Following on from their highly-praised 2022 studio album 'Wereman', fast-rising outfit Motorcycle Display Team are back to their vibrant best once again with their riveting new single 'Not Raving, But Frowning'.
Marking the final piece of new material from their two-track 'Heartbeaten', 'Not Raving, But Frowning' makes for a wondrous return for the band. With its bright and lofty textures set to some beautifully moving vocals throughout, they are definitely ones to keep a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Stevoknievo: Gibson SG. Played by Robbie Krieger of The Doors. Sexiest devil horn cutout guitar around.
Morgan: I feel obliged to say it was my first drum kit, which was a Maxin kit when I was 6. As much as I loved it, I really fell in love with my first guitar. A cheap £20 jobby from Argos that my sister bought and she never played, so I gave it a home. I spent way more time alone with that than I should have. But drums are still the best.
Brad: At the age of 14 I got a cheap P-Bass that I would tune down so the strings were so loose it almost sounded like ‘My name is Mud’ by Primus (not quite, but as close as I could at the time).
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Stevoknievo: The Stranglers, R.E.M., The Divine Comedy, Smashing Pumpkins.
Morgan: First band I can remember hearing was ABBA. Loved them, still do. As a child, I loved pop music, Top of the Pops was where it was at. Then early teens, guitar rock music took over everything.
Brad: My first was Michael Jackson, then I discovered rock music. Once I got into Guns n’ Roses & Metallica, it was a quick slippery slope into Punk, Stoner Rock & Hardcore bands like S.O.I.A, RATM, NOFX, Primus & Kyuss.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Stevoknievo: I bought Beverley Craven’s eponymous LP when I was 12. Great record.
Morgan: The first Muppet Show album. Still have it.
Brad: I was 10 and someone gave me Michael Jackson’s Bad on cassette for my birthday… I had never heard of him until then.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Stevoknievo: Up, Up and Away by Jimmy Webb.
Morgan: Young Americans by David Bowie.
Brad: Too many to list, maybe Roxanne by the Police.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Stevoknievo: Just starting and not stopping till you have something worthwhile.
Morgan: Not really, apart from making sure I’m in a space that no one can hear me.
Brad: Peace, quiet and no distractions, maybe a few cups of tea. Definitely no one should hear me.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Stevoknievo: Louis Cole, Knower, Timber Timbre, Via Mardot, Man & The Echo, Slightest Clue.
Morgan: Man & the Echo are the best band in the UK today. I also follow Roger Joseph Manning Jr a lot. He was originally in the powerpop act Jellyfish, but has collaborated with many many different people. One of his latest projects was called The Lickerish Quartet. I also really like Shannon and the Clams. Great band.
Brad: XTC, Cardiacs, Future of the Left, Nadine Shah, Betty Davis, Man & The Echo, Noname.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Stevoknievo: Radiohead
Morgan: Impossible to answer……Kermit the Frog, MDT first act on The Muppet Show.
Brad: Tom Waits
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Stevoknievo: The tingle of excitement when something magical is happening between you and the other musicians.
Morgan: When you’ve written a new song, bring it to your bandmates, they put their parts to it and it becomes this whole other thing that you’ve all worked on and are proud of, that’s very rewarding.
Brad: Collaborating on a new song, when it comes together and everyone in the band adds something that exceeds our expectations.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Stevoknievo: Never having enough time for it.
Morgan: Playing your heart out to indifferent audiences. If you don’t like us, fair enough, just don’t bother. But sitting in front of us checking your phone while we’re playing hard is pretty soul destroying.
Brad: When songwriting hits a dead end or we don't agree how to move forward, or if the rest of the band don't like something I've worked on. Oh and when people walk off during a gig.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Stevoknievo: Look after your hearing.
Morgan: Be in it for the right reasons.
Brad: Don't try to be something you are not.
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Motorcycle Display Team's new single 'Not Raving, But Frowning' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.