After their thrilling show at The Great Escape 2016, Black Foxxes are a band that are hard to ignore. Taking rock’s recent resurgence in their stride, the trio stand out high above the rest of the competition, helped by the release of their stunning debut LP, I’m Not Well. The album is a kaleidoscope of passions, emotions, dreams and anger that pulls you along for a blistering ride of rocking jams and diverse melodies. We put some questions to drummer Ant Thornton to find out more about the band.
Where did you grow up?
Devon, Plymouth.
Is there much of a music scene there?
Yeah! It's always been super rich, I think it really helped fuel my want to play in a band even more.
Do you think where you lived has influenced your music?
Absolutely, besides the incredible bands here there's also a lot of despair and a sense of hopelessness in the city. It's definitely made me push for something a little more.
What kind of music were you brought up on?
The Beatles, David Bowie, Abba and the list could go on and on!
Can you remember the first album you brought?
I believe it would have been Limp Bizkit’s Chocolate Starfish.
What was the first instrument you played and when?
I think the first instrument I ever played was an electric organ. My mum had one (for some reason), a real old school one! I'd play notes that matched but neither of us really knew what we were doing. I really love the bass, it was my first serious instrument. It's such an important component within a band.
What drives you to write music?
I need to be creative and writing is just something that comes fairly naturally to me. It's very fulfilling once a song or even a section comes together.
Has your style of music stayed the same?
Yeah I'd say we've stayed the same. I think on the EP we put out, we hadn't fully found ourselves as a band but we're onto something now!
How was Black Foxxes formed?
We mutually knew one another just from the scene in the south west and it just worked out this way. It clicked very quickly!
Is there a story behind the name?
No story sadly. Just making stuff fit till we felt good about it.
How would you briefly describe your music’s ethos?
I guess we're just here to play and write honest songs. We're never going to be a band that hides behind gimmicks to build hype and we’re never going to try and give the same, perfect performance because that's not what music is about.
What are the band’s main influences?
Life, Bowie and puppies!
What inspires your lyrics?
Mark tends to write about what is going on in his life – he doesn't force a subject but lets it come freely.
How do you approach the writing process?
When it comes to writing we absolutely hide away, we jam in an old scout hut which is super hidden away.
Do you prefer writing music or performing live?
The two go hand-in-hand and I get a lot from both, but there's something cathartic about letting loose live.
Tell us a bit about I'm Not Well.
I'm Not Well is a collection of songs but without knowing this at the time, it became so much more. The theme is based upon being unwell and dealing with mental health issues. I think we've set out to be as authentic as possible, seeing so many bands using tricks and gimmicks has definitely fuelled us to be even more organic for sure.
If you could give a musical award to someone, who would it be for and why?
Oh wow aha big! Would have to be David Bowie for always being himself, never compromising and giving so much to the world.
Who would be in your ultimate supergroup and what would be their name?
Dave Grohl (drums), Bowie (of course), Ryan Adams and Prince. The Best!
What would be your perfect line-up of any three acts for a concert you are putting on?
Nirvana, Superchunk and Brunel.
If you could work with any artist, who would it be and what would they bring to Black Foxxes?
Neil Young for sass, class and the greatest jams.
If you could have made any album ever, which one would it be?
Very difficult question. You can't go wrong with any of the first three Black Sabbath records!
What music are you listening to at the moment?
I'm listening to a lot of stuff I listened to ten years ago currently. Billy Talent, old Biffy Clyro, Jimmy Eat World.
Do you get to go to many gigs?
I sadly don't have time to go to as many as I'd like. I saw The Bronx at the end of 2015 and it blew my mind – such a great live band.
What are your future plans till the end of the year and after?
The album is freshly out and we're off to the States next week then a headline run in October, a few shows to end the year no doubt and get onto some writing for album two!
Read our album review of Black Foxxes debut album I’m Not Well here: brightonsfinest.com/html/index.php/12-music/1674-black-foxxes-im-not-well
Website: BlackFoxxes.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BlackFoxxesuk
Twitter: twitter.com/BlackFoxxes