Five Mile Smile were first formed as a 3 piece 2000 in Belfast Northern Ireland, they play extensively around Ireland for the next 3 years, and recorded some well-revived songs such as Walkthru and Long Road Out. In 2003 the band mutually decided to call it a day.
In 2014 they met up through Facebook and decided to get back together, initially for fun, but soon started working on new material, as well as small private gigs. After a few weeks, their first new Song Call to Arms was recorded. It revived a lot of airplay and positive reviews. A year later they were a 2 piece band but continued to make strong music with songs like Working Man and Drinkin All Day. Now it’s the bands 4th year since reforming, their latest song This is not a Drill has just been recorded. You can check out the track below!
We managed to catch up with the band as they talked about their latest release and more!
How has the release of This Is Not A Drill gone down so far?
It’s gone down very well. We are getting lots of radio airplay, and positive feedback from everyone.
Can you tell us something about the release no one else knows?
We did 64 takes, each time playing the song a little differently, changing the length of the chorus, and stuff like that. Then we ended up using one of the early takes.
Will you be releasing a new EP or album following the release of the single?
We have 2 EPs, one of stuff from 2002, and one of newer material. This is the first new song since then. All available on bandcamp.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
I think opinion would be divided among the band on that. It would have to be one day working with Metallica, and another with the Who
What’s the alternative live scene like in Belfast at the moment?
It’s mainly punk bands (a few people are doing different stuff). But it has always been either young people doing punk music, or older guys in cover bands. Country and western is also popular is you leave the city
Have you got any gigs or festivals lined up in 2018?
We have some gigs lined up for the summer playing in and around Belfast. It all depends on what time we can get between work and families.
Does the music industry seem the same than what it was when you first started in 2000?
It was a strange time back then. Cds, cassettes, Vinyl, and mp3s, where all relevant at the same time. People used the internet a lot, but it had not quite taken over. It was both the best, and the worst of both worlds. Today it is all online, It is actually more easy to get music played on a radio station in America, that a local station
If you could play at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
The Hollywood Bowl, I have seen it on TV many times, and I always thought it looked cool.