Robex Lundgren virkblogg.

What made you call the band "The Sons Of Robert Mitchum"? We were looking for a name that that represented an alternative lifestyle, anti-hero, with film noir, he was the perfect choice…as he was described once, under-rated and overlooked.

How was the band formed? It was the about meeting the right people at the right time.  Marcin and I wanted to start something, similar tastes in so much music…only by pure chance that we met.  Then we met Jack ( who recently retired from the Sons), and he just filled the bill in all terms.   It was on our way to Dublin to a Tom Waits concert that we decided to sort it out.

What made you form the band? The music in our heads must get out.

Can you briefly introduce your band and who you are?

Marcin Sobzcak, drum player, Szczecin, Poland.

Andrew Thompson, upright bass, Northern Ireland, 

James Reid,  guitar,   Northern Ireland

Thomas Behringer, trumpet, Germany

Morgan Moore, vocalist,  Uitenhage South Africa

What were the ambitions of the band when you started? To perform the music that’s running around in our heads

Could you explain your music to someone that hasn't heard of you? Only using certain bands as a touchstone, but it does become difficult because we don’t fit nicely into one genre.  There’s Waits,  Bad Seeds, Cash, DMB, and so many others

Who writes your songs?/Who writes the music who writes lyrics? Morgan writes the lyrics,  the music by everybody

Who has the best since of humor in the band? Marcin…he has a near monotonic sarcasm

Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We want to put forward things that happen in life…not to everyone, but the subjects like life and death which pop won’t/can’t approach.     

Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Mostly our own...the odd cover is chanced from the original

Do you have any clips on YouTube? Build My Gallows High

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajSNldMyRns 

At what age did you start playing? 24, after a sporting injury I had a go a university mates guitar

What year was the band started? 2008/9

How old were you the first time you saw a live band play? 15

What places will you be playing in the immediate future? We’ll be down in Dublin in April, and working on some things to be back over in mainland Europe hopefully after the summer.

How do you get psyched up for a gig? Rehearsal,

What are your goals with your music? To continue what we’re doing, recognition is nice

When did you decide to go all in for the music? (Morgan) Just before my mother died she asked me to take music seriously.

Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Mostly, but not only older.  Xfactor type stuff spoils the airwaves

What are your sources of inspiration? Real life, human emotion, politics, religion

What's the first step when making a new song? Lyrically, the opening line…sometimes the chorus phrase….musically, it’s a riff, a bassline…..sometimes just drums hit in a certain way

How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? We’ve seen a torrent of our music, and really don’t have a problem at all with it.   Share it, if you like it come and see the band when they tour near you

What are your dreams for the band? Just to get our heads further above water

Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? We listen to all sorts of things. I’ve recently been  listening to the Felice Bros,  Andrew loves Porcupine Tree, Marcin listens to heavy metal and a lot of  jazz, amongst others things.  James, the new Son, listens to a so many things …and introduces us, as we all try to do, to new bands

What would be your greatest fears for the future? American/British et al style leaders for all and citizens still not realizing what’s happening to their countries and children’s future, Sweden has Talent/xfactor

When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Dead air, when something outside of  our  control happens. 

What would you do if there was no music? Listen to radio bbc 1

How important are your fans? When folks write to us, or have a chat to us and tell us how a song affected them, it’s a victory.  We had a couple write to us and say that they had their first dance at their wedding to our “Soviet Hotel Dressing Gown”. It’s nice that things resonate with a at least a small percentage of people

How often do you rehearse? Together, twice a week

Where do you rehearse? Earth Music, Belfast

Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Lost In America, David Contemplated

What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Don’t leave it up to pop. If everyone stops,   a section of society loses

Do you have any webpages?  http://thesonsofrobertmitchum.com/

Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Rehearse, work on songs…keep on until everyone in the band is happy…, don’t hand any money over to "industry professionals" who will rate or help or get you on to college radio…get your songs registered with your performing rights society.

What is your favorite crappy instrument? kazzoo

Whats your Pre-show ritual? Rehearsal, a beer, sound check

What Won't you spend money on? Anything promising to help your musical career, and smart telephones..not smart enough to to light a cigarette or open corked wine!   

What do you feel a band/musician should spend their money on? Spare strings, tuners