AOL webcast - March 2000

UKMC BOX: Good Evening Toploader and welcome to AOL Live. Before we take to the questions this evening would you like to open us up here this evening with a few words?
TopldrLIVE: Hello everyone, we're Toploader. How is everyone?

Question: Your latest single is a cover of an old song, why did you choose to cover this particular song?
TopldrLIVE: Because we heard the track. We found it in a Frank Sinatra compilation. It was a 7 inch inside the real record. We like the feel, so we covered it.

Question: Did you expect chart success with your latest single?
TopldrLIVE: Yes. Well we hoped for it. And our wishes paid off.

UKMC BOX: The band spent a lot of '99 on the road, playing with Travis and Stereophonics at a Kosovo Benefit gig and supporting Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher. They were also on the bill with Catatonia and Reef at the Pilton Festival. Having played at Glastonbury, Reading, Eclipse and let's not forget Guildford (?!) festivals - the highpoint being a water pistol fight with Fatboy Slim at Glasters - the band went back into the studio for more writing.

Question: What festivals will you be playing at this summer?
TopldrLIVE: Hopefully, T In The Park, V2000 and of course our favourite Glastonbury.

Question: What music influences make your sound?
TopldrLIVE: The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Sly & The Family Stone, Britney Spears and Wham!

Question: where did the bubble idea come from for the promotional posters?
TopldrLIVE:Everybody loves bubbles. The only person who didn't was Adolf Hitler. Do you like the bubbles then?

Question: How long has the band been formed?
TopldrLIVE: 3 years and counting.

Question: If you could choose an extra member for you band who would it be?
TopldrLIVE: Cameron Diaz and Britney Spears for backstage entertainment. For musical Neil Young.

Question: What genre would you put yourselves into?? I.e. Christian rock or drum n bass ( obviously not these examples )
TopldrLIVE: You tell us, we'd like to know.

Question: This one is for Julian, what songs did you play at your audition, with only one working arm?
TopldrLIVE: A song called Oceans we don't play it anymore. Cos it was a blatant Oasis rip-off.

Question: You have a wide media appeal, anything from VH-1 to Sugar Magazine how do you explain this?
TopldrLIVE: We can't help it everyone seems to love us. No matter how much we try to bug them.

UKMC BOX:The band released their limited edition debut single 'Achilles Heel' in May last year and were rewarded with a live performance on TFI and the dubious pleasure of a Melody Maker single of the week, as chosen by Chelsea and England's Graeme Le Saux!?

Question: How would you describe the upcoming album and do you think Graeme Le Saux will like it?
TopldrLIVE: Graeme Le Saux is an intelligent football player therefore we are sure he'll love the album. The album is one of the best debut albums ever; it is sure to make us superstars. As in the 70s programme about sport other than real stars. Brian Jacks eat your heart out

Question: Are you now all Chelsea fans after Graeme Le Saux chose your single for Melody Maker "Single of the Week"?
TopldrLIVE: Rob the drummer supports Chelsea, Julian supports West Ham (someone's got to) Joe supports Liverpool, Dan likes Brighton and Matt doesn't like football (he's a girl who likes hockey) Ha Ha

Question: have you done any songs with anyone else on the album?
TopldrLIVE: No.

Question: hello I like your new single when will it be out
TopldrLIVE: It's been out for 3 weeks. The next one is out on April 24th.

Question: What do you think of the new Oasis album?
TopldrLIVE: We haven't listened to it much properly. We like the first single.

Question: "Dancing In The Moonlight" has quite a unique sound. Were you concerned about the reception it would get? BTW: It's a wicked song!
TopldrLIVE: It's quite removed from what we usually do live. But as far as a studio track goes we're happy with it. We're happy with the overall result.

Question: I love your song! Where did you get the idea for the video?
TopldrLIVE: It seemed appropriate for the song as it is a party song, and it was an excuse for us to have a party with beautiful girls.

Question: What is your favourite band of all time?
TopldrLIVE: The Beatles overall. But it's close.

Question: If you could go on tour with any other band, who would it be?
TopldrLIVE: Cyclefly obviously.

Question: What was it like working with George Drakoulias?
TopldrLIVE: Excellent fun, all he likes to do is play computer games and recording comes second. He's a very chilled LA type.

Question: so what does it take to become a famous band?
TopldrLIVE: A lot of hard work and talent, though we're still waiting to see the real benefits i.e. groupies galore as we're only just famous.

Question: You've been attacked in the music press because of your hair, would you ever consider cutting it off or do you sympathise with Frank Dobson and tell them to stuff it?
TopldrLIVE: People in the music press can @%** off as they are probably all bald and look like Frank Dobson anyway.

Question: Who you would like to back you up if u were headlining a concert who would u have as lets say warm up act from today's bands?
TopldrLIVE: Coldplay are one of the only few good acts around at the moment, that we know of.

UKMC BOX: How would you rate yourselves against Cold play?
TopldrLIVE: They're good, but they're different to us.

Question: do you like dancing in the moonlight? Is it one of your hobbies? Why do you have a bungle on your head?
TopldrLIVE: What is a bungle? Wasn't he in Rainbow? Only if it's dancing naked.

Question: I'm in a band now and what's the best way to go about getting a deal?
TopldrLIVE: Just work hard. Believe in yourself, also nepotism helps!!!

Question: Where did you get the name for the album, Onka's Big Moka?
TopldrLIVE: Less swaying, more buying. The album's name came from Tribesman from Papua New Guinea. Onka is his name, he was a bloke, and he gave away all of his stuff to a neighbouring tribesman and became a big man in doing so.

Question: What was playing on TFI like and is Chris Evans as bad as everyone says he is?
TopldrLIVE: Chris Evans is much nicer than everyone thinks. He's very down to earth and he bought us a pint. TFI is always a pleasure and never a chore. Although, he wouldn't lend us any dosh.

Question: Will you be touring in the near future?
TopldrLIVE: Yes. We start our tour on the 28th March in Brighton through to the 20th April all our dates are on our Website, the address is www.toploader.com, we'll also supporting Paul Weller in May. So come and see us!

Question: How did you choose your band name?
TopldrLIVE: When we started as a band we used to smoke a lot of marijuana, if you topload a joint it means that you put all of the gear at your end and smoke it all. Very selfish and something we possibly can't condone.

Question: how long did it take to pen the lyrics to dancing in the moonlight?
TopldrLIVE: As it's a cover, it took no time at all.

Question: how many instruments did u use in the song to get such a cool sound?
TopldrLIVE: Drums, bass, 2 guitars and a piano, celeste, melotron, hammond, and vocals.

UKMC BOX: What's your favourite food?
TopldrLIVE: Curry and Vege-Bangers. Joe loves Quiche and salad, mum's own. Rob likes German Sausage and fish fingers. Julian likes lobster but has crabs and Matt likes E numbers

Question: What do think about when your writing songs?
TopldrLIVE: I tend to write songs when I'm depressed, but the songs always tend to have a positive theme, therefore I put myself through torment to come up with the goods.

UKMC BOX: Unfortunately time has ran out on us but hopefully you can close tonights aud with a few words?

TopldrLIVE: I hope you enjoy the next single and the album and log onto our website and leave messages for us and for more details. Thanks for your support. Byeeeeeee!!!!!

Thanks to Emma (aka '*mrs*washbourne*i*wish') for this webcast!