COSMIC ROUNDUP: TAZ CORONA-BROWN FROM UNDERSMILE, DRORE AND BASIC DICKS
It was totally lush to put on Drore at the Moon back in Jan and hang with Taz at Supernormal Festival in the summer. Recently, a huge Undersmile reformation gig got announced at The Dome, Kentish town on Feb 29th as part of the 10 year Chaos Theory spectacular. Here's what's going on in that brain of hers.
Hi Taz, how are you?
Hi! I am very well thanks, pal
Undersmile have announced a big show in London next year. Tell us what the hell is going on.
Yes! We are extremely excited to be bouncing back, like Alan Partridge before us... Hel has been studying for her degree for the last three years and has just graduated, so it felt like the perfect time to have another bash. Undersmile is our collective doom-baby and we really missed writing and playing together, so we can't wait to get back out there. Our first show is going to be the 10 Years of Chaos Festival for the sublime Chaos Theory alongside some incredible bands like Arabrot, Zu, Vodun, Nought plus loads more...
Are you going to record?
Frankly, we cannot wait to record again! We have material, some old and some still being written, but are currently re-learning all our old songs, a lot of which haven't been played in 3 years or more!! Once we have our old set rehearsed though, we will be straight onto writing a new album, which we are all very keen to do!
Tell us what your other bands Drore and Basic Dicks got up to in 2019.
It has been a dramatic year for both Drore and Basic Dicks actually! We lost core members of both bands, with Tom and Olly stepping down from Drore and Robbie and Oli leaving Basic Dicks (all amicably and full of love!). We played some great gigs this year though! Drore came down to play for you and Noel with Casual Nun, (who blew me away!) And we played a couple of shows with our pals in Gravelines, who we love. Basic Dicks went on tour in April with the phenomenal Scrap Brain and Negative Space which was a sheer joy. We were also honoured to be asked to play Supernormal Festival, which was simply dreamy, as always!
I should add that we have been extremely lucky in finding new members for both bands with Camille (Scrap Brain) and Joe (Worry) joining Tom and I in Drore, and Sarah and Zahra (Despicable Zee) joining me, Loz and Jenny (Junk Whale) in Basic Dicks. Check out all their bands as they are all excellent!
Are there any new bands in Oxford that we should be keeping an eye on?
Yes! Lots of great stuff! Worry, Junk Whale, Dream Phone, Misery Guts, Despicable Zee, Edward Fox... I have probably forgotten loads...
What was the best gig you played in 2019?
This is too hard because we played some corkers, but a stand-out was the last ever Smash Disco gig in Oxford when Basic Dicks played with Gimp World and Livid (who were both amazing) and also with lots of our Oxford chums in Misery Guts and Cowley Chainsaws. It was all very lovely and emotional!
Best gig you attended?
I took my 8 year old son, Hiro to London to see Better Oblivion Community Centre as he is a massive Phoebe Bridgers fan, so that was pretty special. It was the first gig he has ever chosen to go to, even though he has been to loads of great gigs and festivals with Undersmile - including Desert Fest, 'kin 'ell Fest and Supernormal - but those were all against his will!!!
Best festival you attended?
Supernormal is always the best! You know, you were there!
What are your favourite releases from 2019?
This year I have been obsessed with the Big | Brave album, A Gaze Among Them, Scrap Brain - A Journey Into Madness and Negative Space - Cruelty, LINGUA IGNOTA - CALIGULA
What the hell are you up to next year?
Lots and lots of Undersmile I expect!!