“Third House” are a UK based band featuring the talented world famous drummer Dave Barbarossa. I’ve managed to get to a few of their gigs so far with my camera and thoroughly enjoyed each one. I love it when something comes together and just works. Since it’s formation, this band has been a duo – Dave and Umair. Friday 11th July Third House performed at The Dublin Castle in Camden Town on a very warm Summer’s evening. This time they introduced a third band member which brought some welcome changes and depth to their sound. A little intrigued as to how this particular band came about, I have some insight from Dave Barbarossa himself.
Umair Chaudhry – guitarist, lead vocalist. ‘Silent Weapon’ Graham Dalzell – bass, vocals. Part of the the Bristol scene, he has recorded with members of Massive Attack, and toured with John E Vistic Rock’n’Roll Soundsystem. Most recently he has been a member of 6Music darling Emily Breeze’s band, recording two albums. Dave Barbarossa – drums. Adam Ant, Bow Wow Wow, Republica, Chime Oblivion.
In Dave’s own words:
“Umair and I have recorded and gigged ‘Third House’ as a two piece for about a year, but we’ve always wanted a live bass player. (We had the bass on sequence previously). After a long and sometimes demoralising search we found Graham Dalzell. We feel our line-up is not only complete, but his input and presence has opened up new horizons for us.”
How would you best describe your band and your sound?
“A blend of shoe gaze and anarchic rock. Very committed, emotional and authentic. “
Can you bring us into the studio for a moment for some insight – When you guys are in the studio, how do you tend to work, is there one of you who writes the tracks or do you find you do this together? Do you jam and see where it takes you?
“It can be a jam, or a song in simple form. As a two piece, we’d start with a beat or guitar riff and build from there, continually editing, cutting and shaping what is there to get the song the way we like it. We’ve not written together as a three piece yet, but I’m sure it will be a similar process. Spontaneous ideas put into the mix and the excitement as a song seemingly ‘writes itself’. I think that when writing music, the best ideas are invariably the first ones and they set the foundation of a song. “
What is Third House working on at the moment?
“We are going to demo our album and put a CD single out.”
Third House – where does the name come from?
“In astrology ’Third House’ is the ‘house of communication’.”
Do you have any plans for a tour?
“We’d love to tour, but it’s still early days and we’d need to plan and cost it all out. We’ll hopefully tour to promote our album, fingers crossed.”
With regards to the fact that you personally, Dave, have performed in a strong variety of different iconic bands in your life so far, do you have a favourite style of rhythm / sound to play?
“I have my style, my ‘pocket’ , (as we drummers say). It can only work when the musicians I’m with appreciate and are motivated by it, so when I play I’m always playing my favourite beat because the people around me dig it.”
What is the most bizarre gig you have ever had to play? ie: Unusual location or bizarre request?
“Many many gigs, Gem. Played on a paddle steamer on the Mississippi in New Orleans, once?…Red Rocks high in the Colorado Rockys. All over the world, large and small. Once did a huge tour of Africa with Beats International, crazy stages and awesome views from the drums. I’ve been very, very lucky.”
How many tracks has Third House released yet? Any stories behind the tracks so far?
“We’ve released our 4 track EP ‘Inside Outside’. Very proud of that as I’d only been ‘staff’ in the bands since the 80’s. Looking forward to recording our single.”
Where and when is your next gig?
“We’re at Half Moon Putney on 6th August. There will be many more. “
A big thank you to Dave Barbarossa for this little interview. If you’re in London on 6th August then you know where to go. To purchase their EP – https://thirdhouse.bandcamp.com/album/inside-outside-ep
Images © Gem Rey