CORMAC NEESON- THE ANSWER

Downpatrick's 'The Answer' have had a hectic 2005. since signing with Albert Productions, AC/DC's first label, the band have toured extensively throughout the U.K. including their current tour with Tokyo Dragons & 'The Sound Explosion' dubbed 'The New School of Rock Tour'. Additionaly the band were the inaugral winners of 'Classic Rock' magazine's 'Best New Rock band 2005' at the mag's Awards ceremony. The band are no strangers to Derry having played here on several occasions. They released a new single (Never Too Late) on November 14th & as you are about to find out have no intentions of slowing down.

How are you, where are you?
Great, we’re sitting in yet another 5 star travelodge in not so sunny Manchester.

What’s currently happening in The Answer's world?
We’re touring like motherfuckers all across the U.K.We’ve 2 gigs left on the ‘New School of Rock’ tour with Sound Explosion and Tokyo Dragons. Then we’re off to Newcastle to hook up with Alter Bridge for an 8 gig Academy tour. After that its back into Olympic Studios in London to finish off the album. Add that to an Irish tour and that’s our days accounted for right up till Christmas. The busier the better!

What has been the best concert by one of your peers you ever attended?
Therapy? In the Mandela Hall in Belfast…..ROCKIN!!!

What was the first song you ever wrote/performed?
A tune called ‘Downtown’, whish we still perform actually. It was written about a few experiences within the confines of e New York exotic dancer’s club. Good wee tune.

Do you remember the first place/time you stepped on stage to play? What happened?
Will never forget it. It was in a typically dark and dingy Belfast rock bar called the Front Page.
The gig was going great until the very last tune and a massive fight broke out, involving one of James’s family members. Come the last note, he just dropped his sticks dived straight into the brawl and threw 2 blokes head first out the fire escape. You couldn’t plan that shit!

What performer are you in awe of? Why?
Neil Young, he’s done it the way he’s wanted to do it right from leavin' Buffalo Springfield to the present day, and churned out a ridiculous amount of timeless great great music in the process. The man’s a legend!

What would be the high point and low point of your career?
High point: Entering and recording Olympic Studios to record our debut single ‘Never Too Late’ out on the 14th November in all good music stores (can you spot a sales pitch anywhere in this interview?).
Low point: The Notorious Accidental Teabag Incident…It was nobodies fault but our own.

What is your favourite city to have a show in and why?
Belfast and Derry never let us down, but asides from the home turf gigs Glasgow town’s always a guaranteed stormer. We’ve managed to build up a pretty good following up there. For some reason though we’re the one’s who end up following them to the wide selection of bars and clubs Glasgow has to offer for post gig celebrations.

If you could do something else, what would it be?
Dustman

What colour is the sky in your world?
Green!

Check out the band's website at www.theanswer.ie