With a New Year comes new danger and there aren't many functioning bands out there more dangerous than Temple of Coke - these Sheffield dudes could rival the Arctic Monkeys for internet hype, tunes and pure, visceral pop sense. Well maybe not, but they've got some serious vibe going on. Scroll down to check their latest video, a take on the classic Pure Shores by nineties girl group All Saints. The lads have been invited down to perform at the latest trendy Dalston night spot Birthdays this weekend so it's a good time to get to know 'em... Listen to main man Big Al on their flexxx...
Who are Temple of Coke?
Temple of Coke are: Big Al: Vox, guitars, synths, bass, stylist. Tich: drums, vokills, cowbell. Producer. Archer: Guitars, keys, triangles, high-pitched shrieking.
How did you come together to make such beautiful music?
We have been friends for a number of years and have played in all kinds of groups together, including a band which did a cover of key parts from U2's Rattle and Hum live album.
The cover version of Pure Shores is destined to be a huge YouTube smash - were you on drugs when you filmed the video?
We were trying to be on drugs. If you watch the video carefully, you can see Tich is struggling to find a lighter to spark up his zubbie. That is probably the longest Tich has gone without blazing for the last five years. I had to get straight out of bed that morning with a bad hangover and get in a car to Cleethorpes. It's safe to say we all felt like shit that day.
What's 'Doing It' all about?
I think they keyword is 'it'. I like doing 'it' with fit birds. Tich likes to blaze 'it' and Archer's favourite Stephen King book is 'It'.
There's an album on the way - are there any themes to the record? Where did you make it?
We record ourselves at Bok Studios - big up Bongo Burt who 'runs' the place. I saw him start on someone at a party the other night, fall down the stairs and split his head open. It was live! The only themes are the twin fears of running out of kingsize rizzlas and getting abducted by sexy aliens who do experiments on our reproductive organs.
Who do you cite as influences/contemporaries?
Haircut 100, The Style Council, Flowered Up, U2.
You're playing Birthdays on Saturday - what should the trendies of Dalston expect? Are they ready?
On Saturday night when we play Birthdays, the front row can expect to be covered in man seed.
Have you ever been inside a Temple of Coke?
Nope, never been inside in any kind of temple but I have been inside a Darth Maul and costume and it felt wonderful!
Temple of Coke play Birthdays in Dalston this Saturday (12 January)... Check out Pure Shores below...see you there...