Written by Sam Drury
CHERRY Hex and the Dream Church have been making waves in Nottingham for the last 18 months with their now signature style of half time 808s, live bass and ritualistic vocal melodies… Oh, and a glockenspiel (For those unsure what one is, it’s that awesome thing you hit with mallets that looked a bit like the keys of a piano when you were a kid).
The pair cemented their promise with the release of their 2016 EP, Tea of Tears.
The release was celebrated before a full capacity Rough Trade on Broad Street, Nottingham on 5th December 2016.
Things have been going great for Cherry Hex throughout 2017, and their stock is of course still rising in the local scene.
Sam Drury felt it was time to find out more about the band, off the record.
He sat down with the vocalist of Cherry Hex, Maddy Chamberlain, for not so much a chat about music, more about anything that came to mind:
The poster on your wall as a kid?
I’m not even ashamed that it was Avril Lavigne, I wanted to be her so bad. She was the reason I went from a ballet dancing girl to a full-blown skater tom-boy, and I thank her for it.
First CD you ever bought?
I’m pretty sure it must have been something awful like a NOW or greatest hits of the early 2000s period.
Most used app on your phone?
Instagram, I love having a good mooch through bands, artists and tattooist’s pages.
Your last tweet?
‘can’t believe I’m on my way to work right now. Its 10pm ppl go to sleep.’ Just me having a moan really.
Coolest member of your band?
We’re probably both equally as uncool as each other, to be honest.
Worst film ever?
One thing that really upsets me is truly awful follow-ups, one of the worst has to be Son of The Mask. The original was so class I don’t know why they put us through the second one.
Batman, Spiderman or Superman?
Spiderman. I grew up on it more than the others, because my mum liked it the most. Pretty sure she just fancied the actors more.
Favourite superpower?
If I were to pick one it would have to be teleportation. Not even to suddenly be somewhere glamorous and sunny with a cocktail in my hand – just to be back in my bed after a night out without having to walk home.
Favourite film quote?
Ooo my favourite has to be Mia Wallace’s line in Pulp Fiction when they’re in the diner; “Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it’s necessary to yak about bullshit in order to be comfortable?”. I just think this all the damn time. But I also quote 21 Jump Street way too much; “Ja feel?” is just in my daily vocabulary now.
First sound check request?
It’s generally just letting the sound guy know that I play a child’s instrument and Al plays bass like a guitar so not to worry when it sounds nothing like what a bass should.
Favourite song in your set?
Probably the title track of our EP, Tea of Tears – I get really into it live so I have fun with it, I think that’s the most important thing really.
Nottingham’s music scene in three words?
Diverse, innovative and passionate.
Any special talents?
I’m a black belt in kickboxing? But I also have a freakishly long tongue which I think is cooler.
What scares you most?
Being stuck out at sea. My mum let me watch Jaws when I was way too young and ever since I can’t deal with not being able to see the bottom of the sea.
What is in your pockets right now?
Girls clothes don’t have pockets that fit anything in – it’s dumb.
Roll, bap or cob?
It depends on what’s going in it dur, rolls contain sausages, hot fillings go in baps and cobs are for cold fillings. This may just be crazy black country logic though.
Best band in your city currently?
There are so so many super sweet bands in Notts at the moment! If I had to pick my favourite right now it would have to be Soft Girls and Boys Club – they’re psychedelically delicious.
Most important piece of gear you own?
My glockenspiel – it’s the only piece of gear I own ha.
Do you have any strange pre-show rituals?
Not really anything strange, I just have a few beers to relax a bit before going on stage if I’m nervous. Other than that I just like to hang out and chat with the other bands playing on the night.
If you could only listen to three albums for the rest of your life, what would they be?
CHIC – C’est Chic, Cherry Glazerr – Apocalipstick, Blondie – Parallel Lines.
Dead or alive, dream headline show: Dream line up and venue?
Ooo David Bowie headlining, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kagoule and The Orielles supporting at somewhere cute and intimate not big and fancy. It’d have to be The Institute in Birmingham, it’s my hometown venue and I practically lived there as a teenager so it’d be all meaningful and lovely.
Follow Cherry Hex and the Dream Church on Instagram, Facebook and Soundcloud.
