Cover art of the wrock opera, made by Andy
Here's my interview with Andy from Padfoot & Prongs!
How did you get into wizard rock?
I heard it in like... 2007. I love Harry Potter, and the actual music attracted me. What I love is that wrock is a genre. You could be a rap group rapping about Harry Potter and its still wrock. It's full of inside jokes, love, and our favorite characters. What's not to love?
I started making songs back in... 2007? I think it was then. I started Padfoot & Prongs with some friends because I was so inspired by Harry and the Potters and Ministry of Magic. Although college has just narrowed it down to me, I'm still making music!!
Tell the story behind your band's name.
When I first started listening to Harry and the Potters, I liked the idea of not just writing songs about the Harry Potter world in general, but about specific characters. One of my favorite parts of HP was the flashbacks to when James & the Marauders were young. So I conceived Padfoot & Prongs, a wrock band about the Marauders' adventures when they were young. Also, with this part of the HP universe, I can't run out of things to write about. I heard albums about specific books (this was the summer the 7th book was going to come out) and I thought, after the 7th book, what is there to write about? There's always material, but I set myself up to have plenty.
How did you get into wizard rock?
I heard it in like... 2007. I love Harry Potter, and the actual music attracted me. What I love is that wrock is a genre. You could be a rap group rapping about Harry Potter and its still wrock. It's full of inside jokes, love, and our favorite characters. What's not to love?
I started making songs back in... 2007? I think it was then. I started Padfoot & Prongs with some friends because I was so inspired by Harry and the Potters and Ministry of Magic. Although college has just narrowed it down to me, I'm still making music!!
Tell the story behind your band's name.
When I first started listening to Harry and the Potters, I liked the idea of not just writing songs about the Harry Potter world in general, but about specific characters. One of my favorite parts of HP was the flashbacks to when James & the Marauders were young. So I conceived Padfoot & Prongs, a wrock band about the Marauders' adventures when they were young. Also, with this part of the HP universe, I can't run out of things to write about. I heard albums about specific books (this was the summer the 7th book was going to come out) and I thought, after the 7th book, what is there to write about? There's always material, but I set myself up to have plenty.
What characters, topics and themes do you write songs about? Do you have a certain point of view or does it vary?
I try to go with the James & Sirius themes, but in composing my new wrock opera To the Shrieking Shack! I wrote a story as well. It was a new experience. One thing I love about wrock is that it can sometimes be ambiguous. Take the HP references out of a song and the message applies to any aspect of life. I always try to go for that ambiguity in songs.
Can you tell me more about this wrock opera you've made?
It's a 10-song record which follows James and Lily's breakup and aftermath. She ends up dating another guy in a few days, who we learn is named Axis. Axis, however, is only using Lily to get to James and kill him, settling an old family grudge. He pits Remus and Lily against each other and tricks Sirius and James into deuling him for their lives. It's a great record, full of Marauders' mischief and good tracks. I wrote, played and recorded everything in it (bass, guitar, piano, programming, marimba, and vocals). I tried to write James' parts in a normal style, Sirius' in a techno/electro style, Remus' parts are all in 3 (I use 3/4, 6/8 and 9/8) and Axis (a new character) usually has some nice minor chords.
What music genre your songs belong to?
Punk? Emo? Indie? Powerpop? Traditional Mongolian Music? I don't know, I suppose you write from what you're influenced by, but I have far too many influences to count. So someone decide and tell me. Haha, I'd love a genre.
What makes your band unique?
I've composed one of the few wrock operas there are. I also always try to name my songs very long, or very odd things, such as My Marauder's Map Could Beat Up Your Marauders Map or Not A Gentlemen, Thank God, But A Gentle Man (a quote from another favorite British author of mine, Terry Pratchett).
Have you played live shows?
We've played one live show before back in 2008. We played 3 songs and then covered Save Ginny Weasley From Dean Thomas by Harry and the Potters, complete with a sax player. Fun time.
Who are your favourite wizard rockers?
Paul and Joe from Harry and the Potters, Alex from The Remus Lupins, and all the guys from Ministry of Magic.
What are your top 5 wrock songs?
In no particular order...
Do you have a favourite wrock video?
I don't have a particular one. I do like Escape From Azkaban by Ministry of Magic.
Would you like to collaborate or play in a show with some wrockers?
I would love to with any of the guys I mentioned as my favourites, but collaboration with any wrock band would but great! I would just love to play a live show for a group of wrock fans somewhere, but I never have any time or ability to get places :( Soon though!
What is the most touching experience you've had with wrock?
The first time I listened to Dumbledore by Harry and the Potters, I got into it. It really touched me. I loved it.
What is the best moment you've had with wrock?
The writing of this wrock opera. It's been an amazing experience musically, its really streched me. I'm so glad I did it. It is one of my favorite things I've done musically.
What would you do if you had more time/money to spend with wrock?
I'd love to take To the Shrieking Shack! to a studio and record it there. Also if I had more time I would find places to go and play wrock shows with anyone who wanted to. I'd definitely spend a year or two just on Padfoot & Prongs.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans and fellow wrockers?
If I have any fans out there, thanks for listening! And let me know what you think of To the Shrieking Shack!
Where to find Padfoot & Prongs online:
I try to go with the James & Sirius themes, but in composing my new wrock opera To the Shrieking Shack! I wrote a story as well. It was a new experience. One thing I love about wrock is that it can sometimes be ambiguous. Take the HP references out of a song and the message applies to any aspect of life. I always try to go for that ambiguity in songs.
Can you tell me more about this wrock opera you've made?
It's a 10-song record which follows James and Lily's breakup and aftermath. She ends up dating another guy in a few days, who we learn is named Axis. Axis, however, is only using Lily to get to James and kill him, settling an old family grudge. He pits Remus and Lily against each other and tricks Sirius and James into deuling him for their lives. It's a great record, full of Marauders' mischief and good tracks. I wrote, played and recorded everything in it (bass, guitar, piano, programming, marimba, and vocals). I tried to write James' parts in a normal style, Sirius' in a techno/electro style, Remus' parts are all in 3 (I use 3/4, 6/8 and 9/8) and Axis (a new character) usually has some nice minor chords.
What music genre your songs belong to?
Punk? Emo? Indie? Powerpop? Traditional Mongolian Music? I don't know, I suppose you write from what you're influenced by, but I have far too many influences to count. So someone decide and tell me. Haha, I'd love a genre.
What makes your band unique?
I've composed one of the few wrock operas there are. I also always try to name my songs very long, or very odd things, such as My Marauder's Map Could Beat Up Your Marauders Map or Not A Gentlemen, Thank God, But A Gentle Man (a quote from another favorite British author of mine, Terry Pratchett).
Have you played live shows?
We've played one live show before back in 2008. We played 3 songs and then covered Save Ginny Weasley From Dean Thomas by Harry and the Potters, complete with a sax player. Fun time.
Who are your favourite wizard rockers?
Paul and Joe from Harry and the Potters, Alex from The Remus Lupins, and all the guys from Ministry of Magic.
What are your top 5 wrock songs?
In no particular order...
- Ministry Of Magic by Ministry of Magic
- Felix Felicis by Harry and the Potters
- Alone on Valentine's Day by The Remus Lupins
- Call to Arms by Ministry of Magic
- Dumbledore by Harry and the Potters
Do you have a favourite wrock video?
I don't have a particular one. I do like Escape From Azkaban by Ministry of Magic.
Would you like to collaborate or play in a show with some wrockers?
I would love to with any of the guys I mentioned as my favourites, but collaboration with any wrock band would but great! I would just love to play a live show for a group of wrock fans somewhere, but I never have any time or ability to get places :( Soon though!
What is the most touching experience you've had with wrock?
The first time I listened to Dumbledore by Harry and the Potters, I got into it. It really touched me. I loved it.
What is the best moment you've had with wrock?
The writing of this wrock opera. It's been an amazing experience musically, its really streched me. I'm so glad I did it. It is one of my favorite things I've done musically.
What would you do if you had more time/money to spend with wrock?
I'd love to take To the Shrieking Shack! to a studio and record it there. Also if I had more time I would find places to go and play wrock shows with anyone who wanted to. I'd definitely spend a year or two just on Padfoot & Prongs.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans and fellow wrockers?
If I have any fans out there, thanks for listening! And let me know what you think of To the Shrieking Shack!
Where to find Padfoot & Prongs online:
- To the Shrieking Shack!: A Wrock Opera on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/padfootandprongs1
- Animangus Schmanimangus EP on Purevolume.com: http://www.purevolume.com/padfootandprongs