It wasn't until last night that I realised quite how long Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers have been going. As I was making the trek up to Inverness from Glasgow, I found myself twiddling my thumbs as the power on both my laptop and phone died an hour away from my destination. So I found myself digging through an old bag that I'd brought with me for something to read, in which I found old programs from HomeGame6 and 2008's Hey You Get Off My Pavement (a mini outdoor festival that took place on the courtyard outside of Mono in Glasgow, sadly it's no more). Whilst flicking through the HYGOMP booklet I realised that was the first time that I had seen JY&TPGLP's, which I guess just goes to show how shite my memory is these days. Having emerged from the ashes of cult Scottish "doom-wop" outfit, Uncle John & Whitelock, Jacob Yates are set to release their new album 'Luck' in just under a couple of weeks. It's a cracking wee album that sounds like Nick Cave fronting an old school garage band with an extra touch of dirtiness. Anyway, that's enough of my ramblings for one day, here's Jacob to tell you a bit more about the band...Would you care to introduce yourself?
I am Jacob Lovatt, I'm 38 and live with my family in the Trossachs.
How would you describe the music you make?
I don't really know, we make it and you listen to it so you're best placed to describe it. It's Doom Wop.
How did you come together as a band?
I asked the guys if they would help me out and add to what I could bring. They said yes and then the fun started.
How did you start out making music?
I've always pottered about from my early teens, making up really shit songs and thinking they were great. I have tape somewhere that I'm saving for if I get captured and need to commit suicide, it's so bad.
What process goes into the way you write songs?
They're pretty organic usually. I sometimes come up with a scenario and then fit it into a song that we write together. Some are made up on the spot, others kick around for ages until they find their way. None of the band try to write we just do. As the great Buddha says 'desire is the route to all suffering'
Who are your big musical influences?
Dr. Octagon, Shane MacGowan, Harry Crews, Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, Albrect Durer, Ben Wallers, John Lydon, Howlin Wolf, NWA, U-Roy, Tom Waits, Bauhaus, PE, Schubert, Beethoven, Mahler, Hokusai, Hirosige and Lao Tzu.
What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?
To a degree I write about what I see and how I feel about it. It's this that I suppose is the biggest influence on what I sing about mixed with sheer fantasy.
What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?
We don't get together as band that much so live shows are usually quite nervous affairs, like flying a jumbo jet full of passengers after reading a book about it. If we pull it off great, if we crash we try and make sure everyone crashes together.
Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?
The single launch for 'When you left me' stands out for some reason, probably because Ric nearly electrocuted himself. Also we played the Artschool as a three piece and were shit, got really bad review that riled me, I remember it used the word 'artifice' when talking about the name of the band. He could've just said we were shit and we had a shit name, yer writing a review for a crappy website not a fucking Phd.
What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?
New album 'Luck' is ready for release soon, split single with She's Hit, 'Lemonade', is out now. We play Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival 12 June. Stereo Halloween. Me and my wife are having another child in August, start work on Album 2.
Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers - The Black Dog
Myspace
RE:PEATER RECORDS
Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers album, 'Luck' comes out on the 20th of June on RE:PEATER Records. Their split single with She's Hit is available to download now through Bandcamp
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