This February Portsmouth's finest The Munroe Effect hit the road for an ambitious tour to support the release of new single 'Who's Throwing Rocks'. With hard edged guitars, the ability to change tempo effortlessly mid-song and lyrics which aren't too shabby at all, The Munroe Effect look set to claim a new legion of fans on their travels.
HOLV: Hailing from Portsmouth, and with a name like Munroe Effect (referring to the focusing of blast energy from an explosive, concentrating the explosion and creating a much more powerful result) people may well think there is some sort of military connection with the band. Is this so?
ME: No not at all although we do take army rations on tour; they taste lush and pack down well small.
HOLV: Why did you choose "Munroe Effect" as your name?
ME: Coz it was better than "Trainset" and "Hattie Jacques Pretentious Cheesewog" which were some of our other options. It was getting to the point where we were looking at road signs and in our madness we began thinking they were reasonable suggestions.
HOLV: Inevitably, lesser journalists are already labelling you the next this, and the next that, what is it about you as a band that makes you think you can stand out above the crowd and be recognised for what you're doing?
ME: We hope the noise we're making stands out enough to be heard. We don't see ourselves slotting neatly into current trends or niche's which isn't a conscious decision but just what happens when we write together. We want to keep people on their toes and hopefully create something credible in its own right.
HOLV: February is likely to be a big month for you. The double A-side is obviously coming out, and you're touring throughout the month, what are your expectations? Do you feel you win people over when you play live?
ME: We want to expose the band to as many people as we can while we are out playing shows promoting the record. Live, we throw everything we can into the performance and thats all we can do, if people dig what we're doing and what they see that night its a bonus.
HOLV: What have been the highlights and lowlights of your time together? Any great stories from touring?
ME: Highlights: Recording our EP in 2 bedroom cottage in the middle of nowhere with just cows for company. Getting signed to Function Records, Van passing its MOT.
Lowlights: Motorway service station prices, 7 hour drive to Ipswich on the hottest day of the year in a builders van with no windows to play 2 songs at an old mans pool club.
There is an interesting story involving Streets of Rage II on the mega Drive and a drugs bust (with sniffer dogs) but you'll have to buy the book for that.
HOLV: Who does your artwork? Is it done according to the release, or are they two separate parts of the Munroe Effect?
ME: Doug Boehm from San fransisco. He is doing all our artwork for the next single and the Album which is released in September.
HOLV: Finally, its my round, what are you having?
ME: Otter tails, a yellow bentines and warm glass of water with no ice.thank you very much!
