The Chinaskis interview 15/10/2024
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences
I’m a 44-year-old Scotsman living in Dallas, Texas, where I moved in 2017 with my job. I’ve been writing
music since I was about 15, and playing live solo, with bands and other artists since about 2001. The original
band was formed in 2010 in Glasgow with three longtime friends and drinking buddies. Initially the music
was an afterthought – we just enjoyed playing the music as a catalyst for touring around Scotland and
playing pubs and dive bars on the way, that was the initial vision. Round about 2015 we ramped it up and
really focused on the harmonies and dynamics, and after a hiatus of a few years I started a U.S. version of
the band – we’re definitely taking it quite a lot more seriously these days, and the vision is to keep playing
bigger gigs, get the music out there and hopefully land some support slots with bands that we adore.
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
My songwriting is deeply influenced by strong emotions. Many of my songs are political, expressing anger,
disappointment, and bitterness about the injustices I observe, especially here in the U.S., where I moved
from Scotland in 2017 for work.
I also write about heartbreak, hurt, and anger. Interestingly, despite being an incredibly optimistic and
positive person, I find it more productive as a songwriter to tap into these negative emotions. It helps me
remind others that they’re not alone in feeling them.
First and foremost, I’m inspired by strong emotions – some of the songs are quite political and reflect
feelings of anger, disappointment and bitterness at some of the injustices that I see in the world,
particularly here in my new home of the U.S.
I also like to write about heartbreak, hurt, and anger – the funny thing is that I’m an incredibly optimistic
and positive person, but for me as a songwriter it’s a lot more productive to connect to those more
negative emotions and remind others that they’re not alone in feeling them.
I’m also hugely influenced by music. I listen to music constantly, from when I get up to when I work, to
when I’m in the car or the gym… I’m always on a quest to find new sounds that inspire me or make me
think about songwriting differently. In terms of the artists who have influenced me most, I’d say the major
ones are R.E.M., The Replacements, Bob Mould, Neil Young, CSNY, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, St Vincent,
Biffy Clyro, The Smiths, Bob Dylan, Rocket from the Crypt, Joni Mitchell… there are so many!
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
It depends on the mood for me – we have party songs, we have angry songs, we have sad songs. Probably
the one I’m most proud of is “Sky Turn Black”, which is about a friend of mine who lost her husband very
suddenly in a brutal accident on a railway. They were in their thirties, had their whole life ahead of them
and then – bang – that was it, all of a sudden she was a widow and having to deal with the worst psychic
pain imaginable. I was lucky enough to get to make a documentary with her (my day job for a while was
film-making) about her story which ended up getting shown to hundreds of thousands of people across the
world – it changed my life and my career, and I really wanted to write a song that conveyed my amazement
at the inner strength and resilience that she showed to get through that and continue to live her life… so
when I wrote that song I cried, which made me realize it was worth writing. And when we recorded it and
put some beautiful pedal steel and harmonies on it, I cried again, it was very cathartic. So that’s my favorite
song and one I’m very proud of.
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2024
We’ve had a bit of a hiatus for writing and because of work commitments, and we’re currently looking to
recruit a new bass player, but are planning on some big shows towards the end of the year with a bit of
luck.
For me it’s all about taking the music to the next level – live and on record. We’re all huge music fans and
just want to make timeless, exciting music that celebrates the decades of artists that have all influenced us.
MM: What can we expect from you guys live
So I like to talk a lot, and I’ve done stand-up comedy, so we try to make our shows the perfect mix of
professionalism and fun. If you’re not leaving a Chinaskis show with a smile on your face and humming one
of our tunes, then we’ve done something wrong!
MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring
It’s very cool seeing new places and playing to new people, that’s always a buzz. The downside is being
away from home, usually spending more money on booze and food than we make, and coming back with a
hangover and an empty wallet!
MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies
Bob Mould, Rocket from the Crypt and Pearl Jam.
MM: Whats the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own) and why
The Chris Cornell tribute gig in LA in 2019. Soundgarden are one of my favorite bands of all time and when
Chris passed it was like a death in the family. I cried through this whole gig, it was like being at a wake.
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with
So many highlights since we dropped the album last year! Hearing my songs on the local FM station here in
Dallas was epic – we’ve been on a few playlists, and I still get random texts saying, “YOU’RE ON THE
RADIO!”. Playing our last gig to over 100 people who’d come to see us was HUGE as well.. seeing people I
didn’t know wearing our t-shirts, singing along – that was magic.
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
Tom Petty “Full Moon Fever” and REM “Automatic for the People”
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have people
watching you?
I was 21, I was completely nervous, and my legs were shaking so much I thought I was going to pass out. I
still have a video from that gig in 2001… suffice to say I’ve evolved as an artist since then!
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
Green Day, Everclear, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Cypres Hill
MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other person
Dimebag Darrell. Still my guitar hero, and completely redefined how heavy metal riffing could be and how
amazing the soloing could be.
MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?
For me it’s all about taking the music to the next level – live and on record. We’re all huge music fans and
just want to make timeless, exciting music that celebrates the decades of artists that have all influenced us.
MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
I’ve been listening to “Turn It On Again” by Phil Collins a lot. The drum sound on that song is fucking
incredible – would be great to cover it.
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
We’re fun to listen to and we don’t take ourselves too seriously… but we’re serious about creating melodic,
heavy rock music that’ll make you tap your feet, smile a bit and feel some shared emotions.
MM: Four words to describe you;
Boozy. Funny. Melodic. Scottish.
Final Words for your fans and our readers
Keep listening to and sharing the music of unsigned bands. It’s tough being a musician these days and as
fans it’s on all of us to keep guitar music at the forefront – that means going to shows, buying merch,
spreading the word and just listening to the music!