DEVIL'S ISLAND featuring Sunmachine
Welcome to this weeks edition of Devil's Island! Every week we maroon a band or artist on the island and see what they get up to, how they cope with being all alone on a small island in the middle of the ocean. It's not your average desert island and we'll see just how each person copes with the extreme conditions.
This week when we arrived at Devil's Island we find Sunmachine sat on the beach. The island is far from their home, so how did they end up here and how did they cope with life on Devil's Island?
Find out now...
Welcome to The Razors'e Edge and our somewhat lovely, warm desert island. Don't worry about it's name I'm sure it's not as bad as that would suggest.
You're marooned here on this island, but before you ended up shipwrecked you chose one album that you couldn't live without. Which album did you each chose and why?
Kieran: It's got to be Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. I still remember the first time I listened to it, and listened the whole way through in absolute awe.
Ross: For me, it's gonna have to be "Fantastic Planet" by Failure. That album made a big impact on me as a young aspiring musician, hugely inspirational and it holds a special place in the music part of my brain to this day. Killer bass tones, too.
Jacob: I’d say to say the Alter Bridge ‘Live at The Royal Albert Hall’. Not only is it the only time they played with a live orchestra (The Parallax Orchestra) but it contains all of my favourite songs from my favourite band. And I was there so it would remind me of better times.
Ethan: For me it's got to be 'Minutes to Midnight' by 'Linkin Park'. I could listen to it on repeat all day and as 'Transformers' is my favourite film 'what I've done' has a special place in my heart.
Just behind that palm tree is a shack for each of you to stay in, with enough space for you to put up a poster on the wall of one album cover. What album cover do you each chose?
Kieran: Bring me the Horizon's Sempiternal. Absolutely iconic artwork, and I may or may not have it tattooed on me...
Ross: Pyroclasts by Sunn O))). It's the type of vast yet strangely calming artwork that I could just stare at for a really long time, which would be pretty useful in those circumstances.
Jacob: Hmmm that’s impossible for me to answer so I’m just going to go with Train Of Thought by Dream Theatre. Not only is it my favourite album of theirs but I’m also listening to it alot at the moment.
Ethan: I'd have to pick the 'Ever Be' artwork from the local Band 'Strawberry Lace'
There's also a bar on this here island. But alas each of you only get to choose one drink for the entirety of your stay. What's your tipple of choice?
Kieran: Has to be Vodka, the most versatile of drinks, it goes with absolutely anything and you can drink it straight. If there's coconuts on this island you could make some sort of Malibu tasting thing!
Ross: Beer. No lager, proper English ale. Maybe an American style IPA here and there, but I'd be pretty happy on the island if the bar served a nice ruby ale.
Jacob: Tequila Sunrise, I’ll die on this island a happy man.
Ethan: Shots of baby guinness please boss, with a few of those down the hatch I'll soon forget about the island I'm stranded on.
Your suitcases were lost when your ship sank, but you each managed to salvage one item of band merch. What’s the merch and for what band?
Kieran: The unreleased SUNMACHINE Beanie hat, which would be almost entirely useless on a desert island, but I'd look sick.
Ross: Definitely has to be my 'Public Castration Is A Good Idea" t-shirt that I bought at a Swans show in London. That one turns a lot of heads, and I'd like to be wearing it when I'm rescued from the island.
Jacob: My floral Periphery t-shirt. Amazing band and it’s a very comfy material.
Ethan: The 'SUNMACHINE' Stickers so I can leave my mark on the island and maybe that'll mean we own it.
You’re sat on the island thinking “I’m stuck here on this island with my bandmates for eternity”… who would you rather have been shipwrecked with?
Kieran: Probably Bear Grylls so he can make me a shelter and cook me up some delicious island scran.
Ross: I don't think I'd rather be shipwrecked with anyone else! But since you asked, I'd probably bring Steve from that TV show Deadly 60. Remember him? I just think it'd be fun to ask him about all the animals on the island.
Jacob: Anyone but these guys to be honest.
Ethan: As Keiran stole my answer, I'd have to go with 'Steve Backshall' he seems like a pretty cool dude and he shares the same knowledge and strengths as 'Bear Grylls'
There's a walkman in your pocket, on the tape inside is the recording of the one live show that stands out for you. It could be any show, from any band, anywhere in the world. What show is on that walkman?
Kieran: Green Day at Reading Festival 2013. My first festival, and my first time seeing one of my all time favourite bands. I've watched it back on Youtube hundreds of times.
Ross: I wasn't there unfortunately as it was before my time, but I'd like to have a recording of Nine Inch Nails at Woodstock in 1994. The one where they're covered in mud. That show was insane.
Jacob: The Download set Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators did in 2015. It was absolutely awesome, I’ll never forget it.
Ethan: The 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers' live show at 'Live Earth, London' is one that stands out for me especially 'Can't Stop' as there was a crazy long build up which sticks in my head.
You're getting desperate, you decide the only course of action is to put a message in a bottle and hope someone finds it. Your message could be to any member of any band, but should be the most suitable for a rescue attempt. Who is it?
Kieran: I'd pick Ethan, he could pick me up in his John Lewis lorry. I hear they're multifunctional these days and so can go underwater. Other brands of lorry boat are also available, probably.
Ross: I would send a message to my good friend Jay from the band ScatterChild (shoutout). I think he'd handle orchestrating a rescue mission pretty well, and his jabs at me for getting stuck on an island would probably be pretty funny.
Jacob: I would first of all, laugh that Kieran is sending a message for help to a member of our band, who is trapped on the same island. I’d have to say probably any member of Metallica, because I know they own a plane that could save us.
Ethan: um..The Police, not the ones with the handcuffs but the band, they seem to be experts on them. Maybe my Message in a Bottle will be the one they write the song about.
You've been stuck here a while and food supplies are running low. There's only one thing for it... which fellow band member gets sacrificed to help the others survive?
Kieran: I'd eat Jake, because he tastes the nicest. Don't ask how I know.
Ross: I'd eat Jake, because Kieran already said Jake, and it's probably best if we focus on one person rather than all trying to eat each other.
Jacob: I would fight them tooth and nail but it looks like I’m getting eaten. But I won’t make it easy.
Ethan: As Keiran has eaten Jake, if I eat Keiran I get double hunger bars....right?
Finally, when the ship sank you each managed to save one person from the wreckage. That person is the one musician that has influenced your career the most, shaped your way of thinking and your outlook on life. Who did you save?
Kieran: Probably Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day. By no means is he the best singer/musician in the world, but without Green Day I'd have never picked up a guitar for the first time, never started singing, never been in a band... etc etc.
Ross: I already mentioned Nine Inch Nails but it'd have to be Trent Reznor. Very influential to me getting into music production, guitar playing, and songwriting; both from a young age, and currently. Listening to NIN made me want to craft my own unique sound and get on stage; I might've never pursued this life if it wasn't for his music!
Jacob: Joe Bonamassa probably. We could have long conversations about vintage gear and his work ethic when it comes to having a musical career is second to none in my opinion.
Ethan: I would have to say 'Zack 'Grooves' Greybeal' for sure, his extremely funny approach to such advanced techniques and grooves makes you forget that you're learning so much. With his background in being a talented and disciplined jazz and fusion drummer. Covering his songs and playing his Grooves automatically transforms your playing because of how intricate and difficult they are.
