6 Qs for Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief
The Pinneaple Thief has a new compilation album out and today founder Bruce Soord answers my 6 Qs.
Who are your musical influences?
OK, in a roughly reverse chronological order: the beatles, stones, floyd, led zep, al stewart, supertramp, rush, anthony philips, japan, pearl jam, beck, deus, elbow, long pigs, radiohead, biffy clyro…
What has the Pineapple Thief been up to lately?
Since moving to the new label (kscope), they’ve been keeping me pretty busy. Earlier this year I extracted all my old albums from the archives for the remixed/remastered compilation ’3000 Days’. That took me months, solid. A very nostalgic and weird time. Also, we’ve gigged all over the place and things look set to get even busier. Best date so far, China in Jan 2010. Right now we’re preparing for a short tour of Holland with Riverside in a few weeks. Personally, I’m also locked in my studio writing for the next studio album due spring 2010.
What’s your favorite song to perform live? Easy, 3000 Days. Probably because it’s new, probably because it rocks and probably because it always gets the biggest cheer of the night. Oh, and just to confuse you, it’s NOT on the 3000 Days compilation, but will be on the new studio album next year. I think I need to think of a new name!
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
It’s just got better. In the studio, my compositions have become less reliant on layers of sounds and studio ear-candy. My work ethic now is that if it can’t be hummed and strummed on an acoustic guitar, then it’s not a good song. That doesn’t mean my compositions have become more simplified, on the contrary the structures, melodies, arrangements and time signatures have evolved, to the point where listening to my old stuff is painfully boring… As far as the live show is concerned – a few years ago we got together (after playing a series of mediocre shows) and decided to either get our act together or quit. So we go our act together. It’s taken us a while, but the live show has finally evolved into something I am proud to take on the road, and it shows in our performance. Having said that, some of the neo-prog festivals we play, it’s quite amusing watching portions of the crowd with their arms firmly crossed. We don’t sit very well in the neo-prog circuit. But I don’t really care, the true prog fans have open minds. Some of which we get, some of which we don’t. And then we move on…
If you could play a concert with a band of your choice, who would it be?
Good question. Hmmmm…. right now I’d say Biffy Clyro. I love their new stuff…
What’s your favorite board game?
Scrabble. Since I met my girlfriend/wife we’ve played every now and again. I’ve won 1 game out of 48. I hope I’m a more successful musician.
Photo by Scott Robinson 
The Pineapple Thief’s compilation album “3000 Days” is available through the band’s website. You can see them live at the Louisiana in Bristol on the 16th October.