Features

Deadline is a cool punkrock band that has been around for quite some years already and that has been consistently dropping releases that are worth listening to. An interview couldn't wait any longer so we got in touch with Herve, one of the driving forces behind the band and husband of vocalist Liz.

PRT: You’ve started an extensive European tour a couple of days ago… how’s that working out for you so far?
Herve: It worked out well, we finished the tour last month and we have had some great dates on it. Germany rocked as usual but we also played some cool shows in Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and Budapest.

PRT: Half of the band lives in England, the other half in France… are you guys able to go on tour together during the World Cup?
Herve: Aahah, we don't care about football, the French team is rubbish anyway, and England is not much better, they are all over-paid crybabies who complain for nothing. They should send them to bootcamp and strip them of all their privileges! Take'em all!

PRT: Your new album is called “Bring The House Down”. Is that a kind of band motto?
Herve: Yes, kind of, we always try to have a good time on stage and we love it when the gigs are big parties and everyone goes nuts. We would like to take the credit and say WE bring the house down... but sometimes it's up to the crowd to make a good show an exceptional one!

PRT: On every album you have a couple of songs that could’ve just as well been on your first album. But over the years you guys have become a little poppier with every single release as well. Do you catch a lot of flack from older fans about that?
Herve: Some old fans complain about it but that's the way it is. We cannot keep writing and recording the same album every time. I don't think we have gone any poppier, we just know how to write and produce catchier songs and we are using Liz's voice to its full potential now.

PRT: You’ve been with People Like You for quite some time now. Have you ever thought about switching labels that might let you reach a whole other and even bigger audience?
Herve: If Sony or Columbia music knocks on our door we'll ceratinly consider the offers, but I don't think it will ever happen, we're not young pups anymore, being with People Like You is just the right balance for us I reckon.

PRT: One thing I’ve already read a couple of times is that people consider the Nancy Sinatra cover the weakest song on the album. Why did you decide to cover that specific song?
Herve: Liz loves that song, very girl power, she thought it'd make a nice cover. It's not as powerful as the other songs but it was fun recording it.

PRT: I read somewhere that you take care of everything that has to do with the band yourself. Why did you decide to work that way?
Herve: Well, Liz and I take care of everything, this way there's no-one to blame if things go wrong, See, we have more motivation than the other guys in the band. They just wanna be in it for the free beers!

PRT: Is Deadline a fulltime job for you now or do you all still have dayjobs?
Herve: We all have day jobs (or night shifts), I am a teacher!

PRT: I don’t know too many bands with a married couple in them… how’s that working out for you?
Herve: Not too bad, we take care of each other, it's like being on holiday all the time.

PRT: Is it true that you never really rehearse prior to going on tour?
Herve: True, we never rehearse. We didn't even rehearse the new album!!! All done through mp3 exchanges on the www. The only way we get away with it is because everyone is on top of their game when it comes to playing music... if nothing else.

PRT: What’s up next for Deadline after this tour?
Herve: Playing some big euro fests this summer and taking it easy in autumn!