 01/05/2005 STARRING: EL PRESIDENTE
BORN: GLASGOW
AGE: 22 (AVERAGE AGE)
MUSICAL STYLE:ROCK, FUNK, METAL, DISCO, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
El Presidente is the hotly tipped new Glasgow quintet that's
El Presidente is the hotly tipped new Glasgow quintet that's set to take the dancefloor by storm. Comprising Thomas McNeice, Johnny McGlynn, Dawn Zhu, Dante Gizzi and baby of the group Laura Marks, who is just 18, they are releasing their second single '100 MPH' in May through One Records. The group have also joined the confirmed line-up for this year's Glastonbury Festival, as well as further promising festival appearances at T in the Park and the V Festival. The band has recently played alongside their own personal heroes, including Peter Hook of New Order and Electric 6, amongst others.
Despite having only released two singles so far, the El Presidente sound has been likened to that of artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, Prince, T-Rex, Andre 3000 of Outkast and Beck. Unsurprising, then, that El Presidente are being touted as one of THE bands to watch. Their intoxicating blend of trashy rock disco is being bigged up left right and centre, so we thought it about time to catch up with lead singer Dante Gizzi.
Describe El Presidente in five words...
Fresh. Fluorescent. Fragrant. Futuristic. Fantastic.
Tell us about your new projects...
We're thinking of opening a casino for musicians and when we've taken all their money we can then take the rights to their songs. Could you imagine Prince playing a game of poker, sweating and offering the rights to 'Purple Rain' to see my hand and then losing his cool... classic!
What is your biggest achievement?
We haven't reached that yet but I think that being told that we're going to do Glastonbury in the summer is amazing. Personally, it's a gig I've always wanted to do since I was a kid. We're also doing T in the Park, which is a sort of homecoming show for us, so that's going to be pretty special too.
Who are your musical heroes?
My personal heroes include actors as well as musicians. Marlon Brando is one of my all-time idols; the role he played in 'On the Waterfront' was absolutely mesmerising! It gave me the incentive to really do something with my life. Prince is another hero of mine; he just has everything! His talent for writing amazing songs and the energy that he gives off when he plays live are what made me want to become a singer.
What makes you happy? And what makes you angry?
Right now, playing live makes me happy; with the exception of writing songs it's the only thing I want to do! Ignorance makes me angry. And having to come off stage especially when you are just getting into it!
What was the last CD you bought?
Plastic Surgeons' 'Lifeless Heart'. A rather obscure band, obviously. I like to find new and obscure stuff when I'm out buying CDs. You find real gems that way, and I get inspiration from that.
If not in a band, then what?
I can't honestly imagine doing anything else! I suppose I would have to work in a music shop or maybe a plastic surgeon.
What song do you wish you had written?
That's a hard one! There are so many. 'Last Night a DJ Saved My Life', 'Purple Rain', 'Jailhouse Rock'... I could fill this whole magazine with songs I wish I'd written and the band had played.
What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I used to be the bass player in Gun. I opened for the Rolling Stones on the European leg of one of their tours. It was unbelievable! Some nights we were playing to over 80,000 people. That size crowd is just a sea of people that extends as far as you can see.
Who would you invite to a dinner party and why (dead or alive)?
Marlon Brando, of course. I have an unhealthy obsession with his movies! I'd like to ask about all the legendary stories of his demands and the women. Elvis would have to be invited for similar reasons. He started this whole music revolution and it's still being carried on in different guises. And the characters from 'Little Britain'.
'100 MPH' by El Presidente is out on May 2nd on One Records. |
