U.K.'s Echobelly speaks out at the U.A.B.

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by David Gaskey

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After quickly becoming a smash in the United Kingdom, British rock band Echobelly came to the Summit in December for their first U.S. performance opening for the Toadies and Tears for Fears at the Buzz Yuletide Christmas Bash.

Fronted by talented chanteuse Sonya Aurora Madan, Echobelly made their return to the Houston scene this past week, giving a fantastic performance at the Urban Art Bar on April 4 that showcased their mastery of form, style and stage presence. Plagued with sound troubles, they performed many songs from their innovative new release, ON , the follow-up to their debut album, Everyone's Got One .

Between the two shows, the band was available for brief comment on their newest album which includes the popular single, "King of the Kerb."

David: Now that "King of the Kerb" is in circulation, are there currently plans for any more upcoming singles off of ON ?

Sonya: I think the next single to be released will be "Car Fiction."

D: "Car Fiction?" I first thought that was a rather odd title. What is the song actually about?

S: I guess it is just our version of punk. It's just a song about having fun ... it tries to give you that feeling you get when you're driving really fast. It's about speed and just ... pure energy.

D: Anything planned after that?

S: "Dark Therapy" [also off ON ] may be the third single, but it will probably be released only in Europe. But the video should also be released soon.

D: Personally, I think that your masterpiece is "Dark Therapy." The musicality of all your works fascinates me, but especially this one. Where did your inspiration for this song come from?

S: There's really a personal story to that.

D: Do you mind?

S: I was looking for help. I ended up in an office for hypnotherapy, but something happened ... something went wrong. I began to see beautiful things, the most beautiful colors, but then I saw extreme opposites, from beautiful to very ugly things. It's very hard to explain. Something happened other than just the hypnotism; I don't and can't recall any of it, but when I "awoke" I knew something happened.

D: You seem to be rising very quickly. How did you get together?

S: We formed Echobelly about three years ago. I met Glenn in a club in England and we decided to do some work together. We started off originally as a four-piece punk band.

D: Who are your influences?

Denise: A lot of bands ... The Pixies ... Siouxsie and the Banshees, I really love Siouxsie.

D: I know that the December performance was your first in the U.S. What was your perception of America before you came here?

Alex: I like Texas. It seems to be the last true American state.

D: What do you mean?

A: Well, there seems to be this idea that everyone in America drives big cars and spends a lot of money, and I'm sure it was like that back in the '60s, but Texas still seems to have a little bit of that.

D: What would be your best advice to aspiring musicians?

S: Learn to say `no.' Young musicians dream of success and do about anything to get attention. Take the time to get good advice. If you're good enough, you'll make it.

Echobelly is currently finishing their U.S. tour. For all those who didn't make it to the concert, you missed out. It was perhaps the best show $6 can buy.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the April 12, 1996 issue.

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