Interview with Apes With Hobbies

Apes With Hobbies is the solo project of London-based composer and guitarist Jason Gorman.
Jason started playing guitar in 1988 at the age of 17, and served his time as an axe-man in an eclectic range of college and local Rock/Metal bands.

MER: How did you come up with the band name?

Jason: It’s a statement of fact. I’m an ape, and this is my hobby.

MER: What are 3 bands that you feel were most influential to your band, and why?

Jason: Frank Zappa, Devin Townsend, Tangerine Dream

MER: What are the 5 best Metal/Hard Rock albums of all times, and why?

Jason:

• Strapping Young Lad – City -> heaviest album of all time
• Frank Zappa – Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch -> nobody does it better
• Meshuggah – Destroy Erase Improve -> that exact moment when metal changed forever
• Devin Townsend – Terria -> for teaching us that heavy can be beautiful
• Igor Stravinsky – The Rite Of Spring -> as far as I’m concerned, this is metal. Got a problem with that?

MER: What is the best concert you’ve ever attended, and why?

Jason: Frank Zappa – Birmingham NEC, 1988. The best live band I’m probably ever going to see in my short, miserable life.

MER: What was the most memorable gig your band ever played, and why?

Jason: If I played a gig, I’m sure I’d remember.

MER: What is the craziest thing any member of your band has ever done for the sake of Metal/Hard Rock?

Jason: Put my underpants on my head, shoved two pencils up my nostrils and said “wibble”

MER: If your band was appointed Rulers of the Metal World, what is the first law you’d make?

Jason: I’d invade Sweden. They’ve got too many of the best musicians. They need to share.

MER: If you could tour with any band, who would that be, and why?

Jason: The Spice Girls. I fancy my chances with the mad ginger one. Is her name Gerald? Whatever.

MER: What do you think your fans and the music industry will say about your band in 10 years?

Jason: “I want my money back”

MER: If you could have any wish fulfilled for the band, what would it be?

Jason: Did I mention the ginger one from the Spice Girls?