Hot damn, The Empires write some catchy stuff! They describe it as cinematic sci-fi pop-rock, but we'd describe as the sound of some Superfriendz Swervedrivin' down the Expressway To Yr Skull. The band features Terrence Kramer on vocals and guitar, James Strachan on bass and guitar, Graham Walsh on guitars and synths and John Hall on drums. Bunk Bedouin noticed John, drummer for the Empires, enjoying a shrimp cocktail across the room, and just had to came over and see if he could get his rare 7'? signed. They got to talkin'.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACES YOU MAKE WHEN YOU DRUM?

Since I can't give you my artist's rendering of how I look when I am drumming, I'll describe it. I start with a completely blank stare on my face and glazed over eyes. I complement that by phonetically mouthing each sound the drums make as I strike them and adding just a hint of escaped mental patient into my physical motion.

WHEN CAN I BUY A RECORDING, AND WHAT DO YOU GUYS HAVE PLANNED FOR THE TENS AND TENS OF DOLLARS THIS EASILY-ACCESSIBLE STUFF IS GOING TO BRING YOU?

Thanks for the kind words. Though not officially released by any record label at present, we will have CDs available at the show with lovely packaging that was painstakingly assembled by actual members of the band, their significant others, and any friends we could rope in to help. As for the money generated by these sales, since we have not yet been able to work out how the royalties will be divided, I foresee all our proceeds going to the legal representatives each band member will have hire for the long and nasty legal battle that will ensue.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SOMEWHAT RECENT EMBRACING OF CANADIAN MUSIC WORLDWIDE? IS THIS A FLASH IN THE PAN, OR HAVE YEARS OF RELATIVE OBSCURITY PREPARED US FOR SOME LONG-LASTING LANGUISHING IN THE LIMELIGHT?
The world at large has long embraced Canadian megastars such as Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, and Corey Hart. It's only been recently that they have embraced Canadians who actually make good music. And as far as I'm concerned, the years of relative obscurity I have faced in my life in general have more than prepared me to gloat in the limelight for a very long time.

HOW IMPORTANT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS YOUR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION TO YOUR CREATIVE OUTPUT?
It's totally important to our creative output in so many ways. I mean, we could write a whole record about the CN Tower, it's so inspirational. Don't even get me started on Honest Ed's!

TERRENCE'S VELVETY CROONINGS REMIND ME OF ADAM FRANKLIN. IS THIS COINCIDENTAL, OR DOES HE, IN FACT, HAVE A SWERVEDRIVER SHRINE IN HIS BEDROOM? YOU CAN TELL US, IT'S COOL.

Though Terrence is a fan of Adam's, the truth is, he has a shrine dedicated to Swervedriver drummer Graham Bonner. If you have ever heard Terry play the drums, you'll realize the similarity he has to Graham is truly frightening.

LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC, IT SEEMS LIKE PERHAPS TERRENCE IS BRINGING A LOT OF THESE SONGS TO THE TABLE. HOW DO YOU ALL GET A CHANCE TO GIVE CREATIVE FEEDBACK AND GET YOUR INPUT BROUGHT ACROSS?

If I open my mouth at rehearsals, they threaten to kick me out of the band, so I stay pretty quiet.

HOW DO YOU HOLD YOUR DRUMSTICKS? IS IT RINGO STARR OR JOHN BONHAM STYLE?
Keith Moon style.

WHEN EATING CHICKEN WINGS, AS YOU SEEM ABOUT TO DO, DO YOU EMPLOY THE ONE-HANDED METHOD, OR CHOOSE THE MORE EFFICIENT, THOUGH ADMITTEDLY LESS SANITARY, TWO-HANDED METHOD?I opt for the even less sanitary stick-your-head-right-into-the-plate-of-chicken-wings-and-lick-as-many-of-them-as-you-can-so-that-no-one-else-will-want-to-have-any method.

DO YOU EVER GET THE FEELING THAT ORIGAMI HAS SOME DARK MYSTICISM LYING JUST BENEATH ITS SEEMINGLY FRIENDLY, ARTS-AND-CRAFTS VENEER?
One minute, it's a regular sheet of paper and the next it's in the shape of a swan, frog, or some other mystical creature. You'd better believe there's some dark magic going on there. Don't trust origami for a second.

WHO AMONG YOUR BAND IS THE MOST PHYSICALLY FIT?[Uncontrollable laughter] That's a good one.

WHADDAYOU GUYS DO OTHER THAN WRITE MUSIC?
I don't think anyone in the band can actually "write" music. Other than that, we enjoy long knife fights, sheep shearing, and I have a sideline designing fishing lures.

By Bunk Bedouin