Greg solo at Overground. All photos by Rock Philosopher
And we're back! This time with a Q and A with the Dubliner Greg Morrissey of newly formed Bangkok indie rock band, The Pillers featuring Greg on vocals and guitar, Gary Boyle on bass, Iman Ismail on drums and Chigusa Tomita on trumpet. Greg has been living in Bangkok three years and after doing the odd solo performance finally put the band together. On the 26th of November,his band The Pillers are playing with Marching Church and Hariguem Zaboy at Jam Cafe. Check it out.
And give it up for Greg Morrissey.
And give it up for Greg Morrissey.
Greg at Fatty Fest. Iman background,
Sum up The Pillers in three words.Lovingly crafted sound.
Is it an honor to share the surname of Steven Patrick Morrissey? Were you a fan of The Smiths or Morrissey?
I’m a huge fan of The Smiths. I think they were one of the most important bands of all time. They’re definitely a big influence. People tell me that they hear Morrissey in my singing style, which stands to reason, given the years I spent crooning along to him in my bedroom, wielding an imaginary bouquet.
I wouldn’t say I feel honoured as such to share his name, though. It’s nice that people make the connection and it meant quite a lot to me when I was younger. But now I don’t really think about it. It’s just my name.
What kind of person is going to love your music?
I hope that anybody who’s a fan of good music will love us! We try to do stuff that’s interesting and intelligent. So I hope that people connect with our style and our ideas.
How do you feel when performing live?
I absolutely love it. It’s one of the great pleasures of being a musician. Provided we don’t screw up, of course.
Is it an honor to share the surname of Steven Patrick Morrissey? Were you a fan of The Smiths or Morrissey?
I’m a huge fan of The Smiths. I think they were one of the most important bands of all time. They’re definitely a big influence. People tell me that they hear Morrissey in my singing style, which stands to reason, given the years I spent crooning along to him in my bedroom, wielding an imaginary bouquet.
I wouldn’t say I feel honoured as such to share his name, though. It’s nice that people make the connection and it meant quite a lot to me when I was younger. But now I don’t really think about it. It’s just my name.
What kind of person is going to love your music?
I hope that anybody who’s a fan of good music will love us! We try to do stuff that’s interesting and intelligent. So I hope that people connect with our style and our ideas.
How do you feel when performing live?
I absolutely love it. It’s one of the great pleasures of being a musician. Provided we don’t screw up, of course.
The Pillers at Speakerbox
We’re aware of the possibility of your drummer Iman Ismail leaving Bangkok - what would you do if that happens?
Probably sulk quite a lot at first. Then we’ll just have to do our best to find an able replacement.
What has been the highlight of your music career thus far?
I’d say it was when my old band The Breaches made our album Every Day Life Is Getting Better. I still think it was a great musical achievement, even if we never made it!
Is there a particular goal musically?
At the moment we’re just playing for the sheer enjoyment of it. We do hope to record an album before long, though.
If listeners only heard one of your songs, which would you want them to hear?
I like all of our songs. But if we were to release a single, it would probably be The Living End.
You are opening for Marching Church on November 26th. What do you think of them?
They’re a very exciting band. Got some really good songs and a fair bit of style.
What is one thing you want fans to know about The Pillers?
We put a lot of love and care into what we do.
Probably sulk quite a lot at first. Then we’ll just have to do our best to find an able replacement.
What has been the highlight of your music career thus far?
I’d say it was when my old band The Breaches made our album Every Day Life Is Getting Better. I still think it was a great musical achievement, even if we never made it!
Is there a particular goal musically?
At the moment we’re just playing for the sheer enjoyment of it. We do hope to record an album before long, though.
If listeners only heard one of your songs, which would you want them to hear?
I like all of our songs. But if we were to release a single, it would probably be The Living End.
You are opening for Marching Church on November 26th. What do you think of them?
They’re a very exciting band. Got some really good songs and a fair bit of style.
What is one thing you want fans to know about The Pillers?
We put a lot of love and care into what we do.
Bassist Gary Boyle at Fatty Fest with The Pillers.
Who are your three favorite singers of all time?
David Bowie, Nick Cave and Scott Walker.
If you had to replace your entire band because they spontaneously combusted, who would you replace them with? You can choose anyone from music history dead or alive.
Mani from The Stone Roses on bass and maybe John French from The Magic Band on drums. If I could get another guitarist in it would probably be Eddie Hazel. Don’t know many trumpeters. I suspect Miles Davis might be overqualified.
Choose 5 albums to bring to an island where you will spend the rest of your life in solitude only with these 5 albums and a listening device.
Choosing just 5 is really tough but let’s go with...
Low by David Bowie
Henry’s Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Forever Changes by Love
The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One by Yo La Tengo
You are walking through the jungle with your bassist Gary and your drummer Iman - all three of you are bitten by a poisonous snake but there’s only anti-venom for two people. Tell me Greg, who’s gonna walk out of the jungle alive?
I alone will emerge, having taken both doses to make doubly sure of my own survival. (The others will understand.)
You are playing on the 26th with one of my favorite Bangkok bands, Hariguem Zaboy. Do you personally have any favorites in the local bangkok community?
Hariguem Zaboy are great. We’re really looking forward to playing with them. Probably the most impressive live act I’ve seen are Degaruda. It’s not really my kind of music, but boy do they do it well.
Thanks Greg!
Check out The Pillers with Hariguem Zaboy and Marching Church Saturday, November 25th at Jam Cafe in Surasak. Tickets are limited to 70 on the door so get there early or be left standing outside on the street, Thanks to Matt Smith of Popscene and Dhyan Ho at Jam for making it all possible. If you're at the show say hello to Adrian Heron covering the event for this blog. For event details click here.
- DC
David Bowie, Nick Cave and Scott Walker.
If you had to replace your entire band because they spontaneously combusted, who would you replace them with? You can choose anyone from music history dead or alive.
Mani from The Stone Roses on bass and maybe John French from The Magic Band on drums. If I could get another guitarist in it would probably be Eddie Hazel. Don’t know many trumpeters. I suspect Miles Davis might be overqualified.
Choose 5 albums to bring to an island where you will spend the rest of your life in solitude only with these 5 albums and a listening device.
Choosing just 5 is really tough but let’s go with...
Low by David Bowie
Henry’s Dream by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Forever Changes by Love
The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One by Yo La Tengo
You are walking through the jungle with your bassist Gary and your drummer Iman - all three of you are bitten by a poisonous snake but there’s only anti-venom for two people. Tell me Greg, who’s gonna walk out of the jungle alive?
I alone will emerge, having taken both doses to make doubly sure of my own survival. (The others will understand.)
You are playing on the 26th with one of my favorite Bangkok bands, Hariguem Zaboy. Do you personally have any favorites in the local bangkok community?
Hariguem Zaboy are great. We’re really looking forward to playing with them. Probably the most impressive live act I’ve seen are Degaruda. It’s not really my kind of music, but boy do they do it well.
Thanks Greg!
Check out The Pillers with Hariguem Zaboy and Marching Church Saturday, November 25th at Jam Cafe in Surasak. Tickets are limited to 70 on the door so get there early or be left standing outside on the street, Thanks to Matt Smith of Popscene and Dhyan Ho at Jam for making it all possible. If you're at the show say hello to Adrian Heron covering the event for this blog. For event details click here.
- DC
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