Words by JO LAWFORD
(jo@jeemo.co.uk)
Photos by PHIL DILLON
(www.phildillon.co.uk)

Archie Wahs Wahs are a four-piece band that has an indie punk rock sound with a dash of reggae thrown in for good measure. Being described as having quite a tasty sound, the guy’s tracks are quite a satisfying meal for your ears and are something refreshingly different for the music scene.

Formed in January 2007, they were booked for their first gig at the impressive Sittingbourne Culture Festival. From this successful and well liked performance, the guys started to get bookings all over Kent.

Unfortunately unforeseen circumstances meant the band had to take a short break from performing in 2008. However this did not mean all was lost and meant the guys had time to work on new material and get ready to unleash their quirky music to all their eagerly waiting fans and venues all over Kent.
After seeing their lively foot tapping performances their music is something you can’t help but like and want to hear more of.

Who are the Archie Wah Wahs?
Rich: “Archie Wah Wahs are four people called Richard J. Braund (lead vocals, rhythm guitar and keyboard), Andrew J.Martin (lead guitar, keyboard and backing vocals), Jimmy P. Decarte (bass and backing vocals) and Quinn (drums) and one EagleOwl called Rupert T. EagleOwl (song ideas and mumpet, which is a high pitched mumbling sound that very loosely resembles a trumpet).”

Tell us the story of the Archie Wah Wahs, how and when did you guys get together?
R: “The brief version is that Richard J Braund left his old band in 2007 to create one that played his songs properly. Got some friends together, including Andrew J Martin to start the new band, but two of them couldn’t commit, so got two more friends, Phil Ferrer and Jimmy P Decarte, started playing gigs. Then had to let our drummer Phil (who we still love) go and got a new drummer in, Quinn, then Suddenly Rupert EagleOwl turned up after Richard J Braund liberated him from the Orphanage. For the full story visit our Myspace page; www.myspace.com/archiewahwahs”

That’s five by my count who is this EagleOwl character?
R: “He is my best friend who helps with my creativity. Lets just say he is a big part of me.”

Ok then moving on. The name is quite a cool one who picked it and where did it come from?
R: “It’s a Desmond Dekker song. The reason we used it is because all through my life, whenever I hurt myself, instead of saying the traditional ‘Sh**, F***, C***, Sh**!!!!’  I always said ‘ARRRRRRRCHIE WAH WAHHHHHHH!!!!!’”

So for those of us who don’t know, what do you guys sound like?
R: “Catchy indie/punk/ska songs with lyrics about broken hearts and unhappy endings, but I hope my feelings of optimism and hopefulness come through as well.”

Describe the Archie’s music career in one sentence so far?
R: “I love Owls and Swans, alot……and Butterflies!!!!!”

Thanks for that insight. What have been the highlights so far?
R: “My highlights have been, invading the stage of ‘Needs Must’ (another Medway band, that we like) getting the singer ‘Pat the Hat’ on the floor, stuffing Archie Wah Wahs flyers into his mouth and then stage diving on to the only person near the stage and swinging on their back. Oh and a couple of weeks ago, me and Rupert watched a caterpillar build it’s chrysalis by the river.”
Jimmy: “Without sounding corny and clichéd, there have been lots. When you start a band, you have no idea how things will be as there is no real master plan for getting any success (unless you want to go on X Factor and trash like that!), so you have to appreciate all the little things that you experience like getting your first gig, getting people dancing to your songs and also people telling you that they enjoyed your set. These may seem like small things to a lot of people but it makes the practising, the lugging of your gear and the late nights (especially when you have to get up early for work the next day!!) worth it. Its great being in a band with your mates and because we all genuinely get on, it makes being in the band a pleasure and I am personally very proud of how things have gone so far. The free Cocaine and unlimited groupies perk of being in band hasn’t reached us yet though, maybe next year!!”
Andy: “What I love about being in this band is that we all really get along as mates and in the practice room we are good communicators.  Also with our music we are individually inspired by different artists, some the same but some different. There are no boundaries to our song writing and everyone pretty much plays whatever they like so long as it fits.”

Are you working on any new material? And if so when and where can your fans get to it?
R: “Quinn, our new drummer is still getting to grips with the material, so we are gradually trying to learn new songs. Myself and Rupert EagleOwl have written a lot together recently, and Jimmy is trying to contribute as well. New songs can be heard at our gigs, visit the myspace for listings and we’ll record new songs just as soon as we have enough money. So about a week, next decade.”

What does the future hold for the Archie Wah Wahs?
R: “I went and had a psychic reading and was told that I will get as much out of music as I puts in and I am going to have alot of success in relationships.”

What musical influences are behind the Archie’s?
R: “I could list off a load of my favourite bands, but I don’t think any bands has influenced me more than Nirvana to play the guitar and sing in the first place and the Beatles to write varied types of music.”
J: “My personal influences are Oasis, Smiths, Joy Division and Soul Wax”
A: “All of the above, plus Paul Weller, Van Morrison and Kings of Leon.”

Do any of you have any cheeky stories about each other that you would like to confess to me and our readers?
R: “I haven’t known Quinn long enough to have any stories about him, yet. But Andy can’t come to Jimmy’s home town of Sittingbourne without getting abused, the first time we went, he got chips from the Kebab house and tried to take the piss out of some girls when they verbally abused him and knocked his food out his hands, they were only about 14! Then six months later, he came back and the same girl saw him in the High Street and her and all her friends were laughing at him again, ha ha.  ..and Jimmy once got a reach around from Kriss Akabusi, whilst being strangled by Michael Hutchence.”
J: “Quinn’s nipples taste like Pineapple. If you put some mature cheddar cheese in your mouth and then lick his nipples, it’s quite a sensational taste!!”
A: “While we were without a drummer a short while back, we played acoustic and I got a minor technical fault.  Rich freestyled a new song blowing trumpet sounds with his lips to break the silence, Jimmy picked up the tambourine and I joined in playing the fish… was totally unexpected but the crowd loved it and that’s what matters!”

What’s a fish? Nevermind. I particularly like your track ‘Stale Bread & Lumpy Milk’ where did the inspiration for the song come from, not from the contents someone’s fridge I hope?
R: “It’s about a girl I dated for a few months, when I was 18. She had a messed up childhood (which I write about in a song called ‘No Luck’) and she never really got over it. She passed away in 2005, but I wrote this song before then. Every now and then, I blow a kiss up to Heaven for her and yes that was the contents of her fridge.”

Another favourite is “Decoy” what about the inspiration for that one?
R: “Another ex, ha ha, not all my songs are about ex girlfriends. I won’t name her, but she was too vane, too sensitive and too straight-laced.”

If you could liken your sound to any other band who would it be?
R: “Well, for years I tried my best to be original and not sound like anyone but all that happened was I wrote loads of sh** music. So now I just try to write music that I like, and the band sound comes from everyone’s separate input. We’ve been likened to Vampire weekend by a few people but I can’t think of anyone we really sound like.”

What’s the biggest gig you have played so far?
R: “I guess the most high profile gig was at the Tap N Tin, headlining for a London promoter, with a Camden based band called ‘The Dash’ and a Brighton band called ‘Imightdisco’. Both really good bands who’ve supported signed bands including BabyShambles. Ha ha, sounds like I’m name dropping, except it wasn’t even us who supported ‘em…… Of course, the only reason we headlined that gig, is because the other bands had to get back to Camden and Brighton. (During our set, probably)”

What’s the best venue you have played?
A: “Beacon Court Tavern in Gillingham.. they have a back stage room and a wicked sound system!”
R: “My favourite venue, is a Gillingham Pub called ‘The Barge’, where we play at the open mic night, first Wednesday of every month. We also played an Oxjam fundraiser there, for ‘Medway Eyes’ who are a group of Photographers, run by Lisa and Phil Dillon. They are doing great things for music and art in the local area. I love the Barge, just because you get all types of music down there and everyone is respectful of whatever you do.”

Where would you love to play?
R: “At a Nature reserve, where all the animals are free and happy and Glastonbury.”
J: “We want to start gigging in London and places like Brighton pretty soon, so I guess the answer to the question is anywhere in London and Brighton!”

What’s playing on Archie’s stereo at the minute?
R: “I’ve got about 12,000 tracks on itunes and I usually put it on random. Been listening to a lot of folk recently and a French group called M83. Oh and Rupert EagleOwls slightly cheesy, tongue in cheek solo music at www.myspace.com/ruperteagleowl”
A: “I have been listening to the original Fleetwood Mac stuff in my car lately if you like a bit of ‘rhythm and blues’.  Nothing like the modern day R’n'B chart sh**e you get these days.  Also been listening to The Cure, Franz Ferdinand, Be Your Own Pet and The Ting Tings.”
J: “Without trying to sound like a miserable old git a lot of the new music around is pretty bland and after you have listened to a song a couple of times, it becomes boring or you don’t hear it anymore because record companies want to throw the ‘next big thing’ down your throats again. Despite this, I’m getting into a band called Grizzly Bear and I also really like White Lies as well, so there are some golden nuggets in the big shiny turd that is ‘modern music’!!”
R: “You do sound like a miserable old git!!!!!”
J: “I know, ‘cos I am.”

I have noticed the lack of Andy’s moustache will it be making another appearance or have you moved on and left it behind?
R: “I hope Mr. Mooooooustache comes back soon, think he left because of musical differences. I like the way Andy sported that Mexican style tash for about a year and a half and then two days before we played at Poco Loco (Mexican Restuarant) he shaves it off.”
A: “It’s a seasonal tash, it only grows in the winter.”

If you could do a duet with someone (alive or dead) who would it be and where? The moon is included.
R: “If the moons included, I’ll duet the moon’s song about Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin dancing on his face and the other one who flew to the moon, but didn’t even get out to stretch his legs, what a Mook.”
A: “Can we just have a jam rather than sing duets to each other all day?”
Yes that’s fine.
A: “Cool, I grew up listening to a legend and for this would have to say a jam with Paul Weller who would teach me a thing or two, in a sunny park, with peanut butter sandwiches.”
J: “People always bang on about Elvis being the King of Rock N Roll, but for me the King is definitely Jerry Lee Lewis. If you can check out his early live stuff, you can see where punk music got its energy and rhythm. Also, Phil Spector was a genius as well. Unfortunately recent events will tarnish him but people shouldn’t forget how amazing he was back in the day. The Ronettes ‘Be My Baby’ is a f***ing amazing tune. Also got to mention Soulwax/2 Many DJs as well, they have the magic touch and nobody else can touch them at the moment in terms of producing, Djing and as a live band as well.”

Got any favourite local bands?
A: “When we first started out gigging we played a couple of venues with The Racket who had a right lively kick to their repertoire.  Sadly that band is reconstructing at the moment but check out their myspace they still have a few tracks on there.  Also look out for ‘The Onlookers’ and ‘Needs Must’ because they rock!”
R: “My two favourite local acts are ‘Slap Alice’ who writes beautifully dark lyrics, over catchy acoustic guitar and a folk duo called ‘Falling Lucid’ who have really good songs that sound current and old at the same time. Also like ‘Tyrannosaurus Alan’, ‘The Racket’ (Nick Curtis and Dave Tabor), ‘The Flowing’, ‘Didi Bergman’, ‘The Gizmo’, ‘The ShagMonroes’, ‘Unlucky Fried Kitten’ and ‘Needs Must’.”
J: “Got to say our partners in crime, ‘Nick Racket and Dave T’. Also, ‘The Suggestions’, ‘The Flowing’ and ‘Tyrannosaurus Alan’. My personal favourites are a band from Dartford called ‘Falzones’. They have got some wicked tunes and are probably (in my opinion) the best band we have played with.”

What do you think of the Kent music scene?
R: “Musically, I think it’s great. Really diverse, but it’s let down by a lack of good venues in my opinion.”

If you lived your life by a philosophy what would it be?
J: “Don’t eat yellow snow, look both ways before you cross the road and never talk to stranger’s usual stuff really.”
R: “You stole them from Charlie didn’t ya?????  Charlie said, always tell your mum where you are going before you go out!!!!!”
R: “The Swan could brake a man’s arm with just a simple twist of it’s neck, but the female Swan could brake a male Swan’s Heart, with just ……..a Glance!!!!! Read into that what you will. Or my philosophy for sex and fighting is there will always be someone bigger and better than you but either way if you kick ‘em in the testicles, you’ll probably win.”
A: “I believe in good people.  If you surround yourself with good people you’ll have a good life!”
R: “You must have the best life ever, with us around.”
A: “I do, kiss kiss.”

If the Archie Wah Wahs could be a superhero which one and what special powers would they have?
R: “‘Owl Man the Profit’ with the power of wisdom and knowledge of self. He defies the laws of physics and drops Science like Einstein right in Newton’s chevvy chase.  He fights against the ignorance of  ‘Brian Buzzard the Rimmer’ They grew up together in an Orphanage, ‘Owl Man the Profit’ learnt to understand what happened in his youth and used that knowledge for good but ‘Brian Buzzard the Rimmer’ refused to understand his youth and now does to others what was done to him.”

Love or hate?
R: “The Archies love to love. I once overheard my Brother saying a positive mantra to himself “I am powerful and I am loved…..I am powerful and I love…..I am powerful and I love it”  That made me chuckle, but if it works maybe that’s the philosophy to live by, LOVE!!!!!”

Sweet or savoury snacks?
R: “Don’t try and probe into our psyches with a question of such depth, answering this would leave us psychologically naked.”

Cats or dogs?
R: “I’ve always had and always loved cats, don’t really get on with Dogs they’re too needy.”
A: “Dags.”

If you could be an animal what would you be?
R: “I’d be a Shark and team up with George as Detectives Sharky and George, Crime Busters of the Sea, Sharky and George, solve any Mystery.”
J: “A Hyena, I reckon it would be a proper laugh being one of them (see what I did there!?!?….)”
A: “A dog because it gets looked after, gets fed, gets a bed, gets a walk a day, chases cats, can play ball, and gets to piss in public without getting arrested… not a bad lifestyle for an animal if you ask me.”

A: “can I ask one last Question of my own????? Quinn, what is your Surname??????”
Quinn: “Brierley.”
A: “Thanks”
J: “Ha ha, Quinn isn’t even really here”
R: “Does he even exist, or is that another thing we need to talk to our therapists about?????”

J: “Bye everyone, stay classy”
A: “and thanks for stopping by”
J: “but mainly, stay Classy”
R: “by the beard of Zeus”

You can read our review of the EP (titled: Pieces) here.

 

For the latest information, check the band’s official myspace page:
www.myspace.com/archiewahwahs

All photos courtesy of Phil Dillon, www.phildillon.co.uk.

Tags: 2ManyDJ's, Andrew J Martin, Archie Wah Wahs, Babyshambles, Be My Baby, Be Your Own Pet, Beacon Court (Gillingham), Buzz Aldrin, Dave Tabor, Decoy, Desmond Dekker, Didi Bergman, Elvis, Falling Lucid, Falzones, Fleetwood Mac, Franza Ferdinand, Glastonbury Festival, Grizzly Bear, Imightdisco, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy P Decarte, Jo Lawford, Joy Division, Kings of Leon, Kriss Akabusi, Lisa Dillon, M83, Medway Eyes, Michael Hutchence, Needs Must, Neil Armstrong, Nick Curtis, Nirvana, No Luck, Oasis, Oxjam, Pat the Hat, Paul Weller, Phil Dillon, Phil Ferrer, Phil Spector, Pieces (EP), Poco Loco (Chatham), Quinn Brierly, Richard J Braund, Rupert T EagleOwl, Sittingbourne Culture Festival, Slap Alice, Soulwax, Stale Bread & Lumpy Milk, Tap n Tin (Chatham), The Barge (Gillingham), The Cure, The Dash, The Flowing, The Gizmo, The Onlookers, The Racket, The Ronettes, The ShagMonroes, The Smiths, The Suggestions, The Ting Tings, Tyrannosaurus Alan, Unlucky Fried Kitten, Vampire Weekend, Van Morrison, X-Factor

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