MusicRadar

Band Of Skulls (Marsden, Richardson, Hayward) are buzzin'

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2009 has been a banner year for Band Of Skulls, a trio out of Southampton, England, who have gone from never-heard-of-thems to can't-miss-'ems in record time.

Their biting debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, has much to do with their newfound success. A deliciously wicked affair which will give fans of The White Stripes and early Smasing Pumpkins much to drool over (check out the video to the first single I Know What I Am below), it's filled with fiery playing and hooks at every turn.

Add to that the dual lead vocals of guitarist Russell Marsden and bassist Emma Richardson - think Billy Corgan trading off with Chrissie Hynde - and you've got a group that lives up to its mega-hype.

But it's a much coveted spot on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack that could make Band Of Skulls a household name. "We're still pinching ourselves at the whole thing," says Marsden. "There's luck and there's crazy, out-of-control luck. To be on that soundtrack is definitely the latter."

It was only a couple of years ago that Marsden and drummer Matt Hayward were bashing around in college. "We always knew we were going to have a band together," Marsden says. "We just needed that other piece of the puzzle."

Which turned out to be art student Richardson. Marsden and Hayward convinced her that music was her true calling, and once they did things clicked - quickly. Before Band Of Skulls had finished recording their first album, they received an invitation from iTunes fill a slot for Single Of The Week. That song turned out to be I Know What I Am.

"After that, there was no looking back," says Marsden. "People started coming out of the woodwork to find out about us. Like I said, we're pinching ourselves."

MusicRadar spoke recently to Russell Marsden about the group's 'buzz band' status, the New Moon soundtrack and how he believes musicians have to "make their own luck. So much of it is talent, but you also have to market yourself. In the digital age, there's a lot at your disposal if you just get on with it."

Congratulations on getting on the New Moon soundtrack. That must have been a nice bit of news to receive.