The Sound And The Fury — Laying Down The Law with Garage Fusion Rockers Lawmen
By Christopher Evans
A candid interview With Lawmen Co-Founder / Ex-Kid Slug Drummer Mike Fury to coincide with their latest release “Here To Stay”.
Not since Dee Dee Ramone
rebranded himself as Dee Dee King and dipped his feet into the world of rap music for the Standing In The Spotlight album (1989) has the term “Punk Rock Renaissance Man” been used, but that term aptly describes Lawmen / Ex-Kid Slug Drummer Mike Fury.
Apart from being one of the best stixmen in the business, Mike Fury is a writer, actor, author, cinema expert and journalist, and has interviewed some of the action movie heavyweights when scribing his bestselling two part exposé of action film making “Life Of Action: Parts One & Two “ ( 2015-2020) .
However it is music that will always be his main passion. Now Mike has formed London based dynamic duo garage rock outfit Lawmen ( Not to be confused with US punkers The Lawmen) along side co-founder /
co-songwriter Jason Lee Thomas on Vocals and Guitar.
The band take inspiration in their name, energy and outlook from what they describe as “renegades, mavericks and outlaws” – both from real life and those in popular culture - from film, television and books. Their musical style shifts between garage punk, blues rock and even elements of countrified cow punk , but with - what they hope to be - a clear through line.
Lawmen is a new musical project. How did the band's formation come about?
Mike Fury:
I played in punk band Kid Slug for over 10 years. Jason came in on bass for the last few years of that, which is how we met. The band played a lot of shows, cut some good tracks including a split record with seminal Spanish Punks Nuevo Catecismo Catolico, but honestly never gained the kind of forward momentum I would have liked. Anyway, all things come to an end! After the band eventually called it quits, all amicably, I got talking to Jason at a Social Distortion show in London about potentially doing something new, and he was in!
Listening to your first clutch of single releases that are now available on streaming platforms, ‘In My Bones’, ‘Do It’, ‘Insane’, and your latest cut, ‘Here To Stay’, the songs have a 60’s garage rock vibe crossed with a post hardcore attitude and smidgen of country sass akin to Social Distortion’s second record. Did you have a set plan with your sound, or did it just evolve naturally from jamming sessions?
Mike Fury :
I have a very broad musical taste, but I do gravitate to all those influences you mentioned. The good thing about playing with someone you already know is that you have a musical shorthand in a way. We also know each other’s tastes well, I’d say. I personally steered towards a late 70’s punk sound akin to the Dead Boys, a little Buzzcocks, and Australian garage style bands like The Saints and Radio Birdman, who I love. We’re also both fans of The Gun Club so this was our melting pot.
Jason Lee Thomas’s vocals have a unique bruised whisper Lemmy-esque steamroller charm to them, which is quite refreshing to hear. Is it easier to work as a partnership when forming new song ideas?
Mike Fury :
I’m sure Jason will like that praise! As I mentioned I think it’s good to have a musical shorthand. Not always necessary but things tend to click more when you’re singing from the same hymn sheet, so to speak. I like Jason’s vocal style for sure. I’ve sang lead on a couple of tracks we haven’t released yet but I also do backing vocals, which is fun.
How does your songwriting process work?
Mike Fury :
We generally come together with outlines of ideas, some are more developed than others, and just bash songs into shape. While we all love a good riff or hook, I’ve realised as I’ve become older there’s a lot more to it than that and I pay more attention to really building a song, but I think we collaborate well.
How would you say Lawmen differs from your previous band, Kid Slug?
Mike Fury :
Stylistically it’s pretty different but, while Kid Slug was a blast, I’m much more musically involved in Lawmen. It’s also a palette cleanse to do something fresh. What I enjoy now is that Jason and I are each conceiving ideas, writing songs, discussing influences or new stuff we’ve heard. There’s also better lines of communication, which is made easier by there being only two of us!
The artwork on the singles is interesting and a little reminiscent of Raymond Pettibon’s work. What inspired this style?
Mike Fury :
Huge fan of Pettibon! But no that wasn’t a conscious influence. I like that style of retro inspired illustrations, even slightly disturbing in a way. And going back way further to the old ‘wanted’ posters, it feels old-timey. Since the first track we released was ‘In My Bones’, and working under the name Lawmen, I had a very strong mental picture of old west imagery so that inspired us down that route.
How did the interest in films or television influence Lawmen in any musical direction?
Mike Fury :
I’m a huge film nut and Jason is a fan too! We do often joke and chat about old films and TV shows. For me at least, that spiritual influence of old-time renegades seen in pop culture has inspired the content of what we’re doing – a certain energy but also the lyrical themes. Actually, I have posters of Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen and others on my wall, so it’s no surprise and it’s probably seeped into my subconscious.
Currently, Lawmen is a studio-based band but are there any plans to perform live?
Mike Fury:
That could definitely be a possibility in the future and we’ve been offered shows, despite it being a very new band. But right now we’re focusing on writing and recording what are hopefully strong tracks and building a solid arsenal of material.
Finally, if Lawmen could re-write a soundtrack to any classic movie which one would you choose?
Mike Fury :
That’s too hard to say because all classic movies have amazing soundtracks, I wouldn’t even dare attempt to replace them! However, I’ll name one which has been a big influence on me personally, which would set the tone for the type of thing I’d love to do. Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid has an amazing soundtrack by Bob Dylan, which was actually the first soundtrack he ever recorded, in 1973. What I love about it is how he switches between original songs and subtle instrumentals more in keeping with a traditional film score. Since it's a western, it’s obviously a folksy country vibe, rather than orchestral. But it sets the mood perfectly for the film, while also including a classic cut like ‘Knockin' on Heaven's Door’. What a record!
We plan to keep doing what we’re doing and hopefully these songs resonate with like minded garage punk nuts.
Thank you Very Much Mike For Your Time
Mike Fury:
Your very welcome Christopher, thank you very much for your continued support.
Stream Lawmen on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music and anywhere else you get your fix!
www.lawmen.bandcamp.com
Follow and stream new tracks at Bandcamp
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