programmed a computer to make its own music, yet no one ever mentions her and electronic music/sound design is still recognised as being pioneered by male figures. I want to scream her name from the rooftops.
A: Joe Osbourn. Most of the songs I grew up listening to, he played bass on them. Listen to Simon and Garfunkel ‘The Only Living Boy in New York’.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
A: '54-46 Was My Number' by Toots & The Maytals.
H: 'Song 2' by Blur, while cycling really fast up and down the street in 2002.

A song that defines the teenage you?
S: 'Cake and Sodomy' by Marilyn Manson.
H: 'Drug Ballad' by Eminem. We learned all the words.

One record you would keep forever?
E: 'Demon Days' by Gorillaz.
H: 'Station To Station' by Bowie.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
S: “You’re calmer than the seas of the arctic ocean; at least they flap their fins to express emotion…”
From 'A Fine Romance' by Billie Holiday.
H: "I'm living in a wiggly world"
From 'Wiggly World' by Devo.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
A: 'Fantastic Man' by William Onyeabor.
H: 'Party Hard' by Andrew W.K. might do it.

A song you wished you had written?
S: 'Wake Up Alone' by Amy Winehouse.
A: 'Love' by Mica Levi.

Best song to turn up loud?
A: 'Open Eye Signal' by Jon Hopkins.
E: 'Spry Sinister' by Gantz.
H: 'Rock Show' by Peaches.

Best song to bring people together?
S: 'You Give a Little Love' by Bugsy Malone (Paul Williams).
A: 'I Was Made To Love Her' by Stevie Wonder.
E: '17 Days' by Prince.
H: 'Short People' by Randy Newman.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
S: 'Man in the Maze' by Goth-Trad.
A: 'Weary' by Solange.
E: 'Yummy - Country Remix' by Justin Beiber.
H: I like Russian rave bands. 'Voyage' by Leningrad is great.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
S: If not 'Is That All There Is?' by Peggy Lee, then it has to be  'Lil’ Darlin’' by Count Basie (I can’t make my mind up).
H: The Friends theme song ('I'll Be There for You' by The Rembrandts) should get people out.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
A: I really like 'Bones' by deathcrash.
MUNGRUL. is really awesome, listen to his latest track 'Acid Jazz.'
'Collide/Construct' by Still Moving.
H: Garden Centre.

 

05Videos

Black Bordello | Backache (2020)