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SSM: Joe, you just released a great new song. What are your plans for the second half of 2021?

JS: The second half of 2021 will be to promote yet another release of our new 4 track Ep.

4 brand new songs that are very catchy and powerful.

Also along with Live radio sessions to promote it. And we start to confirm more dates for 2021.

SSM: You use beautiful b/w pics in the video. How came that about? Were you looking for a specific ‘mood’ for the video to represent the song?

JS: The pictures were taken by Jake Tierney who’s a new photographer from Liverpool who contacted our management after he heard our second album “Phase II’.

He’s a big fan of the band and works with only Black & White photography at the moment as he says it creates a mood and likes to capture the band in a relaxed mood instead of posing for normal pictures which he says can be a bit formal.

His company ‘The Academy’ put the video together and will be working for the band from now on, and we are very pleased with the video and it represents us at this time.

SSM: The last year was crazy. How did you survive?

JS: Last year was a strange time for everyone and a bad time for everyone. We just continued to work ourselves online with Radio interviews, promoting the band, writing, rehearsals when we were good to get together and being in touch with everyone. Let’s hope we can all get back to normal very soon.

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind have released their new video for the track titled ‘I’m Gonna Find Out Someday’. While the video showcases a photo montage of the band in their current state, the track lends credence to the powerful and simultaneously subtle songwriting skills that Joe Symes and the band has that is truly captivating. From the little guitar inflections, catchy lyrics and melodic hooks to the carefree style of the overall music, Joe Symes and the Loving Kind are a band that plays way ahead of their years and sounds even farther ahead of their time.

Check out our other features with Joe Symes and the Loving Kind HERE.

Joe Symes and the Loving Kind are the latest to have a go at our 13 Questions. They’re still looking for Sid, though.

With two albums in the can, the self titled debut and follow up Phase II, as well as a clutch of EPs along the way, the Liverpool trio (Joe Symes, Colin White and Alan Welsh) that makes up Joe Symes and the Loving Kind have had their wings clipped somewhat over the last year or so.

Making the point, wherever you read about them, that live performance is where they shine, this is a band that thrives on stage. Energetic rock is the phrase that best describes the band.

Phase II was recorded and produced in studios as diverse as Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic Studios, Oxfordshire, The Motor Museum, Liverpool, Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, and Abbey Road, London.

That gives a flavour of the band’s pedigree. Add in the fact they make a lot of noise for a three piece and you’ve got a successful, no nonsense, rock formula, one that draws from classic influences, but also makes the JS&TLK sound their own.

Following 2018’s Phase II release the band embarked on recording an EP that was to have been let loose last year until Covid intervened.

Gagging to get back out on the road, the band have delayed the EP release until 2021, but hope to get out and tour it as soon as they can.

In the meantime, they set about our 13 Questions:

Where are you and what are you doing?

JS&TLK – We’re in Liverpool, writing new material, finalizing pre-production work on our new EP, and keeping busy with tons of online promotion. Airplay all over the world, magazine interviews/reviews being done left, right and centre, radio sessions both locally and across the pond, celebrity endorsement videos being sent to us. Even during lockdown, it doesn’t stop for us.

2. What is your favourite view?

JS&TLK – That there’s only two types of music. Good and bad. It’s as simple as that.

3. What is your favourite swear word and why?

JS&TLK – We don’t have one.

4. What was the first record / CD you bought with your own money?

JS&TLK – Probably a cassette with The Doors first album on one side, and ‘Waiting for the Sun’ on the other. It was bought from the old HMV in Liverpool city centre. We all have a lot of fond memories of that shop. Kinda miss it at times.

5. Marmite. Yes, or no?

JS&TLK – No

6. If you could go to a gig right now, anywhere in the world, which band would you see? And in which venue?

JS&TLK – Probably Paul McCartney at the Whisky a Go Go. You can’t beat those intimate gigs. The combination of playing with someone you greatly admire at venue you’ve always wanted to play is unbeatable. From the photos we’ve seen of the place it’s not a huge venue, but it has so much history to it, and that certain vibe every iconic venue should have.

7. Who are your musical influences?

JS&TLK – There’s so many to name. The Beatles, The Doors, Echo & the Bunnymen, Burt Bacharach, R.E.M, The Who, The Smiths, Genesis, The Kinks, even film composers like John Barry, Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, Bernard Herrmann, so many.

8. How do you like your eggs?

JS&TLK –We can’t really name one. Fried, boiled, scrambled, there’s a time and a place to them all, and they can be served in so many ways. Definitely a versatile food if you think about it.

9. Tell us something we don’t know.

JS&TLK – As sure as eggs is eggs, aching men’s feet.

10. Which city do you recommend we visit – and why?

JS&TLK – Rome. It’s such an inspiring and wondering place that has history oozing from the wall. Plus, with all the Lambretta and Vespa scooters, it has a 60’s vibe to the place. Like being in an episode of ‘The Saint’. Ha! Ha!

11. What’s your drink of choice?

JS&TLK – Tea.

12. What band or album do you think we should check out right now?

JS&TLK –Yes, check out our first two albums, the self-titled Joe Symes and the Loving Kind, and our latest one ‘Phase II’. Both available from our website.
Also, anything by our good friend actor/musician Andy Whittaker. He’s a big fan of the band, plus he’s a great musician himself, and splendid actor. Check him out.

13. Do you have anything else to declare?

JS&TLK – If you see Sid, will you tell him?

Liverpool band Joe Symes And The Loving Kind have been receiving rave reviews both locally and internationally and were described by the late Beatles manager and Merseybeat promoter, Sam Leach, as being one of the most exciting bands to come out of Liverpool. Here we speak with Joe Symes, vocalist and drummer Colin White about the inception of the band and it’s retro psych sound.

AMFM Magazine: Joe, the Pandemic started when you were coming off a two- and half-year tour, and you’ve been in lockdown along with everyone else for most of last year. How’s the scene right now in England? Is there a vibe of preparing for life to return to normal, with more gigs?

Joe Symes &The Loving Kind:  It’s been a very strange year; never seen anything like this before. Right now, most acts are in the same predicament where we’re unable to play gigs, which can be soul destroying. It’s basically a case of keeping updated on when certain restrictions are being lifted, and when venues can open up again. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. That we truly believe.

AMFM Live music is the lifeblood of the music industry, whether it’s a large stadium gig or in a pub. How have you been able to keep your sanity this past year?

JS&TLK: Even though gigs haven’t been able to happen, and studio time has been delayed a little, all online activity has been in full flow. International radio play, magazine interviews and reviews, album sales on the website, even some celebrity endorsement videos have made, which we’re very, very proud of.

AMFM: Tell us about your second album PHASE 2 – how did the lockdown affect your writing?

JS&TLK:  Phase II is our second album. It was recorded during probably our heaviest touring schedule, and in several studios across the UK including Peter Gabriel’s Solid State Logic in Oxfordshire, the Motor Museum in Liverpool, a couple of sneaky sessions in Abbey Road Studios, London, and finally the mixing and mastering at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. For anyone who hasn’t heard it, we could only describe it as an album consisting of 10 heavy, catchy rock/pop songs (or Heavy Pop, as we would refer it to). We’re extremely proud it, and the feedback globally has been incredible. The celebrity endorsements we’ve just mentioned have definitely proved that.  I don’t think the lockdown has affected the writing as such. It has given us time to write more new material, which will be part of some future releases, so I guess good things can happen out of bad situations.

AMFM: When did you first fall in love with the idea of making music?

JS&TLK:  Speaking on behalf of us all, it was definitely when we were teenagers. We’ve all been surrounded by different types of music our whole lives. The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, Genesis, Motown, Frank Sinatra, Movie composers like John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, it all just got soaked in, and the bug bit us all in a very intense where we just couldn’t shake it off. And now it’s lead us to where we are now.

AMFM: What was the impetus for forming Joe Symes and The Loving Kind? How did you meet your bandmates?

JS&TLK: – Me (Colin White – Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals), and Joe (Vocals/Lead Guitar/Harmonica) have known each other many years, but were in different bands. When the band I was in folded, he’d been going on acoustic gigs on his own for a short time, and I asked if he needed any percussion live and some drums in the studio. Deep down we’d wanted to work together for a long time, and things gelled very easily. Eventually we decided to expand to a full band, and added Alan Welsh on bass. He and Joe had worked together the past, and he fitted in nicely. Plus, one of the best things about us is – unlike some bands you hear about – we all get on. I don’t understand how people who hate each other can work together. It doesn’t make sense to me.

AMFM: One of the songs on the album “Summer’s Almost Coming” definitely gives the vibe of 60’s psychedelia. What was your influence on this one?

Since Liverpool’s Joe Symes & The Loving Kind have emerged from a two-year tour, they have not allowed lockdown to suppress their creativity, quite the opposite in fact! Prolific in the studio – with two albums under their belt, they have used lockdown to ready themselves for their release of a four-track EP in early 2021.

I caught up with the guys, Joe, Colin and Alan to discuss the bands influences, the impact of lockdown, their recently sold-out album Phase II and more… Here’s what they had to say:

D.G: You have quite the celebrity endorsement including, Michael Shifflett who wrote songs for Barbara Streisand and purchased your 2^nd Album phase II (and long-time friend of Kenny Rodgers)  – Kenny Rodgers himself tweeted about you before he sadly passed away. How do these incredible accolades make you feel?

JS&TLK – It’s just amazing these high profile people have discovered us, love what we do, and have taken the time out to give us great feedback that has reached so many others. Publicity like that definitely gives you the feeling that you’re doing something right.

D.G: I am always interested to hear what inspires artists creativity, with that said, who are your biggest influences and why?

JS&TLK: We love so much music. The main ones would be the likes of The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, The Kinks, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths, Genesis, The Pretenders, R.E.M, Jimi Hendrix, lots of Motown, and Stax. Everything about those acts – the songs, the musicianship… it’s so hard to put into words how inspiring they are when you soak it all in. It just gives you that drive, that reason to get out of bed.

We even love classic film composers like John Barry, Lalo Schifrin, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, and John Williams. We all love film, and the scores they put on those films were amazing, and added so much to the feel of them. What’s not to love.

D.G: A couple of your songs were featured on a charity album some time ago – Noel Gallagher also featured on that album. That is huge! (Oasis was the soundtrack to my 90s decade) How did this come about?

JS&TLK – We got to know David Quaife, who put the compilation together. His brother was the late Pete Quaife, who was the original bass player for The Kinks, and he asked us if we wanted to be featured on it, as he is a big fan of the band. Other artists on it were Roger McGuinn from The Byrds, Wishbone Ash, Robyn Hitchcock, Steve Cradock from Ocean Colour Scene, and Paul Weller. Was an honour to be added on a collection with such great talent. As I recall, we were the only act on it who has two songs featured.

D.G: Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?

JS&TLK – I think a lot of the people we’d like to collaborate with are sadly no longer with us. Paul McCartney would likely be one.

D.G: Your album, Phase II was a huge hit and sold out worldwide, congratulations that is some feat! What’s next for the band?

JS&TLK – We’ve been working on a new 4 track EP, which is almost finished. It would’ve been released by now, but has been delayed due to recent world events, that has affected almost everyone in all walks of life. It will be out later in the year, once things settle. Without giving too much away, it’s very uptempo, catchy and jangly. Lots of Rickenbackers and Fender Strats. Better late than never, and you won’t be disappointed.

D.G: As a writer myself, I understand how intense the writing process can be. Every artist carves out their own unique way. My daughter tells me, I look like a mad scientist when I emerge from my den after a long writing spell – unkempt hair and so on! What is your process?

JS&TLK – When that initial idea for a song comes, it’s usually recorded on a phone, so I don’t forget it. Songs are never rushed, of course; in our case, it’s left to naturally grow until it can be played in its entirety on an acoustic guitar. It’s then presented to the band, a bit like an artist will do a preliminary sketch, then Colin (drums/percussion/backing vocals), and Alan (bass) will add their shades when it will come out fully formed to play live and/or record. That’s always been the way we do things. Other bands may do things their way, of course, but that process works for us.

D.G: I can’t let the interview pass without the mention of 2020! A difficult year for everyone. How has the lockdown affected your band and how have you adapted?

JS&TLK – Like we mentioned before we’ve been working on a new EP, which would’ve been released by now if it wasn’t for what’s been going on. The entire gigging schedule was completely written off last year, which was devastating, and no doubt many other bands over the world suffered the same. Fortunately all online promotion has been continuing in the meantime. Interviews, reviews, airplay, the celebrity endorsements, and all coming from around the globe.

D.G: What is your vision for the band’s future?

JS&TLK – Simply to continue making music that appeals to a wide audience, and for that audience to grow bigger and bigger. We have a huge backlog of material that we’re very eager to get out. Always good to not be short on material.

D.G: Tell me about your band mates, Colin White (plays the drums) and Alan Welsh (bass player) and how you came together?

JS&TLK – Me (Colin) and Joe have known each other for many years. When the band I was in at the time split, Joe had been doing solo acoustic gigs for a short time, and I initially asked if he needed any percussion live, and drums in the studio. After a while we decided to expand to a full band, and added Alan on bass. Joe had worked with him in the past, so he settled in nicely. It all came together pretty easy really.

D.G: Tell me something that no one knows about you or the band?

JS&TLK – We’ve deduced that chickens that wear wellies eat curry.

D.G: Liverpool produces some amazing and timeless bands. (a blessed city in my humble opinion) including yourselves – why do you think that is?

JS&TLK – Liverpool is a very musical city. I think it dates back to when sailors would bring back music from other places, and it people would soak it all in, which culminated in the whole Merseybeat thing. I know there was stuff that preceded it, but in its modern band context, that’s where it started. Some places are just natural hotspots for creativity.

D.G For the fun if it – do you sing in the shower?

JS&TLK – Ha! Ha! No.