Drill Queen, the NYLON based band behind Born Depressed on the PSP Store, share their thoughts on music and games.
Drill Queen are difficult to pin down, the eclectic nature of their sound has been described as everything from Bowie to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This breadth is testament to their diverse influences and playful experimentation, which is not surprising for a band with members hailing from Haiti, New York, Italy and London, who have switched back and forth across the Pond regularly in their three year history.
Founded in Brooklyn, New York, Drill Queen began when Delila (vocals) and Ray (guitar) met Erik (drums) at a fund raising event for the Reverend Al Sharpton's presidential candidacy. The next step was to find another guitarist and bass guitarist, and so began a quest that ended in the discovery of Justin (guitar) and Rod (bass).
How would you describe Drill Queen to someone who hasn't heard your music?
Blondie and The Stranglers go to church but get kicked out.
How did you form?
DELILA: It was fate that brought us together. Otherwise there's really no way we'd have met. I've spent my life trying to avoid men like these.
RAY: She's lying. She pursued me for weeks.
ERIK: She owes me money.
ROD: Ray said there would be food.
JUSTIN: I don't even know who she is.
Who are your main influences?
We're influenced by anything, anyone that displays content over style. Style is easily faked. The bottom line is content.
In what ways do you feel downloads are affecting the music industry?
Downloads make it easy for people to access music they might not normally try. Anything that opens up a person's musical spectrum is good.
What effects are downloads having for you?
DELILA: Downloads are bringing us to people who want to know about us. Personally, I love it. I can get whatever music I want and not have to leave my bed. I hate leaving my bed.
ERIK: She'd wheel her bed on stage if we'd let her.
DELILA: They never let me do anything.
RAY: Shut up.
DELILA: See?
Are you touring this year? Any festivals planned?
Yes and yes. Details are still getting sorted out.
What instruments, which you don't play, would you love to play?
DELILA: I would love to play the harp. I like the idea of serenading someone with heavenly strings... And drums! I also like the idea of beating the hell out of something.
ROD: The oboe because it was used to great effect in early Roxy Music...
DELILA: Rod's voice is so deep people don't think it's real.
ERIK: No one can hear it.
ROD: Women can hear it.
Do you play PlayStation games? If so, what are your favourites?
RAY: My favourite is Max Payne 2.
JUSTIN: Guitar Hero, Ratchet & Clank or Jak III.
DELILA: I'd like to play but I don't know how and they won't teach me.
ERIK: They're scared.
If you were to use your music as the soundtrack to a computer game, what would the game be like?
RAY: A game based on Debrett's Etiquette for Girls but with cyborg killing machines.
DELILA: Sounds good.
ERIK: Yep, I'm in.
JUSTIN: Me too.
ROD: I don't need a game... I am a cyborg.
What is next for Drill Queen?
We're putting another single out in June; gigging at the moment, all the details are on MySpace.
Born Depressed is available for download from the PSP Store. More about Drill Queen can be found on MySpace or at their website, drillqueen.com.
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