Interviews: Borts

This is a new interview with the Punk band Borts from the UK. Check out the entire interview and give them a follow on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

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

It comes from one of the all-time great “The Simpsons” jokes. In the episode “Itchy and Scratchy Land” Bart can only find Bort license plates and is shocked to find that a lot of people are actually called Bort. We are all big fans of the show so once it was mentioned it was the only correct choice!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Punk Rock and Pop Punk have been the one musical constant throughout all of our lives. It is what comes naturally when any of us pick up an instrument. I think we would be forcing ourselves to play anything else.

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

We have all known each other since we were no good punk teens at the same school. James (drummer) used to have the drum lesson before me (Tom – Bass/vocals) before me and I remember him coming out of the little drum hut we had there. Dom (Guitar/Vocals) and I first connected over the fact that I had bought a Good Charlotte cd after school when we were 13; no comment on whether that was a good choice or not.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

James: Rancid

Tom: Jawbreaker

Dom: Joyce Manor (currently, anyway)

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Pop Culture inspires me to write songs and then I usually find a way to tie it into something I’m feeling particularly bad about at the time. Here is an example: I’m watching Frasier right now and I’m feeling lonely because I’m isolated. That’s a hit!

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Truck Festival in Oxfordshire and it was the most fun I’ve played in a while. We had a great crowd for being on so early in the day. Plus we stayed for the rest of the weekend to party.

7. Where would you like to act?

“The Fest” in Gainsville, Florida is my dream show to play. Every single year it is filled with the absolute best old and new bands in the genre. Once we’ve done that we can move on to “Riot Fest” In Chicago, Illinois.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We want to play with anyone who likes playing music and having fun.

9. Who not?

I’m open to anything but I wouldn’t want Drake or Taylor Swift to use their private jets any more than they have to already.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I find it useful to have a separate onstage persona. You can just think “hey it's not me going out there it's this funny, confident guy instead”.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I think all of our favorite bands listed above have been a big inspiration but also the classics of the genre like Descendents, Green Day, Bad Religion, etc.

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

I’m not sure that we are quite at the level for fans to be asking us for weird things. It has only been the usual things like setlists. I would like to take this opportunity to ask someone to give me something really weird.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think they're just great. I mean, 70% of them are probably our friends at this point, so obviously I love them dearly. But truly, anyone that's listened, come to a show, like a picture, whatever really - I love you too. Unless you're a piece of shit.

14. What do you think of our site?

Good shit. Anyone that supports small, independent, and DIY music is good in my books.

15. Something to add?

Thanks for caring about us. Oh, and Odenkirk for the Emmy.