NG26

Following a glowing review from Izzy earlier in the year, we chat to Rob from NG26 about all things rock n roll....

Hi, welcome to Voltcase - how are things?!

Thank you very much. things are going great! We've recently finished mastering the new single, which will be representative of the new album, and the video is being shot november. Its something we've never done before, but NG26 always love a challenge!

So, how would you describe your sound to a stranger in three words?

Just three words! We struggle describing our sound anyway! Erm, i suppose the three words would then have to be "listen to it!"

What could you say to convince the lazy general public that they should check you out, turn up at your gigs and buy your music?

That we have ten years of gigging experience behind us, and we are confident that we are ready for "the big time". We have a more varied song soundscape than most bands on the scene, and that is really what sets us apart from the crowd! you can expect a very sonically sexy show with pyro at the bigger venues that can handle flame towers!

What do you guys think of the Internet as a way of promoting yourselves – is it an essential marketing tool, or just another way for people to steal your music without you knowing about it?

The Internet has proven to be a great tool in finding out about music in general. We have personally developed a fan base world wide and can now pin point what it is about our songwriting that people like! And also the areas in the world that really crave the side step that we've taken from our influences! its been said that we have "driven metal back to our roots". I don't know if this is the case but we certainly love what we do and love music from all eras!

We try and promote as many local scenes as we can here at Voltcase, what can you tell us about your home town/s and the music scene there? Any bands that we might not have heard of that you think we should check out?

Oh yeah, it depends what you're into though. Derby and Nottingham is ok for rock and metal, but there are some really good producers in the area that just need tempting into rock, then our area will be unstoppable! One band to stand up and take notice of is "Isolysis" when our 2 bands share the bill, its magical! They are on our level and are great guys!

And, for anyone out there just starting out in a band, is there one piece of invaluable advice that you could give them to help them on their way?

Don't get discouraged! There are many many pitfalls along the way - especially the arseholes that will rob you of every penny they can get your hands on! Develop trust, don't just go on cv! just common sense really, you know who you're friends are and fans are there to help you get big! Word of mouth is just as powerful as the net!

So, what’s the most extreme rock-star type story that’s happened to you while on tour or at a gig?

Well we've never driven a car into a pool or had a groupie with a fish, but we just love having a good time with each other, roadie's and definitely groupies! The first big tour will definitely be accompanied by a camcorder!

If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask yourself? And what would the answer be?

Hmm, the big question on everybody's lips is much the same as voltcase - what does NG26 mean!?!?!? Well we're not telling, but we've had some great theories such as its the chemical symbol for a bomb, its a constellation, right down to a postcode (which we don't think there is one!) as bass player for NG26 i would always like to know - WHERE'S THE BEER??

So, what have you got planned for the rest of the year?

Well, there's not much of the year left, but we have filming for the video to do, a good few gigs to play, and a lot of ale to drink! We have to be ready for 2009 - the year of NG26!! lol

And finally, the question that we ask everyone that appears in Voltcase - what does the word 'Voltcase' mean?

To me Voltcase is like a crazy person or a basket case (tune) but obviously the voltage part is the interesting part. it stirs up images of our future tour bus with a boat load of groupies and a violet wand!!

Rob - NG26