Getting to Know… The Loners | Interview 🎤

In the 368^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from Scottish alternative rock band The Loners.

“We try and cover it all. Big riffs, big choruses and lots of shouting.” WOO, 🎙 The Loners! Prior to that colorful response, the band characterizes itself as, “a mixture of blues, rock, punk, grunge and throw in some 90s dance.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the Scottish alternative rock band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know…The Loners: Interview No. 368!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes The Loners distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?  

The Loners are a mixture of blues, rock, punk, grunge and throw in some 90s dance! We try and cover it all. Big riffs, big choruses and lots of shouting. You will like at least one of our songs from our set. Plus, we tell a lot of dad jokes!

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did The Loners form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

The Loners originally started as a two-piece acoustic/bass indie/pop band. This consisted of Nath and Ross. Ross decided to call it a day after around 2 years, just as our current drummer, James joined the band. James had recently met Nath in the pub, while watching a football game. Through a mutual friend, they spoke about their love for playing live and being in a band.

Nath and Mark were at university together and always touched on the idea of playing in a band, but with life taking over and following different directions, it wasn’t until 12 years later that Mark decided to join the new “The Loners” line-up.

This was the start of the new “sound” The Loners were about to develop. What once was an indie band, has now developed into an alternative rock band. The vision has always been the same – play live, have fun and if we can make something out of it, then great!

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

I think now that we have this solid line-up and sound, we are feeling a lot more confident about what we play. Our future goals are to keep playing live, playing festivals and record more.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

We all love guitar music. Nath loves guitar music from the 60s to the present day. The Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Stone Roses, Wolfmother etc. For me it was the big riffs, but you can also dance to the music as well. Mark was always into punk rock as well as experimental music. Anything that sounded different, but clever. James actually loves country music but is “officially” a punk drummer. He likes to mix the two together, which is the reason he creates these great drumbeats…but plays them loud!

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

To be honest, I don’t think we have done anything which other bands haven’t. A few years back we played down south. We travelled together in the car, unloaded our stuff at the venue, sound checked etc. I (Nath) was dying from a chest infection, so could barely sing. It meant I was practically shouting at the audience. I kept asking for the mic to be turned up, which then caused the PA to blow up, during a performance. Sparks were flying and the crowd thought that was part of our act, so they all cheered. After the gig, we just got drunk and then drove home the next again day, having to pull over at the side of the road a few times, to throw up! Good times…

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

For me (Nath) 🎵 “Dirty Lies” is a great song to play live. It’s basically a song about current political policies. We then finish the song on a 3-minute instrumental – it has everything in it and it’s so much fun to play.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Mark (bass player) can do an excellent Ewok impression. He also plays the ukulele.

Closing out, what is The Loners currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

We are about to record our next single at the end of the month (August 2023), so expect new music from us before the end of the year.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Thanks!

Getting to Know…The Loners: Interview No. 368 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Loners; Tumisu via Pixabay]