Alex the front man of Nottingham Hardcore band 3rd Stone!

Who are you?

We are 3rd Stone

I'm Alex - vocals

Paul I - Guitar

Andy - Guitar

Paul F - Drums

We haven't got a bass player at the moment.

Where are you from?

We are based in Nottingham, England.

How long have you been together?

As 3rd Stone for about 2 and a half years, the current line up about 3 months. We have been very Spinal Tap in the amount of members that have come and gone, even though we have been around for a few years it feels like a new band with the current line up.

What releases of yours are out at the moment?

We have a split CDEP with another Nottingham band Armour Of God, it is out my own label Threefold Records. You can get it over the internet at http://go.to/threefold.You should definetly check out Armour Of God they are amazing.

(Ed: My review of it coming soon it is a gooden)

Drink of choice?

For myself it has to be water or freshly squeezed orange juice, I'm straight edge, it is always cheap going out for the night withme. The other guys I don't know really, they do drink but I don't think they are like big drinkers, I know Paul (guitar) drinks Guiness.

Best CD you've ever bought?

God that is so hard to answer, I have like a list of my fave records which include bands like Youth Of Today, Conflict, Gorilla Biscuits, Dag Nasty to name a few. My fave CD at the moment is Dillinga 4 - Versus God which just rocks big time. I suppose my all time fave is two records Raidohead - The Bends and OK Computer?.

Worst CD you've ever bought?

It wasn't a CD but a record when I was younger, it was when I first started getting into punk and I knew that the Stranglers were a punk band so I saved up some pocket money and brought the latest album, it was the one with Golden Brown on it, forgotten the name. Anyway I was wanting furious music and got a crock of shit, god I still hate that record today. The one good thing was I sold the record and brought a Stiff Little Fingers album, now that was some good stuff!

Have any of you visited my web site before?

Yeah I have and I keep meaning to put a link up from ours but have been slack and not done it.

Who is your favourite band?

Again real hard to answer, suppose it comes down to the mood I am in. I really dig Radiohead, Shelter, Conflict, Crass they are some of my all time faves. I also listen to a lot of drum 'n' bass so on that front it would have to be Ed Rush, Goldie, Bad Company and Dillinja.

If you could create a band and have anyone in it, who would they be and why?

John Porcelly (Youth Of Today / Shelter) - Guitar

Page Hamilton (Helmet) - Guitar

Jonathan Bunch (Sensefield) - Vocals

Sergio Vega (Quicksand) - Bass

Sammy (Youth Of Today etc.) - Drums

Who would you like to guest on your next release?And Why?

No one really, I like what we do because it is us as a unit who write the songs and play them anyone else would kind of spoil it, hey what can I say I am just a control freak!

Who is your main influence in music?

My life and what I see going on around me are the biggest influences.

What did you get for your 10th birthday?

Do you know what I can't remember, I have given up on birthdays they always seem so lame.

Would ever consider playing Top of the pops?

Depends in what context, to take the piss or make a statement - maybe. But it such a joke of a program really!

Best Band at the moment in your opinion?

In the UK Knuckledust (their new album is awesome), Stampin' Ground, In The Clear, Sunfactor and Special Move, the rest of the world Hot Water Music and Count Me Out float my boat at the moment.

If you could support anyone who would it be and why?

Youth Of Today, because they were so influential on my early years and got me turned on to the whole straight edge ideals, plus they wrote some killa songs. What would be your ultimate 5-band gig line up? Youth Of Today, SS Decontrol, Stretch Arm Strong, Dag Nasty and Hatebreed You've got the old school meeting the new school.

Your views on the current state of metal? (This country and world wide)

It is hard for me to comment on the state of metal as I don't really come from a metal background, I grew up on punk. Sure I like some metal now but the only metal I really like is the stuff being done on the hardcore scene, the main stream bands just seem so lame and lifeless. I think most of these main stream bands would be making glammy records if that was the in thing, I have no real opinion on alot of these bands as they are so mind numbingly boring. In this country it is difficult to judge a whole scene, I think there are some really cool bands and people doing it because of their love of the music and the scene in general and there are some really shit bands who just want that whole rock star bullshit package.

Your 5 essential touring items?

Bhagavad Gita (essential reading), trainers, wife beater (tounge firmly in cheek kids), CD's and good veggie vitamin pills.

What do think of Babylon Zoo?

Do you know what I just don't really have an opinion on bands like this, they are just not worth bothering with, it just seems such a waste of energy to hate or like such bands.

So where next for your band?

Touring hopefully, we are going out on the road with Armour Of God for some dates around the country and maybe Europe. Do another record and just have fun with the band really.

And thank you for your time!

and to check out 3rd Stone click here!