The Beams Exclusive Interview
“Born out of a collective desire to play and enjoy music, The Beams were drawn together through a mutual love of the post-punk, new-wave and Brit-rock bands of the 80s, fellow UCT students Amrik Cooper (bass) and Boško Popovac (guitar) teamed up to make the original duo that would eventually become The Beams. A long standing school friend of Amrik’s, Paul Maree was asked to try his hand at vocals. Since then, he has settled into his position as frontman, adopting such secondary rolls as synth player and ‘cow-bell soloist’. A series of line-up changes ensued until May 2007, where The Beams crossed paths with East London export Jay Kruger (drums). This was the final step in the evolution of what has become the four-piece that is known today. Through their own individual contributions and influences ranging from an eclectic (and often obscure) set of bands, including The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Rapture, Obojeni Program, Moving Units and Joy Division, The Beams have achieved a sound that they feel is best described as dance-rock fused with anthemic indie hooks.”
I caught up with Amrik (the bassit from The Beams) and quizzed him on all things Beams related..
Check it out.
How did you guys meet? We mostly met through campus. Paul and I have known each other since primary school and was familiar with his musicality so he seemed like an obvious choice to invite to sing. Bosko I met through putting up a notice on campus about starting a band. Bosko and I really clicked musically and started to write a lot of our early tracks quite quickly. Jay we all met through a friend on the UCT music campus.
What’s the new single your releasing (or will it be a surprise)? Surprises should definitely stay surprises. We have all kinds of things in the works as well as plans for another video and an album eventually..
Do you have any favorite songs from the EP? As for favourite EP songs, I don’t have a favourite favourite. I have two favourites. Glows and Your Majesty. That being said, these are close favourites. I like all the songs on the EP.
And where can you get ahold of the EP? Our EP is available at all live shows of ours. As far as shops in Cape Town go its available at Mabu Vinyl and Revolution Records. Its also available at Canned Applause records in Johannesburg.
Is it true Paul throws up on stage at every show? Paul has puked at most of our shows. At first we though it was a nerves thing (he did too) but he has since assured us that it is a physical exertion thing. Nevertheless, its kind of gross and we have been discouraging it. Its had very varying reactions (depending on the duration of said chundering) from awe, excitement all the way to revulsion. For those of us next to him on stage who’ve caught a bit of spray sometime or had a guitar cable doused, it can be too much. For a while it has seemed just a part of reality. The mark of a quality Beams performance, (Paul does manage to keep it down most of the time these days).
Are any of you guys working on side projects? Side project? Nothing official and nothing prolific. We all have at some point jammed with other musicians at some point but nothing serious. Jay studies music so he does perform seriously with other musicians but typically not playing popular music.
I on the other hand have tried to start a side project but for lack of time (and lack of proficiency on the drums at the time) could not get it together. I do record music at home and compose music for other purposes beyond The Beams but haven’t as of yet put anything together as far as an active musical outlet.
Can any of you play any other instrument, other than the one you play? (I hear Paul is a trained violinist): As for multi-talentedness, we all try. Bosko I suppose is very much focused on the guitar but is trying to be a our second vocal. Jay is the only one formally training in other music pursuits. Jay does jazz vocal at UCT as his main instrument and he is also learning piano so that will make him pretty versatile eventually.
As for myself I’m trying desperately to be a jack of all trade although my skill and proficiency across other instruments varies tremendously. I play bass guitar, guitar, drums and keyboards (descending in that order in skill too).
There you have it, all you wanted to know about The Beams (and maybe a little bit more)!
If your in the Cape Town area, The Beams are playing soon.
Check them out and enjoy!
xx
yours in musical madness
