The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite music group den’s legendary Dublin Castle which they totally nailed and led to festival bookings over the summer. “Our sound is unique so you never know how you will be received,” Karen added, “however, the response was really positive.” So much so, that they were given the opportunity to perform at Polyfest in 2018, where they did a tribute to X-Ray Spex, with a rendition of ‘Oh Bondage’ which was very well received. It is perhaps their collision of styles, as well as their love of retro Sci-fi kitsch and glam camp and not being afraid of catchy pop hooks that has enabled them to create a sound that is new and refreshing to the ear. And when you listen to their songs, you’ll find, as Andy revealed, and perhaps with a touch of amusement that they sing about “cats, rabbits, party loving cockroaches and the best way to dispose of a murdered body….” all the relatable subjects, or so he says. When asked to describe where they get their influence or inspiration from when developing as a band, Karen replied, “it’s our varied tastes and lack of musical direction that has resulted in a refreshingly different sound.” For Flesh Tetris, the message in their music is, “life is absurd, don’t fight it, enjoy the chaos and have fun.” As they have al- ready visited the subjects of animals and whatnot, nothing is off limits when it comes to exploring other subjects. “We have no idea where we are going but we’re enjoying the ride,” Andy replied. Indeed, they enjoy the euphoric rush when they all get swept up in the music. “It feels like five of us have melded into one and everyone starts spontaneously grinning” or as Karen put it simply as “musicgasm!” Their opinion on what makes a successful band is also simple. “It depends how you define success,” Andy replied. “I’d prefer to make music that a handful of people cherish than some- thing worthless and soulless that sells sh*tloads.” While it is hard for them to define their music in one word or style, the Retro Sci-Fi Eurotrash title they have given it is as Karen describes, “armed to the teeth with barbed pop hooks and weaponised synths.” I quite like that description – it sounds like they’re going into battle in the gentlest way. After a gig, the band doesn’t just pack up and go home (because going home at the end of the night is the most unrewarding part of being in music) but they party until they collapse and then panic because “we can’t remember where we left our equipment.” Andy says he doesn’t have a particular favourite Flesh Tetris track as it changes every time he listens to their new album but admits that ‘Incoming’ has a special poignancy which has a sad story behind the song. “Karen and I met for the first time at our mutual friend, the artist Tony Luke’s funeral, and it was only later we discovered he had sent both of us the same demo with a view to collab- orating on a song. So Flesh Tetris turned his rough demo into the song ‘Incoming’. The song is basically a love letter to a departed friend.” We sure are glad to hear that Andy and Karen were able to find each other at a mutual place, albeit a sad one, and were able to fulfil Tony Luke’s wish for the two of them to eventually work together on his song. When it comes to the types of environment that would get their personal attention, Andy said everything and admits he’s very nosey while Karen added, “All the open, creative, colourful places where people can be who they want to be.” There are three tracks made by other music artists that Andy said he wish he had made: ‘Groove is in the Heart’ by Deee-lite, ‘Planet Claire’ by B52s and ‘I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer. But if you asked him which other music artists or collectives he admired, he would say there are too many and he loves music so we could imagine he has a very large music collection. Having become popular in such a short space of time, Flesh Tetris are ready to explore other countries to perform in. After all, Andy poses the question, “Why limit yourself? There are other worlds than these.” His opinions on the music industry sum up his easy-going and fun character when it comes to music: “It’s not the place to be if you want to make money out of your art, but as a consumer, it’s never been