Jeg are hoping break is on way LANARK trio Jeg are hoping a break will come their way with their appearance on an influential national compilation album. Poole based label, 25 Records, have included two tracks from the indie rock band in their latest 20-track round-up from "the best new bands in Britain," One Two Blow. Only one other group on the album has been allocated a brace of songs. Jeg's opening offering, You'll Never Be Mine, however, makes the Ramones sound like Pink Floyd in the elaboration stakes, clocking in at less than a minute. Singer-songwriter Justin McConville, who is joined in the band by drummer brother Chris and bassist Andrew Burton, are on duty at Nice N Sleazy this evening. The four-band bill also includes Mindslide, Afterglow and FNL. Doors open at 8.30pm and tickets are £3.

 

What's the name of the band, and how did you come up with the name? Jeg, we first heard the word Jeg being used as slang for ‘irn-bru’ by a friend. ‘Get a bottle of jeg’. Justin though it was a good name for a band and we agreed.

What are the individual members names and what do they play?

Chris - drums

Justin - vocals - guitar

Burton - Bass and backing vocals

How did you meet? Chris and Justin are brothers. We’d known Burton since the early ‘90s. We became closer friends in 1997. Justin asked Burton like to start a band with us. How long have you been together? Since summer 97.

Where is the band based? Glasgow, Scotland.

Where can people come and see you play? Mainly in Glasgow and Motherwell areas of Scotland.

What do you like about being a part of 25 Records? The opportunity of new people listening to the bands music.

What are most of your songs about? (love, partying, political, beer, etc.) Inspired by Justin’s own life experiences or situations. An observation of other peoples lives. Ups and downs. Justin is the bands songwriter from the outset.

Who or what inspired you to become a musician? Justin was inspired from a young age by Jon Bon Jovi, Angus Young, and Slash. Vinnie Appice, Stewart Copeland and Bill Bruford inspired Chris.

Also having been brought up with music, Burtons earliest memory of inspiration was seeing Michael Jackson on TV and watching the first 'Back to the future’ film.

What bands are you listening to at the moment? The Cardigans, Travis, Gomez, Yes, Fun Loving Criminals, Sting, The Bare Naked Ladies, Queensryche, Semi Sonic, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, The Orb, The Radio etc, etc.

Do you prefer to play in the studio or live gigs? Both are fun. To hear your songs or ideas captured in the studio. To win over the audience live. We’ve always been a good working unit in the studio. We’ve made the most out of the limited time we’ve spent in the studio.

Describe your sound. Indie - rock - pop. As a three piece band we’ve developed the sound using the space in the music. Each member uses that space to become more creative in their own character using a stereo guitar sound live seems to be the icing on the cake.

Give us an interesting story that happened either at a gig, or while writing or recording a song. On the day we recorded the song ‘leaf tale’ Justin had only written the lyrics for the chorus whilst recording the vocals Justin just allowed the verse lyrics to roll off his tongue and the first take was kept. The lyrics really suited being narrated.

Do you play any weird or unusual instruments? We enjoy experimenting with the production of the sounds of the instruments we play.

Have you been in other bands? Chris and Justin played in a heavy rock band called ‘Soul Drive’ from 92 to 97. Burton played in a band called ‘Split decision’ that toured holiday camps and clubs from 95 to 97. Burton also sings and plays guitar in a band called Shrinking Violet.

Do you have any interesting stories involving the police or breaking the law? (That we can post on the site) the police are forever trying to bust us for that wee bit of dope they’ll never find.

Does anyone in the band have any strange or unusual habits or superstitions? Chris - seats on busses and trains have become, rather than a second home, a second bed. We drink a lot of jeg.