13 Questions with Joe Symes and the Loving Kind – they don’t have a favourite swear word

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind are the latest to have a go at our 13 Questions. They’re still looking for Sid, though.

With two albums in the can, the self titled debut and follow up Phase II, as well as a clutch of EPs along the way, the Liverpool trio (Joe Symes, Colin White and Alan Welsh) that makes up Joe Symes and the Loving Kind have had their wings clipped somewhat over the last year or so.

Making the point, wherever you read about them, that live performance is where they shine, this is a band that thrives on stage. Energetic rock is the phrase that best describes the band.

Phase II was recorded and produced in studios as diverse as Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios, Oxfordshire, The Motor Museum, Liverpool, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, and Abbey Road, London.

That gives a flavour of the band’s pedigree. Add in the fact they make a lot of noise for a three piece and you’ve got a successful, no nonsense, rock formula, one that draws from classic influences, but also makes the JS&TLK sound their own.

Following 2018’s Phase II release the band embarked on recording an EP that was to have been let loose last year until Covid intervened.

Gagging to get back out on the road, the band have delayed the EP release until 2021, but hope to get out and tour it as soon as they can.

In the meantime, they set about our 13 Questions:

Where are you and what are you doing?

JS&TLK – We’re in Liverpool, writing new material, finalizing pre-production work on our new EP, and keeping busy with tons of online promotion. Airplay all over the world, magazine interviews/reviews being done left, right and centre, radio sessions both locally and across the pond, celebrity endorsement videos being sent to us. Even during lockdown, it doesn’t stop for us.

What is your favourite view?

JS&TLK – That there’s only two types of music. Good and bad. It’s as simple as that.

What is your favourite swear word and why?

JS&TLK – We don’t have one.

What was the first record / CD you bought with your own money?

JS&TLK – Probably a cassette with The Doors first album on one side, and ‘Waiting for the Sun’ on the other. It was bought from the old HMV in Liverpool city centre. We all have a lot of fond memories of that shop. Kinda miss it at times.

Marmite. Yes, or no?

JS&TLK – No

If you could go to a gig right now, anywhere in the world, which band would you see? And in which venue?

JS&TLK – Probably Paul McCartney at the Whisky a Go Go. You can’t beat those intimate gigs. The combination of playing with someone you greatly admire at venue you’ve always wanted to play is unbeatable. From the photos we’ve seen of the place it’s not a huge venue, but it has so much history to it, and that certain vibe every iconic venue should have.

Who are your musical influences?

JS&TLK – There’s so many to name. The Beatles, The Doors, Echo & the Bunnymen, Burt Bacharach, R.E.M, The Who, The Smiths, Genesis, The Kinks, even film composers like John Barry, Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, Bernard Herrmann, so many.

How do you like your eggs?

JS&TLK –We can’t really name one. Fried, boiled, scrambled, there’s a time and a place to them all, and they can be served in so many ways. Definitely a versatile food if you think about it.

Tell us something we don’t know.

JS&TLK – As sure as eggs is eggs, aching men’s feet.

Which city do you recommend we visit – and why?

JS&TLK – Rome. It’s such an inspiring and wondering place that has history oozing from the wall. Plus, with all the Lambretta and Vespa scooters, it has a 60’s vibe to the place. Like being in an episode of ‘The Saint’. Ha! Ha!

What’s your drink of choice?

JS&TLK – Tea.

What band or album do you think we should check out right now?

JS&TLK –Yes, check out our first two albums, the self-titled Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, and our latest one ‘Phase II’. Both available from our website.
Also, anything by our good friend actor/musician Andy Whittaker. He’s a big fan of the band, plus he’s a great musician himself, and splendid actor. Check him out.