Torpedoes, a post-punk/goth band from Portsmouth, have released their fourth album, “Heaven’s Light Our Guide.” The album is a fine body of work that was born across the lost years of Covid-19 and the chaotic aftermath. It lyrically questions with principal songwriter Ray (Razor) Fagan (Ex Red).
Letter Day) providing his perspective on the world that we are all compelled to inhabit, regardless of our preferences. The album succeeds the debut album The Gong Show (2007), Dark Times (2011), and Black Museum (2018). The band’s signature sound of Post-Punk/Goth is further developed in Heaven’s Light, with a focus on keyboards. However, the band maintains the spiky guitar-driven edge that has been so successful in the past. Imagine a combination of The Cure, Muse, The Cardiacs, Killing Joke, and The Damned, but ultimately, they sound like Torpedoes. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
TORPEDOES: From Portsmouth. It started when me and the old bass player Wolfie, decided to start a new band…against our better judgement.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
TORPEDOES: Self taught
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘TORPEDOES?
TORPEDOES: Punk Rock, Post Punk, Goth. That sort of thing. Bands like The Damned, Bauhaus, Dead Kennedys , The Fall, Killing Joke as well as some later stuff… Pixies, My Bloody Valentine etc.
I got the name because it sounds nauticle. Being from Portsmouth and that. And I wanted to sound like we were a 50s band…like The Tornadoes or something. Then we dropped the ‘The’.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
TORPEDOES: I think we just sound like us. All over the place. There are nods to other bands. There has to be. It’s on purpose, as like a thank you for the inspiration. But it’s definitely dark. With a twist though. Some of it sounds happy, almost poppy. Then the lyrics kick in.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?
TORPEDOES: Even when I started and couldn’t play anything, I knew I had to write my own songs. That’s why I’m still going now! I think now the band is better than ever. But I’m not sure how we got here. I guess we’ve become more adventurous as we’ve gone on. I can’t play stuff that all sounds the same. That’s pointless. So I actively try to write differently every time. Sometimes starting with the bass or a melody line. Or keyboards. Or just and idea for a sound. Our songs are more crafted now.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
TORPEDOES:
Alot of our stuff is political. There’s a few on every album. I can’t help it. If you’re pissed off with the state of the nation, it comes out. That’s the punk rock background I suppose.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
TORPEDOES:
Artistically it does. I still think it’s great to listen back to what you’ve done as a collective. It’s one of the great joys of life to create something that didn’t exist before with some fellow humans. Financially is another matter. For the amount of work (and drinking) we put in we should be minted. But then that ruins most bands anyway.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
TORPEDOES: I write everything on my own, record it on to a 24 track Tascam and give it to the rest of the band. It’s just easier that way. It started by accident really. I just had a few songs to start a new band with, and it’s just carried on like that. Of course, when we’re in the studio everybody puts their own ideas in, which is great. Writing songs can start with anything from a riff to just a line of lyric. I’ve written a song in the bath before.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
TORPEDOES: The death of my best mate, who I started a band with when we were 13. We learnt together. Without whom I wouldn’t be doing this now. And getting attacked by Neo Nazis in Eastern Europe!
10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
TORPEDOES: I’m not a fan of explaining our songs. Most of them are ambiguous anyway. Not on purpose, it’s just I like to leave space for the listener to interpret what they think. It may make more sense to them than it did to me when I wrote it.
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