Interviews: Pirate Copy

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Punk Rock band Pirate Copy from UK. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

We decided the name had to be a pirate/music pun, and we're pretty sure we nailed it. Pick up a pirate copy of Pirate Copy today!

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

Hahaha, well pirate punk rock is weirdly niche and surprisingly accessible at the same time! Our sound wasn't really a deliberate choice - we all brought our own influences and styles and just saw how it shook out - all we knew was it was gonna be fast and fun.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Ah,  it's  Cornwall,  so  we  all  have  a  million  connections.  We  all  went  to the  same  secondary  school.  The  Captain  and Johnny  D  have  been  best mates  since  before  primary  school.  Asthiki  and  The  Captain  played in a  band  called  100%  Lemur  Free,  and  gigged  with  Johnny  D's  Cheese Steak  Jimmys  when  they  were  all  teenagers.  The  Admiral  and  The Captain  used  to  present  a  punk  rock  show  on  a  local  radio  station. You  meet  anyone  new  down  here,  you've  always  got  at  least  one mutual  friend, so we all just kind of knew each other.

4. Each band member favourite band?

The Captain - Dropkick Murphys

Johnny 'Danger' Danger - The Beatles

The Admiral - Municipal Waste

Ashtiki The Caveman - Crass

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

A lot of our songs follow traditional hardcore themes of friendship and unity, while others delve into piratical events from both real and historic times, and then some are just for a laugh. We also take massive inspiration from our Cornish homeland, it's history, and tales of the sea.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was a particularly rowdy affair that actually took place in our local village pub! Packed to the rafters with people standing on the furniture, the PA was knocked down by an over-enthusiastic crowd, windows got broken, beer all over the ceiling - just carnage! That was almost a year ago now - it was the last gig before we locked ourselves away to get the album done, and the final outing of former Crewmate and uke-player Scarlett Van Dyke.

7. Where would you like to play?

Festivals! We absolutely love playing festivals - they're just perfect for us! We've been phenomenally received by crowds at Boardmasters, Leopallooza and 3Chords, as well as scores of big town and community festivals.

8. Who would you like to support? 

Ah, it would have to be the Dropkick Murphys! They've been a massive  influence on us, both musically and growing up - they really inspired us to take pride in our Celtic roots!

9. Who not?

Literally anyone who's up themselves or thinks they're better than anyone else. We're all about welcoming everyone and having a good time - no room for assholes or egos.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on

how to beat that? 

Our live shows tend to be pretty chatoic affairs, and that's taught us that there's really no point in worrying too much because you'll never know what to expect anyway! Find your perfect level of drunkenness that you need to be at for the start of a set. Enough that you lose any inhibitions and can jump around carefree, but not so much that you forget your songs and end up rolling around on the floor. Might take you a while to find the right level, as we know from experience.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Each member brings a different set of influences to the band which define the different elements of our sound. The Captain enjoys melodic hardcore and Celtic-punk, while Jonny D is a britpop and indie man. The Admiral loves a bit of thrash punk, while Ashtiki can be found blasting anarcho. It all comes together in a big clash of styles that we somehow work out into something we all enjoy! 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

One couple came up to us after a show, took us aside and told us they had a massive pirate fetish, then asked if the whole band (and this is when we were a sextet) would fulfil their fantasy of having a group of pirates share the girlfriend in front of the fella...

13. What do you think of your fans? 

We BLOODY LOVE 'EM! Everyone brings a brilliant attitude to our gigs, and everyone looks out for each other. We have a really loyal core of fans who come out to tons of our gigs, and it always pushes things to the limit when there's a bunch of us there getting things started!

14. What do you think of our site?

We're 110% behind anyone supporting new music! There's a phenomenal amount of unrecognised talent out there, but the incredible community that supports live music is what keeps it alive.

15. Something to add?

Turn a pint of rum into an elegant cocktail using only a tiny umbrella! Tune in next week to find out how!