Formed in the summer of last year by Liverpudlian brothers, Billy and Mark Kulke (bass and guitar respectively), SOLE ASYLUM are a London-based quartet whose music is very much set in the 1990s yet draws inspiration from classic British bands such as LED ZEPPELIN and FREE. Now augmented by two Geordies, drummer 'Mad' Dave Anderson and vocalist John Phillips, they've managed to produce a demo of five quality soulful rock songs that are already causing something of a stir within the biz.
Collectively, they are proud of their northern origins and it turns out that their individual views are just as strong as the music they create.
Bassist and founder member Billy Kulke endeavours to explain why he and his brother took it upon themselves to form Sole Asylum.
"It's about putting British bands back on the map. There's too many British bands trying to be American, worrying about getting massive production and massive backing vocals. That's not what music's about at all."
Indeed, the foursome pride themselves on their ability to work as a team with any individual musical egos, pushed well to one side.
"This is a band," comments skin basher Dave Anderson. "It feels like everyone is on the same level. We've all got the same things on our minds when we play. There's more of a team spirit."
As already mentioned, they've already recorded a five-track demo tape which captures their intrinsic 'live feel.' There's the sensual stomp of "Like a Fire," the ZEPPELIN-esque groove of "Slave to Passion," the soaring rattle n' roll of "Schemes and Dreams," the lowdown, below-the-belt grind of "Could This Be Love," and the climatic cock rock of "Hard to Please." All display an essential quality for feel and an appreciation of those roots that makes them more than just a band hopping onto the nearest bandwagon.
Singer John Phillips has a classic British rock voice, a hybrid between a DAVID COVERDALE and a PAUL RODGERS, bassist Billy provides a solid hard rock foundation with the solid powerhouse drumming of Dave Anderson, while brother Mark lets rip with some versatile fretboard firepower.
The song-writing combination of the four, plus their no constraints, no compromise attitude towards the use of big choruses, may well be somewhat out of fashion, however, singer John is adamant that this is not the case.
"It's pointless if the chorus is good and the rest of the songs shit. If you listen to the drums, the bass, the guitar and the singing lines, they're all different in a way, but it all fits within the song structure and it all builds up to something. Some people will probably listen to the demo and pick it to bits but at the end of the day, we just went in for a live thing and recorded it in two days."
Billy backs up the point.
"We're not into writing hit singles, we write the songs we like and the music we like and build it from there. If the likes of Zeppelin didn't work to a formula, then why should we?"
As a unit, Soul Asylum have a true respect for their musical peers, i.e. Zeppelin and Free, but have little admiration for their immediate contemporaries. They believe that rock is an uncontrollable entity and that the industry as a whole has become too fixated with the image of new bands as a marketable tool to the detriment of the music. John points out that there's too many bands nowadays who just won't take any risks...
"That's why the likes of ROBERT PLANT, Coverdale, Paul Rodgers are still selling records from 20 years ago because there's real passion in what they're doing. You can't put a LITTLE ANGELS record on or a DARE record or a POISON record and sit there and get passionate. You cannot get a hard on to their music!"
The question then remains, do Sole Asylum want people to be sexually aroused by the music they create? Again, John is quick to hit the nail on the head.
"If you can't make the fucking socks of a woman in the audience fucking wet, then forget it. Women are the ultimate punters. If you listen to Coverdale's voice or Plant's voice, it sexually moves a woman."
No doubt they'll be termed sexist, yet drummer Dave takes this as a compliment.
"If anyone ever called me sexist, I'd shake their fucking hand. At the end of the day, people will want to shag their lass to a record they want, they want a bit of excitement in their life."
On to the subject of wetting the socks of the punters, Sole Asylum regard themselves as very much about being live and fully intend to tour extensively during the coming months.
"The plan is to get out there and do it," enthuses Billy. "We're trying to put a tour together for February/ March/ April and maybe get a few good support slots."
Finally, the last word comes from Dave whose adamant that Sole Asylum are poised to cut the formula and bullshit out of music.
"The kids can see through the plastic pants and the make-up. They just want a good rock and roll band with good music."
For more information on the band, send all correspondence to Soul Asylum, Riff Raff, P.O. Box 1900, London N5 1EP
Mark Crampton
Riff Raff
March 1992
2025 Note: Not to be confused with the similar-sounding Soul Asylum who were massive. Sole Asylum failed to hit it off but Billy later found fame and riches as a Riff Raff journalist and front man for LED ZEPPELIN tribute band LETZ ZEP.
2025 Note: Not to be confused with the similar-sounding Soul Asylum who were massive. Sole Asylum failed to hit it off but Billy later found fame and riches as a Riff Raff journalist and front man for LED ZEPPELIN tribute band LETZ ZEP.
0 comments:
Post a Comment