Adebisi Shank drummer Michael Roe talks to getnloose…
1. Tell us who you are – what you do and how long you’ve been doing it ?
My name is Michael, I play Drums in Adebisi Shank and I run an independent label called The Richter Collective. I started playing drums when I was about 14, and haven’t improved since then. I have been running this particular label for about 2 years now but ran a different label before this.
2. Favourite 3 colors?
Blue, Green & Yellow (I love soft pastels because I’m old and my eyes can’t handle abrasive colors)
3. Favourite 5 pieces of all time and why – (please include links)
My Favourite movie of all time has to be Bottle Rocket. Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson at their best, the script is terrifyingly well written for a first movie. Love it!
I love anything that plays around with perception so I love Edgar Muellers street art. This one is my favourite:
The game Syndicate pretty much ruled my life as I was growing up, it introduced me to the horrible addiction of gaming. I had it on the Amiga and I got addicted from the first time I played it but I just loved the feel of it and the futuristic artwork.
I’m totally obssesed with the ancient city of Carthage so I love Turners painting of how he imagined the city being built.
Baked Beans are the most amazing food that you can find in a can. They have become a comfort food for me and somehow I just associate the taste as “the taste of Ireland” when we’re away for a long time I only miss Beans on Toast. Beans taste like crap everywhere else in the world apart from UK & Ireland.
4. Favourite city and why ?
My Favourite City is where my family and friends are, I’m a total country boy and am not really cut out for the amount of people in a city so that question is kind of wasted on me 
I tend to just get panic attacks in Cities.
5. Favourite food / drink /?
I love really simple Italian food, Big Chunky Rustic Food with loads of Tomato, Basil, Olive Oil, Big Crusty Breads, Pasta and a nice Italian Red Wine (Brunello). I’ll also eat and enjoy anything vegetarian.
6. Biggest vice ?
When I have little time I tend to eat pure crap food so Chocolate, Crisps anything that I can eat straight from a packet.
7. Biggest Gripe ?
Cynics and people who Gripe constantly. People who try to further their own lives by bringing other people down and constant negativity. It’s such an horrible trait in a person.
8. Favourite shoe?
Anything that’s cheap/free and fits me. I’m actually terrible and just never have enough money for shoes. I’d just buy a pair of Vans skate shoes if I had money.
9. Favourite 5 tracks ?
This question would probably change week by week but I’ll try to give some tracks that I’ve loved for years…
Not Really a track but Steve Reichs’ Music for 18 Musicians is one of my favourite Pieces of music of all time, It needs to be listened to in full if you have not heard it. Ive only included a link to a sample from it.
Oingo Boingo – “Heard Somebody Cry” – Pretty much choose any of their tracks and I could include it here. I even have a signed guitar by the band, I’m THAT obsessed.
Refused – “The Deadly Rythm” – Feel sick I missed them when they played Ireland, wish I had sense back then. Here they are playing to a few lucky people in Dundalk.
Carl Orff – “Gassenhauer” – Despite the rumours that surround the man this piece is just incredible. I love percussion driven songs and this is one of my favourite examples. Its very a very simplistic, primitive melody that I think everyone can enjoy.
Field Music – “In Context” – Just an awesome song that never gets old.
10. Perfect day?
Sunny day by the beach looking out across the sea and stop thinking about everything.
11. Whos the most famous person on your phone?
J. Robbins from Jawbox / Government Issue/ Scream
12. 3 people you would love to have a pint with ?
Peter Gabriel, Danny Elfman & Steven Seagal
13. 3 things you cant live without . . .
My Ears, Food & A place to sleep at night.
14. i am lucky/unlucky because . . .
I am lucky because I am alive, have my health, have great friends & family and am afforded every oppurtunity I could possibly want.
15. Last time you were caught doing something ?
Caught robbing a packet of Tayto crisps and two slices of bread from Battles dressing room by John Stanier.
16. 5 things that are within arms reach of where you are right now?
Bats – “Red in Tooth & Claw” CD, New INQ1 phone & “Wisdom sits in Places” by Keith H. Basso
17. what would u grab from your burning house?
My Great Grandads Stopwatch & my Steven Seagal DVDs
18. 3 things to do before you die ?
Eat my own Bodyweight in Peppermint Patties, Visit South America & Empty out my Washing machine (I can tell my clothes now stink since I left them in over night)
19. earliest memory
Travelling around the world on a super shoestring budget with my awesome parents who thought it was a much better education than school (It was – I’ve pretty much blocked out all my memories of School)
20. any upcoming projects- shouts – final words !
We’ve started working on our new album, which should be due out in Summer. More details over @ www.richtercollective.com
Cheers Michael
Check out the brilliant Adebisi Shank here.
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