Smoking Martha – Mick Broome Answers Ten Questions for PlanetMosh

Smoking Martha are heading up over from down under this week for a UK Tour which starts in Oxford on Friday, includes an appearance at Hard Rock Hell and finishes in London just over three weeks later. Their debut album ‘In Deep‘ will be released on Friday (9th November) via Bad Reputation Records. Guitarist Mick Broome answered ten quick questions ahead of the tour: –

Can you tell me about the band and how you got together?

Tasha and I started writing music together acoustically and over the years we were joined by Matty on bass who I have known for a long time, who is actually a killer guitarist who we slowly but surely convinced to play bass and Jordy a friend of Matty’s from way back to complete our sound, on drums. Together we have all found a new passion and balance with Smoking Martha.

Who is the creative force?

All of us, it’s a team effort!

Interesting name. I’ve heard of a Waltzing Matilda but not a Smoking Martha so what’s the story behind the name?

Before forming Tasha started doing karaoke comps to build confidence on stage and I actually won a comp singing total control by Martha Davies from The Motels.

We were so intrigued by her and the way she used to chain smoke while singing on stage, hence the name Smoking Martha, it just stuck…

Where do you get your inspiration from?

We are forever growing as a band and our sound has evolved over time from experience and new inspirations. Music, Art, and what’s going on in the world!

Who are your biggest influences?

We have all been influenced heavily by classic rock growing up, but we each have pretty different musical tastes which I guess explains our diverse blend of rock. I have a more Punk rock background with AFI and Propagandhi, Jordy is on the heavier side with Pantera and Sevendust, Matty is more on the rock side with Van Halen, Baby Animals and Stone Temple pilots and Tasha more on the fem side with – No doubt, Lana Del Rey, Janis Joplin and Divinyls.

You’re coming over to the UK this month, what are you most looking forward to about the visit?

Everything! Hard Rock Hell Festival, experiencing the different live music scenes in each place, seeing who’s the 1st to lose a limb to the cold ha ha

If you could open for any band past or present who would it be and why?

Led zeppelin 1973!! Because they are one of the greatest rock n roll bands of all time!

Sell yourselves to me – why should people come and see Smoking Martha?

We put on a good show! Lots of energy, lots of hair flicking and loud rock n roll.

What have Smoking Martha got planned for the end of 2018 and beyond?

Lots of writing! We are currently working on our second album so hopefully touring the UK again and the EU next year with the new release!

Any final message?

We are just doing what we love and we are so excited to be able to share our music with you!

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

Band Members:

Tasha – Vocals
Mick – Guitar
Matty – Bass
Jordy – Drums

Smoking Martha UK Tour

Find out more about Smoking Martha: 

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!