we are not a rock band

Publicist is the stage name of Sebastian Thomson. Synth-drummer extraordinaire who has a touch of LCD Soundsystem, DFA 1979 and The Big Pink about him. Spot him on a warehouse floor through the strobe light and be captured by the man-machine with a fat gold chain and sticks. In full swing of his 13 date European tour Publicist gives WANARB an exclusive interview:

Until recently you were drumming with electro-punk act Dead Kids. What happened?

Dead Kids is still happening… I decided not to play with them anymore. We still totally get along, there was just too much sexual tension and partying in the band. I had to leave to pursue my own sexual tension and parties.

Why did you come off so badly at the now infamous Hackney Wick ‘Scarehouse’ Rave this year? Is it because you were sat down?

It’s because 5 guys sucker-punched me at the same time. If ‘sucker-punch’ is a term unfamiliar to the British it means
“… a blow which is made without warning or preparation on the part of the recipient and so is usually delivered from close range. It is not possible to block such a punch and so people at risk of such blows must be alert to the proximity of potential opponents.”
I took about three punches to the nose before I tripped on a monitor which is pretty good I think. When I went down they started kicking at my back, head and neck. It sucked! I managed to jump up and then they started on someone else. I think I got away pretty well considering.

Travelling Europe by yourself playing gigs could see any man turn to vices such as snorting dust off a tray held aloft by German dwarves, do you intend for this to happen on your impending European tour?

Is the proper term midget now? Yes I do turn to vices on tour … but the worst that happened last week was oversleeping and missing my Eurostar train.

You are a man that finds himself in dangerous situations. Fight or flight?

Speaking of dangerous situations tomorrow night I will be by myself at 3 am on a Polish train. Let’s hope it goes well! I would usually say flight is the smartest option, but it should be decided on a case by case basis.

There is a tenderness to your lyrics which jars beautifully with the ferocious synths and beats – explain

Some of the lyrics were written by Ian Svenonius- a very tender guy. In general I don’t think trying to be tough in a disco context is a good idea. Kind of ridiculous actually.

You’ve been around for a while with Trans-Am and Makeup, what have you learnt along the way?

I’ve learnt: don’t hire a tour manager, don’t hire a producer, watch out for French girls they are crazy, do your own artwork, travel light, sleep as much as you can, wash your hands, be nice to the sound guy, and when you are on tour, ask and you shall receive.

For now Publicist goes his own way >>>

Publicist is giving WANARB readers a free mp3! Download below and catch him back in the UK on 10^th December at Barden’s Boudoir in Dalston

Publicist - Married

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MORE ON PUBLICIST:

MYSPACE :: YOU TUBE :: BUY TUNES

This entry was posted on October 22, 2009 at 2:29 pm and is filed under New bands, We are not a rock band with tags dead kids, flouride, hackney, makeup, publicist, trans-am, warehouse. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.