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interviews 2008
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Catriona Boyle quizzes the Thirst during their
recent tour.
Your music has the feel of Jamie T, Jack Penate, Maccabees etc to it,
are people a little surprised when four black guys stride out on stage and
pick up guitars instead of a scruffy white guy?
Yeah when we come out I think we’ve had a lot of people thinking we’re some
Bob Marley covers band or an R&B band. But people judge books by their
covers, that’s expected. But music is music - why should we be pigeon-holed
just because of our skin colour.
Did Ronnie Woods really offer you our record deal in a pub or was there a
little more to it than that?
Basically yeah. He saw us in the Half Moon pub and came up to us and offered
to sign us, we nearly had heart attacks. One of his A&R guys had already
seen us so we did know that he might be there. But still, when he came up to
us and offered to sign us, we were like fuck it’s a Rolling Stone…
Who are your influences - past and present?
Jimmy Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Booker T, Average White Band, Kings of
Leon, Futureheads. We saw the Noisettes at SXSW recently and they were
really fucking cool – one of the best and most underrated bands around at
the moment
What are your plans for the summer - are you playing any festivals?
We’ll we’ve got the album coming out and our new single My Everything but
yeah it’s going to be a busy one. We’re playing the Leftfield stage at
Glastonbury and the 1234 Festival in Shoreditch and the Pritchattsbury
Festival in Birmingham alongside Plan B and the Holloways
Who are you currently listening to?
Scouting for Girls... no not really. The Noisettes… oh actually today we’ve
been listening to the Labyrinth Soundtrack. It’s wicked.
What are you most looking forward to about touring?
Well we’re on tour right now. Today we’re in Leicester. It’s amazing,
playing live every day in front of an audience. This is what it’s all about.
This is our first proper tour and we’ve been surprised at how busy the gigs
are, we were expecting to being playing small crowds but so far they’ve been
good sizes and good atmospheres. We’re all really pleased. We just love
playing live music and meeting new bands and people. It’s cool.
Aside from Ronnie Woods, any more famous fans?
Yeah the Queen! Think Prince Harry is too…
Your songs are very much influenced by what goes on around you, if you
become famous and start leaving the high life will your songs change or will
you stick to your roots?
No we’ll be singing about bling bling!! No seriously, we know you can’t sing
the blues if you ain’t got the blues, but we’ll always sing about life and
how we’re feeling at the time.
Do you find it difficult switching from playing in front of 40,000 people
with the Rolling Stones to being back playing in dingy pubs?
No not at all. When you support the Stones or the Sex Pistols, you’re just a
support band. Which was great and it’s a complete honour, but no one’s come
to see you. This tour people are coming to see us. We’re just starting out
really, so dingy pubs are fine. We’re at the bottom but we don’t care. We’ll
play the same gig for 4 people that we would for 40, 000…
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Lou Butler's questions answered by Bruce
from The Whip.
www.thewhip.net
Where did the name 'The Whip' come from?
We were called cameo whip for an hour, then teenage whip which were both
terrible and our mates were just calling us the whip, so it stuck, we liked
it cose it sounded like a snappy little word, we’re not in to bondage but
Indiana jones is ok, especially the music.
How did you guys meet?
Danny and I we’re in another band together before and when that split up we
just set up in this grotty pub cellar in Salford cos the guy let us use it
for free. We wrote half the album in there. It was really dirty and stuff
would fall from the walls when we were recording loud. We went there every
night for a few months then got our mates nath and fee to play drums and
bass. they were dating but told us they had split up at the 1st rehearsal.
They were totally cool with it and we had a hoot everyday after.
Did you always see yourselves in a band, and what
would you be doing if you weren't?
I can’t really do anything else, I always just focused on music. I was on
the dole for a little bit but the band is what makes me tick really. I’d
probably travel and eat cous cous.
How would you describe your sound?
Someone the otherday said “electronic sweat music” which I liked, it’s kind
of hard to put it in one hole so I guess I try to write music you can dance
to with your eyes open.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I listen to loads of stuff, growing up tuff like kraftwerk and screamadelica.
Daft punk, chem’s but stuff like the beach boys and Fleetwood mac roumors.
John lennon. Loads of stuff.
You guys are busy with a UK tour at the moment but
you've played at venues all over the world. What's your favourite venue been
so far?
We have a great time every night but fujirock was pretty special last summer
in japan. It’s the 1st time we had been to the other side of the word and
there were these people there who knew our music?? It’s a great place to
visit as a band, the people are great and I still get sent noodles through
the post.
Your well known for your live shows but I've heard
you've done the odd DJ set. Who DJ's and what type of music do you mix?
I do it with fee and danny, we all just get in the box and have a laugh.
Hotdog usually comes along and gets the crowd at it, it’s fun but we’re
playing live mostly at the moment so we don’t have much time to dj.
You've remixed tracks by The Editors, Black Ghost
and Sons and Daughters to name a few. Is this something you enjoy doing and
do you have any more remixes in the pipeline?
Yeah we love it. We just did one for hadouken and the music but we really
need to concentrate on new stuff for a while now. It’s cool beefing up
peoples songs and we play some of the remixes live too.
Your first album, 'X Marks Destination' was released
in March this year. What are your favourite tracks from the album, and have
you been pleased with the response you've received?
Yeah things are going good with the album, the audiences have been wicked
since it came out as people know all the songs. Y favourite is probably
blackout, it goes on a crazy journey at the end and gets all psychedelic.
Whilst you've been touring, have you come across any
up and coming bands that have caught your attention?
I really like the French band ‘the shoes’ and ‘shadow dancer’, ‘the bloody
beetroots’ we have a hoot with whenever we get to see them and ‘crookers’
are top producers too.
What do you like to do on your days off?
Clean washing and write new stuff, we never stop, seriously.
What are your plans for the rest of 2008 and 2009?
We’re looking forward to a fun tour starting tomorrow in the uk, we just got
back from Europe so it will be good to play on home turf. Then loads of
festivals all over the world till august and then finish off the album so we
can do it all again next year and the next one… |
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A legion of tasty scribes get to quiz Elbow.
Questions by Justine Bartolo, Gareth Ludkin, Chris Moffatt and Catriona
Boyle.
Watch the video to Elbow's 'One
Day Like This'
What brought about the name 'The Seldom Seen Kid' and what are the
album's main influences?
The name, 'The Seldom Seen Kid' came from the name given to one of Guys dads
work colleagues who always seemed to be absent when work needed doing. It
is, more importantly, a gentle reference to our good friend Bryan Glancy who
passed away last year. The main influences of the album range from love to
everything a man in his early thirties goes through.
What's the story behind The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver?
The story behind Tower Crane Driver came from Guys brother in law who was
talking to a tower crane driver in the pub. He was telling him how great it
was to drive these monsters. He said it was great being the highest paid
member on site, having various home comforts up there but then after a few
pints he began saying how lonely he was being first there and last to leave
and the animosity from the other guys as he was paid more. Tough at the top,
literally.
What was it like working with Richard Hawley on The Fix?
Working with Mr Richard Hawley was an honour, the guy is a legend and has
become one of our great friends. As with any great musician he came over to
our studio laid down his part and we went for a pint.
How do you think Elbow have progressed as a band from The Noisebox EP in
98? Would you rate The Seldom Seen Kid as you're best music to date?
Elbow has progressed as a band since Noisebox primarily in confidence.
Having bitten the bullet and stopped trying to get a deal by attempting to
write a single, we started writing and recording for ourselves. With the
response from noisebox we realised that it was the way forward and from then
on we were always waiting for the opportunity to self mix and produce a
whole album. With 'Seldom' I think we have produced our best work to date,
especially as we did it ourselves.
What song has gone down best of your new album? Are there any you are
especially happy with?
The song that has gone done best from the new album has got to be One Day
Like This, and the one I am especially happy with is Loneliness of the
Towercrane Driver.
If you could pick any artist to work with, who would it be?
Josh from Queens of the Stone Age.
How are the US fans receiving you at the moment, are they much different
from the UK audiences.
To be honest the US and UK audiences don't differ that much, the reaction
from the crowds have been amazing, everyone is up for a great night and are
loving the new tunes.
Which gigs do you prefer to play: small and intimate, or huge and
spectacular?
It varies really, both can be incredible but for me huge and spectacular
just wins!!!!
What was it like to tour Cuba?
Touring Cuba was one of the highlights of being in Elbow. Just the culture,
history and essence of the place was so inspirational as a musician.
Guy - how are you enjoying doing the radio show? How does playing songs
compare to writing songs?
Loving it, money for old rope, Bruno Brookes was taking the piss.
Have you had a fan from hell? and what is the strangest thing you've had
thrown at the stage whilst playing?
No fans from hell. We've not had anything thrown at us from the audience but
one chap did dream of coming on guys face.
Why do you think Manchester produces so many good bands?
I think the main reason Manchester produces so many good bands is because of
the weather. Its mainly cold and rainy so people stay indoors and make
music. Its the same as in Seattle which also produces many great bands and
has the same amount of rainfall as Manchester.
How did it feel when Massive Attack asked you to perform for their
Meltdown? What have you got planned for the show? Who would you have if you
curated Meltdown?
It felt great to be asked by Massive Attack to perform for their Meltdown,
especially as they have been a pivotal influence on us for many years. Sorry
but I can't divulge any info on the show!!!.If we curated Meltdown then we
would have Jessca Hoop, Two Gallants, Jolie Holland, Stephen Fretwell,
Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Sigur Ros.
Do you want to see Jay-Z at Glasto?
Yes it will be boss....
What bands do you rate at the moment? What are you listening to at the
moment?
Two Gallants, Jessica Hoop, Jolie Holland, School of Language, Stephen
Fretwell, Band of Horses, The New Pornographers, Ting Tings.
Do you think MP3 downloading is killing music? Would you ever consider
releasing an album purely on vinyl?
I am privileged to be able to support my family by doing something that I
love but am fully aware that we are a band that won't make money off record
sales alone, therefore we have to tour (luckily we love it). I don't think
mp3 downloading is killing music, I think its making it more accessible and
therefore easier to find more music, but to be honest people still want the
physical release. We would love to release on vinyl only but I'm not sure
the label would agree!!!
It is becoming increasingly difficult to survive off music. If Elbow were
breaking into the music industry now do you think it would be much harder
than in 1991? If so how?
To be honest I think it would be easier for band like us to get to more
people via the internet. It might be harder to make money initially but we
make our money through touring, which is also the best thing about being in
a band.
You've been making music together for 18 years. Do you still get the same
buzz when you get together in the studio?
Of course we do, especially now we have our own set up about 10 mins from
home, and the fact that its just the 5 of us together in a room, people may
find that unnerving but to us its normal. Also the other guys who work at
Blueprint Studios are cool and are always up for a brew and a chat if things
get heated.
How has fatherhood changed the band?
It's made us a lot more focused on safeguarding the future, and grounded us,
even the guys without kids. Of course its hard to balance when you are on
tour but we make sure we aren't away for too long at any one time.
What ambitions do you have for the band where do Elbow go next? Are there
any new directions the band want to take?
At the moment we are just enjoying touring the new album, and enjoying the
reaction to the record, its been a bit of a tumultuous couple of years, so
its good to be stable again. I think the main ambition is to be able to do
this for a good few years yet..... |
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Benjamin Thomas chats to Joel about Shitdisco's
upcoming DJ stint.
http://www.shitdisco.co.uk
Back in February 2007, I first came across Shitdisco touring alongside
The Rapture. Later , I went along to hear the headliners play an afterparty
DJ set which was disappointing in contrast to their brilliant live
performance earlier on the same night.
In spite of this cautionary tale, the aforementioned Glaswegian art-punks
are about to embark upon their own adventures on the wheels of steel. So I
begin by asking their vocalist Joel Stone if he agrees with my theory that
great bands are not necessarily great DJs. And he answers in the
affirmative, offering a theory of his own in response. The hypothesis is as
follows: In many bands, the singer and songwriter receives a greater share
of royalties, and the guitarist, drummer and bass player supplement their
incomes by making cameo appearances at nightclubs. Shitdisco, of course, are
different. All four members have shared equal involvement in these after
hours activities since they honed their beatmatching skills at their now
notorious houseparties at 61 West Princess Street in their hometown. He and
drummer Darren will be behind the decks at venues including London superclub
The End (once home to Erol Alkan's clubnight Trash), whilst keyboard player
Tom and co-vocalist Joe are exporting their sounds overseas to the
discothèques of the USA.
At this point, Joel apologises, pausing for a moment as he explains that he
is licking the Rizla of his spliff. Which. aptly enough, leads us onto the
topic of chemical consumption in in dance culture. These days, drugs are so
prevalent on the dancefloor that many nightclubs raise their bar prices to
balance the supply and demand of substance abuse. Would Shitdisco rather DJ
to a room packed with MDMA mentalists or pissed up punters? His instinct is
that “generally, drug fuelled crowds are better”, but recently, Shitdisco
have played a number of well received “jailbait underage shows”. He is
however doubtful: Are the teenyboppers under the influence of nothing more
narcotic than “youthful energy”, or are they in fact “twelve year olds on
pills”?
And what are Joel's top three floorfillers? A sort of Desert Island
Shitdisco, if you please? He chooses 'Banger' by AC Slater, the Crookers'
dance rock wreckage of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck', and The Presets' 'My
People', as remixed by D.I.M. These tracks reveal that he likes his BPMs
speedy and his basslines seedy. He himself has been busy remixing everything
from The Futureheads' 'Beginning Of The Twist' (due to the fact that
Shitdisco share a mutual manager with the Mackem pop-punks) to Michael
Jackson's 'Beat It'. He also reveals that he is undertaking prduction duties
on a new record by a Japanese pop band.
What with all of this extracurricular activity, fans of the band need not
worry. Inhabitants of a geographic diaspora somewhere between Glasgow and
London, inhabitants of the internet age, their new material is the product
of a writing and recording process facilitated by filesharing. The result of
their time spent in this virtual studio is a sound which Joel describes as
“sequenced and programmed”. And it's set to be all over your airwaves later
this year. |
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