Crashboy Jones. Where to begin?
This band from Diss have been together for 2 years and are hoping to start making themselves known around the area. But, as Mark told us, he doesn't think there is enough support for local bands and they are feeling the pull of London. The line-up consists of Mark Thorby (Guitars, Singer/Songwriter), Ben Smither (Bass and Backing vocals) and Seb Atkin (Drums).

KlubKat went along to a recent gig at the art center in Norwich, where we were lucky enough to grab an interview with the band before their set. This is a band with a lot to say. They make their views on pop culture very clearly known, and certainly seem to know where they are heading - not something that can be said of every band out there today.

Mark describes the band in his own words: "We want to create a sound for people to get into - not to follow what people have already done. We want to be immediate, to just be there!"
Mark feels very strongly about the lack of loyalty in East Anglia for local bands - the band is beginning to feel that they have to go to London to get their slice of fame and fortune, and this is something that they don't want to have to resort to.
Mark, again: "People here can't get off their arses because they are far too comfortable - it makes me sick! Five years ago, there were some big bands around here - but not any more."

"Bands today, (many of them) are harking back to The Beatles. If The Beatles were around now, they would be moving forward, using computers, etc."

So, where does a name like "Crashboy Jones" come from? Apparently, the explanation is more down-to-earth than you might expect: A friend of the band, Jones, was driving his mums car when he managed to pile into the back of the vehicle in front in wet weather. I don't suppose he was very popular at the time, but at least he gave the band their distinctive name. Until this inspirational event, the band had simply been known as "Breach".

You can find out more about this outspoken trio at http://www.crashboyjones.com where they have set up their own little community. More than just a website, you will find everything there from the serious to the surreal. In their own words, "the idea is to round people up and do something creative. Art, Comedy, Music, we hope to hit the middle which people can understand."

Well, it looks good to me, guys - we wish you the best of luck with the project.

Ambitions? To be ridiculously famous, of course. Perhaps surprisingly for a band member, Mark states quite categorically that he DOES NOT want to wake up in a bedroom with four girls and a bloke snorting stuff - he wants to be working hard and getting things done. He tells us that the media has taught people to expect everything on a plate - with TV, you don't have to go anywhere...
So any would-be groupies out there can look elsewhere!

The band describe their music as "Future Pop". There were not many in the hall to see them play that night at the art center, which is the crux of what they are saying, but those who were there (including us) enjoyed everything they had to offer.
Mark pauses between songs to offer his own style of irreverent banter to the audience and to shout back at hecklers, and the songs themselves were quite obviously all home grown - apart from a great rendition of "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants. Perhaps interesting for a group that is so vocal about cover bands.

Well, guys - whether what you say about the local music community is true or not - and we're sure it's the same in other parts of the country, we're sure you'll find your niche in the overcrowded pop world.

Check out http://www.crashboyjones.com and see what they're up to this week!