Photography credit: Mike Smith

Juice are an indie/rock band from Birmingham in the UK. Last year they blasted out their debut single ‘Sugar’, an indie anthem packed with grinding guitar riffs and sultry vocals.
Described by Phil Taggart of BBC Radio 1 as “How good rock and roll is made”, Juice are back and bring with them their explosive second single ‘Acid Kids’.
With the release of their hot new single we decided to squeeze the Juice and asked Matt and Davis from the band a bit about themselves and Juice.

 

How did you first get into music and what spurred you to start making it?

Davis: I remember a music teacher in, like, primary school played the class Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and everyone was laughing and sniggering, but as soon as I got home I got straight on eDonkey2000 and downloaded that shit. It riddled my computer with viruses and got me grounded but it was so worth it. That was it from there, hooked. Thanks Mr. Maddox.

Matt: My dad played me a lot of The Clash and Led Zeppelin from an early age and I knew that was what I wanted to be doing. They were – and still are – very supportive of me buying my first bass from a shitty music store which is now a Sainsbury’s. Though it wasn’t until two years ago that I started taking it all seriously and making my own music.

Did you learn from a teacher or were you self-taught?

Davis: I had a teacher for like 2 lessons at school, but he was a pisshead and crashed his car into a tree, so naturally he got the sack!

Matt: I’ve had a couple of teachers, but the one I learned the most from was Dave who really opened my eyes to different kinds of music.

If you could choose anyone, past or present, to collaborate with – who would you choose?

Davis: Shane MacGowan – every time,

Matt: Fela Kuti – dude knew how to bring the funk.

What is it that you most enjoy about creating/playing music?

Davis: It’s better than watching the news.

Matt: Keeps me off the streets innit.

What do you imagine you would be doing if you weren’t doing music?

Davis: Googling pictures of Shane MacGowan,

Matt: Being funemployed.

If you were stuck on a desert island and could take 5 tracks to listen to and one possession of yours, what would they be?

Davis – “A CD player to listen to them on”
You’re Gorgeous – Babybird

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GzpcN3vy_Q?rel=0&w=640&h=113]

Only Fools and Horses Theme – John Sullivan

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E9uy_CAQUQ?rel=0&w=640&h=113]

Rabbit – Chas & Dave

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOSseI1hao8?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Here Comes the King – Snoop Lion

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pROPMG471GQ?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Hands – Macy Gray

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lv1iBJGYRA?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

 

Matt – “Bubblegum Bob”
The Day the Niggaz Took Over – Dr. Dre

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5tq01W_ezM?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Backseat Freestyle – Kendrick Lamar

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZW7et3tPuQ?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Fuck Tha Police – N.W.A.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jOqOlETcRU?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Get None) – Snoop Doggy Dogg

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0V-fxo9CE?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

Wheels Of Confusion/The Straightener – Black Sabbath

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qx1vs2NJ6M?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=113]

 

What’s your favourite piece of equipment to make/play music?

Davis: I used to live with a guy who owned a sitar, ended up thinking I was George Harrison for the good part of a year.

Matt: One of my best Gumtree finds was a Yamaha organ for £45.

If you had to choose just one of your own tracks that you are most proud of, which would it be?

Davis: Tommy Slow Down cause it’s about a friend of ours who drives like a maniac.

Matt: Lady Groove because it’s where I really started to gel with Davis and Damon.

What are your plans for the next year?

Davis: Getting it done! Gigs, releases, festies, 4 stinking lads in a van.

Matt: Working out how to control birds with my mind.

What advice would you give for other aspiring musicians?

Davis & Matt: Stop talking about it and fucking do it!

Hear Juice’s latest single Acid Kids:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMi-mqCgw98?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=640&h=360]

Juice

 Website – juicebanduk.tumblr.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/JuiceBandUK

 Twitter – twitter.com/JuiceBandUK

 YouTube – www.youtube.com/user/btownjuice1

SoundCloud – soundcloud.com/juicebanduk