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| 2 Foot Moose - 'Left for Dead' Photoshoot |
So January has arrived and a new year has just begun. Having just performed our last gig of the year, I find myself at the pub with the rest of the band discussing the new years set list. The Fountain Inn in Shaftesbury has become the bands local, meeting up at least twice a week for the 'house burger' which has been given the nickname 'Band Burger or Moose Burger' by the landlord Rob. When discussing future plans for the band its impossible to do this without looking back at the progress the band has already made in the short time since it was formed.
As any musician will tell you, trying to form a band is a lot harder than it first would appear. Forming a group with your mates seems fairly straight forward, although in reality its quite the opposite. To begin with your find, that just because 'John' says he can play guitar, doesn't mean he's able to keep in time with 'Paul' on the drums. Your mates mum wont let you practice in the garage because of the neighbours and your best friend isn't able to practice on the Sunday anymore because he's now working or has family commitments. These are just a small sample of issues any 'new' band will face and its safe to say that we experienced our fair share in the early days of 2 Foot Moose.
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| 2 Foot Moose Original Line Up (Late 2012) |
As many of you will remember, 2 Foot Moose was originally a 5 piece band.
Chris 'Budgie' Butler and
Ben Crumpler had been performing together through out their school years and it was only once leaving school that the band truly began to take place. Smithies, vocalist of disbanded punk band 'Zodiac Alarm' took place as drummer and the search began for a bassist and vocalist. Budgie and Ben both had a friend that once dated a girl who they knew was a great singer. After very little convincing, Aimee Vassie joined the band. The band used to practice at 'Platform 1 studio's' in Bones, this is where 2FM first met
Matt Alford who at the time was also trying to start up a band. This would be 2FM's first line up.
In September 2012, 'Against the Tide' announced that they would be disbanding due to Josh Frampton (Their vocalist and guitarist) leaving to study at University. They arranged to play their final gig at 'Legends' nightclub in Gillingham on the 7th September. This would be our very first gig, supporting ATT alongside a Salisbury based band 'I'm Designer'. The new band stepped onto the stage and performed only 3 songs. Wicked Game by HIM, Situations by Escape the Fate and Meds by Placebo. This set was over in less than 10 minutes, but it was the official small step for 2 Foot Moose. Looking back now, the band see this as continuing from where Against the Tide left off. Their last ever gig was the birth of a new band.
The band set to work building up their set list, something that faced a new problem. The styles and artists each member of the band liked were so diverse that the band had trouble finding songs everybody liked. Matt was very into his fast heavy riffs and tended to favour bands such as 'Metallica' and 'Iron Maiden', while Aimee preferred 'Evanesence' for its vocal structures. Just over a month later 2FM had put together 12 songs and arranged a gig at the Coronation Club on the 7th November 2012.
This would turn out to be one of the worst gigs the band had ever performed. Posters went up, and news rapidly spread that '2 Foot Moose' were once again playing. Considering the band had only ever played one gig and it was only the one group playing that night, the turn out was amazing. Nearly every table was full. Now I said this was the worst gig we had ever played, and if you are one of our early followers you will remember why. To start, the stage presence and organisation of the gig was terrible. As a band we had rehearsed our set list so that we knew it inside out... one thing we hadn't practiced was our image on stage and keeping the event running smoothly. There were really long pauses between songs, not enough interaction with the crowd and a fair bit of arguing on stage amongst members, which leads me to my next failure. Our equipment wasn't powerful enough to pull of a gig. both Budgie & Ben were using 30watt 'Line 6' practice amps and had them miked up to the PA system to make them louder. This distorts the sound quality of each amp. Not only did we have the amps to deal with but both the bass guitar and vocals were also plugged into the PA system, over loading the equipment and causing it to randomly cut out as well as causing severe feedback. Smithies had a awful drum kit (given to him free) and so even the drums sounded awful.
After the appalling gig, the band desperately needed to release some material online, showing everyone what they can actually achieve. The decision was made to record a cover of 'The River' by Good Charlotte. This would also include a music video released onto YouTube. A scrap yard and garage in Henstridge set the perfect location for the video and a large team was put together. Our camera man Richard Lunn filmed some amazing shots with cranes and tracks. Hannah Cudlip took photos of the band through out the entire day as well as being the one who actually put the whole video together and Chris Burton set up smoke machines and lights; transforming the garage into the perfect set. The video was a huge success and loads of followers began to download 'The River'.
We set to work writing our own original songs, it was during this time that Ben wrote the tune to our single 'Left for Dead'. With the downer on the last gig it was important that we came back with a punch for the next one. Sam Watts became almost like a roadie for the band. He helped us out so much and to be honest even today, without him the band would fall apart. Every week he packed his own drum kit and brought it along for Ash. We all felt that we needed to show our appreciation to Sam, so the decision was made that he would be playing the drums for the final song of the gig, and Smithies would join Aimee on the vocals.
Before we knew it we were back in the studio recording our original track 'Left for Dead - 2 Foot Moose ft. Sam Watts'
On the 22nd of March 2013, 2 Foot Moose were booked to play alongside 'Answering Silence' and 'The Helm' for 2K13 in Shaftesbury. It was great to see that a large number of the audience that came to our Coronation gig had also come to hear us again. Now was the time to show a new side to 2FM. We stepped onto the stage with a new confident stage presence and had also begun to build up our gear. With Sam's drum kit worth well over £4000 and Budgies new 220watt 'CRATE' Head & Cab replacing the 30 watt 'Line 6' the band had already made a better impression. The bands confidence grew when members of the audience started mosh pits and sung along to covers. Everyone had come along to hear 2FM's cover of 'The River' live. We had shown we could produce a decent track, but now we had to deliver it live and it was safe to say it was a success, with the audience singing along clearly even over the top of our large amps. Then, finally it was time to perform our original song for the very first time as Sam took his rightful place on the drums. The feedback from the audience was all positive. Everyone agreed that our own song was by far the best thing we played all night and that we needed to write more, many others said they felt Sam should be official drummer.
2K13 was a huge success and 2 Foot Moose's popularity was beginning to grow. The best thing about being in a band, isn't just the fact that you get to perform in front of an audience doing what you love. Its that you do it alongside your best friend. Being on stage alongside your mates, creating music that everyone is enjoying is an amazing feeling. We have always said the band is more than the 5 of us, its everyone that's heavily involved. Richard Lunn & Hannah Cudlip are as much apart of 2 Foot Moose as Ben & Matt. Along with Chris Burton who regularly helps out with music videos, practices and anything we need him for. Having a band name connects you all together like a family. But in May, everything changed.
Aimee had just started college and it was becoming harder and harder for her to make practices in the evenings. She eventually made the decision to leave the band to focus on her education. Ben took his present day position as vocalist, creating 2FM's new sound.
The band went through a lot of changes this month making the future of 2 Foot Moose very uncertain although it later turned out to be the best thing that's ever happened to the band. Smithies was kicked out of the band for reasons and Sam Watts took his rightful place as drummer and the band you all know and love today, was born.
Its safe to say, that from this point on the band became more serious. Bens 30 watt 'Line 6' amp was replaced with a 170watt Line 6 'Head & Cab'. We bought more PA speakers allowing us to direct the sound quality evenly and in different directions and the band invested in a microphone and stand each. With all these changes it was the perfect time to reinvent the image of the band. The set list was dropped completely and new songs were added, although we still kept 'The River'. We were back in the studio rerecording over the vocals for 'Left for Dead'. Replacing Ben over Smithies & Aimee.
On the 9th of August 2013, 2 Foot Moose were once again booked to play for 2K13.2 alongside 'Answering Silence', 'Josh Frampton', vocalist from disbanded 'Against the Tide' and for the first time since our first ever gig at Legends, 'I'm Designer'. It was during this gig that Scott Mills became a large part of the band, becoming pretty much another member of the group. He become an official roadie, helping the band out with everything and anything. Picking up and transporting members and equipment for practice and gigs. Sound checks became Scott's main role. He knows the band better than anyone having attended every practice and able to name the set back to front. There is no denying, since Scott joined the band, our sound levels have been perfect.
Interest in the band continued to grow as the band took on more and more gigs, spreading the bands name. The band was booked for a private birthday event which resulted in the group being signed up to an event organiser. This would mean that anyone looking for a band to perform that fits our description would be recommended 2FM. The band now had 4 gigs booked within a 2 week period.
Chris 'Budgie' Butler works part time at 'The Fountain Inn' in Shaftesbury and was given the task to arrange a music weekend in the garden. Calling upon the rest of the band to help, 2 Foot Moose set to work contacting other local bands to perform over 2 days. 'Fox Punch', 'Rail Hogs' and 'Makeshift People' were just some of the 15 or so bands booked to perform. There was even a sense of nostalgia when 'Against the Tide' agreed to reform for a one off. I remember looking across at Ben and smiling as we both realised the same line up was playing as our first ever gig at Legends. ATT, I'm Designer and 2 Foot Moose, but this time, we would be headlining. The whole weekend was a huge success. The garden was packed full of fans waiting to hear their favourite bands. It was clear who everyone had come to see. Against the Tide packed out the venue with jumping fans wearing their merchandise. We were set to perform at 9pm and at 8:45 the garden was packed. We stepped onto the stage and put on one of the best shows yet. Not only had the band managed to produce mosh pits and loud singing fans but had arranged a 2 day event in which the group remained at the pub for the full 10 hours both days. 2 Foot Moose performed on the Saturday and Sunday, ending the entire event with 'Left for Dead' which had the entire garden singing along too!
On the 19th October 2013, 2FM were once again preparing to play alongside 'Answering Silence' and 'Makeshift People' for Oxjam. Answering Silence performed first and after a few solo acts we stepped onto the stage (which we could only just get onto thanks to the size of Sam's drum kit). The crowd was full of familiar fans but there were a large majority that hadn't heard us play before. As always Ben started the gig with the familiar words, "Coz every girls crazy about a sharp dressed man". 'Enter Sandman' had the older audience at the bar head banging away to themselves. Clearly performing songs that appealed to everyone in the building. After the gig, the owner of the Olive Bowl approached us and said that he wanted our details for future bookings.
Having given the band a new image and identity it was time to record another music video, this time for our original track 'Left for Dead'. The video would be a mixture of performance, rehearsals and the group hanging out to show an almost, backstage insight into the life of the band. The performance was filmed in the drama studio at Gillingham School with Richard Lunn filming and Hannah Cudlip taking photos. Filming this shoot really allowed us to compare the difference between us now, and the 2 Foot Moose back in the early days. The size of our equipment for starters. It took the band and roadies over an hour just to carry it all in from the cars outside. Then there was the performance itself, the band as a whole were a lot more confident and connected. There weren't any 'awkward' singing shots or bits where a band member looked bored, like in 'The River'. When filming, it didn't feel as though we were acting like before, because this time we were performing an original piece we had written, for a fan base that already knew us for performing the track. Everything was familiar and we were able to portray aspects of our live gigs into the video. The video will be released some time in early 2014 along with the EP.
On the 7th December 2013, 2FM were scheduled to play for Gill-Aid along with over 20 different bands and solo pieces. Shops, Churches, Halls and Pubs all opened their doors to hold venues for bands to perform in order to raise money for charity over a 2 day event. We were booked to play at the very end of the festival. Headlining the final venue of the weekend at the 'Gillingham Football Club' along with 'New Probation' and our old friends 'Makeshift People'. New Probation were on first, followed by Makeshift People, who played an acoustic set due to the fact their drummer had a broken arm (amazingly he still played one handed!!). The hall wasn't very busy and having spoke to other bands it appears that none of the venues had been particularly successful. So we were surprised that just before 9:00pm when we were scheduled to play, the hall suddenly filled out. I remember standing next to my band brothers, looking at the audience and not being able to see the back of the room. I'm not saying that it was just because we were playing, it could have been that the evening was a more popular time for people to come out for music, but there were a lot of familiar faces in the crowd; all standing up front as we picked up our instruments.
With all the gigs over for the year it was time for the band to start focusing on the next path. Having just hit over 500 likes on Facebook it was time to start stepping up the game. 'Merchandise' had repeatedly been asked for by fans so the band decided to start focusing some attention in this area. Official 2 Foot Moose T-Shirts were made and would soon be available to buy in the new year. The band has officially stopped gigging for some months now while we work on a brand new set list for 2014. This will consist of mostly our own original tracks, as well as more covers from Avenged Sevenfold, Nickleback and Black Stone Cherry. The plan is to release a small EP some time in the New Year before our first gig. Allowing fans to familiarise themselves with the songs before hearing them live.
2 Foot Moose will be bigger and better than ever in 2014, with all new originals, new equipment and merchandise. We have some surprises in store for you so keep your eyes peeled. From the whole band, thank you to every one who follows us and for reading this blog.
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