Psillobian set about a hallucinogenic takeover

Hidden far away on the outskirts of the ‘local music scene’ and surrounded by a cloud of humid, sweet-smelling vapour, a dark force is simmering, slowly converting every opinionated music fan in its path. The force is otherwise known as Psillobian, Preston’s most unique and hallucinogenic rock group.

Listen Up caught up with the four-piece in the highest reaches of The Mill rehearsal complex to talk about recent rebirths, music degrees, space cakes and one of the best rhythm section in the city.

Psillobian have been around in some form since early 2003 but only chart their history back to February this year and the arrival of new bassist Chaz, who has transformed the attitudes and atmosphere of the band, front man G explains:
“It was just me and Slick [lead guitar] at first, we had a funk bassist and a trip-hop drummer - it just wasn’t what we wanted, we brought Rick in on drums then actually advertised for a bassist.

“Chaz’ arrival was the rebirth of the band, it was great how he coped with his audition. We were all fucking toasted from eating space cakes - it ended with Rick falling off his drum stool and crawling out on his hands and knees.”

Writing new songs

The band are currently building on their fan base and gradually extending their strong set list with new material and updating older songs, G continues:
“We have about 40 rough demos recorded but only about 15 are ready to play. We’re always writing new songs, I just introduced a new one to rehearsals today called Through The Lifeless Eye.

“We just cut a three track demo in The Cutting Rooms in Manchester,” interrupts Chaz, “you can hear the songs on our website but the CD will primarily only be used to send to clubs and get gigs. We need to wait for some money to come in before we record properly.”

Looking back over the band’s tour history, it becomes shockingly apparent where they prefer playing, having performed at Preston’s 12Bar five times in a matter of months.

Chaz: “Yeah we like the 12 Bar, they’re the only place that pays us for a start.”

Rick: “Yeah, it’s strange, but we always seem to fill the 12 Bar more than any other band I have seen there”

G “We get a lot of people coming up saying ‘oh, I wish I’d seen that
stoned.’ We’ve also been told we have one of the best rhythm sections in Preston.”

'That' hair

For a band that care little for image or gimmicks, Listen Up could not let the interview pass without asking about ‘that hair’. [For those of you who don’t know the band - this alludes to Slick’s mass of thick, curly Robert Plant-like hair that hides his face from the outside world.]

“Oh, the band came first,” says G, “he had Johnny Mnemonic hair when he first joined, then started growing it and it turned into a huge afro.”

As well as a Johnny Mnemonic comparison, singer G has been likened to Antonio Banderas, Tommy Lee and, ahem, Peter Andre, but that is something you are going to have to ask him about yourself.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: John Taylor (http://www.geocities.com/johntaylorphotography/)