01Profile
A Banton Photo
Banton
Musician — Dunstable
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
(Luke) Banton, Dunstable in the county of Bedfordshire.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual skate punk. Quite a strange conglomeration I must admit but it somehow comes together.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Wow, a fair few to choose from but I'm going for a recent one. Crows late last year at The Cookie in Leicester, small, low ceilinged powerful venue. Loved Crows for so many years but somehow never managed to catch them live and boy they didn't disappoint. Their music gives me something I like to call 'smiley aggression', you are pumped up and want to start hitting people but it comes from a place of love and passion with no malice intended. That's how I felt standing at the front stupidly wearing a thick wool fleece with sweat pouring down my neck and bodies crashing into my back. But I had such a moment of release and euphoria getting to finally hear their tunes live, the raw presence of the band slapped me in the face and gave me a real tingle down my spine. Up the Crows.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands/artists in history?
I've always wondered what it would be like to be backstage or in the vicinity of Ozzy Osbourne in his bat eating and ant sniffing days, so being on before Sabbath would be a real eye-opening experience I imagine. The Beatles wouldn't be too bad a gig to jump on n all, they've got a few fans so at least you know people would turn up. The 3 B's...
Black Sabbath
The Beatles
Banton
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I've never really gone feet first into a specific subculture as such, just teetered around the edges. Skate culture would be my main one, I was a bit of a late bloomer to the skate scene as I was more into football in my teen years so I've had to play catch up with the rest of the lot I skate with but nevertheless, I love the endorphins released from the 7 plies. A small mention to the techno rave scene which I dabbled in during my late teens as well, 2 stepping to the same pounding beat that never actually drops for 6 hours straight whilst beaned off your nut doesn't really sound inviting when you think about it but looking back it was a kind of rebellion towards my parents and a freedom and emancipation at a time when you're trying to discover who you are as a person and break free from the chains of your parents. Also a shout out to the punk scene which has a big influence on my dress sense and music taste. A punk attitude is always something I've admired.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd have to say Hendrix, Jimi boy. He seems like he was such a mythical and mysterious man so being in his presence I imagine would be pretty magical. Such a fascinating character. I don't think an hour would be long enough for him to unlock the secrets of his guitar playing as such, so maybe we could just go for a beer or split a tab and talk about deep philosophical stuff.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Unfortunately, my list of played venues isn't that exciting yet but one of my favourite venues to go to is Brixton Academy. I'm a man who enjoys a piece of grand architecture and appreciates a listed building and that place has Italian Renaissance oozing from its walls. Not to mention it sounds great inside and the floor slopes down so wherever you stand you can get a pretty decent view. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to play there one day...
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I'm gonna go with the man King Krule (Archie Marshall) for this one. The 'green man' of the music industry, just bops about in the background not making massive amounts of noise, no major radio plays or exposure but has such a massive impact on those that hear his music. Such a talented songwriter and just seems like a cool bloke but has no desire to be in the spotlight, just goes about his business in the most sincere and pure way.
Banton released his debut Ep 'Ball & Chain' in 2019, which you can listen to here, he is currently working on recording new material, with a follow-up EP on the way.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Banana Pancakes' by Jack Johnson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Turn The Page' by The Streets.
One record you would keep forever?
'My Rifle, My Pony and Me' by Dean Martin. Never has a song made me feel so warm and at home than this.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Most of Bob Dylan's music is full of profound wisdom and inspiration, whenever I'm feeling a little worn out from life's challenges I find comfort in his lyrics.
"Come mothers and fathers throughout the land,
and don't criticise what you can't understand."
Init. From 'The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Young Hearts Run Free' by Candi Staton. Slam down my beer, elbows out wading my way to the D floor for some weird and uncoordinated hip/shoulder movements.
A song you wished you had written?
'Heroes' by Bowie. No better song has or will ever be written, so imagine hearing it over the tannoy in Asda while doing your weekly shop and thinking "Yeah, I wrote that." Up the Bowie.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Breathe' by The Prodigy. Or any Prodigy song really, it just doesn't do it justice unless the walls are vibrating and your eardrums are on the verge of bursting. RIP Keith Flint.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I grew up with a piano in my family home and managed to roughly teach myself to play it over the years and started to listen and play pieces by a geez called Ludovico Einaudi. The piano is a sensational instrument to both play and listen to and I wish I was a lot better than I am. But there's a piece of music by the composer John Schmidt called 'All Of Me' that is just so sick, there's a little breakdown towards the end where he starts playing with his forearm and shit, man it's wild. One day I'll learn to play it properly.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Once In A Lifetime' by Talking Heads.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'The Drive' by Everyone You Know. If you don't know, then you need to know Everyone You Know. They have magically carved all the sounds and artists of my generation into one recognisable and unique style, with quintessentially relatable and honest lyrics. I've had the pleasure of supporting them a few times and they absolutely blow you away live. They are well on the up.
Heres a few other various bands and artists I'm listening to at the mo:
'Chalet 47' by FEET.
'Anything You Want' by Weird Milk.
'Hell N Back' by Bakar.
'To Be Felt' by Egyptian Blue.
'Where Did All The People Go' by Fur.
'Tabloid Newspaper' by Hotel Lux.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
(Luke) Banton, Dunstable in the county of Bedfordshire.
Describe your style in three words?
Casual skate punk. Quite a strange conglomeration I must admit but it somehow comes together.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Wow, a fair few to choose from but I'm going for a recent one. Crows late last year at The Cookie in Leicester, small, low ceilinged powerful venue. Loved Crows for so many years but somehow never managed to catch them live and boy they didn't disappoint. Their music gives me something I like to call 'smiley aggression', you are pumped up and want to start hitting people but it comes from a place of love and passion with no malice intended. That's how I felt standing at the front stupidly wearing a thick wool fleece with sweat pouring down my neck and bodies crashing into my back. But I had such a moment of release and euphoria getting to finally hear their tunes live, the raw presence of the band slapped me in the face and gave me a real tingle down my spine. Up the Crows.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands/artists in history?
I've always wondered what it would be like to be backstage or in the vicinity of Ozzy Osbourne in his bat eating and ant sniffing days, so being on before Sabbath would be a real eye-opening experience I imagine. The Beatles wouldn't be too bad a gig to jump on n all, they've got a few fans so at least you know people would turn up. The 3 B's...
Black Sabbath
The Beatles
Banton
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I've never really gone feet first into a specific subculture as such, just teetered around the edges. Skate culture would be my main one, I was a bit of a late bloomer to the skate scene as I was more into football in my teen years so I've had to play catch up with the rest of the lot I skate with but nevertheless, I love the endorphins released from the 7 plies. A small mention to the techno rave scene which I dabbled in during my late teens as well, 2 stepping to the same pounding beat that never actually drops for 6 hours straight whilst beaned off your nut doesn't really sound inviting when you think about it but looking back it was a kind of rebellion towards my parents and a freedom and emancipation at a time when you're trying to discover who you are as a person and break free from the chains of your parents. Also a shout out to the punk scene which has a big influence on my dress sense and music taste. A punk attitude is always something I've admired.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd have to say Hendrix, Jimi boy. He seems like he was such a mythical and mysterious man so being in his presence I imagine would be pretty magical. Such a fascinating character. I don't think an hour would be long enough for him to unlock the secrets of his guitar playing as such, so maybe we could just go for a beer or split a tab and talk about deep philosophical stuff.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Unfortunately, my list of played venues isn't that exciting yet but one of my favourite venues to go to is Brixton Academy. I'm a man who enjoys a piece of grand architecture and appreciates a listed building and that place has Italian Renaissance oozing from its walls. Not to mention it sounds great inside and the floor slopes down so wherever you stand you can get a pretty decent view. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to play there one day...
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I'm gonna go with the man King Krule (Archie Marshall) for this one. The 'green man' of the music industry, just bops about in the background not making massive amounts of noise, no major radio plays or exposure but has such a massive impact on those that hear his music. Such a talented songwriter and just seems like a cool bloke but has no desire to be in the spotlight, just goes about his business in the most sincere and pure way.
Banton released his debut Ep 'Ball & Chain' in 2019, which you can listen to here, he is currently working on recording new material, with a follow-up EP on the way.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Banana Pancakes' by Jack Johnson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Turn The Page' by The Streets.
One record you would keep forever?
'My Rifle, My Pony and Me' by Dean Martin. Never has a song made me feel so warm and at home than this.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Most of Bob Dylan's music is full of profound wisdom and inspiration, whenever I'm feeling a little worn out from life's challenges I find comfort in his lyrics.
"Come mothers and fathers throughout the land,
and don't criticise what you can't understand."
Init. From 'The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Young Hearts Run Free' by Candi Staton. Slam down my beer, elbows out wading my way to the D floor for some weird and uncoordinated hip/shoulder movements.
A song you wished you had written?
'Heroes' by Bowie. No better song has or will ever be written, so imagine hearing it over the tannoy in Asda while doing your weekly shop and thinking "Yeah, I wrote that." Up the Bowie.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Breathe' by The Prodigy. Or any Prodigy song really, it just doesn't do it justice unless the walls are vibrating and your eardrums are on the verge of bursting. RIP Keith Flint.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I grew up with a piano in my family home and managed to roughly teach myself to play it over the years and started to listen and play pieces by a geez called Ludovico Einaudi. The piano is a sensational instrument to both play and listen to and I wish I was a lot better than I am. But there's a piece of music by the composer John Schmidt called 'All Of Me' that is just so sick, there's a little breakdown towards the end where he starts playing with his forearm and shit, man it's wild. One day I'll learn to play it properly.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Once In A Lifetime' by Talking Heads.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'The Drive' by Everyone You Know. If you don't know, then you need to know Everyone You Know. They have magically carved all the sounds and artists of my generation into one recognisable and unique style, with quintessentially relatable and honest lyrics. I've had the pleasure of supporting them a few times and they absolutely blow you away live. They are well on the up.
Heres a few other various bands and artists I'm listening to at the mo:
'Chalet 47' by FEET.
'Anything You Want' by Weird Milk.
'Hell N Back' by Bakar.
'To Be Felt' by Egyptian Blue.
'Where Did All The People Go' by Fur.
'Tabloid Newspaper' by Hotel Lux.
Banton | Champagne (2019)
Banton | Music Is The Drug We All Need (2019)
Banton | Easy Life (2018)
Banton | Breakfast (2018)