Adam Lomas from the rock band Amersham. Image: YouTube
#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with SA powerhouse Amersham
The mid-1990s was a time filled with massive change and equal doses of quality South African music that had finally found its independent voice.
Adam Lomas from the rock band Amersham. Image: YouTube
One such powerhouse that embraced post-apartheid South Africa was Amersham – a group that would go on to galvanise what raw talent, humour, and hunger to be heard epitomised.
Fast-forward 25 years and the collective that spawned the likes of radio favourites Monkey, Matchbox, Brilliant Fantastic, Fine Thanks and Supermanic between the mid-1990s and teased the turn on the century before disbanding, is back.
Amersham is back
This time, not only with the core members counted, but also armed with new music that’s set to catapult them onto a global stage.
Staying true to their original ethos of high-octane quirk and cutting modern pop-rock – Adam Lomas, Sasha Sonnbichler, Tim Trotter, and Nathan Waywell’s new lease on life is sonically arresting.
Newly signed to Gallo Record Company, Amersham’s return to form has legacy fans celebrating the group’s first single Happy Face with wild abandon – a track delightfully familiar and equally addictive, as is true of their prolific catalogue originally recorded between 1996 and 1999.
As part of the group’s long-awaited 2020 reveal, Amersham decided to deliver a second single, in tandem with Happy Face, in the form of Cute as a Button. Each offers fans, new and those hardwired into their broader body of work, something a little different by way of reintroduction.
I spoke to Adam Lomas last week post the release of the new single Happy Face.
Watch Amersham’s Happy Face
RAPID-FIRE Q&A WITH Amersham’s Adam Lomas
The new decade means?
Space travel.
Fame is about?
Being photographed in your pajamas.
Retirement will happen when?
Not necessary – look at The Rolling Stones.
I don’t do?
Clothes shopping.
What does music mean to you?
It’s magic and that’s not a joke.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
When the band all agrees on something musical and you can feel the energy flowing.
Any funny moments on stage?
Falling off of one.
Your heroes?
Nelson Mandela and Johnny Clegg.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Barack Obama. I think he did an incredible job pulling America’s economy out of the ashes.
What is your most treasured possession?
My books.
It’s your round. What are you drinking?
Laphroaig with a cigar when everyone’s gone to sleep.
Dream gig to do?
Glastonbury.
What makes you stand out?
I’m 6’4″.
Nicknames?
My bother calls me “Fatty” from when I was a podgy little baby.
If you were not a musician what would you do?
Gardening.
Pick five words to describe yourself
- Passionate
- Loyal
- Fair
- Contemplative
- Tall
Five favorite SA albums of all time?
Springbok Nude Girls – Neanderthal 1
Lithium – Zennon Supertroopers
Sugardrive – Sand Man Sky
Just Jinjer – Everything Since Then
Chris Letcher – Spectroscope
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
Interstellar
What song changed your life?
Bye Bye Love because it was the first song I learned how to play
Who do you love?
My son and my daughter
What is your favourite word?
Coffee
Favourite Fashion Garment?
My hat to cover my balding head
Give us some real proper slang and what it means
“Kiff” means lekker, cool, nice
Top of your bucket list?
Acrobatic flying, which I might do soon.
Your greatest achievement?
Being invited to play the 46664 concert at Ellis Park in 2007.
What do you complain about most often?
Manchester United.
What is your fear?
That Zuma gets away with it.
Happiness is?
Getting the family into the car to start the drive for the December holidays.
On stage I tend to?
Disappear into a magical land.
The best life lesson you have been taught?
Get out of bed and grab a coffee.
Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV?
Yup.
Where would you like to be right now?
On the beach.
Do you do charity work, and if you do, what do you do?
Just donations.
Wishes and dreams?
I wish for the corruption to stop here so we can get the country to where we know we can.
Watch Monkey
Social media links
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amershamsouthafricanband/
Twitter: twitter.com/bandamersham
Also read: #MusicExchange: Heinrich Frans on music, ‘kwaai lappies’ and googlies
