4) THE HOOSIER COMPLEX
It is highly unlikely that Lennon and McCartney, in their regret tinged song ‘The Long And Winding Road’ were metaphorically describing their journey to becoming musical pioneers. The longing lyrics swooning of lost love tell of probably, a doomed relationship, but might it possibly be conveying their quest to becoming something that they never knew was certain? Perhaps they sang of their humble beginnings and the difficulties that they faced? And why not? Much has certainly been made of the early incarnations of the Beatles, numerous line-ups, a forceful management and a strange tour to Hamburg which raised many an eye brow but all of which proved to be essential into turning the raw teenagers into arguably the most important band in the world. So, did the long and winding road which eventually culminate at the slightly battered door of rock ’n’ roll? Who knows? That’s what makes song writing so interesting.
Step forward then please, the wonderfully named Irwin Sparkes singer and guitarist of the soulful, electronic four-piece ‘The Hoosier Complex’. Having heard the numerous cliches regarding the slippery and slightly dangerous path to rock ‘n’ roll success, are the band still prepared to pull up the turn ups on their drainpipe jeans, don their Converse and laugh in the cynical face of failure as they set off down the musical highway? Mr.Sparkes response is refreshingly genuine and realistic - and, I’m pleased to say - void of unnecessary hyperbole; “As individuals,” he says, looking down humbly at his pint of Guinness,
The embryonic form of the band can be traced back to the musical honey pot of sunny Reading, a place which Irwin beautifully describes as ’Twatville’. At the tender age of thirteen and through a mutual respect of Axl Rose and Slash, the young Irwin met Alan “Raymondo” Sharland, a talented drummer, whilst they both playing in a Guns and Roses tribute band. The two soon started writing music together and formed ’Jigalicious’ an early incarnation of the Hoosier Complex and a name perhaps more suited to the R n’ B genre than alternative rock. The name was soon quickly dropped.
Indiana in the US served as the next stop for the Hoosier fun bus. Both keen footballers, they managed to obtain ‘soccer scholarships’ at the state’s university. It was an ideal situation; ‘The land of opportunity’ would add weight to the pursuit of rock stardom whilst a football could be kicked around during the day. However, the ball soon burst. Suffering from ahstma, Irwin’s lungs failed to take the pace of the academy and he was forced to return home. Alan soon followed suit. His legs quickly took the toll, developing shin splints he too had to leave his soccer career behind. It’s a period of his life that Irwin reflects back on with nostalgia and contentment; “I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” he smiles “it was an invaluable experience of a different life offered to our beloved satellite towns in the South of England.” Wise words. A year spent in Indiana, also known as the Hoosier state, christened the band’s name into what would eventually be it’s final form, ‘The Hoosier Complex.’ “A Hoosier,” Irwin explains, “is someone from Indiana, a place where you can be anything you want as long as it’s not too different. Similar to our home town of Reading, a small place with only its singular take on life.” It’s a sentiment that is obviously close to Irwin’s heart. The band even penned a track entitled ’This Town’, a smashing synth driven pop song that touches on the suffocating elements of small town mentality. He continues his philosophy, “We’re not saying it’s wrong to stay in the same place all your life, but in a world of choices why settle for the first thing that you find?” The band’s name then, stands out as a positive one. A message of freedom and flying the nest, there’s stuff out there, exciting stuff. Just go and get it, it’s yours. Everyone please, take note.
After returning to these shores, the pair found themselves shielding their eyes from the bright lights of London and studying at a University based in the north of the capital. Bands, managers and agents alike often wax lyrical about the pros and cons of coming to the musical fertile streets of the ‘smoke’ and for a serious group who want to achieve, it’s an important step to make. The area offers a wealth of smaller venues - often labelled the ‘toilet circuit’ - where a band can ply and craft their trade. Essential contacts and chance meetings are made which can prove intrinsic for a band trying to break into the scene. One such personality -and continuing the band’s trend for diverse names - was Duri Darms. Hailing from Switzerland and a former student and now tutor at the renowned London Music School was warmly incorporated into the line up. His vast eclectic tastes ranging from 20th century composers to the forefathers of electronic music, such as Kraftwerk and Can brought an array of exciting options to Irwin’s and Ray’s already honed song writing skills. Despite an epic and extremely healthy knowledge of all things music, Duri remains sceptical bands trying too hard to mirror their influences, “If you only copy your idols you’ll never reach their same quality, because each copy just gets duller”, says the 25 year old, “Influences need manipulation, melting or deformation, then you’ll eventually arrive at your own sound.”
Having dramatically lost the services of their bass player just seven days before their first gig, all seemed lost. Enter a Swedish hero with a name similar to that of a Greek mythological beast; Martin Skarendahl. Martin also tutored at the London Music School and like his colleague blended in his own knowledge of musical possibilities. Their sound was being looked at from all angles and experimenting was becoming integral to the song writing process, samples and loops were being stretched and pressed over the bones of the bands original songs making a fresh noise that fused a variety of influences, whilst categorising their own brand of song writing. With the line up finally formed the next step seemed logical. Play the songs to the world! Well, Zone 2. How much is a travel card? Rock and Roll!
The cooler than cool ‘Progress Bar’ in Tufnell Park, North London provided the platform for the fully fledged band to shed its wings into the city’s particularly gruesome live circuit. This relatively successful first gig paved the way for a steady stream of small, intimate and often urine soaked venues that can infamously make or break bands. Taking in Camden, Islington and student unions around the area, the band are almost certainly fully formed. Their live shows have become tight sounding and full of confidence, songs zip through, melding all the elements of their recordings and making a mockery of their claim to have only been together for a year. Surely it’s longer!
I asked Irwin how important this band was to him; “It’s the reason that we haven’t eaten for ten years.” It’s a typical tongue in cheek statement yet strangely you somehow believe him. With a song already having been played on BBC Radio 6, constant airplay strangely on Radio Hawaii, (apparently they have gigs waiting for them, all they need is four air tickets!) a string of shows lined up for 2005 as well as the release of their debut EP it’s surely only a matter of time before the band get a good night’s rest and a proper meal.
The door beckons, and the Hoosier complex certainly have the key. Let’s hope they open it.
Mark Glover.
Related Link: http://www.thehoosiercomplex.co.uk/
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