Interviews: Sweet Ignitions

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Sweet Ignitions from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

Ah, naming a band is so hard! We just threw names out there and eventually just narrowed it down to words. Ignitions were liked and then Sweet was added in as it kind of described what we were doing. The music is loud, can be quite heavy but there’s all these beautiful melodies and harmonies coating it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The 90’s explosion of bands really impacted on us and so as young men you form your first band covering that music and I guess that it sticks with you so when you start writing music yourself.

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

Yes, Lino and Matt knew each other from school and played in bands together eventually going on to sign a record deal with their previous band Ruby Cruiser. That ended in chaos with arrests, the drummer in hospital and a night in the slammer so they disbanded quickly after. A couple of years back Lino and Matt separated with their wives within 2 weeks of each other so they got through it with alcohol therapy but then when Matt got a flat the guitars can out and Sweet Ignitions became a possibility. Their good friend Huw that they’d known for years was living no more than 200 metres away so he came around, they jammed and then laid down a few demos on garage band and it sounded good.....the hunt for a drummer was on! After a couple of unsuccessful auditions, they were introduced to Ty and Sweet Ignitions was born.  

4. Each band member favourite band?

Lino: It’s a close call between the Stones and QOTSA but I think that Queens of the Stone Age edge it.

Huw: If Mike Patton is involved then I’m in but Faith No More have had a huge impact on me. Actually, when we recorded our first two singles I noticed that Dead Cross was playing the Underworld in Camden so I treated the rest of the lads and got us tickets, it was great to see Mike Patton in action and we had an awesome night.

Ty: Well I’ve got a connection with Leeds as that’s where my dad comes from and it just so happens that one of my favourite bands too. It’s always tough to choose your favourite band but I’ll go with Spacehog.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Lyrically the events of marriages and relationships breaking down have been a big part along with the emotions of being down, frustrated, angry and depressed. Musically though it’s trying to channel that negative energy into a positive so the music comes out loud, hard but really makes you want to move. 

6. Where was your last gig?

We headlined Le Pub in Newport the night before last. It’s a great venue and we had a great gig. We had a guy onstage dancing around us which we let happen cause if he’s getting off on it then cool and we also had 2 encores so pretty successful.

7. Where would you like to play?

I think that playing anywhere with a band that love has to be great, getting to hang with them and see them play live... However, Reading or Glastonbury would be cool!

8. Who would you like to support?

Is that an offer? Who’ve you got for us! Lol. There’d be a huge list but right now whoever we can that we’d gel with musically. We want to get out to people and show what we’re about.

9. Who not?

Well, it has to be a good match. In Ruby Cruiser, Matt and I toured Goth bands playing to hundreds of people a night that just weren’t into what we were doing and we were in the middle of the bill so hard work! It all got good on the last date in London when we had our own fans turn up but not something that I’d be in a rush to repeat.

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

We’re all pretty seasoned so we don’t really suffer stage fright and we’re pretty confident in what we do. A little bit of nerves isn’t a bad thing though. I probably shouldn’t say this but a few beers before you go on certainly helps too, a bit of Dutch courage and all that!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I think that the bands you first get into will always have a massive impact and we were all brought up on the classics, the Stones, Who, Zeppelin etc. From there it’s the bands that you get into in your teenage years so the whole American explosion of the 90s has been influenced. Personally for me Slash too, he’s still my guitar hero and that’s somebody that I would love to meet! 

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

My wrist band that I use when I play live so that I don’t cut my wrist to pieces. I didn’t have a problem with it but after about 5 gigs into the tour, I was in two minds about keeping it myself! 

13. What do you think of your fans?

We have people who have really been behind us and we’ve seen them come to our gigs repeatedly. We can never thank them enough and always take the time to speak to them at gigs, it really does mean a lot and mean that you are doing something right.

14. What do you think of our site?

Sites like this and people like you who take the time to write about new bands are amazing. It’s hard work to get your name out there so this is a vital platform and we’d like to thank you for writing about us, it means a lot.

15. Something to add?

Yeah, thank you again for this interview and to everybody reading come check us out. Our FB page has some interesting stuff on it including acoustic versions of our singles and hopefully we’ll see you on the road!