Exposed Vocals Just Caught an Exclusive Interview with ‘The Silver Bayonets’
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
The Silver Bayonets: We are all based in or near London. I (Kabir, guitar, vocals) am from Norwich and stayed here in London after finishing uni. Ross (bass) lives in Surrey, and Enzo (drums) came from Sicily to London to play in bands. For me, I remember being 11 or 12 and seeing guitar bands on TV and thinking it would be cool. Then, almost as soon as I started learning guitar, I wondered how rock songs were made. The idea of writing songs and creating something seemingly out of nothing was like magic. That’s when I thought “this is what I want to do with music”.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) When we first started we didn’t really know what to call ourselves. A lot of bands find themselves stuck for a name. I wanted a “The” band name, simply because I’d never played in a “The” band before. We picked a random word (“bayonets”) out of a book our then-drummer was reading. We added the “silver” just to make it sound a bit more interesting. We just stuck it all together in about half an hour in the pub after rehearsal and that was it!
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) Music online sharing will happen, exactly as it did with tapes and CDs in days gone by. Obviously I’d prefer people buying the albums directly from us as it helps us limit our losses, but if it’s shared, then at least people are listening to it. We do give some music away for free on Soundcloud, usually demos, acoustic versions or alternative mixes.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
The Silver Bayonets: (Ross:) I do all the promo legwork and organisation and most of the gig bookings. It’s literally just a case of getting yourself busy. You can gig, gig, gig to build a following and some buzz and/or harness the internet to get your music out to the masses. Also, you got to be putting yourself out there by asking for things. Ask for that gig, ask for that radio play, ask for reviews. If you don’t ask you don’t get!
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) All the time! Just grin and bear it. Keep calm and carry on. Typically British things to do!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
The Silver Bayonets: We’re actually planning our first tour at the moment, so maybe come back and ask us afterwards and see if there’s anything you can get away with printing!
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) You just have to be open to it. I mean, REALLY open, as inspiration can come from anywhere. Books, films, adverts, conversations, impressions of people or just anything you can think of. It does take over your life as you’re switched on all the time. You can pretty much turn anything into a song. I usually start with a lyrical idea and/or a melody and if I remember it when I’m near a guitar I’ll start piecing together lyrics and chords sequences from it. Words and music come at the same time, but since I’ve started writing on the computer, as opposed to pencil and paper, a lot of the music gets done first and the lyrics are finished up later.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
The Silver Bayonets: (Ross:) Yep, our website is www.thesilverbayonets.co.uk and Kabir has made it a portal to our other social media on Twitter (www.twitter.com/silverbayonets), Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/thesilverbayonets), WordPress (www.thesilverbayonets.wordpress.com) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/thesilverbayonets). We’re also on Facebook, of course, at www.facebook.com/thesilverbayonets plus we have a merch store at www.bigcartel.thesilverbayonets.com
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) I have terrible taste in music – have a look and take your pick!
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) I’d definitely use it to record, release and promote the next album.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) Currently using a studio in South London for drum recording and doing the rest either using my Mac running Cubase or an old Windows laptop with Cubase or Studio One for mobile recording and then flying the tracks into the Mac rig. I do all the mixing in the box on the Mac. Mastering is something we always club together for someone to do professionally. It’s an arrangement that we have to work hard at because we have such a limited budget. Simply put, if we can’t afford it, we can’t do it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
The Silver Bayonets: (Ross:) Constant thinking, searching and submitting really. By keeping busy there is always something you can get promoting. A new music vid on YouTube, a new demo on Soundcloud, a new single submitted for radio play prior to release, new band photoshoot pics to share on Facebook/Instagram.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) For me it would have to be Led Zep on a good night. I’ve heard stories of how great they were, but also how patchy. But I would have loved to have seen them do their stuff live. Legends.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) We’ve got the second single “Low” from our debut album coming out August 8, which will be cool. A lot of people don’t like the promo aspect but it’s great to get the music out there, get some feedback and to have something to share. Yes, it’s hard work, but anything worthwhile is, isn’t it? We’re also learning tracks for our second full studio album. I can’t wait to start recording because it’s got a lot more colour than the first one, and doing that additional stuff live will also add a new dimension to the whole thing.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) Thinking and dreaming about music. Seriously, it’s like the only thing I do outside of work – and often during work too!
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) I honestly can’t remember it was that long ago!
(Ross:) I hate to say this but I think mine was a Pet Shop Boys album from the local Our Price and I don’t know really what was going through my head!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) I’m not sure whether we’re “staying ahead” but we’re doing what we can when we can. And when we do get together, it has to be really intense as it has to count. Everyone’s got day jobs and real life to contend with, and we’re no spring chickens so we really just have to work hard to make time.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
The Silver Bayonets: (Kabir:) The new album! I just want to get it out there as soon as!
