The video for 3AM was really cool, who came up with the idea, and what did you want it to illustrate to your fans? We sat down with Keri Collins - our director – and just had a brainstorming session. It was originally going to be more of a take on an 80s action film, with us all starring as terribly named (and dressed) heros. There was Sylvester Trombone, Arnie Black n’ Decker, Steven Seagull etc. Actually, he was my favourite as he was always going to carry a Seagull around on his shoulder. That would have been fun. Ah well, there’s always the next single ay?
What was the recording process like for Wash Away These Nights? Long. We started recording it straight after Hounds of Justice (June 2010) so it’s only taken a year and a half. This was because we were recording in 3 hour sessions every Thursday night. It takes a while to get going and warmed up each week and by the time you’re into it, it’s time to call it a night! But recording with Luc Prosser (producer) was really good, he’s a real funny guy with the same sense of humour as us and it made the sessions much more fun.
How did you get to the album title Wash Away These Nights? It’s a line taken from the album closer, ‘Sunrise’. It pretty much sums up the album’s content.
What can you tell us about the lyrical content or maybe just the general album themes on Wash Away These Nights? Well, we’ve got a few different themes running through it. A lot of it deals with getting out and breaking free. So if you’re in a situation in your life you’re not happy with, whether it’s work, love, music or whatever then just pick up your pots and pans and head for the exit door. We’ve also got a song about Queen Elizabeth II on there, just for the craic.
How would you say you have progressed as a band since the release of Hounds Of Justice? Well our sound has got a lot bigger now, like I was saying earlier. We’ve introduced electric guitar, lots of percussion and everyone’s singing a lot more.
So what do you want 2012 to do for Rusty Shackle? We’re hoping to continue our evolution until we finally reach the pinnacle and become a barbershop quintet. We’re going to call ourselves ‘Steve Staunton’s Lugubrious Tones.’