'When they hit the stage I remember just thinking I need to get out of the cover scene now!'

Sunderland Rock band One Man Revival (OMR) are back!  Mark Tyers caught-up with drummer Wayne Glaister to get the lowdown on the band's summer shake-up.

Mark Tyers: Who are OMR and how would you describe your music?

Wayne Glaister: We're a high energy rock band based in Sunderland and give 100 percent in every show we do, and hopefully entertain people along the way! We also know how to [mix-it-up] bring it down and create a good ambience. Hopefully the songs are songs that people can relate to, something we always try and do in the song writing process.

MT: You formed back in 2012, how would you say your approach to songwriting and live performances has developed since then?

WG: We always try and challenge ourselves when songwriting. [We] keep moving forward, trying different things out. I feel [we're] starting to sound more mature [but I] think that's just us getting older [laughs]. We all still get nervous before a gig especially when it is a bigger gig, but I think it's good and keeps us on our toes. We just generally go a bit nuts and have fun, it what its all about really.

MT: Have there been any particular moments, maybe a gig or maybe a record or something else which have made you totally re-evaluate and refresh your approach to music?

WG: Well I went to London to watch the Stereophonics. When they hit the stage I remember just standing thinking I need to [make] original [music] and get out of the cover scene now! I'd done it for years. I wasn't really feeling playing anymore 'til I met up with Andy [Hanlon, frontman of OMR] and the rest is history.

MT: Over the summer bassist Richard Clayton Naude joined the band - how's that working out and how did your August and September shows go at Tribfest and Peterlee Carnival?

WG: Richard's fitted in really well with me and Andy and we couldn't be happier with him in the band. He's a cool dude to work with and has a good knowledge of all different types of music. He's got a massive beard and trys to act like the hard man, but under it all he's a little cutie pie but ssshh, don't tell him I've said that! He's an all round [good] egg and I'm looking forward to hitting the road with him. Peterlee carnival was a great first gig for us with Richard. Unfortunately we had to cancel Tribfest as we weren't ready in and time - I don't think Richard had been in the band four days [by that point] so we couldn't spring that on him [laughs]!

MT: What have you got in the pipeline after your show at Independent on the 21st October?

WG: We've still got the album we would like to push for a while [Ordinary World]. We just love gigging, so the hunt's on to get back out again with Richard in [the lineup]. New songs are in the pipeline and video ideas, so we'll be nice and ready for the back end of this year and the start of the next. We are really looking forward to our first gig back in Sunderland, it's been a while so let's hope plenty of people come down and make a good night of it!

One Man Revival are headlining Independent, Sunderland on Saturday 21 October. Doors open 7pm. Tickets are £6 on the door after 8pm or £4 before 8pm or online at WeGotTickets.com.

Support Comes from:

BTYPE
High energy hip-hop/synth-punk party music with sing-along choruses
https://www.facebook.com/btypemusic/

CRITICAL STRIKE
Bouncy feel good chiptunes and computer-game-style music from Middlesbrough
https://www.facebook.com/xcriticalstrikex/

HARLEYLIKESMUSIC
Heavy NintendoDS generated beats from Sheffield
http://harleylikesmusic.com/