The Drums are a new rock band to emerging from NYC. They have been tipped for big things in 2010 by numerous publications, both in America and the UK (NME, BBC etc.) Their style spans a plethora of eras, amalgamating into classic rock/pop songs that mirror their cool and breezy image. This month they will be part of the line up for the NME Awards Tour and they have also been named as the support for Florence and the Machine’s tour in May. I interviewed Connor Hanwick aptly the drummer of ‘The Drums’ and here it is!
HTF – Hit The Floor
CH – Connor Hanwick (The Drums)
HTF – Hi! How’s it going?
CH – Hey. We’re doing well. We’ve just got to London. We’re getting ready to go out for the NME tour on the 4th.
HTF – How and when did The Drums form?
CH – The Drums began when Jonathan and Jacob began an exchange of images, songs, and emails. When Jonathan moved to Florida (where Jacob was living) They started writing songs. Then they called me (Connor) and Adam to join the band and we started playing shows constantly in NYC. It was cool.
HTF – You’re fast becoming the band of 2010 with rave reviews from the likes of NME and Rolling Stone. Are you pleased with the response you’ve had?
CH – Well, yeah… You grow up looking at alot of these publications, They’re iconic. Rave reviews are great from anyone anyway.
HTF – In so many publications you are referred to as ‘cool’ – “New York’s Coolest Band” – what do you think it takes to be cool?
CH – Stay in school and don’t do drugs, or drop out and do lots of coke.
HTF – You’re touring the UK in February (NME Awards Tour). What is your favourite and worst thing about Britain (it’s ok – you can be brutal)?
CH – My favourite thing about the UK is, I suppose, the history of it. culturally I mean. I have always been obsessed with the music that has come out of Glasgow, London, and Manchester over the last like 60 years. The worst part of it for me, personally is that
Im not at home in New York. I dont exactly love travelling.
HTF – Because of your song ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ – some are dubbing you as a kind of 50-60s surf-rock group, but it’s clear you draw from many influences, with a sound reminiscent of 80s alongside other eras. What bands have inspired your music the most?
CH – Umm, not necessarily in this order, here’s a list:
Joy Division, Orange Juice, The Shangri La’s, The Ronettes, The Ramones, New Order, The Wake
HTF – As well as your musical style, your visual style is very distinguished and cool.. (I can’t think of another word). If, as a band, you had to change your hair do – who’s hair would you pick and why?:
CH – The idea of that is absurd. But we would all go with C) because if I couldn’t have my hair, I’d just go for the ‘disgusting’ look.
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