Not SquaresFrom: United Kingdom
It's the third instalment of communing with the Devil week and it's the astonishing Not Squares who gave up their valuable time to share how they decided on the band name, their love of Shakin Stevens and getting drunk on tonic wine made by monks!
The Devil: Why Not Squares? What other names did you ponder before deciding it had to be Not Squares?
Not Squares : We took a good while to arrive at our moniker. It arrived at the end of a practice on a Saturday afternoon, whilst we talked about doing our first show. Someone jokingly muted that the crowd would think we were squares, to which the reply was ‘we’re not squares’ and it stuck. Previous to that we were called ‘that party band’ or ‘p band’ but only amongst ourselves. I guess that name drove our agenda in the beginning.
The Devil: Who are the biggest influences in your life and on your music?
Not Squares: Oof, that’s a tough one. We have a lot of influences: cheesy chips, Borges, Arthur Russell, Korg synthesisers, Barcelona music festivals and tonic wine made by monks.
The Devil: What was the first record you owned and what was the first record you ever bought with your own money?
Not Squares: My mum bought me a Shakin’ Stevens record when I was three as I used to dance to it when it came on the radio. I think it was called ‘Green Door’. The first record I remember buying with my own money was Queen’s greatest hits. I still have the Queen record.
The Devil: What makes Not Squares stand out from the millions of other bands across the world? What makes you unique?
Not Squares: Well apart from our Shakin’ Stevens influence (which is pretty unique), our raw attitude to dance music I think sets us apart from most of our contemporaries. We’re trying to create warm, raw and human music that leaves you no option but to dance. And also, we’re not too concerned about rules or opinions as we’re having way too much fun doing what we do to get bogged down in any of that stuff. And if you want to get technical we’ve got two bass players and no lead singer.
The Devil: Which bands or artists on the current music scene make your spine tingle?
Not Squares: The new Shit Robot record is pretty amazing. Today I’ve been listening to Ratatat, anything on Daptone Records, Siriusmo, Chromatics and Hudson Mohawke. Too many to list really.
The Devil: Favourite song?
Not Squares: Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon
The Devil: Favourite book?
Not Squares: My Haynes manual for my Volvo. It’s helped me out many occasions.
The Devil: Favourite Movie?
Not Squares: Back to the Future.
The Devil: Favour
ite website?Not Squares: www.timanderic.com
The Devil: Tell me something that you've never told anyone before.
Not Squares: I’ve still got that Shakin’ Stevens record stashed away.
The Devil: If you weren't in Not Squares how would you keep yourself occupied?
Not Squares: We’d be Ice Road Truckers like on channel 5. Awesome.
The Devil: If you were interviewing yourself what would your killer question be and how would you answer it?
Not Squares: All of the above and all of the above!
The Devil: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the Devil Has The Best Tuna readers?
Not Squares: Yep sure, we’re touring in England, Scotland and Ireland (sorry there Wales) in December so make sure you get to come out and see us play and wear your finest dancing shoes. And if you can't make it, buy our record and dance at home in your finest dancing shoes.
Go Try
Not Squares - Release the Bees by Teto Records
Not Squares - Asylum by Teto Records
Go Visit
Not Squares : Myspace : Last.FM
Go View
Not Squares
Release The Bees
Check out one of Not Squares current favourite flings...
MP3 - Chromatics - In The City (P.L.O. Remix)
This track is linked direct from the Chromatics Last.FM site and is therefore already freely available so please don't claim breach of copyright