‘Three knobheads from Blackpool’ - their words not mine...
A’priori are Mark Wilson - ‘Possibly the only man alive to make playing keyboards look cool’ – my words not theirs, Tony Lang (guitar and lead vocals) and drummer Mouse Lang. They’re brothers - two by birth, one by friendship. Three brothers who look good and play good (my words). And, erm, smell great (their words).
Fresh from an hour of almost non-stop meeting fans in the Mercia Distillery tent at Newark’s sold out Stonedead, Mark, Mouse and Tony kindly take the time to chat to me in the car park. Sat on the grass. After the genuinely, absolutely lovely security men encouraged me to run after the band and rugby tackle at least one member to the ground in the name of independent music journalism. Thankfully no such carry on was necessary and the boys were willing victims once I’d caught up with them. But let’s never say never…
Even though the band weren’t playing, the A’priori family were still super stoked to see their faves out and about at the festival. The boys, on the other hand, were super shocked by the sheer numbers that came out to see them, especially in the Merica Bar. ‘It was a bit nerve-wracking at first because we didn’t know if anyone would show up,’ admits Mouse. ‘It was so busy though!’ adds Tony.
So the only people who weren’t expecting a big turnout were the band themselves. But the popularity of A’priori’s twisted take on hard rock begs to differ. Their low down dirty, highly catchy songs soaked in riffs, rhythms, keys and sleaze attract a substantial fanbase.
Tony, Mark and Mouse have been best mates for around 15 years. So when early A’priori needed a new keyboard player, Mark, who had previously been helping the band out with loading their gear and the like offered his services. ‘I think it was Tony who was like, ‘I’ve got a keyboard if you want to have a practise’, says Mark. ‘Tony taught me the basics and I YouTubed the rest, and the next thing we knew I’m jamming with them!’
The band are now three long players in – with the promise of number four incoming.
‘We’re working on a new album at the moment,’ says Mouse. And if you’re off to their yearly band/fan gathering in Blackpool on September 5 you’ll be some of the first to hear new music from it. ‘The first song’s not far off ready,’ he tells us.
‘We’ll be playing it live, before we release it, at our annual party,’ adds Tony. And all being well the boys will be releasing their fourth album in September next year. Eeeeeeeee!!!! Any clues on what we can expect gents? An amalgamation of their back catalogue apparently. So that’s 2019 debut album ‘Black Church’, sophomore ‘House of Cards’ (2022) and most recent release ‘Voodoo Love’ rolled into one. Mark: ‘We’re hoping this is the sweet spot between all three albums.’
‘A lot of bands keep to a very similar style, so there’s not a risk there,’ adds Tony. ‘But we say, ‘Well, that’s worked for us – but can we make it better?’ That’s something we are big advocates of. I think the music scene can sometimes be a bit stagnant and boring.’
‘It’s nice to be different in a world where people take the easy route,’ agrees Mark. ‘I always describe us as Marmite – you either love us or you don’t. There’s not really an in-between with us.’
Why is this, you may be wondering? Well, one reason is that A’priori boast the lesser spotted line-up of a lead singer with a guitar strapped to them, a drummer and a keyboard player.
‘Having a keyboardist in a hard rock band – people sometimes shame it,’ explains Mouse. ‘But Mark makes it look badass!’ True dat. And if you hit up the band’s website you can get tickets to go witness this in a town near you.
Not convinced? Have a quick look at yer girl’s review of A’priori at Roxoff the Night Before from May this year. So loud were the crowd’s demands for, ‘One more song,’ the lads had to oblige. And there was only one way to finish their stellar set in style – a cover of a Rage Against The Machine classic.
Mouse remembers the moment well. ‘People shouted for more so we brought ‘Killing In The Name’ out again.’
‘If you end on a song that everybody knows they’re going to enjoy it,’ says Mark. ‘We could’ve played one of ours to be honest but we love doing that one!’
The boys’ fans are their family – and they are at the heart of everything A’priori do. ‘It has to go beyond the sound, and we have to make sure we look the part and smell the part,’ says Mark mid-way through our interview. THANK GOD!!!! Have you any idea how hard it is sitting with three musicians who clearly take care of their appearance and fragrance, and not mention it because coming across as a cougar is not on my 2025 bingo card???? Luckily Mark’s admission makes my life a lot easier because my God they really do smell nice. Tell us one of the products you use please Mark… ‘Prada Luna Rossa’.
Let’s ask another question in a bid to regain composure. Something original. Something Mouse, Tony and Mark have never been asked before. ‘Is Mark your third brother?’ Dammit!!!
Despite being asked something they must’ve heard a bazillion time before, the lads answer with good grace. ‘We’ve grown up together - before I was in the band,’ says Mark. ‘I even stayed at their house for four months straight once. We never argue.’
‘If we do, it’s just a slight disagreement,’ says Mouse. ‘We never scream and shout at each other.’
What d’ya reckon? Three knobheads from Blackpool? Nah, three fine-smelling musicians who love each other, their fans, and making music their own way more like.
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