01Profile
A Sink Ya Teeth Photo
Sink Ya Teeth
Musicians — Norwich
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Gemma & Maria from Sink Ya Teeth, Norwich, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
M: “The eighties called…”
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
G: Throbbing Gristle, RE-TG - London Astoria 2004. I didn’t really know what to expect as I didn’t know much about them - I’d only heard 'United (The Lone Swordsman Remix)', 'Hamburger Lady' and 'Hot On The Heels Of Love'. It was a real eye-opener and an inspirational, unforgettable gig. It was more like an installation and soundscape than the kind of gigs I was used to going to. I felt pretty lucky to be there.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
M: Siouxsie and The Banshees and Grace Jones. I love people who are unapologetically themselves. These women are living gods. Both have had a profound effect on me, both artistically and philosophically.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
G: Punk and disco were where post-punk got a lot of its sound from, so I was influenced by proxy as post-punk was a great influence on me. I love the dancey, disco drums, angular rhythms and jagged, prominent bass lines from bands such as Gang of Four, ESG and Bush Tetras. But also the late '80s/early '90s dance scene which I grew up around and absorbed without realising it - until recently!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: David Bowie, without a shadow of a doubt. I’m obsessed with '80s/'90s Bowie in interviews. He’s like a guru or something! I once dreamt I met him at a village fete. He was selling cakes on a stall. I was like “I thought you died man!” And he was like “Oh no, I just retired. Have a Battenberg”…I’d like to hang out and talk art and philosophy and have a giggle.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
G: We both love the Norwich Arts Centre in our home town, both to play it and to watch gigs in. It’s a real nurturing place for new and young bands, and it’s where we both played our first ever gigs. The beer is good too!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: My mate Emily Winn! She has one of those rare voices that stop people in their tracks when she sings and she’s a really beautiful person inside and out. She’s just started a new band called ‘Fresh Flowers’ but there’s nothing up on Spotify yet, so this is from her previous band Sargasso Trio.
Sink Ya Teeth will release their aptly named second album 'Two' on Friday 28th February 2020 via Hey Buffalo Records. This will be celebrated with a hometown show at the Norwich Arts Center the next day.
You will also be able to catch the duo at a hand full of dates throughout March too. Full details available at www.sinkyateeth.com.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
G: 'World in Motion' by New Order. I was into football once upon a time and was obsessed with this song, not to mention the John Barnes rap!
A song that defines the teenage you?
M: ‘The End’ by The Doors. I was obsessed with The Doors and the '60s when I was in my teens. I only wore clothes from that period and played all my music on a '60s record player, spoke using '60s phrases like “super!” haha! I fancied myself as an existential poet-type. I was probably quite unbearable…
One record you would keep forever?
G: 'Paul’s Boutique' by Beastie Boys. Probably the first album I really really loved and provokes great memories for me. One day I hope to learn every single lyric, of which there are quite a few - I’m getting there!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
M: “Get up offa that thing / And dance till you feel better."
From 'Get Up Offa That Thing' by James Brown. Sound advice from The Godfather. It works every time.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
G: 'Marquee Moon' by Television. As soon as I hear that guitar riff I’m straight out of my seat and playing air guitar for the whole 10 minutes or so. Usually with my eyes shut.
A song you wished you had written?
M: 'I Only Have Eyes For You' by The Flamingoes. For the production and the song itself. You can hear the ghosts in the walls on that recording. The lyrics are standard boy-meets-girl but the sound is so dark, ominous, and quite scary. Sounds like something bad’s gonna go down. I love it!
Best song to turn up loud?
G: 'Unfinished Sympathy' by Massive Attack. Best with headphones on turned up loud.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
M: I think some people are surprised by my love and knowledge of The Beatles. I seem to rediscover them every couple of years. ‘Because’ is based on Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, which I also really love. Both pieces of music are just awe-inspiring to me.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
G: Not that I’ve been to many all-nighters as I’m not good at staying up late! But I’m a sucker for a bit of cheesy pop, and for the final song and to muster up the very last bit of my energy it’d be 'Last One Standing' by Girl Thing.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
M: This is a hard question for me coz there’s still so much old music I’m discovering. (I’m currently working my way through all the African music from the '70s and '80s...)
I loved the recent Little Simz album when that dropped but I guess that's not so new now. And I’m really into what Daisy aka Vanity Fairy is doing right now too. And Surfbort are good too.
'Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup' by Les Ya Toupas Du Zaire
'Offence' by Little Simz
'He Can Be Your Lady' by Vanity Fairy
'Hippie Vomit Inhaler' by Surfbort
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Gemma & Maria from Sink Ya Teeth, Norwich, UK.
Describe your style in three words?
M: “The eighties called…”
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
G: Throbbing Gristle, RE-TG - London Astoria 2004. I didn’t really know what to expect as I didn’t know much about them - I’d only heard 'United (The Lone Swordsman Remix)', 'Hamburger Lady' and 'Hot On The Heels Of Love'. It was a real eye-opener and an inspirational, unforgettable gig. It was more like an installation and soundscape than the kind of gigs I was used to going to. I felt pretty lucky to be there.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
M: Siouxsie and The Banshees and Grace Jones. I love people who are unapologetically themselves. These women are living gods. Both have had a profound effect on me, both artistically and philosophically.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
G: Punk and disco were where post-punk got a lot of its sound from, so I was influenced by proxy as post-punk was a great influence on me. I love the dancey, disco drums, angular rhythms and jagged, prominent bass lines from bands such as Gang of Four, ESG and Bush Tetras. But also the late '80s/early '90s dance scene which I grew up around and absorbed without realising it - until recently!
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: David Bowie, without a shadow of a doubt. I’m obsessed with '80s/'90s Bowie in interviews. He’s like a guru or something! I once dreamt I met him at a village fete. He was selling cakes on a stall. I was like “I thought you died man!” And he was like “Oh no, I just retired. Have a Battenberg”…I’d like to hang out and talk art and philosophy and have a giggle.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
G: We both love the Norwich Arts Centre in our home town, both to play it and to watch gigs in. It’s a real nurturing place for new and young bands, and it’s where we both played our first ever gigs. The beer is good too!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: My mate Emily Winn! She has one of those rare voices that stop people in their tracks when she sings and she’s a really beautiful person inside and out. She’s just started a new band called ‘Fresh Flowers’ but there’s nothing up on Spotify yet, so this is from her previous band Sargasso Trio.
Sink Ya Teeth will release their aptly named second album 'Two' on Friday 28th February 2020 via Hey Buffalo Records. This will be celebrated with a hometown show at the Norwich Arts Center the next day.
You will also be able to catch the duo at a hand full of dates throughout March too. Full details available at www.sinkyateeth.com.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
G: 'World in Motion' by New Order. I was into football once upon a time and was obsessed with this song, not to mention the John Barnes rap!
A song that defines the teenage you?
M: ‘The End’ by The Doors. I was obsessed with The Doors and the '60s when I was in my teens. I only wore clothes from that period and played all my music on a '60s record player, spoke using '60s phrases like “super!” haha! I fancied myself as an existential poet-type. I was probably quite unbearable…
One record you would keep forever?
G: 'Paul’s Boutique' by Beastie Boys. Probably the first album I really really loved and provokes great memories for me. One day I hope to learn every single lyric, of which there are quite a few - I’m getting there!
A song lyric that has inspired you?
M: “Get up offa that thing / And dance till you feel better."
From 'Get Up Offa That Thing' by James Brown. Sound advice from The Godfather. It works every time.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
G: 'Marquee Moon' by Television. As soon as I hear that guitar riff I’m straight out of my seat and playing air guitar for the whole 10 minutes or so. Usually with my eyes shut.
A song you wished you had written?
M: 'I Only Have Eyes For You' by The Flamingoes. For the production and the song itself. You can hear the ghosts in the walls on that recording. The lyrics are standard boy-meets-girl but the sound is so dark, ominous, and quite scary. Sounds like something bad’s gonna go down. I love it!
Best song to turn up loud?
G: 'Unfinished Sympathy' by Massive Attack. Best with headphones on turned up loud.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
M: I think some people are surprised by my love and knowledge of The Beatles. I seem to rediscover them every couple of years. ‘Because’ is based on Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, which I also really love. Both pieces of music are just awe-inspiring to me.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
G: Not that I’ve been to many all-nighters as I’m not good at staying up late! But I’m a sucker for a bit of cheesy pop, and for the final song and to muster up the very last bit of my energy it’d be 'Last One Standing' by Girl Thing.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
M: This is a hard question for me coz there’s still so much old music I’m discovering. (I’m currently working my way through all the African music from the '70s and '80s...)
I loved the recent Little Simz album when that dropped but I guess that's not so new now. And I’m really into what Daisy aka Vanity Fairy is doing right now too. And Surfbort are good too.
'Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup' by Les Ya Toupas Du Zaire
'Offence' by Little Simz
'He Can Be Your Lady' by Vanity Fairy
'Hippie Vomit Inhaler' by Surfbort
Sink Ya Teeth | The Hot House (2019)
Sink Ya Teeth | Petrol Blue (2018)
Sink Ya Teeth | Pushin' (2018)
Sink Ya Teeth | If You See Me (2017)