With the recent release of the Thirst’s debut album, ‘On The Brink’, we thought we would find out a little bit more about what this Brixton band are dabbling with. So here is Kwame with all the important info:
R13: First things first, please introduce the band…
Kwame: We’re Mensah (lead guitar) Kwame (bass) Mark (rhythm guitarist) and Marcus (drummer) and we are the Thirst.
R13:Where did the name come from?
Kwame: I don’t know really, we just wanted to express our love for life and ‘The Hunger’ just sounded crap!
R13: Some of you are related, others school friends. Does the fact you have known each other so long make decision-making easier or harder?
Kwame: Yeah, it makes it harder - some times, but because we’ve got respect for each other and we know each other’s moods, we can always find a resolution
R13:How are the disagreements settled?
Kwame: It depends how drunk we get I guess… not really, we just give each other space and we have respect for each other
R13:Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
Kwame: Playing with the Rolling Stones, it was intense, it just made me realise that’s where I wanted to be
R13:Who would you describe as some of your main influences?
Kwame: Growing up as a black kid in England I’d have to say Jimi Hendrix, the man was a legend and a great inspiration.
R13:The sounds created by your album vary quite a lot. Where does your inspiration come from?
Kwame: Not wanting to be another bum. And just life really, waking up and seeing Brixton every day, seeing those around you struggling so much and their lives going nowhere…
R13:‘Acre Lane’ was an amazing song. How did it come about?
Kwame: I was on Acre Lane, seeing what goes on, I mean it’s shit, really but I love it and I just wanted give something back to Brixton.
R13:Which track are you most proud of on the album and why?
Kwame: ‘I’m Falling’ - nothing else sounds like it on the album - I love the strings and the people who came in to play them were so talented. It’s just epic
R13:How has growing up in an area such as Brixton influenced the songs you are writing?
Kwame: Well you know, the things you see around you, gun crime, crack heads, it’s all there, it’s a dark world you know, I mean the stuff you see in the media is just scraping the surface, I’ve seen a lot of scary stuff. So that definitely influences our writing - how can it not?
R13:If you could have written any song, past and present, what would it be and why?
Kwame: ‘Backstreet’s Back’ by the Backstr-, nah just, joking, there’s lots of tunes. I guess ‘Under The Bridge’ by the Chilli Peppers, that’s an amazing song
R13:If you could duet with anyone, past and present who would it be and why?
Kwame: I don’t know, Hendrix, no Dylan, yeah Dylan actually, you know what, both of them!
R13:If you could play any venue in London, where would it be and for what reason?
Kwame: Brixton Academy, I’ve just seen so many good bands there, it is just one of the most exciting venues in the world. I’d love to play there
R13:Any UK live dates coming up?
Kwame: We’ve just finished a long UK tour, but we’re playing Love Music Hate Racism this weekend, and Glastonbury next - the leftfield stage, that’s going to be insane, I’m looking forward to that.
R13:How have your lives changed since starting the band?
Kwame: It’s my love. Music is my purpose in life it gives me direction and a reason to wake up in the morning
R13:If you could create a theme tune for any television show, what show would it be and how would it go in terms of lyrics?
Kwame: Dickinson’s Real Deal - ‘Dickinson’s the real deal, he’s got the feel!....’