Hook - Spit Babies
Yahoo
2nd February '06
   
Real alternative rock is an acquired taste and there're many a band who fail to pull it off. "Spit Babies" is the new alt. rock project of Hook formerly of long time listed band Hoëck , who has always been able to hold our attention musically. SkidMcSkidder took the opportunity to find out more about the new project and what's been happening in the fours years since they last hung out!

SkidMcSkidder: Hey Hookster!! It's great to hook up (forgive the pun) with you again after all this time - it's been 4 years since the last time I interviewed you!

Hook: I can't believe it's been that long! Too long.... nice to be here with you again Skidders!

SkidMcSkidder: Cool! So, apart from moving house, starting another band, releasing new CD's... what've you been up to?!!

Hook: That's a huge part of my time obviously, but I actually have been trying to get some licensing going too...

SkidMcSkidder: licensing? What kinda licensing??

Hook: For film, short and full-length, pretty much anything. My new band is all me, so playing all the tracks and recording them has been a lot of fun and really taps into my creative vein!

SkidMcSkidder: Ah okay. So what sort of studio set up have you got? Do you use PC software recording or hardware still - you were using a Korg D16 if I remember right?

Hook: Yeah I still use the D1600 - it has some digital drums but I also add more drums with my Yamaha keyboard, and do a track at a time for guitar, bass, vocals, etc. It's cool.

Hook: The hardest part is the mixdown but I've learned a lot doing that too.

SkidMcSkidder: You definitely seem to have a got a good handle on that aspect of the production as the overall mix on your latest CD "Cone" is excellent.

Hook: Thanks! I am really proud of it. Any favorites?

SkidMcSkidder: I especially like " A night at the beach"

Hook: Cool! Gotta love the sarcasm!

SkidMcSkidder: There're some aspects of that track that overlap with some of my own work! (Laughs Out Loud) So how as the CD been received so far?

Hook: I've got lots of good comments - very inspired to do more. That's my next venture, a new CD this year.

SkidMcSkidder: Cool - I gotta admit - a review (along with 3 other CD's) is on the cards for some time this month - as I've said before, I like to listen to a CD at least 3 times over a few weeks to be able to review the CD without any pre-conceptions.

Hook: You'll have to let me know when you've done your review of SB!

Hook: I'm also reaching new fans with my My Space site www.myspace.com/spitbabies

SkidMcSkidder: I'm not a fan of myspace.com

Hook: OH yeah - whattup?

SkidMcSkidder: I put an artist page up 3 times for myself aka Incubus Lovechild and each time it was deleted and the only explanation was an email saying there'd been a complaint about copyright infringement – yet all the tracks I put up were 100% original!! No details of the complaint or anything.

Hook: Freaky!!!! No idea. I've only been up for a couple months and have had good experiences so far.

SkidMcSkidder: Yeah, it was really cool to start with - great feedback & people wanting to hook up then - Bang! plug pulled.

SkidMcSkidder: I'm SO bitter! (Laughs Out Loud)

Hook: So sorry! Maybe they thought you were ripping off Incubus!

SkidMcSkidder: Heh heh

SkidMcSkidder: let's go back a few years....

Hook: Noooooooo

SkidMcSkidder: Hoëck - is the band still functioning? How's Kendo your ex-drummer - did he recover from the stroke he had??

Hook: The band HOECK officially disbanded in 2001 after our last show, which was killer, the Stop the Violence Festival - we opened for Days of the New, Bif Naked, it rocked... anyhow - we were regrouping when Kendo had a massive stroke. He still cannot walk without a walker but is mentally ok thank the gods that be. At that time I decided to start recording my songs myself. No band - became new band Spit Babies.

Hook: I really like the Spit Babies concept - but I do miss playing live.

SkidMcSkidder: Right - and do you still catch up with the other guys like Mac & Crash?

Hook: Yeah - I am still in touch with everyone, it's all good.

SkidMcSkidder: Cool. so, do you have plans to say.. take out a backing tape and playing some solo gigs?

Hook: Not yet - but I am seriously considering it. All my friends are in bands and I get to see them play all over the place and can't help but want to join in. I have some offers for actual musicians too, whaddya know - hmmm......tempt me.

SkidMcSkidder: How is the Orlando music scene?

Hook: Very, very talented!!!! Not enough venues! But it's improving. We always have the internet.

SkidMcSkidder: Yeah, seems to be the general consensus all over - talking to NYC musicians, they're saying that the clubs are strangling live music by demanding that a band ensure a minimum crowd size! how bizarre is that??

Hook: Right. It's not like it used to be.

SkidMcSkidder: Going back to the internet - have you heard much from Jerry over at bumpskey.com? I remember in 2001 / 02 that he was a big fan of the Hoëck tracks "playground" & "little yellow people box"

Hook: Wanna know what question I get asked a lot? Figure this one

Hook: So...you're a girl, huh?

SkidMcSkidder: (Laughs Out Loud)

Hook: No I haven't but I have been meaning to email them. My new website is gonna have a loop from "The Playground", plus other song bytes. It's almost done.

SkidMcSkidder: Yes - the new website - give us some "insider" info on what it's going to be like and when will it be up?

Hook: A whole new feel - trying to show my goofy humorous side - and especially to convey that it's just me in the band and not 4 members like Hoeck was. I like to relate to people, and I hope that if I show myself (you know what I mean!) I can connect better to everyone. Whaddya think? Still working out a few bugs - should be up by this weekend, fingers crossed.

SkidMcSkidder: I'm looking forward to you "showing yourself"!! heh heh - Should be good - if the current Spit Babies site (www.spitbabies.com) is anything to go by it should be pretty different & cool (I like the menu headings on the current site)

Hook: That theme will still be there - can't help it, my mind is always in the gutter –

SkidMcSkidder: Ah... so that's why I feel such a bond between us!

Hook: Must be!

SkidMcSkidder: When you're not beavering away at the music Hook - what else do you get up to? Is music your full time job??

Hook: Music is fulltime yes - I also help my gf with local events that promote women's music and issues. You said beaver.

SkidMcSkidder: Yes - my favourite animal next to pussy! Heh heh.

Hook: You're my kinda guy!

Hook: Which btw I played your song for her and she loved it! Thank you!

SkidMcSkidder: My song?

Hook: The “love me tonight” one

SkidMcSkidder: Okay! Not one that I've put about much - I was never happy with some of the drum patterns

Hook: No it was a sneak preview. We're always our own worst critics I guess

SkidMcSkidder: Fill your boots - any Lovechild promotion is good promotion! (Laughs Out Loud)

SkidMcSkidder: Hey hook

Hook: Uh yeah....

SkidMcSkidder: Whatever happened to Drew? She was your agent right?

Hook: It was a HE actually, and he was my husband - he was the same person as Mac in the band singing backing vocals. I thought I told you all that before....no??? Don't tell anybody!

SkidMcSkidder: Arrghh! I came on to her / him!! (Laughs Out Loud) (didn't really)

Hook: No you didn't!

SkidMcSkidder: No - this is all new HOT GOSS!!

Hook: He's been in theatre all his life, he's used to it

Hook: I got yo goss

SkidMcSkidder: He's Scottish if I remember?

Hook: Right. He lived most of his life in England, adult life in London. He was manager/promoter, backing vocalist, and hubby - Oh well... .I like it better on my own!

SkidMcSkidder: I gathered from the fact you said you were living with your G/F that you perhaps had parted company - pillion free on that Harley now?

Hook: Parted company for sure. I'm all about the girlz baybeee - SPIT BABIES, woo hoo!

Hook: No hard feelings.....just didn't work out. My music lives on regardless

SkidMcSkidder: Rock on - and the bike? You still riding free?

Hook: Temporarily not - will let you know when I get myself hooked up again!

SkidMcSkidder: I'm going to build another GPz900 - I've got 90% of the parts already - engine, frame wheels, wiring, etc - but this is going to be a proper streetfighter project with lot's of mods!

Hook: COOL! Send me a pic. Hey I forgot to tell you I have a personal site on my space if you'd prefer....www.myspace.com/planethook. No music, just friendly schtuffs. Drop in and say HI

Hook: Are you able to ride this time of year?

SkidMcSkidder: I went to work on the bike yesterday (although it was -1°C on the way home and me leathers were a little stiff by the time I got there! (Laughs Out Loud))

SkidMcSkidder: Riding a bike is like sex - I can only go a few days before I get really frustrated and am gagging for a ride!!

Hook: FUCCCCCK! You need to come on over and thaw out!

SkidMcSkidder: So what else do you want to talk about Hook?

Hook: OK can we talk about how awesome of a site you have and how you promote everyone you believe in?????

SkidMcSkidder: well I wouldn't go that far - but yeah, I love doing what I can to help out indie musicians - it's not as grand & techno as say myspace.com or iuma.com but it's personal service you get... wink wink!

Hook: Wink for sure! That's what's so cool about it. You rock!

Hook: We're having 75 degrees weather here and I'm about to annoy my neighbours with my SG - how about you?

SkidMcSkidder: We're having a usual frost and I'm about to annoy Sarah by getting into bed and snoring loudly!!

Hook: Ah yes, bedtime there already - I appreciate you staying up with me Skidders! Was there anything else you wanted to ask me before I let you go?

SkidMcSkidder: No problemo - always a pleasure to hang with you Hook. What would you say are your key targets musically for 2006?

Hook: I love the European scene, always have....... also film/TV licensing, improving internet presence......

SkidMcSkidder: So you're looking to make inroads into Europe with your music yeah?

Hook: Oh yeah. If I had an actual band together I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to play anywhere over there! But for now it's all internet

SkidMcSkidder: Well, if there's anything SkidMark can do to help just give me a shout.

Hook:
You already do baby, and it is much appreciated! You ROCK! Go snuggle up to your woman - it's late. Thanks for your time honey - wait til you see my new site!

SkidMcSkidder: Okay my cyber lover!

Hook: WOO HOO! You know it!

SkidMcSkidder: It's been a pleasure as always Hook - good luck with the music this year and keep on rockin'!!

Hook: I will - best to you as always

SkidMcSkidder: The bed is calling.... gotta make a dash for the duvet... sweet dreams my love & talk to you soonest.

Hook: Bye~

SkidMcSkidder: Later Hook!.

Back to top of page



Virtual Interview conducted using AOL instant messenger ™ 02-02-2006
© SkidMark Multimedia Productions MMVI