INTERVIEW WITH WILL PROWSE (CARS AS WEAPONS)

Coming from Southend-on-sea (Essex), Cars As Weapons display a really addictive mix of melody, emotion and power.These guys make ambitious, dynamic and energetic rock.Some press would call it posthardcore, indierock, melodic hardcore...We don't know really, but we think that this is one of the most promising bands in the UK.Just listen to their music and judge yourself.We wanted to know more about the band and Will Prowse (vocals) was so kind to answer some of our questions...

1.Would you give us a short bio of the band? Previous projects, releases? What has happened with the band until now?

We formed around January 2001 in Southend. I got a phone call from Richie (Harwood, Drums) asking me (Will Prowse, Vocals) if I wanted to sing in his new band. I'd been in a couple of bands at Uni and during school, so it was exciting to be doing something again. Richie and Rob (Lawrence, Guitar) had previously been in a band called Stands To Reason, Andy (McCarthy, Guitar) was in a band called Impetigo, and Stu (Clapp, Bass) played in loads of bands, most notably Light of the Morning. Later that year (2001) we released our first single, 'In pieces' which we followed up in 2002 with our 'Bigger Pictures' EP both on an independent label called Freakscene. We signed to Bravestar in 2003 and went on to make our latest offering, 'Dear Strutter' with Walter Schreifels.

2.What is your opinion of the music scene right now? What are your views about independent labels/and the music industry in general? How do you see the future of music?

Underground/Alternative music is in a very healthy state at the moment, Alternative music is the new Pop. Read the NME over here and it's full of
bands that a few years back would have been labelled 'Alternative'.Although this time around they're winning awards left, right and centre at The Brits and selling heaps of albums and appeaing in the charts. Most of the Indies have been bought out by Majors or at least have some contection with all the leisencing that goes on. It's really hard to say what the future is as it really is a fickle industry. As far as I can see I think that more bands will be signing to Independents and doing things a little more DIY. Majors aren't directly signing bands, not unless you've been put toghter on national TV by public vote.

3.What does it mean "to be independent" these days? What would it be the motivation of "doing rock" today? What are the best ways for an independent band to gain exposure to a crowd that cares?

It's really difficult these days. Initially you've just got to get out there, and just play live. There's no guarantee people will like what you do, but if you keep plugging away, you'll find there are kids out there who'll listen.

4.What kind of role has the internet regarding music these days? How do you think the internet has affected the "underground music scene"?

Metallica would disagree, but I think the internet is the best thing to have happened to Music recently. It's a medium that's open to everyone.
And despite the record company gloom, CD's are still selling. I can understand musicians being concerned about downloading, but I truly
believe that if your stuff is good enough, people will buy the CD anyway.

5.Is your music "marketable"? What is "selling out" for you? Why your stuff or similar kind of music don't reach wider audiences?

I think any type of music is marketable. Andrew WK is proof of that.Enough media hype, and the punters will buy anything. I don't like to
think we'd ever consider 'selling out'. That term suggest that the band aren't happy with what they're doing. Play what you feel.

6.How would you describe your music to someone who haven't heard your music? What do you think you sound like?

I'd say it was Big, Passionate Rock with a lot of Soul (not in the Marvin Gaye sense of the word) and beautiful vocals!

7.What does it mean some genre-tags like emo, posthardcore, indie, etc to you?.

Generally tags are just helpful hints to the Kids to let them have some idea of what they're being sold. We don't sit easily in one category,
which I suppose can almost be a hinderance these days. We got called Screamo in one review recently which is a million miles away from us.
There's not a trace of screaming on any of our records.

8.Your recent EP "Dear Strutter· was recorded by Walter Schreifel? How was working with him? How did you contact him? Let us know something about the recording sessions.

It was great working with Walter. He was incredibly passionate about everything, and a real perfectionist. I must have spent hours on "Strutter". Richie knew Walter because Stands to Reason supported Rival Schools on tour a few years back. My favourite memory of the recording was on the very first day. Walter had fallen asleep on the way to the Studio, and had somehow managed to get Chocolate all over his face. When he woke up none of us told him, so he spent the morning meeting all these people from the sudio and from the label looking like he ate like a 2 year old.

9.Have you been really inspired/influenced by anyone? Where do you take your musical cues from-both now and in the past?

We all have loads of different influences, but I can only speak for myself. The very first band to make me fall in love with music was A-ha!
There are heaps that have inspired me. Pearl Jam, REM, The Stones, Neil Young ... the list is endless.

10. How do you go about writing songs? Where do you find your inspiration? What are your lyrics about?

The songs are written collectively, usually from an idea brought down by someone. We start off with the music, and flesh out the ideas together.
The vocals are normally the final part. Again, we all have a hand in the lyrics, so the songs are about widely different themes and issues. "Vital
Signs" off of Dear Strutter is deeply personal to me, but it would take ages to explain its meaning. We've chilled out alot these days.

11.Style over content or vice versa?

Vice versa, definitely. You can have a lot of style, but if there's no substance to back it up, you won't last.

12.Is there any kind of "concept" behind your records? Who decides the artwork? Is it important to you?

The artwork is extremely important. It's democratic, so we all have to agree on it. Although the idea for 'Dear Strutter' was a document of how
we feeling at that time. We wanted the record to document that. That's why it's like an envelope. We wanted it to be like a letter to the listerner. The title stems from that too. We were watching a comedian on TV all week called Mike Strutter, hense Strutter and we used 'Dear' to inkeep with the letter idea but it actually comes for a Deer that we saw walking around the grounds. These's a picture of a Deer on the artwork as well.

13.How is your live set in comparison with your recordings? How people react to you live shows? What's your perfect dream gig (location, other bands, audience)? Tell us something about your recent tour with Hell is for Heroes.

We've got a great set at the moment, a couple of newies in there with most of Strutter and "Failed Insomniac" from Bigger Pictures. My dream
gig would be to headline Wembley Arena with U2 opening for us! You did say dream, right? Our songs are made for big venues. Obviously the
audience would be there to see us rather than the other than U2! Honestly, The Hell Is For Heroes tour we just finished was amazing. They
were all such nice guys. Gigs are always really good when there's a good vibe between the bands.

14.What is your local scene? Is there anything good about where you live? Is there a good musical activity? Would you recommend some bands?

There was a hardcore scene in the early to mid 90's, with bands like Understand and Above All. All gigs back then, even local ones, seemed to
be sell outs. If you read a bands name in the press you would HAVE to be there. I saw some awful bands where the crowd were going mental! There isn't really a scene now as such, but there's a few bands in Southend who are all hopefully on the verge of getting some kind
of success. My favourites are RedJetson, who are very arty and Engerica. I also like Resin and Smother.

15.Tell us about your EPs: Bigger Pictures, Dear Strutter: differences, similarities, evolution, etc

I think Strutter is a real development. The songs are more vocally led, and we've made the songs slightly shorter, more direct. I love all the songs on Bigger Pictures, but if we were to re-record that record we'd make some changes. The obvious similarity is that Falling Off the Edges is on both records (but called Last Insightful Account on Bigger Pictures). Funnily enough, I think the version on Bigger Pictures is better. It's nice to contradict yourself sometimes. I'm really looking forward to writing an album, though. The new songs are coming along fast and I think on our next record you'll see a development again.

16.I think that you're ended your relationship with Bravestar after releasing "Dear Strutter". Why was that? Are you looking for a label for future releases? Have you contacted with any record company?

You're right there. The ins and outs of us leaving them are a bit complicated, but we basically all felt we needed someone who could take
us to where we want to be.

17.Have you toured outside UK or have you mainly played live in your area?

We're yet to tour outside the UK, but there may be some Spanish shows in the pipeline, as well as talk of some shows in France, Japan and the US.
To travel with the band would be a so good!

18.I love to talk about music so.What other things do you like musically? What's on your stereo right now? What kind of bands/artists do you like at the moment? What were the last records you bought?

I've got the Killers on my car stereo at ther moment, and Tom Waits on the one at home. I'm more into his [Tom Waits] old stuff. The last record I
bought was the new Green Day album. I had no interest in buying it, to be honest, but one of my friends played it to me Xmas Day, and I was really
into it.

19. Do you feel that your sound/stuff is improving every day? What do you think people can expect in the future from Cars as Weapons?

I personally feel we are getting better. We're writing a lot of new stuff at the moment and I'm psyched it's going so well so quickly. There'll be an album soon, which will give us the opportunity to present the full experience. The EPs have just been a taster.

20.Finally, what are your upcoming plans?

More shows, more songwriting, videos, tours, Number 1's, global domination, Brit Awards, Knighthoods. Which we'll reject, obviously!

Interview by Fernando Pérez Herrero.

Cars As Weapons Discography:

In pieces (3 track EP)

Bigger Pictures (EP)

Dear Strutter (EP)

Fernando Pérez Herrero