BLACK ROSE

Black Rose is our college’s biggest band right now. Ed, Frank and Fliss got together at college in 2003. They had four tours of the South West and they released two CDs on the college label. They also had three tracks played on the national radios. They finished a tour at the Swan Theatre last month, the football ground and the Nag’s Head pub in town. On the day before the gig, we talked to the lead singer, Matthew.

Interviewer: Has the tour gone well?

Matthew: It’s been great, the fans have been amazing. They’ve liked our new songs as well as the old ones.

Interviewer: The band has created its own sound over the last five years, hasn’t it?

Matthew: Yeah, we’ve worked hard on our music, we want to be unique.

Interviewer: Have sales of the new album been good?

Matthew: I’m not sure. I’m not really interested in that side.

Interviewer: Are you looking forward to the final gig tonight in the college hall?

Matthew: Yes and no. It’ll be a great gig, probably the best of the year. But I’m sorry the tour’s over. We’ve had a really good time. We haven’t argued. We’ve played well. I’ve loved it. Even the weather’s been good. But we need to concentrate on our exams now.

One week later…

Since our interview last week, the band has had a big bust-up. The college gig didn’t go so well. The lead guitarist and the pianist didn’t play well. They were really tired and didn’t try very hard. Matthew was really mad. “When students have paid all the money for a ticket, we have to play well” he said next morning. “Some fans have waited a year to see us. I feel terrible.” So, he’s left the band. At RIFF magazine we hope it’s only temporary.