6 Qs for Andy Ditchfield of DeeExpus

Durham. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. It is also the home of one of England's most exciting prog rock bands, DeeExpus. Their front man Andy Ditchfield is my latest victim.

Who are your musical influences?

It Bites, Marillion, Porcupine Tree, Joe Jackson, Nik Kershaw, Spocks Beard, Crash Test Dummies, Frank Zappa, Rush, Iron Maiden, Vertical Horizon, Counting Crows, Def Leppard, and of course The Real McCabe. There are probably more (oh aye, Tonic) but thats the list that always springs to mind. Half Way Home does have a sneaky little Jeff Wayne War of the Worlds thing going on in there too. Great Album that. War of the Worlds I mean ....

What has DeeExpus been up to lately?

Well some of us have been gigging, some of us have been writing, some of us have been fiddling with cardboard cutouts of protocol droids, some of us have been giving up cigarettes, some of us have been giving up "giving up cigarrettes", one of us has been to see It Bites and bumping into every musician he's ever known in the North East for the last 20 years and one of us has been brushing with the Stars. Collectively we have been rehearsing for our dates with the Touchy Stones.

What's your favorite song to perform live?

hmmm Greed. NO PTtee. Can i have both please as they do run into each other live.

How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

I think its become a lot more edgy, a lot heavier and has developed more character. Half Way Home played Live, isn't the Half Way Home I recorded. Its far, far better. Every single member of the band has brought something new both visually and in their own styles of playing. Henry and Ian are a mighty Rhythm section, Steve and Marc are superb and Tony just has the lovliest voice. I love them all!

If you could play a concert with a band of your choice, who would it be?

Porcu ... er ..Zap ... er .... Girls Aloud!! definately Girls Aloud. Who wouldnt?

What's your favorite board game?

StarWars Trivial pursuit. Everyone in the house moans when it comes out as they all get a damn good thrashing!!

DeeExpus are currently touring and this weekend you will be able to see them live at The Wesley Centre in Rotherham on Saturday and at the Riga Music Bar in Southend-on-Sea on Sunday. Check the band's website for more dates.

DeeExpus are:

Tony Wright (Vocals)

Andy “The Force is strong with this one” Ditchfield (Guitars)
Steve Wright (Guitars)
Ian Raine (Bass Guitars)
Marc Jolliffe (Keyboards)
Henry Rodgers (Drums)

Discography:

Studio Albums Half Way Home (2008)
Live Albums Far From Home (2009)

See my review of DeeExpus / Tinyfish @ the Peel