Q WITHOUT U
The SiS Interview by Dany Sloan

Not to be confused with another band with a very similar name, Glasgow-based quartet Q Without U already have a few singles of math-influenced power pop under their collective belts. While the guys are still under the radar, the world as a whole is starting to notice as they received write-ups in some key blogs and their shows keep getting bigger and bigger. We sent the guys a few questions over e-mail and they were kind enough to respond. Here is what they had to say.

Stranded in Stereo: Tell me about the band, like how it formed and all of that stuff. Tell us something about Glasgow that one would not find on Wikipedia.

Q Without U: We met at archery lessons and discovered we shared a love for Gregg’s Steakbakes. As for Glasgow, you can pick up a nice hooker around Bothwell Street at night in the city centre, or get chased by a pimp, whichever you’d prefer.

SIS: Who do you often find yourselves compared to, and do you like or dislike that comparison?

Andy Bonar (bass/vocals):  The Fall, Super Furry Animals and The Teardrop Explodes, all of which make me happy and uncomfortable in equal measures.

Tam Killean (vocals/guitar):We’ve had comparisons to Pedro the Lion and Seafood quite a few times, which of course I’m flattered by, but can't quite associate with myself, that’s mainly coz I’m a wanker though.

SIS: Who are some of your favorite bands to play with? Do you think any of them will take over the world?

Calum McKay (drums/percussion): I really enjoy playing with Copy Haho from up near Aberdeen. They’re nice guys to spend the crap part of waiting to play with, and they’re a great band to watch with some brilliant songs, but I reckon they’re too nice to take over the world.

TK:I really enjoyed a band called Jesus H Foxx we played with from Edinburgh, they were kinda Pavement-y, but with a nice Scottish twist. As for world domination, I don’t see why not? I mean if people are crazy enough to buy shit like the Crazy Frog en masse surely its time for something decent to sell by the bucketload?

SIS:  What is your favorite and least favorite thing about being on the road?

AB: Favourite is the hedonism, the junk food and the heart-stopping displays of charisma. Least favourite is the hedonism, the junk food and the flatulence.

CM:  Hungover travel the following day. Next.

TK: Acting like a dick in a city that no one knows you in. That covers both sides of the coin, as the drunken remorse comes a-knocking the following day.

SIS: If any member of Q Without U were on the cover of a tabloid, who would it be and why?

TK: Inventing new weight gain milkshake 'Chubfast'.

AB: Being cast as the new Dr Who.

Scott Walker (trumpet/synth/glockenspiel): Winning the award for Politest Man In Glasgow, only to be assassinated by another Q Without U member who came second.

CM: Being unmasked as a test-tube experimental cross breed of groundskeeper Willie from The Simpsons and Keith Moon.

SIS: When family ask you what your band sounds like, what do you tell them?

AB: Heroic, loud, pop music with a sense of humour

TK: Kill yer grannie music

CM: I tend to just say guitar pop. Or play them a song. Everyone knows it’s the hardest thing in the world to describe your own music. If I had to be more specific I’d say maybe a more quirky Idlewild but that’s pretty lame. I would never use descriptions like “X having sex with Y on a bed of Z” or like “A+C Taking Cocaine with B” because that is total crap.

SIS: In 15 words or less, why should people buy your record?

QWU: It'll enrich your life and make you jump around, thus giving you pleasure and exercise.