Interview with Lew Palgrave aka The Rag N Bone Man

Critical Mass: Thanks for taking the time to talk with Critical Mass, Lew. For those new to The Rag N Bone Man, can you give us a little history on how you got started? 

Lew Palgrave: Born outta frustration of life in bands in general. Punk ethos and the D.I.Y route. Being a one man band is the ultimate D.I.Y approach. Be the drummer be the guitarist be the vocalist the song writer, the harmonica player no rules and no sets or song structure to stick too. Nowadays being a musician means you have too compose, write, book, promote, record, mix, master, design etc etc, the one man band approach is taking that one step further.

CM: I really like your dirty blues style along with the distortion vocals. Do you find you're more rooted in Chicago blues, Delta, the English blues explosion of the 1960's or a mixture of all of them?

LP: I'm a great fan of Chicago and delta blues and blues in general, though I'm not a fan of eye's closed head back guitar solo kinda blues I find that stuff shit and insulting to be honest.

CM: Who are some of your musical influences and how do they play into what you do as an artist?
 
LP: Everything from Little Walter to Minor threat, but my main influences are the people and the bands i share the stage with regularly. There are some cracking bands in the underground scene in  Scotland The Bucky Rage, Acid Fascists, Filthy Little Secret, iwantout, Homesick Aldo, Sleepy Eyes Nelson, Shoogar to name just a few. Playing with bands you dig is the best influence you could possibly ask for.

 
CM: Have you ever considered adding more musicians and forming a full on blues band?

LP: Not a fuckin chance. I play with a 2 piece band called Ghosts Of Progress which consists of me doing my one man band set up with ONE other guitarist, that's as close as I'll ever get to being in a band again. I don't want the hassle of dealing with egos, opinions, shit time keeping, annoying girl friends and being let down, I have no need to go down that road. thankfully.

 
CM: I've had the chance to hear and review your 4 song demo, and think it's amazing! Will we be seeing any new material this year?

LP: Definitely, I plan to record music every few months, it's something I've avoided too often due to gigging constantly, I enjoy it a bit more nowadays still enjoy gigging far more.

 
CM: Have you been approached by any labels as far as releasing your material to a wider audience?

LP: I've a couple of labels interested putting out some Rag N Bone Man vinyl which should be out this year, and one of my tunes will be released by Dead By Mono records as part of a really cool compilation record which is out end of march. I'm in the process of starting up my own D.I.Y Label to release some of my music through that. 

CM: Do you play a lot of shows in your area and are there any plans on touring in the near future?

LP: I play live all the time. pubs, clubs, venues, records shops, book shops, sheds anywhere I can. I plan to get myself to Ireland and Europe on tour very soon too.

CM: Is there a website you wanna plug where fans can get up to date news on new releases, tour date and merch?

LP: There are a few   www.facebook.com/theragnboneman

                          www.petrolbombrecords.bandcamp.com ;

 

www.twitter.com/theragnboneman ;

CM: Thanks again for talking with Critical Mass. I love the 4 song demo and am excited to hear more form The Rag N Bone Man. Thanks again Lew.  

LP: Cheers, all the best.