The Genaro Project Interview

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The Genaro Project Interview

Every so often you see a band that really appear to be having fun on stage and it somehow it seems to shine through in their music. Few things can beat a truly great live performance and Bournemouth based four-piece The Genaro Project have gained a reputation for delivering just that. The band consists of local legend Si Genaro on lead guitar and vocals, Simon Fernand on rhythm guitar, Percival Ramshead III (aka Chris Young) on the bass and Dave Morrissey on drums. They produce an original blend of funky, reggae-tinged alternative rock that delivers some impressive tunes without ever taking life too seriously.

We caught up with them in their home town of Boscombe to talk about music, fancy dress and the joys of tampering with traffic lights.

How did the band come about?
Percy: I used to be in a band called Sidesweeper and Si [Genaro] used to play the harmonica with us occasionally. When they disbanded and Si split with his previous band we started talking about putting something together.
Si F: I used to jam with Percy, so I was called in to play the guitar and then Dave completed the line up.

Where does the name come from?
Si F: Well, originally we were going to call ourselves the duvets as we didn't do covers, but Si's surname was suggested and The Genaro Project just seemed catchier.

Who are your musical influences?
Si G: There is a big reggae influence running through the band; so anyone from Desmond Decker to Bob Marley ...and obviously Milli Vanilli.
Percy: For me it's got to be The Levellers.
Si F: I listen to loads of random music, but I'm not sure I'm specifically influenced by any one band; anything from The Boards of Canada to Frank Zappa.

Who writes the songs?
Si G: Out of the songs we're currently gigging I'd say I have the Lion's share, but t'other Si also writes some and I reckon his are actually better than mine. We usually put the basic song together then Dave and Percy add their magic.

So is that something you're planning to develop in the future?
Si G: Yeah, there are a load of his songs I want to do. I think "Primary School Careers Advisor" is my favourite - it perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the generation.

You've been gigging since 2005; what's been your favourite show?
Si F: We played at a festival called Fish Seeks Bicycle that was really good.
Si G: Yeah, that one was really cool. It's kind of like a nomadic festival visiting various areas and we played the Bournemouth gig.
Si F: It was also in fancy dress, which was a bit random; I wore a nurse's uniform, Percy played as Jesus and Dave was the devil.
Percy: Actually my favourite was the comeback gig we did here at The Portman. Si [G] had
just got back from travelling around Australia for three months - we packed the place the place out and there was an incredible atmosphere.

Have you got any plans to release an album?
Si G: Yeah, we've got a lot of basic recordings already, but we're trying to do things in our own way and capture the live feel. Our plan is to release an album when everyone least expects it!

If The Genaro Project were elected to rule the world as an all-powerful political collective, what would your first act be?
Si G: I'd reverse the order of all the traffic lights to confuse everyone.
Si F: I'd make fat people walk quicker...
Dave: But that way they'd get taken out by all the confused people at traffic lights.
Si F: Exactly; it would function as an incentive.

Describe the band in three words?
All: Random funky stuff.

Which track are you most proud of and why?
Percy: I like 'People Nowadays' - it's got some really nice reggae grooves.
Si F: I like all the stuff we do. One of us will come out with a basic idea and we'll all flesh it out together, so there's a bit of input from all of us in each song.

If you could jam with one person, who would it be?
Si F: Frank Zappa, no question - he's eccentric and I love it.
Percy: Yeah, Frank Zappa would be good fun.
Dave: Keith Moon would be awesome too - I think he'd fit the band vibe rather well.

You hail from the sunny, seaside town of Bournemouth; how much has that influenced you?
Si F: We've actually got a song called 'Junkie Town' which is directly influenced by Boscombe.
Percy: There's a big live music scene here and that has really helped us.
Si F: There's also a lot of sunshine and good vibes in our music, which I suppose wouldn't be the case if we lived somewhere grim.

2007 has been a successful year for you; what are your plans for the future?
All: Gigs...
Si F: To get as many people dancing as often as possible.
Dave: Yeah, we like big crowds jumping around.
Percy: More festivals would be good.
Si F: It would be good to get our music out there - we hope to release that album.

To find out more about the fantastic and occasionally bizarre world of The Genaro Project, click on:

www.thegenaroproject.com
www.myspace.com/thegenaroproject

Written by Chris for UKEvents.net