It is far too easy to say 'this band is not your average band', but in this case it actually is too true. Draw up a list of things you love and hate about music and/or bands and you may as well title it The Rossmann Frister Project, for the amount of times I was amazed into agreement during this interview was untrue.

They began life a mere 18 months ago, originally as a bit of writing experimentation, between Dan (formally of Sheffielders 'Fights') and Pete, this spiraled into some eager recording time a few months later, resulting in a drummer in the shape of a Dave and some progression from sophisticated writing to some formal tunes regarded as noise, enabling them to take the project to the next level. Live. This is where they stumbled across Mark (formally of 'The Dirty Robbers'), humbly recruiting him to add the bass undertones we so know and love to the live set a wee 8 months ago.

The name 'Rossmann Frister Project' comes from a 'stick it to the man' episode in the rehearsal studios. Tired of the multitude of 'The' bands they spun their eyes round the room, scanning, 'yes! Found it! A Frister Rossmann sewing machine?!? Swap it round and we've found ourselves a name!'. Original huh? 'We personally think it reflects our outlook well; it's something different, something with an edge', not only does it reflect their outlook on the musical landscape, but the effect of their sound too, its chirpy, innovative and most definitely edgy.

The sound they create, described perfectly in their own words is 'that it is vertical rather than horizontal', sounding ore like a painting (metaphorically speaking) on a canvas (Brian Eno), blending, mixing and creating an overall, much fuller and indeed, more fulfilling sound. This engineers a different experience entirely for the listener, 'as we feel that recreating exactly what's on the recording takes away the reasons for wanting to see a band perform live'. In unison please... 'YES!!'. But in terms of putting them in a box of genre words, they'd rather not be, just listen to them really, and make your own mind up. Their sound is just too diverse and eclectic to be reduced to a category, which lets face it, rarely describes an artist accurately anyway.

Stemming from deep, deep Sheffield, they come from a very competitive surround of musicians, having the reputation of being a bit of a hot spot for new sounds. This is the bit where I leave Pete to comment on the Sheffield movement at the moment and who he would put his money on, as I don't think I could possibly word it better; 'I think the Sheffield movement at the moment is great and historically it has produced some cracking stuff, most of which for me has been the more underground stuff, and I suppose if I had to place my money on somebody, I'd probably have to put a fiver on that Cocker bloke, 'cos he aint bad'. Super.

Inspiration wise, they are more than eclectic, just looking at their list of influences its clear that good music springs from good taste, although they say it really comes from 'a passion for writing good music, coupled with a lack of belief in the music industry', and how right they are. Thankfully due to the millions of underground artists trying to make a name for themselves, we, Joe public, have been subjected to some truly amazing music but also to some utterly shameful stuff at the same time. With such networking commodities as 'myspace' helping them out, there is more access than ever to good music, and even more reason for the bands to get themselves heard without getting screwed over by money blind music companies. The Rossmann Frister Project is just one of these bands doing it for themselves, and doing it right.

The future is certainly going to be an exciting one for us, with loads to look forward to including some more gigs in the pipeline. The last 6 months has given The Rossmann Frister Project some luck in the form of label interest, 'Time' has already been claimed by 'Pauze Recordings' of London, the new single 'Eclectic Development' is to be expected in March, remixes have been talked about, a debut album on the cards and the material developing for a second, all this excitement and we have only talked records! Not to mention the gigs a happening and the festival integration going on behind the scenes. I think this year might just be the one, it's about time the world heard about them and they got the lights around their mirrors that they so desire (you laugh, but they really want them!).

With a sound pretty much exclusive to today's age, the originality to break the constant cycle of rubbish that gets churned out to the masses year after year, the energy and talent to crush top of the pops and the right attitude to absolutely sh*t on everyone else (oh the irony!), The Rossmann Frister Project are gonna take 2008 and kick it into the middle of 2020, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the uniqueness and rarity of this sound is second to none and once the gigs, festivals and albums are bought together, it wont take a second glance to be captivated.



http://www.myspace.com/therossmannfristerproject
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