Picturebox formed in Canterbury in late 2005, with the line up of Mark (drums), Robert (guitar), Dave (bass), and Ben (guitar). They all sing. Emily joined the band in the autumn this year. Their biggest gigs to date were at the last two Lounge On The Farm festivals.
Picturebox have made two home-recorded albums (“Hard Stereo” and “Beans & Bones”) and will be recording in a local studio in late November.
Robert, Dave and Emily took some time out to answers some questions...

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Please explain yourselves.

Robert: We are Picturebox. There are 5 of us from in or around Canterbury. We play pop music. We all like doing music.

Describe yourselves in three words beginning with the letter ‘f’.
Dave: friendly, fastidious, felicitous

What are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Robert: The best thing is writing songs and then getting them together. The worst thing is waiting around for soundchecks, after soundchecks, waiting for anything really.

Worst gig experience?
Robert: In a former incarnation a promoter sidled up to Mark (our drummer) after we’d played and said “That last band…they were terrible…Did you hear them?” He said “Yeah, I was in them.” Ha ha. It was a long time ago.
Emily: My worst gig experience was at Radiohead in Edinburgh where I got trampled by drunks. I haven't had any really bad gigs with Picturebox

What is it about music that makes people so passionate / obsessive?
Robert: It goes in on a deep level, right into your subconscious. And it’s completely subjective so something which no-one else cares about could mean the world to you.

What are your plans for the rest of 2008?
Robert: We’ve got a few gigs and we’re going to do some studio recording (instead of home stuff) so that should be interesting. I’m going to see Sunderland play WBA at The Stadium of Light in December.

Which musicians / pop stars should be locked in a dungeon and why?
Robert: Marilyn Manson. He’s quite kinky, isn’t he? He might enjoy it.

Batman or Superman?
Robert: When I was little, Batman was pretty much the ultimate in cool TV. It had a nice psychedelic edge that I find sadly lacking in Superman.

What is your favourite record at the moment?
Robert: I keep playing Saint Low at the minute. Also “Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing” by The Jackson 5. It’s on YouTube. It’s great.
Emily: I keep listening to M83 - Kim and Jessie or Metronomy's album.
Dave: Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, Fairport Convention, Cymbient

What was the last thing that made you angry?
Robert: It was probably me.

Favourite kids TV show?
Robert: Bagpuss. No competition.
Emily: Knightmare... can you tell I'm the baby of the band?

Crisps or chocolate?
Robert: Chocolate ‘cos crisps just make you too thirsty.
Emily: Crisps because chocolate melts on your fingers.

When was the last time you embarrassed yourself?
Robert: Yesterday.

What was the last dream you remember having?
Robert: I remember most of them. Metallica were playing a gig in a prison camp at Canterbury Christ Church University while some of my friends were rushing through the car park to a wedding. There was badly rehearsed reluctant audience participation… I escaped.

What is Canterbury missing?
Robert: Dave always says it needs a decent venue where you can make enough noise (not that we’re noisy) and touring bands can come through. A university city this size should have a better venue. Be good to see how The Farmhouse goes though.

What is your favourite film?
Robert: I don’t know. I like The Graduate. Monterey Pop. Belle de Jour. It’s probably one from the 60s.
Emily: Wonderboys or Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Tell us a joke.
Robert: An inflatable boy goes to his inflatable school with a pin and starts pricking everything and everyone. The inflatable headmaster calls him in and says, “I’m very disappointed. You’ve let me down, you’ve let yourself down, you’ve let the whole school down.”

Which one superpower would you like to have?
Emily: I would want telekinesis. Does that count as a superpower?

Do you have a favourite place in Canterbury?
Robert: I like the crypt in the Cathedral, if it’s quiet.
Emily: Until recently, my house... nowadays I'd say Kent Music School on Pound Lane 'cos it’s old and smells like a museum.

Who would win in a fight between astronauts and cavemen and why?
Robert: Cavemen, I think. They’d probably lack discipline but they’d have had more practice. I think those astronaut suits would be somewhat cumbersome and inhibit their movement.

Favourite saying?
Robert: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Emily: Favourite sayings are a bit lame.

Is there anything you'd like to shamelessly promote while you're here?
Robert: Yes please. Why not come and see us at The Beer Cart Arms on Thursday 27th? It’s just £3 with a flyer. Our next gigs will be in Maidstone at Sounds@Zebra and then in Wimbledon.

What is the meaning of life?
Robert: Love and mercy.

Thanks for your time.
Robert: Thanks for having us.