We are Band Of Skulls AMA!

New album is sick!!! I'm a huge fan, saw you guys in austin about a year ago, you guys killed it! Matt you are a beast! What new bands do yall listen to?

Broken Hands, Fat White Family, Drenge, Anna Calvi

I love your sound and it is very distinctive. Even with the progression of Himalayan I can tell I'm listening to "Band of Skulls". Who would you consider your favorite artist comparison?

On the flipside...are there any bands that folks say you sound like that you don't agree with or care for?

we dont really compare ourselves to anyone but its reassuring to know that bands like QOTSA are true to their roots and still making highly individualistic music now.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys perform at 2000Trees festival later this year! What's your favourite festival and why?

favourite festival, really enjoyed our first Bonnaroo a couple of years ago but playing home festivals is great as they were the ones we went to do as drunk children

Hey guys, exactly how long did it take for Matt to grow his tremendous beard? And Russell…why did you cut yours?

its the same beard, we just lease it.

Hey guys! First of all, thanks for your wonderful performance last night at Tivoli. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I feel privileged to have seen you there before they’re closing the place down.

So this question is actually for Emma. You're also an abstract artist and I find your work very fascinating (Rorschach, Rubens, Fazzini_by_Pericle_Fazzini_in_Vatican_Museum.jpg), Hieronymus Bosch, Goya, it's all in there if I look at at long enough). I know your responsible for all the album art. Can you tell us something about the art on Himalayan?

Yes we used the sound waves from the song Himalayan and fed it into a computer program to create the cover. It fits with the other album artwork and looks like this record sounds.

Hey, loved your gig last week in Manchester!

Also love the new sound on the Himalayan album, although I seen a crappy review in The Sun. What was the inspiration behind it, and what do you think about the criticism?

we make music we like...

Can you reschedule your show at First Ave in Minneapolis? I have a final exam 270 miles away and will be unable to attend.

ask Prince.

How did you guys first get recognised?

Playing at our clubnights in Southampton/London.

I know you guys are coming to Canada, and have announced few tour dates. Any chance you'll be playing Ottawa?

We love Ottawa, i hope we can come back.

Hendrix or Page? Are you planning coming to mexico? Any predictions on the world cup (brazil)?

bit of both please. we hope to come to Mexico again soon

where is the place that you guys always wanted to play?

Hollywood Bowl.

How would you say the albums are different and do you think there is any reason for these differences?

They are always a snapshot of us at a point in our lives.

Hi guys!
What's your favourite thing to do in southampton? Loved the Joiners gig!

Play a hometown show.

Favourite band that nobody will have heard of?

The Peddlers

I know you're all songwriters, so you all probably contribute to the final version of a song, but is there one of you who tends to bring more ideas/riffs to the table?

not really. but sometimes you can't help finishing a song.

Crazy or creepiest moment while touring?

the shamrock shake in LA

(it was an earthquake)

I can't WAIT to see you guys live in Toronto this month! I've been a fan for a while, but this will be my first time seeing you guys!

What's your favourite drink?

you buying?

Favorite song to perform live?

Asleep At the Wheel, opening track of the show

Emma, do you have any art at the gallery downtown here in Victoria BC? My room-mate had heard that you've had some stuff there whenever you're in town for a gig.

Also, do you guys prefer playing for big arena crowds or smaller, more intimate venues?

I don't but maybe one day! We like all sizes of venue, its great to have the crowd a foot away eyeballing you as well as the big festival stages where you can maybe make a few new fans of people who've not heard of you.

What part of the world have you enjoyed playing the most?

The places we've never been to before.

Why did you choose to play Bloomsbury Ballroom? And are anymore UK tour dates coming other than Sonisphere?

it's fun to play more unusual venues, the ballroom was just that. more dates in the uk later this year. fo sho

Hi guys! You make some pretty awesome videos, my personal favorite being The Devil Takes Care Of His Own. It's really cool that bands like you guys still put effort into making great videos, despite it being way less of a profitable marketing medium.

What are/were some of your favorite music videos?

THat one was filmed at the old BBC TV building.

What, if anything, changed for the band when Light of the Morning got used for those Mustang commercials?

Did you see a marked increase in popularity/purchases in your music?

I ask because that's how I found out about Band of Skulls in the first place. Wondering how many other fans you got from that. Thanks!

It's hard to quantify, but every way you get music to people helps in the long run. that was the first time that we did something on that scale.

Do you really like Miracle Whip deviled eggs?

Its all we eat.

I can't order sweet and sour chicken from a chinese restaurant without humming the song for the next week (not that that's a bad thing).

So my question is what's your favorite chinese food?

Won ton damage

What inspired you to make the song "I feel like ten men, nine dead and one dying"?

was the saying of my great grandad. russell

I've seen you twice- once with The Black Keys and the other at Leeds 2012! Of all the bands you've played with, were there any that you were seriously starstruck meeting?

not yet. maybe a stone or a beatle.

[deleted]

there was a vintage strat that played itself.

Love your music! Seeing you in Munich next week.

Quick question, you said that "Nightmares" gets to you in a recent interview. If it isn't too personal, what is that song about and why does it stir up emotions within you?

I met you guys when you opened for QOTSA, you were the coolest most humble musicians I have ever met. Really inspiring and way better than QOTSA haha. LOVE Himalayan!

omniphobia the fear of everything. we all have a fear of something.

What's the mandatory item for each of you on your tour riders?

Bowling balls.

Cadburys Creme Eggs....'How d'you eat yours..'?

inhale

your new album really surprised me, you guys are great! do you guys have preferences in instruments brands?

fender/Gretsch

Hey guys, first off, hope the tour is going great, really trying to catch you this time around!

My first question is for Russell: Your choice of amps strikes me as pretty unique, I don't think most people would think of using a Fender Vibro-King for as heavy a sound as you get in a lot of songs, especially when paired with a Jazzmaster. Is there anything in particular that drew you to this choice, or was it more about what was available?

My next question is to everyone: Is there any advice you can give to aspiring musicians who want to pursue any sort of career in the music business?

Cheers, D-M-N

it's just that. an unusual choice, but i graduated from a deville. a blues sound made heavy. elvis costello was the jazzmaster.

I caught you at ACL two years ago when the rain shorted out your equipment. I'd have to say that when you retook the stage after sorting things out that moment will go down as one of the greatest concert moments of my life. Truly amazing. Thank you! Anything you could share about that moment that maybe we didn't know? It seemed like maybe you were limited on what you were able to play equipment-wise after that point.

I love the new album, I've probably already listened to "You Are All That I Am Not" and "I Feel Like Ten Men..." a dozen times each. Looking forward to catching you for the third time in May!

yeah. we were waiting for god to throw a bolt.

I saw you the first time when you opened for QOTSA in Milan, I loved it! I was awestruck.

That day you also performed for the first time a song, which one was it? I can't remember the title.

How was opening for QOTSA? How's Homme?

I'll see you in Rome. :D

The Queens are badass gents. don't mess with the Homme.

If I make the drive to see you in Toronto or Montreal is there any way I could get your autographs?

we try to be around after the shows, so come and say hi.

Hi Emma! Who is your favorite painter?

Francis Bacon

Just saw you in Glasgow last week. Amazing as always (4th time seeing you). We were kinda gutted yous didn't come up to one of the bars after (maybe you did and we missed you). I briefly met you at Leeds festival meet and greet as well (I was wearing a foo fighters "davey grolton top, not that you'd remember me) but it was so great to meet you. Been a fan for ages.

I don't even have a question I just wanna say the new album is totally amazing, my favourite songs being I Feel Like Ten Men and Hoochie Coochie. Come back to Scotland soon, this time we should hang out and get a pint!

We did go out, sorry we missed you.

Hey, I saw you guys at Shepherds Bush Empire last week, thanks for the awesome night :) My questions are: Do you prefer playing old or new stuff at gigs? And Emma, what's your favorite bass?

A mix of new and old. fender P bass with the antigua paint job.

How tall is Emma? She seemed to dominate the stage at Lollapalooza 2012.

More seriously, does touring with huge acts such as Muse feel intimidating, encouraging, etc. ?

Thanks for the AMA, and for a great new album!

Tall enough. its a great way to learn about playing bigger shows.

Hey, Saw you at southampton guildhall a few years back and again last week at the London Shepard Bush Empire, (both were incredible!) Is there any chance of you coming back to play in Southampton again?

yes. we are working on it.

Russ - favorite guitar pedal?

The next one.

Are you planning on playing at the top of the Himalayas anytime soon?

no. but outer Mongolia is nice this time of year.

Did anyone change up their gear for this album?

some Gretsch drums.