We recently reviewed the new EP by Oxford based 4 piece Go On Do It Jump, we loved it and think you will to, so with us being awesome to you in mind, we thought we should introduce the band to you properly.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Dave and I am the lead singer and guitarist of Go On Do It Jump.
Where did the band’s name come from?
It came about one summer, when I was on a rooftop with a few friends, and my mate from Dundee said in his gruff Scottish accent, like a cop chasing down the bad guy to edge of the rooftop; “Go on, do it, jump”.
Put simply; it’s an impact name, and hopefully a memorable one and something we were happy to agree on. I always liked the idea of having a phrase rather than just a “something” for a band name. You could look at it from the angle that it’s a phrase that gives off the idea of willing yourself into action, taking a risk to do something you might be unsure you can do, a leap of faith etc, and that does link in with some lyrical imagery. Then again if we wanted a name that specifically did this imagery, we could have been called ‘Carpe Diem’, or ‘YOLO’… ‘Go On Do It Jump’ sounds way better.
How did you get started?
I went to school with Alex, so we’d kinda played music together since we were 16. And then I advertised online for two other members, and both the Tim’s really fit the bill, we’re into the same sort of bands, and it soon became clear that they had a similar drive in getting a band up and running for gigging and recording.
What have you got going on at the moment?
We’ve had a bit of time between gigs to work on some new material with the intention of following up our debut ep with some more recordings. We’ve also got a few gigs to prepare for, the highlight being another show at the O2 Academy Oxford, supporting Catfish and the Bottlemen. The more songs we write the more we get need to get to grips with arranging and rehearsing a fresh setlist etc which is always good fun.
Favourite music and why?
I think I would have to say Radiohead. Aside from the quality of the albums they have produced, they were also the first bad I ever saw live when I was 15, when I didn’t really know much about them or any bands to be honest. From then on I properly threw myself into spending all my money on buying records and going to gigs as often as I could.
Favourite book and why?
‘The Stand’ by Stephen King, (Great choice). Its an epic, apocalyptical battle of good and evil which on one hand makes it a fantasy, yet its American setting and the society it builds and explores throughout the whole novel feels like such a real reflection, that makes you think this could happen and could just be round the corner.
Favourite film and why?
Back to the Future. Marty McFly’s Johnny B. Goode guitar solo rock out is probably my favourite movie moment ever.
Best experience in the business?
We recently supported the Klaxons, playing the O2 Academy in Oxford, which is the largest venue in the city. That was a great feeling; firstly that the promoter had faith in us, and then the actual gig and getting a great response from the crowd. There was also the added bonus that Keira Knightley was in the audience…
Why should Soundscape readers care?
The thing I like the most about our band is that we just focus on creating the genuine sound of what us four guys want to sound like. We get together in a room and make honest sounds and marry them to honest lyrics. Now we’ve opened the door and we want people to hear what we’ve done because we’re proud that what we’ve produced fits exactly what the four of us set out to do when we first got together.
Tell our readers an interesting fact about yourself?
My great granddad introduced the ice cream cone to the UK in 1910, setting up the first manufacturing company. I feel my family are owed a lot of high fives for that one.
What’s the best and worst things about touring?
I personally haven’t done any extensive touring yet, but I have an image in my mind that it will be of Wayne’s World type awesome mayhem. The best thing is that it’s the purest way of getting your music heard, you are able to expose your band to parts of the country and the only way of doing that is playing the music you have made live in front of them. I’m trying not to anticipate the negatives just yet.
Most embarrassing thing to happen to you while in the band?
I guess I am fortunate that I have either managed to scrape by without anything too obvious, or in fact erased them from my memory and can’t recall them.
What’s your writing and recording process like?
I generally send the rest of the guys a demo of a song idea, which could be anything from a very simple chord progression to a fuller mapped-out version of a song. Then we get together in a room as we do each week and try out all our ideas for how we can mould the song into what we want. Once we are settled on the song we then usually road test it live before we consider recording them.
What inspires you?
Personally, I’m still learning to be in a band as it’s not something I’ve done with a degree of seriousness previously to this band. I kinda get inspired from listening to other musicians. Michael Stipe did a really poignant and graceful interview when R.E.M decided to call it a day, where he said the important thing was to take ownership of your mistakes as well as your triumphs, and that’s something I’ve really taken on board.
Who are your role models/idols?
We all are big fans of Bruce Springsteen having been to his gigs, his live show is second to none for delivering the perfect experience.
Hardest thing about the current business?
It depends on how you look at it and the reasons why you get a band going. On the basis that we were all really keen on the idea of the four of us getting together to write songs and then play them live, then we’re happy that we’ve been going in the right direction. In reference to the term “business”, and considering that we’re fairly new of the scene, I guess it is making sure that your band stands out and takes advantage of exposure when it comes around.
What are your future plans?
We worked hard on recording the EP so we want to put as much effort as possible in getting Grace Poise Clarity heard. We’re also looking to play some gigs outside of Oxford, to reach more people, and then the next step will be to get some new songs together to give us plenty of options for a new record.
Favourite Batman actor (Or Character!)?
I’ve always liked the wise and calming influence of Alfred. He keeps Batman level headed, he gives him guidance. With the adversity Batman suffered and the vast power he has gained, for that to happen to someone then it can go either way as to whether you do good or evil, whether you are selfish or selfless. Alfred is the angel on his shoulder, making sure Batman knows where he came from and keeps him grounded, and ultimately it leads him to do the right thing.
Go On Do It Jump: Facebook
