Interview: The Reverse

How did The Reverse come about?

To begin with it was just Jason & I, writing songs and playing. Sam initially became involved as a sound engineer. He was studying a sound engineering course and needed a band to record for his project so Jason & I became involved in the hope of getting some free studio time. Soon after this we were offered some free studio time but needed an engineer, so Sam came down. One night we wrote "Blood On The Tape Machine" together and it wasn't long before Sam was part of the band.
Joe I've known all my life. I'd asked him a few times if he'd be interested in joining as we needed a bass player. He declined saying he'd sold his bass and stopped playing. We sent him a C.D. anyway as he was running a fanzine back then. He called me saying he loved the C.D. and asked if we were still looking for a bass player. We were, so he joined.


I think you’re being a bit deceptive—your music seems so bleak on the surface, but at the end of the day, it’s actually quite positive and hopeful in a depressing kind of way. Do you see the Reverse as the antithesis of Thom Yorke and all those other boringly sad post-Britpop poster boys?

I definitely agree that our music is intended to be positive. I often find music that has a melancholic or sad feel to it is actually filled with the most humanity and soul. Personally I find this expression of the human condition uplifting rather than depressing. You could say some of our music is intended as a positive reaction to difficult situations. There's also a lot of humour in our music that is often overlooked.


I have this suspicion that you fellows are a great live band. How would you rate yourself as a performing act?

We're very proud of our live shows. I think it's when we play live that people really get to see what the band is about. It's authentically us, all playing together as we do in our rehearsal room. As much as I love the creativity of the recording process, essentially all recordings are an allusion of a kind so when we play live you see us as we truly are, mistakes and all. This is exactly what I think makes live shows so exciting.


For a youngish band, your sound is strong and polished. Have record labels come knocking on your door yet? Do you have any interest in taking it ‘to the next level,’ as it were?

Nathan: We've had interest from a couple of well known labels but unfortunately are no closer to signing to any of them. We're putting out some of our early recordings through a great little label called Kabuki Kore later on this year and are hoping to put out a 7" on our own label. We're determined to take it to the next level wherever that is!


The Reverse’s opinion of America: to be conquered or ignored?

Nathan: Certainly not to be ignored but by the same token we don't see success in America as the ultimate seal of approval which I think many bands do. People have said they think our music would translate pretty well to an American audience and we've had some encouraging reviews from a couple of fanzines out there, however we have no plans to head out there just yet.

What do you consider The Reverse’s main goal as a band?

Writing and recording increasingly better songs and becoming a better live band. Basically becoming as good as we can, there is still a lot more we can do.


So what is forthcoming for the Reverse? A new album? More mp3’s on your website? A trail of broken-hearted art-school girls and photographer boys?

We're currently writing and recording some new songs. With some of our new ideas we're at the early and very exciting stage where we're still not sure exactly how they're going to turn out. I love that part. Some songs are more fully developed and our intention now is to try and capture a good recording of them. There may well be some more MP3's on the website soon, keep an eye out! The broken-hearted art school girls and photographer boys are always welcome.