ROE SHAM BO

Roe Sham Bo established their own Bad Trip Records when they got frustrated with various labels. They produced their debut album 'Serotonin' which received a four-star review from GRTR! Here guitarist Lee gives the lowdown...

1. What are you currently up to? (e.g. touring/studio,etc.)

We have a gig at the Metro Club in Tottenham Court Rd. Its on Friday 2nd Dec. We are headlining for the first time so it should be really cool.

2. Brief history of the band and the style of music you play.

I've been playing guitar since I was 10 so I have really always tried to be involved in music for most of my life. The style of music we play is heavy rock.

3. Tell us a bit about your current album. You started recording it in 2003. What happened in the two years since then? (e.g. label problems etc)

We had loads of problems. Most of them were from ourselves. We got ripped off by various people, could not get a deal together that we were happy with so we just recorded and released the thing ourselves.

4. Who/what are your musical influences? (artists, style of music) - (Please give us your own response or that of other band members!)

At the moment I listen to Amen, The Doors, Pantera, Turin Brakes etc. As for the other guys its always completly different to what I listen to.

5. The GRTR! review notes a welcome maturity in your music. How do you approach the songwriting process. What inspires you?

It's become a lot easier. We used to just bring a song in and argue for 6 hours until we were all happy. It's all down to trust and ego's. We all just let each other play what we want within reason.

6. How easy is it to get gigs - where have you been playing? Do you think there is renewed interest in rock music generally?

I think it is easy to get gigs. You just have to be smart about it. There is no point in just lying to a promoter and then expecting a sold out show. You need to do the promotion and keep a interest in the band. Plus practice to put on a tight show. Rock music has always had a huge following. I just wish people would open up to new bands instead of being told what to listen to.

7. How has the Internet helped spread the word about the band? Do you think downloading is helping or killing music?

The Internet is cool. It only hurts big artists because they want to sell as much as possible. But for new bands its a God-send. You can now get people listening to you without having to pay for radio pluggers or expensive advertisments. We sell alot of stuff on our website.

8. What has been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?

Just doing this is a highpoint. I'm glad I'm in a band that I can just play how I want to play. It just blows me away when people say good things about us. We are all really humble to fans of the bands. I meet so many rock stars and its all bullshit. Just be real.

9. What would Roe Sham Bo like to achieve by this time next year?

Well we already have about 25 songs written. We want the next album to be out be April next year. It's going to be a much quicker process this time. Plus the songs are just great. I really think we are onto something special and unique with this new material.

10. Message for your fans?

Just thank you. It means more than you understand when you come down and support us at gigs and buy our album. We work so hard and sometimes its a uphill struggle but I would'nt give it up for anything.