Dublin’s true “blooze”
By Craig Farrell
How long have you been playing guitar?
About 10 years now.
What attracted you towards playing the guitar?
The sound, the look, and the fact that all the music I liked was guitar based.
How did the Cold 100 form?
Around 2007/8 I was working in a book shop with Simon (singer) and we would jam with guitars on our lunch break, talk about the blues and trade licks. After a while we played a few covers in pubs and soon after started writing our own songs. We realised that the music had to be electric and needed a full band arrangement so we sought out George Forsyth (bass) and Vinny Keogh (drums) to make that happen.
Where did you get the name from?
The name comes from a lyric from an old blues song called “Terraplane Blues” by one of my greatest idols, Robert Johnson, we love his music so much and he has had such an influence on us that we had to name the band after something of his. The meaning of the phrase “The Cold 100” is reaching 100 mph in this car, a phrase coined around the 1930’s.
How does the band approach writing songs?
Usually myself or Simon will have a basic idea, melody, chords or a guitar riff, we’ll sit down together and arrange it, when we feel it’s done we’ll record a rough demo and then show the others various parts if needs be.
You describe your music as ‘rhythm and blooze’, can you explain that concept?
We feel that the Phrase “Rhythm and Blues” and “the Blues” has been lost in modern society and it is the basis for most of what we play. The Blooze is our own spin on The Blues, it’s just a bit greasier and dirtier than people may expect from a typical Blues act.
Who would be your musical influences?
Robert Johnson, a lot of his contemporaries from the 1920’s and 30’s; Charley Patton, Son House, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and also rock bands like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones and many many others.
Are you hoping to get signed by a record label?
Yes I hope so, if they can last.
How has social media helped or hindered your bands publicity?
It has helped in some ways because it’s a great way of communication and promotion.
What is your opinion on the “illegal” downloading of music?
There’s no excuse for stealing some ones work or art. I think it’s become part of normal life for a lot of people now and there’s not enough being done about it. I hope to start a campaign over the next year that will address it so that musicians can have a better chance of making a living from their art. At the moment, I think the digital format and downloading culture has really devalued music as a whole. I think every young music lover should experience going to their local record shop, picking something out, looking at the artwork, reading the sleeve and having something tangible in their possession. It’s wonderful!
What do you think of the Dublin music scene?
I think it’s good, there are some really good bands and musicians and it is really thriving at the moment. There are plenty of small venues and a really good vibe. The only complaint I would have is that they don’t get paid enough.
How would you describe a Cold 100 gig?
A high energy and emotional experience and of course, entertaining! Good to groove and dance to.
You reached the final of the battle of the bands in the King Kong Club in 2010. Do you think you should have won it?
No. Although it would’ve been nice to win, I think they ran it fairly. The crowd votes on the night and they voted more for someone else.
Did the band take anything from the experience?
We got a slot at the Life festival out of it which was a pretty cool prize. We made some good contacts and had a really good time as did the audience as far as I could tell.
Do you have any gig planned for Dublin?
We’ll be in Sweeney’s bar on Dame St on 21st March and we have the launch of our EP on 4th. There will be more announced really soon too.
Where do envisage the Cold 100 in five years?
Hopefully we’ll have released two or three albums and toured the States and Europe pretty extensively by then, but who knows. If we’re still together and playing good music and making any kind of a living, I’ll be very happy.
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