Over the last two years, Liverpool’s own Joe Symes & The Loving Kind have been touring the world with their catchy rock-pop Mersey sound. They’ve also been prolific in the studio – with two albums complete they’ve been using lockdown to prepare more material and are soon to release a four-track EP in early 2021.

We caught up with Joe, Colin and Alan to discuss their upcoming work, their experiences of touring the world and their appreciation of independent music venues.

Who’s involved in the project and how did you come together?
We‘ve known each other for many years now. When our previous projects folded Colin offered to play the drums on some tracks I was working on, and percussion on some acoustic gigs. It basically just grew from there. After that, we’ve got Alan on bass, who I knew from working within a previous band, and we haven’t looked back since. Everything has completely gelled both musically and personality-wise.

What is the creative driving force behind the music?
I think the main aim at the moment is to write songs that not only appeal to a wide audience but have a kick to them too. If you write material that can appeal to people from 7 to 77, I think you’re on a winner.

Who would you say were your biggest influencers?
The band’s influences are on a very wide spectrum. The Beatles, The Doors, Motown, Frank Sinatra, Echo and the Bunnymen, film composers like John Barry, some elements of Jazz and classic, there’s so much there and so much we love to listen to.

How would you assess the Liverpool music scene right now and where would you place yourselves in it?
Liverpool has always had a strong musical presence that the rest of the world has embraced. As long as that continues, it will thrive. As far as this band is concerned, we’d like to think we play a major part. The fact that we’ve been received so well around the world is a testament to that.

You’ve had a busy time in the last year and (pre-lockdown) had your music played all over the world – what’s been your favourite tour experience and what’s your dream venue to play at?
It would be impossible to name one experience; there’s been so many. Just being able to get our music out there to so many people, and it being so well received is the main pay off for us. Dream venue? Probably somewhere like Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall, The Roundhouse in London. Like the touring experience, there’s so many.

Independent venues are facing a tough time right now – tell us about the best gig you ever went to, how it shaped you and why independent venues are so important?
Me and Colin have seen Paul McCartney on separate occasions and he was fantastic. The band he has with him now are probably the best he’s had since The Beatles. Individually and collectively they’re brilliant. Those gigs are up there and definitely left an impression on us that words can’t describe.
As for independent venues, they’re the real backbone of any city’s music scene. You cut your teeth in those places. As a band who have played a variety of venues up and down the country, we’ve loved playing the big ones such as the 02 Academy 1 here in Liverpool, or the Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon, Wales, for example, but you can’t beat those indie venues. They have a real rawness to them that you can’t beat.

Tell us about a typical day for you during lockdown?
During the full lockdown, I think it was a case of getting what you needed from the shop, writing new songs and listening to music, and watching a hell of a lot of films. I think we’ve lost count on how films were actually watched.

How has lockdown affected your plans with the band?
Well, they haven’t been affected; more delayed. After taking 9 months out from gigging after two and half years on the road, We got back in the studio in February to start work on our next four-track EP, then began to book dates for May onwards. As we were about to go in for the second session in March Boris told us all were in lockdown. Talk about happening at the wrong moment. After that, we just had to wait until things eased, which they are now. We’ve been able to rehearse again for the past six weeks or so, and the last two studio dates have been booked for October and November. Better late than never.

Tell us an embarrassing secret about you or someone in the band.
Ah, that would be telling. Ha! Ha!
You’ve been working on a new EP – tell us about it. What can we expect from it and what are you trying to say?
Yeah, it’s a four-track EP. We started it earlier this year, and it would’ve been completed by now if it wasn’t for the lockdown, but better late than never. We’re going back in to finish it in October, and November with a release date aimed at early 2021.

I guess it’s a companion piece to our last album Phase II. Four heavy, catchy rock/pop songs. We’ve been rehearsing over them recently, and they sound fantastic; really proud of them, and no doubt they’ll be loved by those who will hear them soon. Like the rest of our songs, we hope that people can relate to what they say and enjoy them overall. During the lockdown, we finished off the artwork for it and promo material. Again, really proud of it. Looks great.

Where would you like to be in 5 years?
Simply to have more releases added to our back catalogue and to have gained more and more exposure to as many people as possible. We like to think we’re heading in the right direction already, so we can’t complain. Our own studio would be nice too, and several tours of the U.S, and Canada where our following is constantly growing.

Like four other musicians who also called this major northwest city their home, they take great pride in the fact they churn out songs that are not only catchy, memorable, and instantly appealing, but cater to a wide range of people from all walks of life.

What was the moment you knew you were on to something? 

JS&TLK – It was moment me (Joe Symes – Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica), and Colin (Colin White – Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals) started working together. The chemistry was there, it worked, and all came together instantly. We then met Andy (Andy Cleary – Bass/Backing Vocals) through an ad we put up and haven’t looked back since.

How did this record come together? 

JS&TLK – Well, the first album was what you might call a resume of what the band can do; how versatile we can be. There was a mixture of rock, psychedelia, easy listening, jazz, dah dah, and country on that. It was like a mini White Album.

The second is a reflection of where the band is currently. Playing heavy, catchy rock/pop songs, and the ten we felt strongly about at the time of recording became the album . It was a very smooth process, but we did do a lot of traveling to make it, as it was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios in Oxfordshire, The Motor Museum in Liverpool, Abbey Road in London, then finally mixed and mastered at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. A lot of traveling, but worth it, plus we had some songs leftover, which will be the basis of a four-track E.P that will be out later this year.

When did you decide to start asking for opinions on the new songs? 

JS&TLK – We’ve always been like that from the beginning. We believe strongly in what we do, and are not at all afraid of putting our music out there for everyone to hear.

As an artist, you choose to show your emotions to the world. Is it always comfortable to do so? 

JS&TLK – We’re all confident people, and again, believe 100% in what we do collectively and individually. When we play that’s us expressing ourselves, and showing who we are. We’re not in the least bit ashamed of that, and in all honesty, we’re very proud of that.

Any ideas about how to turn this one into a million-seller? 

JS&TLK – Ha! Ha! I guess it’s a case of getting it out there to as many people as possible, and for those people to spread the word, then they can pass it on, and so on, and so on.

You can pick 3 co-writers to write new songs with. Who? …and why?

JS&TLK – I don’t think we’d want to co-write anything with anyone else. The balance we have right now is just right, and to add others would tip that balance. “Too many cooks spoil the broth,” as the old saying goes. Plus, if – and this is a big if – if we were to have any guest co-writers, I think the ones we’d choose have unfortunately passed on.

What’s the gig you will always remember? And why? 

JS&TLK – Ah, tough one. I don’t think we could name just one gig.

The two after-show parties we did for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on the main stage of the 02 Academy 1 in Liverpool are up there, supporting The Christians at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, headlining the Brecon Theatre in Wales, supporting Elastica on the main stage of the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, all the gigs we did at the Box in Crewe, headlining the Folk on the Dock Festival in Liverpool, Scala in London, supporting Dodgy at the Frodsham Festival, our unofficial album launch at the Arts Club, Liverpool, so many to name.

When was the last time you thought, ‘I just wrote a hit?’ 

JS&TLK – Ha! Ha! Probably earlier this week.

Is recording a record easier than getting it heard nowadays? 

JS&TLK – Interesting question. I think with the internet there are a lot more avenues to take than 20….30 years ago. The net made the world a much smaller place, and if you have music you want to get out there, you can contact companies, radio stations, magazines, reviewers within the click of a button. Also because the industry is very different these days, it’s much easier to distribute yourself now, which is what we do.

Which 5 records would you bring with you for your stay on Mars? 

JS&TLK – Another interesting one. That would be very difficult. Any Beatles album, any Doors album, Any Dionne Warwick album that Burt Bacharach/Hal David was involved with, a Motown compilation, and I think Colin would bring an album by Art Blakey. Ha! Ha!

Recording music. What’s all the fun about? 

JS&TLK – It gives you the chance to put down the songs you’ve written the way they should sound, and for others to hear it and enjoy it. There’s nothing better than seeing people love what you’ve created. That’s the biggest payoff.

Playing music in front of a crowd. What’s all the fun about? 

JS&TLK – Again, seeing people love what you’ve created, and reacting to it while you’re actually performing. All part of that big pay off. People enjoying the records, people enjoying the gigs. The two go hand in hand.

Always proud to answer ‘I am a musician’ to the question ‘what are you doing?’ 

JS&TLK – Absolutely! We’re not at all ashamed of who we are, and what we do. Being musicians is our reason to exist. If there were people who thought less of us for it, they’re perfectly entitled to think that, but we’re perfectly entitled to have nothing to do with them, and it would in no way stop us from doing what we do best.

You can’t control the way people hear your music. But if you could make them aware of certain aspects you think set your songs apart, what would they be? 

JS&TLK – I think deep down the songs speak for themselves. We’ve always believed that we write catchy songs that appeal to a wide audience, and that has certainly shown since the band has existed.

Vinyl is back, Spotify is ruling, tickets for concerts are becoming more expensive, everybody can record songs, social media is the marketing tool, Coldplay stops touring….how will the music industry look like in 5 years? 

JS&TLK – It’s hard to say. Things advance at an alarming rate these days, so it’s almost impossible to predict what will be around the corner. We just hope there are platforms where you can be heard, and get what you’re doing across to as many people as you can. As long as we can make records the way we want, and get them out there to those who will enjoy it, we’ll be happy.

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FYYPP PRESS RELEASE…..
we have found some papers relating to reviews that Some Bloke did before he was so cruelly taken. Here is the first.

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind Phase II album.

Interview With Joe Symes and The Loving Kind… Thanks to Joe Symes and Colin White

What made you want to become a musician?

JS&TLK – Being inspired by the music we were brought up with. I think it all just soaked in to the point where you found yourself saying, “Hey, I can do that. I WILL do that!”

Who writes your music?

JS&TLK – Joe is the principle songwriter of the band. He will come in and play the song acoustically, then the rest of us will “colour in” our parts like on a canvas.

Do you write from personal experiences?

JS&TLK – Yeah, some of the songs have been, others from things I’ve been told or heard about from friends, family, in some cases things I’ve read about. The inspiration comes from so many different places.

Is there a hidden meaning in any of your songs?

JS&TLK – Ah, that would be telling.

What’s the worst part about being a musician?

JS&TLK – Good question. Sometimes it can be physically and emotionally draining, but you’ve just got to plow on.

Who are your inspirations?

JS&TLK – Individually and collectively we have so many. The Doors, The Beatles, U2, Burt Bacharach, Motown, Stax, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Who, all the great crooners, film composers like John Barry, so much.

Do you remember your first gig?

JS&TLK – Wow! It feels so long ago, and so much has happened to us. it’s all so hazy.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?

JS&TLK – I think a lot the people we’d like to work with are dead, sadly. Paul McCartney would be great to work with.

If you could have any artist (dead or alive) sing your songs who would it be?

JS&TLK – Ah, that could change day by day. I think any of the great crooners could’ve sang our song Ready To Ride from the first album. Yeah, I could see that.

Where’s your favourite and least favourite venue to perform?

JS&TLK – We love most of the venues we play. I think it would be unfair to mention out least favourites. Don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes.

What would be your dream gig? (Your choice of venue and support acts etc)

JS&TLK – Again, supporting Paul McCartney would be amazing. Somewhere like Madison Square Garden.

If you could create a super group of musicians, dead or alive, who would it be?

JS&TLK – I think that’s impossible to put together. The whole super group concept can be so misleading. Certain bands are comprised of certain musicians for a reason, and to mix that up wouldn’t work as good as some people are lead to believe.

What song makes you think, “Damn I Wish I Wrote That?”

JS&TLK – I Feel Fine by The Beatles is up there. Ain’t Misbehavin’ could be added to that too.

With Biopic films growing increasingly popular, if you had to choose an actor to play out your life story who would it be?

JS&TLK – Absolutely no idea.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

JS&TLK – I don’t think we could name just one. The fact that we’re making music that we like, and are proud of, and the fact that people from all over the world seem to like it.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

JS&TLK – The Beatles White Album. Yeah, I think we can agree on that. It’s an album with so much variety that you can never get bored by it.

Is there a message you would like to give to your fans?

JS&TLK – Yes, we’d like to thank them all near and far for believing in us, and loving everything we do. For that we’re eternally grateful.