SKANEWS Webzine - Interview de TOO HOT du 09 juin 2000

TOO HOT
Interview June 9th 2000

Skanews : "The story so far..."

Too Hot : "Too Hot are an eight piece UK ska band based in South Devon, England, playing a blend of original material, Jamaican ska and classic Two Tone. They have existed with their current lineup since 1998 although the band played together with some different members in the early 90s.The band are collectively influenced by Madness, The Specials, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, The Beat, etc. Personal influences/favourites of band members also include The Beatles, The Who, Jazz Jamaica, Tower of Power & Frank Zappa."

Skanews : "Have you released some records before your actual album ?"

Too Hot : "The band have also released 2 EPs, 'Kicking Off' which featured 5 tracks is now sold out and 'Big Time' which featured 3 tracks is still available. Both EPs were recorded at Presshouse Studios and produced by Mark Tucker. The band distributed them on it's own label, Burn Your Fingers Records.Tracks have been featured on a number of compilation albums."

Skanews : "Can you introduce your new album"

Too Hot : "The new album, Nice 'n' Easy, was recorded by Mark at the same studio but this time the final mixing was done by Roger Lomas - famous for his work with The Selecter, Bad Manners, etc. It features 11 original tracks (no covers!). The style is varied, ranging from a laid back rocksteady feel to up-tempo, driving two-tone style. All tracks have the unmistakable Too Hot sound - Glyn's clear, soulful vocals, full brass, solid rhythms and most importantly - GREAT TUNES !"

Skanews : "Have you try to find a label (major, indie...) or a distributor for this record ?"

Too Hot : "We have been in contact with several labels and as soon as anything concrete is decided we will let everyone know via our website and mailing list."

Skanews "Is it hard to find a label in england for a ska band ?"

Too Hot : "There are very few labels for this kind of music in Britain, hence the band's own label."

Skanews : "Can you talk us about your lyrics ? have you some messages to say ?"

Too Hot : "Themes vary : girls ; the state of the nation ; being stuck in a job waiting for the weekend ; enjoying yourself."

Skanews : "Do you play some covers in your concerts ?"

Too Hot : "We play Sally Brown (Laurel Aitken/Bad Manners), Hands Off She's Mine (The Beat), Miss Jamaica (Jimmy Cliff), Guns of Navarone (The Skatalites), Gangsters (The Specials) and more than 20 of our own songs in a full show (1 1/2 hours). In a short set we may only play 1 cover."

Skanews : "what are your best memories in concert ?

Too Hot : "We played to over 25,000 people on the eve of the Millenium which was fantastic and a recent trip to Niewport, Begium was great fun."

Skanews : "what are your plans for the next month ?"

Too Hot : "We will play at Ska Fest 2000 in Morecambe and lots more venues around the UK."

Skanews : "Have you some plans to play in France or otherss countries soon ?"

Too Hot : "It is possible we will play in Europe by the end of the year but we have no confirm dates yet."

Skanews : "Can you talk me about actual ska scène in UK ? (bands, labels, distribution, concerts)

Too Hot : "We have no real scene as such in the UK but what we're trying to do is go out and play to as many people as possible - and we're succeeding as well. We play in as many different venues as possible, even those that normally don't feature live bands. Some big, some small. A normal crowd is made up of teenagers who may not have even heard of Madness, old skinheads and scooterists who dscovered ska in the seventies & eighties and people who discovered the music in the sixties. Anyone is welcome !"

Skanews : "Today, Ska is popular, a little bit popular or strickly underground in UK ?

Too Hot : "It would be more popular if people knew what the style of music was ! There is nowhere to hear it except at gigs. Certainly not on the radio or TV."

Skanews : "What to do think about the return of Madness and the Wonderful album ? Madness is not realy a Ska band, but do you think that this return of the nutty boys is good for all the ska scene in UK ?"

Too Hot : "It's not really a ska album but then they hadn't recorded a ska album since the early 80s. It's a good album but not their best. I don't think it has affected the scene here at all."

Skanews : "What do you think about actual or recent records from Selecter, Bad Manners etc..."

Too Hot : "I haven't heard the Bad Manners one but we heard the Selecter music when we played with them and Roger Lomas gave Glyn a copy of their Trojan Songbook album. It's okay but it seems to lack the excitement of the original records. This is just my opinion. They're both great live still."

Skanews : "Have you a message to tell to your fans ?"

Too Hot : "Please visit the site, request tunes from Jean-Pierre and write to us and say 'hello'!

Interview released by Jean-Pierre Boutellier from Skanews.

Thank you Rich !

Too Hot Website : http://www.skacity.freeserve.co.uk

Too Hot : "Nice n' Easy" (Burn Your Finger Records)

"Nice & Easy is a very good surprise for us. Too Hot is a band between The Hotknives from 89 / 91 and Intensified. This record is a very good mixture of 2-Tone influences, Early Reggae and Reggae music. Very good sound and production with a great mix from Roger Lomas (The Selecter / Bad Manners). "Just A Woman" with an energic bass, nice voice, skanking keyboard and sharp guitar is a perfect tune for a hit, like others songs of this record like "Just A Woman" or "I Don't Believe In You". I hope that Too Hot find a French distributor soon, because it's one of finest Ska band in the U.K.