I recently caught up with Scot and Craig from Tenesee Kait to have a little chat about the band and what's been going on recently.
KJ UGS says:
Tenesee Kait has become one of the more established bands to come out of Dundee. For those that are unfamiliar, tell us a little bit about the band and how it all came together.
TK bear says:
Ill let Craig get that one
Kez says:
Okay, from my point...basically the founder. TK was born when I was at college with a few mates...we basically started a 3 piece band then became TK. It took a while to get established and really to begin with we were just fuckin about but after a year we kinda got good (ish).........then really it took about 3 years to get to where we are now with the current line up...don’t ask how all that
Kez says:
Happened, lets just say the old favourite.... musical differences! When we lost your drummer, from college that’s when we became a 4 piece. Just to add noise
TK bear says:
Yay for noise
KJ UGS says:
So you were originally a 3-piece set up?
Kez says:
Guitar, bass and drums
KJ UGS says:
Has it become easier to continue the progression now that you are a 4 piece?
Kez says:
I think so.... specially vocally cause now I can let the other guitar fill bits in when I am singing
TK bear says:
Adds something more to the songs
KJ UGS says:
Are there more conflicts of interest now that you have a 4th opinion?
Kez says:
No, he is the quiet one!
TK bear says:
Haha
Kez says:
Its true
TK bear says:
Until he’s pissed
Kez says:
Also true
KJ UGS says:
Haha ah well. It’s the quiet ones you have to watch so they say. You should get him to let rip on a solo every now and then
TK bear says:
That just silly talk
Kez says:
Will have to think about that one!
KJ UGS says:
Looking at your past years gigging schedule, you guys have managed to get yourselves out and about a fair bit, including London and Leeds and a fair few other places down south. What differences are there between playing gigs in Scotland and anywhere else in the UK?
Kez says:
In a way I find it easier to play England, cause no one has a preconceived idea of who you are...so when u aren’t shite they really appreciate it. Its also a wee bit easier to book gigs down South. Mainly its also a lot more fun staying away for a week or so
TK bear says:
Less travel in Scotland!!! I think you have to try and prove your self a little more down south
Kez says:
However it’s cool up here to as folk are staring to get to know us
KJ UGS says:
Are they a more demanding crowd?
TK bear says:
Special the past tour was a good one
Kez says:
Sort of, depends on where u play...big cities have loads of venues and bands, so that’s harder.... but if u play the smaller places they fuckin go crazy and really appreciate us coming to town
TK bear says:
But big places everywhere are hard to crack sometimes
KJ UGS says:
I’m sure you guys relish the challenge though. Has playing out with your locale made you a better band?
TK bear says:
Tighter!
Kez says:
Oh yeah for sure.... also closer as a band
TK bear says:
So close you’re my best man
KJ UGS says:
Lol. I think u guys need a bigger van. Wait, you're getting married?
TK bear says:
I think we need a van
Kez says:
No no he means.... yeah that
TK bear says:
Yup
KJ UGS says:
Congratulations!
TK bear says:
Cheers
KJ UGS says:
You guys are obviously close friends as well as close band members, have your friendships ever gotten in the way of professional decisions in regards to the band?
Kez says:
Man we fight like fuck. We all have passion for what we do so sometimes if something doesn’t go your way (my way) it’s easy to get a bit mental!
TK bear says:
But its not bad just shit you go through to get over hurdles and move on. Something to jump over and go to the next thing
KJ UGS says:
Its good to hear that you guys can get passed those hurdles. A lot of bands tend to give up too easily. So about your past tours, what’s been the most memorable for you two personally
Kez says:
For me it was playing 'the cavern club' in Liverpool.... that was amazing! And we stayed in an abandoned hotel that one of the staff owned.... man it was haunted and shite, was also my birthday that day!
TK bear says:
Falling off stages, getting pissed in the middle of the day all the fun stuff that kind of goes along with touring and have every right to do cause your on tour
KJ UGS says:
Haha awesome. If you could afford it you guys would be on tour all the time right?
Kez says:
Fuck yeah
TK bear says:
Hell yeah there’s a whole world to explore
KJ UGS says:
Do you need a roadie?
Kez says:
Always, do you need paid?
TK bear says:
Would be nice
KJ UGS says:
Food and shelter is pay enough for me, and the occasional groupie
Kez says:
My arms are twice as long as they used to be
TK bear says:
Food maybe we hardly afford shelter!!!!
KJ UGS says:
Haha excellent. I can bring a tent next time your on your travels.
TK bear says:
Cool
KJ UGS says:
I've read and heard you a few times on the BBC Radio 1 Live Sessions slots, which must have been an experience for you. What was it like for you guys?
Kez says:
All radio stuff is fun to do
TK bear says:
Different but fun
Kez says:
Scott has a good face for radio
KJ UGS says:
Haha.
TK bear says:
Cheers as do you man
KJ UGS says:
Were you guys nervous?
Kez says:
No more that a gig, its just a different experience
Kez says:
Man we have played prisons.... now that’s nervous
KJ UGS says:
You guys played prisons?
Kez says:
In fact.... we played a all girls school.... again that’s nervous
KJ UGS says:
Lol. Amazing. How do the two differ?
TK bear says:
Just the one
Kez says:
Well u have to watch what u say in the prison. And u have to get all your gear checked. Actually the school was pretty similar
TK bear says:
Lol yup
KJ UGS says:
Which school did you play at?
Kez says:
I will spell it wrong, kilgraston (Perth). It’s a private board school, mental girls
KJ UGS says:
Perth is a prison city though, so that explains it lol. What was the motivation behind the prison gig?
Kez says:
They basically asked us to do it, so we said yes...then later we were like what the fuck are we doing.... its a maximum prison. The guys we spoke to after were all really nice and friendly . It was also fun, anything for a laugh
KJ UGS says:
Something you wont forget right?
Kez says:
Na, we have played some weird places. But it’s the kind of places you would never normally visit.... so it’s cool that we have the opportunity...that’s probably the coolest thing about being in a band
TK bear says:
Some good van journeys to far reaches of Britain
KJ UGS says:
Johnny cash once played a maximum-security prison. Who do you see are you mentors and influences?
Kez says:
I like JC. Folsom prison I think it was
KJ UGS says:
Yeh it was. In 67 I think
Kez says:
I like... foo fighers, inflames, cable, wildhearts, god forbid, machine head.... I am a bit of a metal kid. Listening to new 'unearth’ album right now its cool
TK bear says:
Everclear, Gavin Roendale (bush), Melissa auf der maur, Bruce Foxton
Kez says:
I hate bush
TK bear says:
Ahh listening to the best of everclear right know good new songs on there.
Yeah like I haven’t heard that a million times!!!!
Kez says:
Bruce foxton, jam?
TK bear says:
That’s nice I don’t say anything bad about his selection and its all bad from him. Yes and slf
Kez says:
Did I tell u I met him a few years ago at the barras...interviewed him for a mag
TK bear says:
Ok I hate wildhearts. Yes I was at the gig
Kez says:
Ahh
Kez says:
I was on stage 2 filming for their video
TK bear says:
I enjoyed him as a true fan
KJ UGS says:
That’s pretty cool. Have you met lots of famous people on your travels?
TK bear says:
Mainly bands that we play with. Some of them are probably more famous to us then they are to some other people
Kez says:
Ehh I met ginger from the wildhearts ...that was cool
TK bear says:
I met skin from skunk anasy (spelling) at Manchester airport with the rest of the band she was cool
KJ UGS says:
People that you look up to
Kez says:
Yeah, Ginger is a bit of a hero of mine
TK bear says:
Hah
KJ UGS says:
Do you guys hope to stay on the independent scene for a long time or is being signed to a major a distinct goal for you in the future?
Kez says:
Mmm tough Q. Everyone would like a major...but I think trying to do it yourself is probably much better.... good luck to 100reasons and hell is for heroes! Getting distribution would be good at this stage for us
TK bear says:
I don’t think that getting signed is a big deal its all about money we will still be making music if we are signed or not just depends on what level it will be on
KJ UGS says:
That’s a good answer. Many people are highly critical of bands that sign to majors for one reason or another. How big an influence do your fans play on your music and your band in general? Just a few more questions and I’ll leave you guy’s alone lol
Kez says:
You really want fans to like stuff ... but u gotta like it to, so I would so we play music for ourselves 1st then for the fans.... other wise you become stuck in a rut. Its a bit like feeder at the moment...I respect them for doing a switch on music if that’s what they want to do.
TK bear says:
I think the fans are a bit influence cause there the guys that get affected by the songs we play
Kez says:
U can’t play song for other people if u doesn’t like it
TK bear says:
It doesn’t start that way but when your in front of them its a piece of them to
KJ UGS says:
That’s good to hear. I guess if you can connect with your fans it makes it all the more personal
KJ UGS says:
Who would you guys like to play with in the future? Your dream gig
TK bear says:
Ah man
Kez says:
Headline would be pearl jam, and then in flames, then we can just nip on 1st. It would be in Seattle
TK bear says:
I would love to play a gig with velvet revolver everclear and Elvis!! Sorry
Kez says:
Good
TK bear says:
Oh hell yeah
Kez says:
Eddie is an amazing singer
TK bear says:
He rocks
KJ UGS says:
The second gig I ever went to was Pearl Jam, Vandals were the support. Amazing energy. You guys supported Snow Patrol in Dundee right?
Kez says:
Nope, played with them years and years ago when they were on jeepster.........they were polar bears at that time. But that was many moons ago
KJ UGS says:
Ahhhh I see now. To finish off, what plans are there for the future and when can we look forward to your next release?
TK bear says:
We are coming out in a big way in May with a new mini album and a national tour
Kez says:
Well more gigs!!! New release is a collection of recorded material over the last year, should be out May. Make more contacts and friends and try to spread our wings further. And stay independent, maybe!
KJ UGS says:
Cool! Btw I just realised your not from Dundee, but Perth lol
Kez says:
Half and half
TK bear says:
I'm from Dundee
Kez says:
I hate Dundee
TK bear says:
I’m a big half
Kez says:
So I am from Perth
TK bear says:
That’s a great thing to say again with the negative
Kez says:
I actually like Dundee, just hate the wee scabby minks with 10 kids
KJ UGS says:
Lol. Tell me about it. I got the wrong bus to work today and ended up in the middle of nowhere... scary. Well thanks for your time.
TK bear says:
Cool cheers if there’s anything else just give me a shout
KJ UGS says:
Thanks man
TK bear says:
Ok ill catch you later
KJ UGS says:
Thanks mate
For more information on the band,
check out their web site.
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