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ABoF’s Five Pointless Questions with… Algernon Doll!

There are people in this world who make us feel like we've wasted our lives. Sure, the ABoF team have had a good innings, worked some interesting jobs, and even been part of a pseudo-tranvestite punk band in the noughties. But when we listen to somebody like Algernon Doll (aka Ewan Grant) we realise we might as well have slept through our twenties. The man is 24 and he already has two pretty bloody decent albums behind him and another set for release.

We might as well pack up, go home, and find somewhere quiet and comfortable to waste away. But, before we do, there's always time to ask Ewan ABoF's Five Pointless Questions:

1. Using a the fairy tale format, tell us how you all met

Once upon a time there was a boy called, Ewan. He wasn't born into royalty but had underlying symptoms of being a king... who would have expected he would become a king of rock!

His father was a blacksmith and, to keep his son from harm's way, smelted him an axe at the age of 11. Whilst other kids of his age would play in the court yard, Ewan would stay at home, honing his 'axe skills'.

Skipping years into the future, he would come across two wise men who would take him under their wing. They would go on to write albums of alt-rock classics and tour the nation and beyond... They became known as, 'Algernon Doll'

2. Who or what was the defining moment in your life that made you decide to be a musician?

I went to a lot of hardcore shows growing up, and the scene and community around Perth and Dundee was unrivaled. It was natural to join a band and I've been playing shows for as long as I can remember. I had a few incidents where I lost some of my closest friends when I was 17 and it filled me with rage and a subliminal sadness that I felt I couldn't express with that sort of music, so I decided to do what I do now. If there were any moments, they'd have to be MotionFest (a fest to remember a good friend) and seeing my favourite band 'La Quiete' at Nice 'N' Sleazys in Glasgow. I realised that these people weren't rich, or even that popular, but they were making a life out of what they loved and the atmosphere and ethic was worth pursuing.

3. If you could pick a superpower what would it be and why?

China because they have all the natural resources! I'd like the power to silence the prejudiced, that'd be cool.

4. In ten years time where do you want to be?

Still touring and seeing the world. Doing what I'm doing but on a greater scale.


5. If you could only play a stranger one of your songs to make a first impression, which track would you choose?

Depends what sort of stranger. I have this thing where I don't want certain types of people, (racists, homophobes, toffs etc) to listen to my music so I'd play them, 'Relate' or 'Fellate' in the hope that they'd find some right-wing snore-band instead. Otherwise, I think 'Spilt Milk Perfume' is a good started for nice people.

Omphalic is released 30th June 2014 via Struggletown Records.