Meet The Band: Richard McLester

The next few blogs will be covering interviews with the individual members of Oposium, exclusive to this website under the title of 'Meet The Band'!

This week, we see the Oposium Admin Team interview Richard McLester on his role and applications towards being the frontman for Oposium...

Interviewer: "Why did you start writing music and who influenced you into doing so?"

Richard: "I started writing because I thought the idea of being a composer seemed such a romantic idea. I always listened to more classical music before I discovered rock and I remember I was about 11 when I proclaimed grandly to my bemused teacher "I'm going to write a concerto!". I think he gave me a book of blank manuscript paper and sent me on my way...

One big inspiration has been Lenny Kravitz because I've always aspired to his ability to record all the instruments on his records. Musically some of my biggest influences have come from composers like Liszt because I love the way the music is as complicated as you can get, but the tune is always the most important."

"What equipment and instruments do you use when with Oposium?"
Live I use a Fender Strat with the heaviest ernie balls you can get (.012 - .056) plugged into a Marshall DSL100 head and Framus 2x12 cab. I've got a couple of pedals, but the only one that actually changes the sound up is a Vox Wah. In the studio I'll use everything and anything. We've got a Yamaha CS1x which I love for it's 90s dance sounds, although there is footage of me whacking a marrow with a drum stick... I don't think that made it onto the album in the end though!"

"I hear Oposium is sponsored by Roland, the electric musical instrument pioneers. How did the band get this sponsorship?"

"We sent off one of the first versions of Behind The Rain (it wasn't even called Behind The Rain at that point) and over a period of about 6-9 months I got phone-calls saying our track had made it through to the next round, and eventually we won!"

"In six words, can you describe Oposium's music in a nutshell?"

"Mammoth, epic, colourful, challenging, free. BIG!"

"Great! How do you feel when you're about to start an Oposium concert? Is it a mixture of feelings, is it nerves, excitement?"

"I'm pretty hyped, I'm not nervous as I won't allow myself to be - if I'm nervous and heading the band then that's no good! The only time I get nervous is if something hasn't worked during rehearsal."

"That's a good work ethic! Who's your all-time favourite guitarist and why?"

"It would have to be Buddy Guy. He's the only guy that can come on stage in his pyjamas and play for an entire set without really playing a full song. A lot of what we do live (with the dancing in the audience) has been inspired by him."

"Now can you let us into a little secret...? You've put pianos in the sea for the award-winning Behind The Rain, you've burnt pianos on stage during live concerts ... are there any other antics in-store for us at Oposium's future gigs? Will they involve pianos or will it be something entirely different?"

"Now that would be telling wouldn't it ! Although hyenas were high up on the agenda at the last admin meeting ..."

Richard McLester

The next blog will feature the band's 'drum ace', David Waller.

Peace always,

The Oposium Admin Team