11.25.06
Interview with: MASQUE
By Stacy Sardelli
Editor in Chief

Experimental / Industrial

Masque are: Kevin Kennedy (vocals, programming, keys, additional guitar and bass) and Matt Innes (vocals, guitar, bass, sax, additional programming and keys).

Masque is a two-man band from Glasgow, Scotland. Their lyrics sometimes make powerful statements; they are often influenced by world events. Yet, they tend to inject some humor as well. They appear courtesy of Toppler’s Records on their ‘Peacemaker’ and ‘Sometimes I Might’ EPs.

Interview

Babble & Beat - How did you two guys meet & come to start Masque?

Kevin – A fairly typical story, we had both played gigs together in separate bands and enjoyed each others music. Those bands (or our involvement with those bands) came to an end and so we thought we would attempt to blend the strengths we found in each others styles... as to how successful we've been in doing that ? It's a work in progress...

Matt – We met through previous bands who played live gigs together.

Babble & Beat - How did you come up with the name Masque? What does it mean?

Kevin – Matt came up with the name. The name 'masque' is French for mask, which works metaphorically on a few levels. It may or may not also relate to the 16th Century stage shows of the same name. I'd prefer to leave the interpretation open for the individual to decide for themselves.

Matt – The name Masque was one of many suggestions pulled from thin air, and it stuck. It instantly seemed to suit our music.

Babble & Beat - Your music is extremely interesting. How did you come up with your personal sound? What other bands have been an influence?

Kevin - Thank you firstly for the compliment, though I'm not sure that we are entirely deserving of it. I find it very difficult to be objective about our music, but I'd say our sound is the combination of our shared musical interests and (perhaps more vitally) the pulling together of ideas when we're coming from different directions.

Difficult to say exactly who has influenced us musically because it is not always something which happens on a conscious level. But here are some of the people I enjoy listening to, not in any particular order. I'll remember hundreds more about a week after this interview of course!

Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Link Wray, Duane Eddie, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Beatles, John Lennon, Devo, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, PIL, Killing Joke, PWEI, Kate Bush, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, The Proclaimers, Big Black, Einsturzende Neubauten, Test Department, Ministry, Revco, Butthole Surfers, Skinny Puppy, Front 242, KMFDM, Public Enemy, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Gang Of Four, Wire, Clock DVA, The Fall, Klinik, Dive, Das Ich, Project Pitchfork, Calva Y Nada, Paracont,...

Everyone on Topplers Records, many Myspace artists and many who we've been lucky enough to play gigs with, G-Plan, Hospital Ship, The Retrosexuals, Eye contact Leads To..., and Psydoll. Also, movie soundtracks, the sounds of the city, the speed of modern living, and the silent howls of the enslaved human spirit.

Matt – To be honest, we just make it up! We usually start with electronic percussion and then get a bass that fits and then just build it up, It's a bit like painting a picture, just add layer upon layer sometimes even removing a layer and continue until we have an image (tune) we are happy with, or at least contented with, simple as that.

My biggest influences are The Beatles and David Bowie. To me they are more than just musicians, they are artists and spiritual philosophers with a humorous and sometimes satirical outlook on life, the universe and everything.

When I was seventeen I discovered Talking Heads and instantly recognized the importance of rhythm guitar; they proved that two chords or even one chord is enough. From then on I regarded guitar solos as shall we just say...pretentious, by that I mean Rock/Blues guitar solos. I love the abstract guitar by people like Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band, as long as it's creative.

Then I got into Punk and the Dead Kennedys became my favourite band; they filled me with positive energy and made me laugh. Without a doubt Biafra is a big influence on my songwriting, satire is the best form of protest.

Babble & Beat - You sure mentioned some great bands... and a couple I'll have to check out!

Are there any music videos for Masque’s music?

Kevin - I'm afraid not, not at this time.

Babble & Beat - How would you describe your live shows?

Kevin - At the moment we are a two piece live, as we are when we write and record. We have been giving some consideration to expanding our line-up for live shows. No decision has been reached as yet...

Babble & Beat - What feedback have you gotten from your listening audience about your music & live performances?

Kevin - Very negative in the beginning! The first gig we were to play never happened. We were halfway through our soundcheck when the P.A. suddenly went dead. The soundman shaking his head, gave us a look of absolute disgust and told us "you can't do that in here." The most amusing aspect of it was that there where only about six people in the bar - none of whom seemed much interested one way or the other.

Babble & Beat - My husband gives those looks of disgust to bad drivers on the road, rather than giving the finger. That look is far worse!

Kevin - When we actually got to play at later gigs crowd reaction was cold. We played a few too many of these types of gigs which were entertaining (for us) for a while but quickly grew tiresome. This combined with the fact that gigs were becoming more difficult to come by prompted us to forget gigs for some time.

Eventually we started playing gigs again and began to find an audience, small but loyal, more receptive to what we were doing. Our audience tends to be made up of quiet, subdued people, which is great but sometimes it does pass my mind "are they quietly interested in our music or thinking about lynching us?"

Matt - It took us a while to build up a following so the early gigs were a bit of a nightmare, we were usually booked with pop/rock/indie/blues bands who really did not understand our music, we were generally recieved with sneers, but we just sneered back. Now, however, we book our own gigs and invite bands who compliment each other, so the response is good.

Babble & Beat - Are you currently working on new music?

Kevin - We're actively thinking about giving the matter some serious consideration. Errmm................. We've been quite inactive of late.

Babble & Beat - Do you see yourselves coming over to the States and Canada in the near future?

Kevin - Seems unlikely.

Babble & Beat - sniffle. sniffle.

Any other future goals for Masque? What do you wish to accomplish within the next few years?

Kevin - For me, I'm not big on setting goals. I'm happy to take things as they happen, or don't for that matter.

Juicy Tidbits Section

This is where we ask personal questions for the fans. Yeah, they're often stupid questions. We like reading the answers though!

Babble & Beat - Fish and chips or chips (potato chips) and dip?

Kevin – I'm one of those people who eat to live (rather than live to eat). So, I'm never too enthused by food but I'd have to say fish and chips.

Matt - Yes !!! (to both)

Babble & Beat - Please name a bad habit (or two) you have.

Kevin – Smoking too many cigarettes and drinking too much tea/coffee. How's that for rock n' roll excess?

Matt - Well, as a standard, so called... "normal", "ordinary", human being....... I am capable of being a selfish, self-centered, two-faced, and moaning hypocritical egotist.

Babble & Beat - Please tell us about a favorite childhood memory.

Kevin - I met Hong Kong Fooey. Later I would learn it was just someone in a costume though. Deceived !!!

Matt - Living with my Grandparents in the Highlands of Scotland, surrounded by mountains, forests, rivers and streams.

In Closing

Thank you, Kevin and Matt for talking with us! Best to both of you!

Links:
Topplers Masque Page
Official MySpace - music clips!