San Lorenzo - "Band Reunited" (Autumn
2004)
After
over a three-year gap San Lorenzo are back. They played their last gig at the
Bearos Easter party in 2001 when all the bands had to play glam rock cover versions
- their rendition of "Ziggy Stardust" was an absolute classic though
I hope it wasn't that straw that broke the camel's back!
Owen tinkered with After Rome, another band project, before heading
out on a solo career and releasing three critically aclaimed albums. Nick's
been behind the drumkit of indie-rockers Tybalt and Liz has been trying
to keep sane amidst the mayhem that is Panda Love Unit.
They are set to play the Bearos Bands Reunited gig at the end of November 2004
so let's catch up with Owen and Nick and see what's been going on and what's
brought them all back together.
What have you been doing since San Lorenzo? Any record releases?
Owen - Things are good round here, there's a firework party in the offing and
even bad news from across the pond (Bush had just won US election - Doc)
won't dampen spirits. Since San Lorenzo split I've been doing a lot with music.
In fact it's only been three and a bit years but there are three Owen Tromans
solo albums out there now and another release in the pipeline. I also had another
rock band called After Rome that toured but never recorded, splitting up prematurely
- I'm not that difficult to get along with, honest! If you're curious about
how the Rome band sounded then check out the live mp3 on my website.
Otherwise I did a couple more degrees and now I work out in the sticks where
the grass is green and the birds are a-singing.
Nick - I went to a old pal Duncan and formed Tybalt
which still going strong. We love to play everywhere and have even played in
the States. That's kept me busy and I also played drums on Owen's solo stuff
too which has turned out to be awesome!! Also been giggin' with Owen and managed
to play at this years Truck Fest which was again very very good!!
Tybalt have released a 7" single and a couple of cd singles, through our
own label (Purpose Built Records) We also plan to release our ep "A subtle
change in emphasis" sometime before we die though that's already been a
long time coming!
Why
did San Lorenzo end? What were the high points? Any low points?
Owen - That'll be my fault. I felt that it was the right thing to do at that
point. We had just recorded some of our best stuff, the newer things you can
hear on "The Sea is a Map" (Bearos024),
but it still felt like time to try something else. I never had a negative view
of the band and I always thought we would play together again one day. My real
San Lorenzo high point was playing through "Life Without Mountains"
and "Polaroid" in this rehearsal studio in Stourbridge and just feeling
that we had hit upon a sound that was true and our own. Hearing our music on
the John Peel show will always stay with us I'm sure. I made compilation tapes
of his shows for ages when I was at school so that was a really cool thing to
know that he was keeping up with our releases.
Nick - I think the reason San Lorenzo ended was it came to a point where we
were beginning to not enjoy it anymore, Owen was moving away and at that time
i think we all needed to do other things. Because we achieved such alot with
San Lorenzo this helped boost our confidence in leaving the the demise of band
behind us and enthusiastically throwing ourselfs into new projects. With me
it was Tybalt, Liz it was Panda Love Unit, and Owen had After Rome and his solo
stuff. I believe looking back at the time it was a healthy change for the better
for us all. It just makes us coming together again now even more exciting, can't
wait to get the San Lorenzo machine running again and can't wait to get gigging
and get some fresh stuff recorded...
Who arranged the reunion? Any hesitations? Any problems getting back into
the sound? Everyone still got the same bad habits?!
Nick - I think we all agreed to be honest. We had our first rehearsal in three
years about two months ago. I'm still in the habit of revising, listened to
everything over and over again. Liz and Owen don't it was funny because, apart
from "Polaroid", it took an hour and a half to get through each song!
The second rehearsal, needless to say, was 'cock on'!
Owen - Nick plays in my solo band so I never really got out of the swing of
playing with him. He did most of the drums on the second Owen Tromans record
and plays live with me. He's an amazing drummer. We recently put down an electric
version of "John's on the Bridge" for my next solo record and every
time I put it on to play it to someone it just blows me away. It's been great
playing with Liz again and so good to sing with her and hear all her new bass
ideas.
San Lorenzo songs are special because they have a lot of little parts and they
go off in different directions so that has taken a lot of getting used to in
rehearsal. The solo stuff, even when played with a band, is looser and After
Rome was different again. I'm really enjoying the San Lorenzo music and just
hanging out with Nick and Liz at the moment. We know each other so well and
we have played together since we were kids so there's this mentality between
us that even if we haven't seen each other for a while we still know how to
connect.
Would
you recommend other bands reform?
Nick - Yes, but only if you consider your fellow band mates as very good friends.
It doesnt work when you have people in the band that you do not have any time
for - the Tybalt experience tought me that, we are now a three piece and loving
it.
Older and wiser? What about the future?
Owen - I think I've learned a lot about how to get things done in the studio
when you have very little time or money. As for the future I hope to keep playing
with San Lorenzo because it feels really good. I want to drive to Morocco...
Oh, and I'm excited about playing with The Edmund Fitzgerald because I like
their stuff.
Nick - The future i think is always uncertain, but its up to individuals to
make sure there will definitely be one!!
Advice for new bands?
Nick - Don't ever stop! I started gigging when I was 14 in a band with Owen
and Liz called Fused 'im still doing it now at the age of 23. If you don't enjoy
it, stop and join another band, no point hanging around.
San Lorenzo headline the "Bearos Bands Reunited" gig at The Jug
of Ale, Moseley on Friday 26th November 2004 with Baxxter and special guests,
The Edmund Fitzgerald.
San Lorenzo website: http://www.sacredgeometry.cn/sanlorenzo/index.htm
Tybalt website: http://www.tybaltcentral.com