Room Thirteen chat to Pricey from The Most Terrifying Thing ahead of the release of their debut album, 'Victoriana' on 30th January.

R13: You toured the UK in October, how did that go?
Pricey: It went really well thanks. It was cool to get out and about to see what reaction we'd get and I'm not just saying this but I really can't think of anywhere we didn't go down well. Some places weren't too full but that's to be expected and I'm expecting a fair few more at those places next time round let's say.

R13: There were several dates in your hometown Liverpool on the tour, has the music scene there helped you on your way?
Pricey: It's a weird one in Liverpool because the venues are all really supportive but the local press and radio always seem to be a bit slow on the uptake unless you have that 'Liverpool sound'. There's all sorts of music scenes going on in Liverpool the rest of the country don't even know about because ska/punk/alternative/rockabilly and so on are not considered 'scouse enough' or something.

R13: If someone were thinking of coming to see you on tour, what would you say to convince them to make the effort?
Pricey: If you want to come and see England's answer to QOTSA then come along!
Seriously, we put in more hours than most and make sure our live show is immensely tight and immensely loud so come and check it out.

R13: Your songs are very emotional; do you focus on events in your life to get that kind of passion?
Pricey: I don't think there is a right way to write a song - lyrics wise there is an underlying theme of angst but it's not constricted to my life or events - it's about things I've read about, things I've seen or heard about and injustices on any level that need highlighting. What makes our songs different is that it's not just about feeling down or undervalued in life - it carries the message to fight your way out of whatever is trying to keep you down


R13: Where did the title of your debut album, 'Victoriana' come from?
Pricey: Well we had a few different ideas about the album title but settled on Victoriana because it's kind of wanting to hark back to some of the Victorian Values such as opening doors for people, holding an umbrella over a ladies head for her and silly things like that - I sound mental now but I know what I'm on about!!

R13: How long did it take to complete?
Pricey: It was recorded in about 3-4 weeks and then 2 months mixing - the songs were already there but we were trying to get a particular feel for the album which took a bit of the raw, live edge off it so it was more about the songs rather than the volume. That said it still sounds best if you play it as loud as you can!!

R13: Do you have a personal favourite track on the album?
Pricey: I think it's too difficult to say as we left a lot of songs off the album because we wanted to try and put songs on that all had a different feel to the others next to them. If I had to pick one I'd say 'Silent Type' as it showcases a lot of things that we're about as a band.

R13: This question is sure to be one that will never leave you, but how exactly did Audioslave come to buy their name from you?
Pricey: We heard a rumour that Chris Cornell's new band was going to be called Audioslave and thought, 'hang on a minute' - next thing we're having phonecalls from lawyers in Los Angeles and stuff sorting out a deal so they could use it - tremendously surreal time as our website went from like 2 or 3 hits a day to about 30,000 hits in two days - madness!

R13: How does the current name suit the band then?
Pricey: I think it's great because people seem shocked when they hear us because we're not death metal or something - I like the thought of people having their pre-conceptions smashed to pieces - it's like a message to them to be a bit more open minded which is always a good thing

R13: There's a quote in the biography on your website about how you believe music can change the world, do you think it's important for music to have clear messages for the audience rather than just being written for the band then?
Pricey: I can't think of anything people would connect less to than a band who are self indulgent. The reason people connect with our music is because it is very honest music being written for the benefit of no-one in particular.
It's hard to explain but the songs literally come out of their own accord, I have never sat down to write a song intentionally as I think you can spot dishonesty in music a mile off - the best songs have always carried messages but never intentionally so - it lets the listener make it their own and they can take their own meaning from it that way.

R13: What do you think about events like Live Aid that are trying to use music to affect politics then?
Pricey: You can't knock the idea of it but you can definitely knock the way they went about it. Every band on the stage made sure they played their new single if they had one coming out and it disgusted me - time and a place and all that. Plus, having Elton John on made me laugh - you've got a guy there who spends £500,000 a year on flowers asking people to give money to charity - I think the phrase 'lead by example' comes to mind doesn't it?

R13: Now you've released an album, what are the band's long-term goals?
Pricey: We just want to be afforded the chance to carry on making music really - we've worked extremely hard to get to this stage and we want to carry on.
I've absolutely no desire to be on 'Cribs' on MTV or something, I find all that bit quite grotesque but if we could carry on playing and connecting with people then I'll be well happy....oh yeah, and world domination too haha!

R13: Is there anything The Most Terrifying Thing are afraid of?
Pricey: Only the van we tour in.

R13: What was your New Year's resolution?
Pricey: To get insanely pissed apparently - well that's what was going on at the time so start as you mean to go on yeah?

R13: Which bands would you like to see make it big in 2006?
Pricey: God, there's loads - Nine Black Alps are well on their way, Stringmen, The Kesey Experiment, The Common Redstarts, Fridge Mountain Fires, Mark Greville, White Rabbit, Bendal Interlude, Day With Mary and shed loads more - too many to mention

R13: Finally, what are your plans for the new year?
Pricey: To do as many gigs as possible and get on a few festivals. Rumour has it we may well be off across the pond so we'll see what happens like and we've got tons of songs for a second album to be recorded too - busy, busy, busy!!

R13: Thanks for your time and I hope we'll be hearing most of The Most Terrifying Thing in the future.
Pricey: Cheers matey and I'm sure you will be!