Puppet Theory Interview
Puppet theory started at a local showcase at a local venue which launched them into the vast Manchester music scene where they have thrived well ever since.
I interviewed them to find out what their story is and who they are.
What was the first show the band ever played and what was it like?
We played a local showcase at Night and Day in Manchester. It was strange actually, because Johnny had booked the show before we even had a complete lineup! It ended up being more of a rehearsal/jam of a mish mash of songs from previous bands! It was pretty fun though!
The video for your newest song 'Papillion' is very interesting could you explain the concept behind it and its link to the song?
Well the song itself is all about being left on your own/let down, so we wanted this element to show through. We thought it’d be cool to show the story of how someone can be on their own and just disregard their surroundings and enjoy the world around them, regardless of time, place or situation. At the same time, the song is quite bouncy and catchy so having someone just throwing caution to the wind and dancing alone sounded fun. It was such a laugh to shoot. What you can’t see is the rest of us dancing in the streets of Manchester/Chesterfield so our actor didn’t feel like a COMPLETE idiot!
What made you interested in music at first was it a specific artist or just a natural love for it?
It’s slightly different for all of us, but we all just absolutely love music and the feeling we get from performing. For me (Chris), I was always a bit of a singer. I basically learned guitar to accompany my singing (and because I couldn’t stand my piano teacher). In terms of musical education and direction, though, it was The Cribs who made me the musician I am today!
What has been the best show you have played this year?
Any Manchester show in the past six months has just been unreal. We’re starting to build up a bit of a following at home now and the feeling we get when we look into the crowd and see people wearing our t-shirts and singing our lyrics is just unreal. We’re starting to realise why the biggest musicians just never get sick of playing their songs! The stand out show was probably The Deaf Institute in January. It was our biggest crowd personally and at one of our favourite venues in Manchester. We’d love to go back there at some point and completely pack it out!
What other musicians/bands influence your music?
We’re all into ‘rock’ in some capacity, but each of us has individual tastes which, in turn, influence our sound. Johnny is a big Guns N Roses fan so likes his shredded, distorted guitar. Paul and Niall like more modern, heavier stuff like The Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro, where Chris is big into his pop-punk and indie, so takes massive influence from The Cribs, The Strokes and, vocally, Paramore. Knowing all this, you can probably hear elements of each one in our final sound!
What is one album you as a band or individual member can't stop listening to?
Paul absolutely loves the Royal Blood debut album and the unique sound they’ve brought to the table over the last few years.
Not so much an album, but Chris is obsessed with Clean Cut Kid at the moment. The harmonies that those guys can produce are just outstanding. Vitamin C is an absolutely brilliant track - both acoustically and the full version!
Check out their newest track 'Papillion' below:
