"Seven months ago, it looked like Sweetest Sour were at the end of their tether. With their lead singer at a mental block, sharp-tongued stirrers causing arguments, tension within the band and their record label moving in the wrong direction, it looked like there was an abrupt end in sight for the five-piece from Norwich.
The lean figure of May (lead guitar and vocals), walks in and shakes me friendly by the hand, apologising for the lingering smell of smoke and reassuring me that the rest of the band are on their way up the stairs. I laugh and apologise for the trek up, because of issues with the elevators. Almost on cue the rest of the band appear and smiling foolishly walk up to me and apologise for their lateness, explaining how it was “like climbing a fucking mountain”. Apparently touring is a great form of exercise, not according to this lot.
Now you’ve recovered from your trek up here, how’re you all doing?
May: You know what? I’m actually quite tired from that nice little walk! [laughs] But no, I’m doing pretty well thanks.
Xavier (guitars): You’re so lazy May! Jesus, my dog could have done that quicker than you and he’s got no legs!
May: Hey! I got here before you!
Xavier: I was just strolling up those three, possibly four sets of massive stairs. Taking my time. Enjoying the ride. Yeah, I’ve gotta say I’m feeling pretty damn good man.”
Kyle (bass): God, I’m getting tired of those two bickering. [sighs and smirks in May & Xavier’s direction] It’s like being in kindergarten so I am feeling like an angry mummy!
Chris (drums): Oh my god Kyle, you need to stop referring to yourself as our mum, it’s getting a bit weird.
Kyle: [mimicks Chris in high-pitched voice]
James (keys & synth): Children! Please! You thought all the arguments were gone, huh? No way in hell, it’s like dealing with toddlers.
Aha, well it’s nice to see you all getting on again. I mean, just a few months ago there were rumours flying around and causing havoc between you.
M: Yeah, that was a really horrible few months for us. Thing is, it was all fucking pointless and the person it stemmed from was just bitter.
K: An old friend of your’s I believe?
M: Yes. Not exactly a fact I’m proud of.
So, wait, what? The person who started all this was a friend of your’s?
M: Indeed. She was like my best friend in high school up until the start of our last year.
C: Oh! I know who this is! [blushes] Sorry, I just had to let you all know that little piece of information. She hated me. Big time.
M: She hated everyone to be honest with you. [laughs] She was the kind of person who was possessive as fuck and went mental if you spent any length of time with someone else. I mean, I once went and asked someone else for feedback on something..
X: God! How could you?!
M: You’re ruining my story! Shh! Anyway! I asked someone else for feedback and she didn’t speak to me all weekend. As time went on, she started getting pretty pissy with me and in the end I asked what it was and her response was “it’s jealousy how this all fits in.” I mean what the hell!? Why would you throw away a friendship, just ‘cause you’re jealous? It’s pathetic. We went to different colleges and she started stirring there and then started shitloads of rumours online when we [Sweetest Sour] started to gain attention.
That’s ridiculous! Some people just can’t handle jealousy.
X: Hah! You got that right! She started to contact us, through various means and telling us that one of the others had said something or you know, something shitty and bitchy along those lines. That caused us to be all tense and tetchy around each other. It was like putting sand between two stones and rubbing them together.
C: What the hell was that metaphor? I mean it makes sense, but what? Did you just think that up or something?
X: [laughs] Yes! And I am proud!
Well, everyone’s really glad you’re all sorted now.
C: So are we to be honest. We spent some time apart and then together in order to get our heads together. I mean, I love these guys to bits and sure we get on each other’s’ nerves at times, but I hated us being at each other’s throats. I mean, touring and working in the studio would have been a nightmare.
Ah yes, you guys haven’t toured or released anything new in about a year and half. What’s going on there?
K: May had issues.
M: Oi! I was at a mental block. Like, completely, I had no ideas and no urge to do anything at all.
K: [coughs] Lazy [coughs]
X: [laughs] God, we just abuse May. It’s a mutual abuse system we’ve got going here.
M: What!? Mutual in that you all abuse me?
J: Yes!
James, we haven’t heard from you for a bit. Been reflecting?
J: Actually, yes I have. It’s a bit of a dark time to look back on, but it’s just another little hiccup and the fact we got through it just contributes to our great tale!
M: [giggles] Great tale. Yeah, great is the word. Anyway, yeah mental block and all the tension would have made it impossible to tour.
X: We probably wouldn’t have been speaking. Not properly at least and we didn’t want to tour like that.
K: Exactly. It would have affected the fans and they would have figured that something was up.
C: [laughs] Yeah, they are an intuitive bunch. Awh, I love our fans.
I bet they’re glad to hear that! I hear there’s a tour and new album in the making?
J: Oh yes! We’re about ¾ of the way through the album and the tour starts 2nd December in Glasgow. I’m so excited I just might die.
C: It is really exciting. It’s like a new start for us and we’re making ourselves over.
M: Out from the darkness as something new and better than before.
A taster of some of your new lyrics?
M: [laughs] Nope, but I might use it now you come to mention it.
“New and better than before.” You’ve fought through some tough times and you would think your label would be behind you. Right?
X: Ha! Not likely! Actually, that’s kinda harsh. They were very good to us, we were just going in different directions and it wasn’t working out.
C: Basically, they were really, very good to us and we’re so grateful. It’s just we wanted to do different things and they didn’t think it’d work at all.
So you left?
J: Sounds childish doesn’t it? Running away when you can’t sort a problem? But this was our way of sorting and smoothing out any issues. We needed to have more freedom to decide what we wanted to release and such. So yeah, a good decision I think.
M: I’m quite proud of us. I’m going to sound really up our arses now, but we’ve been so damn awesome at sorting this out. I mean, sure, we had our troubles, but who doesn’t?
Well, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say, I’m glad you’re back. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us and making a massive journey up the stairs!
All: Cheers!
So it seems it’s all go for Sweetest Sour with their new album, upcoming tour and lease of life. To check out their tour dates, go to page 46 or check out their website at www.sweetestsourband.co.uk. If you fancy buying Sweetest Sour’s new album, you’ll have to wait until 29th November!"
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