Alchemy: Rocking The Suburbs.

Alchemy launch Suburban Groove at the B Lounge, Dome Nightclub, on Friday.

Back in 1997 Craig Thomson put Alchemy together as to get out and perform some of the songs he’d been writing. Five years later the band are on to their second full-length release, entitled Suburban Groove. Craig took some time to answer some questions about the upcoming launch this Friday night.

I see the tracks span about a 13 year period. When was this record actually put together? Has it been a long time in the making?

“The reason the songs were chosen from such a along time span is that the first album had lots of angsty type songs on it and we got lots of comments from people who bought the first one about wanting to hear some happier songs on the next one. So the criteria for this album was if the song was positive in lyric and mood then no matter how old it was we rehearsed it up for the album. Blood On Hanbury St was the exception as it was the newest and it was a current issue so we thought it should go on there. 5 years old was supposed to be a hidden track, but every one seems to be doing them so we just closed the album proper with it. So of the 13 songs all but two are about positive things!”

How do you think the band has moved on since the release of your debut?

“The band has changed since our first album in personnel and in attitude. Lee and I are the only remaining members since that album. The attitude now is a much more simple approach, less cluttered. We have moved towards a simpler style very well and the next one will be even simpler, I think.”

There are a lot of different facets to your sound, how would you define what the band is about?

“The band is about making music that people can sing along to or enjoy listening to we enjoy playing pop, rock, funk and country music. I enjoy listening to all kinds of music so I write all kinds of music. However, we have had some good advice from some people who say we should focus on one particular genre, so for the next album we are just gonna do mainly pop/rock and see how it goes.”

Your bio says you’ve over 80 songs up your sleeve – how do you know which are right for Alchemy, and will you ever get a chance to get them all down?

 “If I hear a song with a full band arrangement or I hear harmonies in the song when I’m demoing it then I give it to the band to try. Some get rejected, some we do. I have lots of songs that I hear very sparse subtle arrangements for that I may do one day as a solo project. I also would love to have other singers record some songs that Alchemy don’t want. Also I have about 10 songs that I don’ hear the band doing that I'd like Lee to sing if she'd like to do something outside the band one day.”

That’s a fine looking guitar collection on the clothesline on your CD cover. If you had to pick one in particular to use for the rest of your life, which instrument would it be?

“I'd choose the acoustic twelve string. It is my favourite instrument. I love the sound it makes when u just strum a chord. It's beautiful.”