DGAW Interviews: Les Princes du Rock

Les Prince du Rock are a loud and energetic garage rock band based in Tours, France who released their second EP "La Tendresse" ("Tenderness" in English) on January 8th. I recently had the pleasure of talking to guitarist and co-vocalist, Thomas Fouquet, about their new release as well as their history as a group and  how they craft their bombastic sound.

1. How did you and the other band members meet?

 At the beginning, there were two band, "The psychologist and his Medicine Band" and "Daily Mind Distortion"; "Les Princes du Rock" is composed of members of this two band…So we played together since 10 years now.

2. The cover of your Newest album?

We first choose the name "La Tendresse" because there is so much love between us, and we ask friends to propose picture with this name, this picture was proposed by our friend "Thackery Earwicket" from the label "Un-je-ne-sais-quoi"  We really appreciated this picture because its totally "La Tendresse".

3. How long have you been playing as a band and in general?

 I think we all had our first band experience around 12,14 years old, and we are 33 now...

4. What is the French Garage Rock scene like?

 - Kaviar Special, Volage, Travel Check, JC Satan, Frustration, Radical Satan, Fat and the Crabs, Cheveu, The Magnetics and a lot of bands…
 -Born Bad Records (A famous parisien label)
 -Big festival like "The Cosmic Trip", "Binic Folk Blues Festival"
French Garage Rock scene is composed of a lot of little band which have an "home made organisation", like us....

5. How did you choose the bands name?

We didn't choose it ! Our label "Cocktail Pueblo" did it… And we just approved it, it sounds funny and not serious, we like it very much

6. On the cover of your last release you an elephant on the cover. Why elephants?

 Because we have an elephantine sound, a bit stoner, loud…

7. The Canadian Coffee tour?

"Le Canadian café" is the place to rock in our town "Tours"

8. How did you develop your amazing sound?

By ourself in our basement, with the gorgeous skill of our record team

9. Would you ever tour Canada?

Sure! book us!

10. Inspires you as musicians to make music?

 Friendship, experience, soul, love, satan

11. Explain your lyrics

Words are chosen to sound with the music, story cames from our dreams...

12. What is LE TEMPS MACHINE?

Le Temps Machine is the biggest concert hall in our town

13. What are your favourite experiences playing shows?

 The Next one! Our lives are better get better!

14. what was the strangest show you have ever played?

Blitz Witz Nacht, a strange experience show during a full night with street art company and performance artist...
Like a dream in a cloud, so strange night, stressing, never ended....

15. What bands have influenced you?

Captain Beefheart, Velvet Underground, Thee Oh Sees, Fu Manchu, Daniel Guichard, Marie Paul Belle...

16. Do you prefer apples or oranges?

I prefer orange cause it's a fruit from sun !

17. What kind of gear do you use get your signature sound?

Honner Ortofon Amp, Rolland Space Echo, Custom guitare with noise box inside, Big Fuzz, A cheap drum, a big bass, lot of reverb in all sound....

18. I love the gang vocals on your latest album. Was there a particular reason for using gang vocals for the songs?

Because there is no really lead singer in this band, we like the sound of choral, it makes the voice very deep.

19. Favourite thing about being in band?

 Meet people, travel, play, drink, sing, make party...

20. Who are your favourite Canadian musicians?

No Means No, Cayouche




You can find out more about the band at:
 https://www.facebook.com/lesprincesdurock/timeline

You can check out their music at:
http://lesprincesdurock.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxYjwL4ndGU&spfreload=10

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0bEIUA_x2w