Population Four
Population Four are a band who aren’t afraid of getting their heads down and putting their backs into their music. With almost 50 shows played over the last six months, the boys are well on their way to mainstream success.
With the release of their newest E.P, ‘This Town Will Drag You Down‘, I caught up with the boys to ask them the 15 Questions We Ask Everyone; last but not least it’s Cooko.
1. Hello there little monster, what are you up to?
I am sitting in my living room on my laptop listening to Alexisonfire, whilst thanking god for email so I don’t have to be social and ring people to sort out gigs.
2. So, tell me about what you’re here to promote?
The rocktastic band Population Four and our newly released EP, "This Town Will Drag You Down". We got the title for the EP from some cool graffiti
Rick saw on a wall which pretty much sums up Preston, where we all live. Even though it is technically a city now!
3. And if we didn’t have any clue as to who you were, what should we be looking up on Google?
You should Google some lyrics from the band Thrice, maybe a song like That Hideous Strength or Music Box. They aren't really anything related to the band I'm in but are just awesome lyrics.
To find out about us you can literally just Google "Population Four" and find out many interesting and often made up facts about us. And to settle the score; No, I didn’t really save the world using just bourbon biscuits. I was riding a dragon while doing it. How can I be expected to save the world without a dragon? That’s just stupid.
4. And as Jacko had the Moonwalk and Elvis had the snake hips, what do you have that makes you unique?
I have a control panel on my left arm. And THATS a fact! Also, I write a fair bit of vocal melodies for the band even though i cannot sing in the slightest. It's a constant worry for me that Si or someone will save all my recorded vocal parts (which Rick or Ceres then usually sing over) and release them as a hidden bonus track. No-one outside the band should have to hear my unconfident wailings, it's a bit like being raped in the ears. But sounds funnier.
5. Now, clearly we need to get to know each other more, so tell me an interesting fact about you that no one else knows?
I'm not going to reveal some obscure embarrassing fact about me. There’s probably not that many that at least a few people don't know anyway. However I shall tell you something band related (which is probably for the best). About 7 years ago I borrowed my friends bass guitar and learnt a song or two on it. I then asked my dad (who plays guitar too) if he would buy me a bass so i could learn more. His exact words were "No, bass is too easy. I'll buy you a guitar". So I learnt Buck Rogers by Feeder on my dads old acoustic and convinced him to buy me my first guitar.
6. What song do you wish you’d written?
Definitely anything off Does This Look Infected by Sum 41
Or We Built This City (On Debts and Booze) by A Wilhelm Scream. That band are amazing.
7. If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and TV, how would you convince me to come out?
I wouldn't, I'd choose sitting at home and watching TV over doing anything strenuous anytime. If i absolutely had to convince you though, I'd probably sit next to you playing sad, mellow acoustic finger picked stuff till you got sick of me bringing the mood down. I'm very good at that :)
8. And if you were to take me on a trip to your hometown, what would be the first place we’d go?
The practise room, that's where all the good shit happens.
9. What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled on someone?
On Christmas eve last year in the pub, me Si and Ceres convinced some girl that Ceres was the bassist in the Automatic (you know, "what’s that coming over
the hill is it a monster?"). She even got his autograph and everything. I'm pretty certain to this day she still believes it haha.
10. And what’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Please tell us how it ended up!
The most daring thing? Ermmm I guess when i was a Christmas temp for a large pharmaceutical company. I was walking round doing my job and i saw a plastic bag just left in the middle of the floor. I convinced myself there was a bomb in there or something because the place was so busy. But I didn't want to look stupid calling security so I went over and had a look inside. I swear my life flashed before my eyes, and my knees got all weak. Turned out to
just be some sandwich crusts and an empty bottle. Still, pretty scary moment.
11. If you had to date a member of the same sex (or opposite sex if the case may be) who would it be? Mine would ALWAYS be Angelina Jolie.
John Barrowman, no question. Or the emcee Double Deuce. That guy can turn a straight man gay dontchya know.
12. Have you ever been naked in public? Elaborate.
I don't think so. I'm not confident enough of the size of my tiny penis to go waving it around in public!
13. Have you ever been arrested? Again, elaborate.
Nah I'm a good boy. A couple of us once got warnings for breaking and entering. But in our defence, it was only an old indoor skate park. Just unfortunate
that the guy who used to own it still lived next door.
14. Speaking of prison - if you were to send someone to prison for crimes against music, who would it be?
The arctic monkeys, I truly hate the music of that band. I shall refrain from the usual "I'm open to most music but..." sentence here, although it does
apply.
15. What were you doing last night at 11?
I was being sick probably! I would like to say it's due to living the rock and roll lifestyle. But actually I am just horrendously weak and happen to catch
any virus that is currently making the rounds.