What do the Shirelles, De La Soul, Nivarna, Beastie Boys and the Martha & The Vandellas all have in common?? Well the Three Wheelers is a good place to start for a clue!? Yes you guessed it - All bands had just 3 members. The Three Wheelers are a ukulele infused trio covering the great music of trio bands all over the world. They have a varied repertoire that will take you from the 50's to the naughties in just one triple measure. They also infuse other stringed instruments like the violin and guitar for that bigger sound. I also heard that they recently fostered a melodica too! :) Here's a demo of their version of Martha & The Vandellas classic hit "Dancing In The Street". Have a listen the read on and find out more about this triplicately awesome #ukulele band.
Interview Guide:
R = Ruth
N = Nic
C = Craig
Q. How long have you been playing ukulele and why did you decide ukulele ?
R. I’ve always been musical but got my first ukulele in 2009 when I mentioned to a friend that I had seen one in a film (on reflection, I think it was actually a banjo!) and would like to play. She surprised me with one for my next birthday. In January 2015 I noticed on Facebook that another friend of mine was part of Ukulele Club Liverpool, so I contacted them to get some proper training and haven’t looked back since!
N. I have been playing the ukulele for just over a year now. I have had the opportunity in the past to play a musical instrument before but didn’t feel the motivation to take it up. I was told about UCL by one of the original members. When she talked about the ukulele she lit up and was filled with passion and excitement. Not just for the instrument but for the club and the scene. This was something I knew I should be a part of.
C. About a year. A couple of good friends forced me into it but what a year it has been so I'd like to say thank you to Elaine and Lindsey from UCL.
Q. What music influences you in general?
R. Difficult to say because my tastes are so broad. I wouldn’t say I am particularly ‘influenced’ by any of these but my Top 5 artists would probably be: Take That, Guns n Roses, The Beastie Boys, Abba and Super Furry Animals…with special mention to Queen…but this list can (and does) change and I pretty much like stuff in every genre apart from Techno/House.
N. I have an appreciation for a wide range of musical styles from pop to classical and jazz. For me musical appreciation it’s not about confining myself to a specific genre or artist, its more about how I feel, where I am and who I am sharing that moment with. The songs that have created a soundtrack to my life experiences are those that are most significant to me.
C. I personally like lounge and acoustic style music.
Q. How would you describe your sound?
R. Fun and a work in progress.
N. I do hope to be able to work towards a sound both for Three Wheelers and myself as an individual. I am still very much a newby so I’m giving myself time to develop and a lot of it.
C. Painful! I'm my own worst critic but I think as a band we are still developing our own unique sound and approach.
Q. Do you write your own songs or is this something you may consider for the future?
R. Personally, I’d always played but never written anything (apart from Music GCSE assignments) but co-wrote a song for work, earlier this year and was surprisingly pleased with the result. As the Three Wheelers, we definitely want to have a go at writing in the new year.
N. Creating my own songs is not something that I have considered at this stage. Although last year I wouldn’t have said that I would be playing the ukulele and the idea of playing in a band wouldn’t have even entered my mind.
C. No. As a cover band we mainly focus on twisting existing trio band songs but who knows? Hopefully the future is bright for us.
Q. Please describe your overall experience at UCL
R. Absolutely brilliant in every way.
N. It is a positive affirmation, a medication made up of wonderfully unique and inspiring people who’s collective aim is to provide moments of happiness and fun to all around them.
C. Outstanding, warming, diverse. 5 out of 5 stars.
Q. Would you recommend learning the ukulele and if so why?
R. Most definitely, I know I’m musical, but even if you’ve never picked up an instrument before, I’d say it’s one of the easiest to get a tune out of. It’s great to be able to sing along as well and it’s such a social instrument – everyone’s playing uke now so you can always find people to jam with.
N. Yes! The ukulele is the opposite of intimidating. If you never thought that you could play an instrument then the ukulele will prove to you otherwise. Its cutesy size and quirky character can let you believe it’s a toy, it lets you tap into your inner child and have fun. Before you know it you have learned 3 or 4 chords that will carry you across hundreds of songs. As you gain more interest in the instrument you will stumble across some amazingly talented world class uke players who prove the capabilities of the uke are much bigger than you ever realised. It’s a bold and unique instrument with no ego.
C. Yes most definitely! In terms of playability it's by far easier than a guitar and great fun to play.
8. Where can we find you playing outside of UCL?
R. Three Wheelers will be doing their first 2015 gig in the Everyman Bistro on Wed 14th Jan, along with our UCL mates the Ukuleighties and Human Error.
C. Echo Arena? MEN? Realistically on Liverpool's open mic circuit with the aim/hope of developing a local fan base.
Q. What does the future hold for the Three Wheelers?
R. More fun, jamming, gigging and of course cake, tea, gossip and laughs.
C. Hopefully bright lights, big cities and lots of cash. We can but dream.
Q. What message or wise words would you like to send out into the world this Christmas?
R. “Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand, put a little love in your heart”. I may have nicked this from one of my fave Crimbo songs, but probably better than my first choice of “Snow is fallin’, all around me…”
N. Never underestimate the importance of having fun.
C. Stay safe kids and say no to drugs.
R = Ruth
N = Nic
C = Craig
Q. How long have you been playing ukulele and why did you decide ukulele ?
R. I’ve always been musical but got my first ukulele in 2009 when I mentioned to a friend that I had seen one in a film (on reflection, I think it was actually a banjo!) and would like to play. She surprised me with one for my next birthday. In January 2015 I noticed on Facebook that another friend of mine was part of Ukulele Club Liverpool, so I contacted them to get some proper training and haven’t looked back since!
N. I have been playing the ukulele for just over a year now. I have had the opportunity in the past to play a musical instrument before but didn’t feel the motivation to take it up. I was told about UCL by one of the original members. When she talked about the ukulele she lit up and was filled with passion and excitement. Not just for the instrument but for the club and the scene. This was something I knew I should be a part of.
C. About a year. A couple of good friends forced me into it but what a year it has been so I'd like to say thank you to Elaine and Lindsey from UCL.
Q. What music influences you in general?
R. Difficult to say because my tastes are so broad. I wouldn’t say I am particularly ‘influenced’ by any of these but my Top 5 artists would probably be: Take That, Guns n Roses, The Beastie Boys, Abba and Super Furry Animals…with special mention to Queen…but this list can (and does) change and I pretty much like stuff in every genre apart from Techno/House.
N. I have an appreciation for a wide range of musical styles from pop to classical and jazz. For me musical appreciation it’s not about confining myself to a specific genre or artist, its more about how I feel, where I am and who I am sharing that moment with. The songs that have created a soundtrack to my life experiences are those that are most significant to me.
C. I personally like lounge and acoustic style music.
Q. How would you describe your sound?
R. Fun and a work in progress.
N. I do hope to be able to work towards a sound both for Three Wheelers and myself as an individual. I am still very much a newby so I’m giving myself time to develop and a lot of it.
C. Painful! I'm my own worst critic but I think as a band we are still developing our own unique sound and approach.
Q. Do you write your own songs or is this something you may consider for the future?
R. Personally, I’d always played but never written anything (apart from Music GCSE assignments) but co-wrote a song for work, earlier this year and was surprisingly pleased with the result. As the Three Wheelers, we definitely want to have a go at writing in the new year.
N. Creating my own songs is not something that I have considered at this stage. Although last year I wouldn’t have said that I would be playing the ukulele and the idea of playing in a band wouldn’t have even entered my mind.
C. No. As a cover band we mainly focus on twisting existing trio band songs but who knows? Hopefully the future is bright for us.
Q. Please describe your overall experience at UCL
R. Absolutely brilliant in every way.
N. It is a positive affirmation, a medication made up of wonderfully unique and inspiring people who’s collective aim is to provide moments of happiness and fun to all around them.
C. Outstanding, warming, diverse. 5 out of 5 stars.
Q. Would you recommend learning the ukulele and if so why?
R. Most definitely, I know I’m musical, but even if you’ve never picked up an instrument before, I’d say it’s one of the easiest to get a tune out of. It’s great to be able to sing along as well and it’s such a social instrument – everyone’s playing uke now so you can always find people to jam with.
N. Yes! The ukulele is the opposite of intimidating. If you never thought that you could play an instrument then the ukulele will prove to you otherwise. Its cutesy size and quirky character can let you believe it’s a toy, it lets you tap into your inner child and have fun. Before you know it you have learned 3 or 4 chords that will carry you across hundreds of songs. As you gain more interest in the instrument you will stumble across some amazingly talented world class uke players who prove the capabilities of the uke are much bigger than you ever realised. It’s a bold and unique instrument with no ego.
C. Yes most definitely! In terms of playability it's by far easier than a guitar and great fun to play.
8. Where can we find you playing outside of UCL?
R. Three Wheelers will be doing their first 2015 gig in the Everyman Bistro on Wed 14th Jan, along with our UCL mates the Ukuleighties and Human Error.
C. Echo Arena? MEN? Realistically on Liverpool's open mic circuit with the aim/hope of developing a local fan base.
Q. What does the future hold for the Three Wheelers?
R. More fun, jamming, gigging and of course cake, tea, gossip and laughs.
C. Hopefully bright lights, big cities and lots of cash. We can but dream.
Q. What message or wise words would you like to send out into the world this Christmas?
R. “Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand, put a little love in your heart”. I may have nicked this from one of my fave Crimbo songs, but probably better than my first choice of “Snow is fallin’, all around me…”
N. Never underestimate the importance of having fun.
C. Stay safe kids and say no to drugs.
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