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Steve,Jack, Nick
How has the tour been so far? Are you enjoying it?
Steve: It's been good, there's been a lot of nice people. We know the crew, the guitar techs have been with us before and everybody knows everybody!
Steve: It's been good, there's been a lot of nice people. We know the crew, the guitar techs have been with us before and everybody knows everybody!
How would you describe your sound? Noone seems to have put their finger on it yet.....
Steve: Post new wave.
Nick: Medium rock!
Steve: Post new wave.
Nick: Medium rock!
'Oh No' is a beg step forward musically in comparison to "This is really neat", it shows you with a more mature sound, was this a conscious effort on your part or do you think it was just natural progression?
Steve: I think it was half conscious and half natural. When we were younger when we were just signed we were just excited to play music, we didn't really think about what sort of music we wanted to make or what sort of album we wanted to make. This time we did think about it. I think we woke up one day and heard ourselves, and realised that we were the sort of band we wouldn't want to listen to. We consciously tried to turn ourselves into what we would want to hear. You've got to like yourself. People seemed to be surprised at how different it was, what a departure it was basically! I'd be worried if we hadn't matured, I'd be surprised if we didn't do it again next time. We've got short attention spans!
Steve: I think it was half conscious and half natural. When we were younger when we were just signed we were just excited to play music, we didn't really think about what sort of music we wanted to make or what sort of album we wanted to make. This time we did think about it. I think we woke up one day and heard ourselves, and realised that we were the sort of band we wouldn't want to listen to. We consciously tried to turn ourselves into what we would want to hear. You've got to like yourself. People seemed to be surprised at how different it was, what a departure it was basically! I'd be worried if we hadn't matured, I'd be surprised if we didn't do it again next time. We've got short attention spans!
What has been your best gig?
Jack: The Barrowlands. That was great.
Nick: I actually really enjoyed Nottingham.
Steve: It's always a gig that's got a good bar. Not in the 'wahey let's have a drink' sense, it's just a bit more pleasurable. All the gigs in France and the gigs in Europe. The audiences are always really pleased to see you, it's not like you come on and you feel like you've got a job to do. You'e just happy to be there.
Jack: The Barrowlands. That was great.
Nick: I actually really enjoyed Nottingham.
Steve: It's always a gig that's got a good bar. Not in the 'wahey let's have a drink' sense, it's just a bit more pleasurable. All the gigs in France and the gigs in Europe. The audiences are always really pleased to see you, it's not like you come on and you feel like you've got a job to do. You'e just happy to be there.
How about your worst?
Jack: Sheffield Casbah!
Nick: and that's closing down soon. I'm gutted. laughs
Jack: I thought Reading was really good but then I heard a recording of it afterwards. It was diabolical!
Steve: Both the best and worst then! The Casbah was shit wasn't it.
Nick: It was horrible. There were three people there, and we were headlining. If you're supporting and there are only three people there then you're not really bothered as you think 'it's not our crowd' but when it's your show and you've got to play an hours set and there's noone there, it just drags! We had more crew than audience!
Steve: When there's only three people in the audience it's like you're singing at them, and it's really uncomfortable for them and you. So if they want to leave, they can't slip out without the band noticing. You'd see them try to leave and be like 'Oi, you, get back here!' laughs
Jack: Sheffield Casbah!
Nick: and that's closing down soon. I'm gutted. laughs
Jack: I thought Reading was really good but then I heard a recording of it afterwards. It was diabolical!
Steve: Both the best and worst then! The Casbah was shit wasn't it.
Nick: It was horrible. There were three people there, and we were headlining. If you're supporting and there are only three people there then you're not really bothered as you think 'it's not our crowd' but when it's your show and you've got to play an hours set and there's noone there, it just drags! We had more crew than audience!
Steve: When there's only three people in the audience it's like you're singing at them, and it's really uncomfortable for them and you. So if they want to leave, they can't slip out without the band noticing. You'd see them try to leave and be like 'Oi, you, get back here!' laughs
What would you say is the biggest misconception that people have about you?
Steve: That we get on? laughs
Jack: I don't think anyone actually talks or thinks about us enough to actually have a misconception about us!
Nick: People seem to think we're like Feeder. Still people say we're like them!
Steve: People say we sound like them!
Steve: That we get on? laughs
Jack: I don't think anyone actually talks or thinks about us enough to actually have a misconception about us!
Nick: People seem to think we're like Feeder. Still people say we're like them!
Steve: People say we sound like them!
You've always had quite unusual videos, do you have much input into the ideas?
Nick: We just say what we want to do and try to turn the idea into a story line. We send it out and whoever has the best story or the best showreel. Favourite is 'I Am The One'.
Steve: I liked 'You Dumb Fuck'.
Jack: Big wastes of money most of them! If someone sat down and watched all of our videos you'd probably think we were fucking idiots! laughs
Nick: We just say what we want to do and try to turn the idea into a story line. We send it out and whoever has the best story or the best showreel. Favourite is 'I Am The One'.
Steve: I liked 'You Dumb Fuck'.
Jack: Big wastes of money most of them! If someone sat down and watched all of our videos you'd probably think we were fucking idiots! laughs
What is your favourite song of yours?
Steve: Definitely 'Guillotine'. laughs No, we hate most of our songs.
Steve: Definitely 'Guillotine'. laughs No, we hate most of our songs.
Which ones do you hate then?
Steve: 'Guillotine'! I resent the place it took on the album. One of our better songs could have had it!
Nick: 'Empty Head', we did a really good demo version of it, but when we came to record it for the album, it sounded shite. We tried recording it again and we wanted to revert back to the demo. Poor old 'Empty Head'. We didn't want to do it but the producer kept insisting. We should have just said 'fuck you, my band, my songs!'. We played it so badly and they put it on with this absolutely abysmal playing.
Steve: How we decided it was a good idea I don't know.
Jack: I like the EP's. The albums are a load of old piss. laughs.The new album's great though.
Steve:Give us six months though and we'll have started to pick away at the cracks in the new album though!
Nick:I've got to the point where I cant listen to it as I'm hearing all the mistakes and things we could have done better.
Jack: I can't even remember playing some of the tracks!
Steve: I worry about bands who are compleletly happy with their albums I'd be really concerned! I'd be like 'what's the matter with you?'. I'm not saying you should be completely happy with it but you've got to be able to list fault after fault. I think we're more honest than other bands
Steve: 'Guillotine'! I resent the place it took on the album. One of our better songs could have had it!
Nick: 'Empty Head', we did a really good demo version of it, but when we came to record it for the album, it sounded shite. We tried recording it again and we wanted to revert back to the demo. Poor old 'Empty Head'. We didn't want to do it but the producer kept insisting. We should have just said 'fuck you, my band, my songs!'. We played it so badly and they put it on with this absolutely abysmal playing.
Steve: How we decided it was a good idea I don't know.
Jack: I like the EP's. The albums are a load of old piss. laughs.The new album's great though.
Steve:Give us six months though and we'll have started to pick away at the cracks in the new album though!
Nick:I've got to the point where I cant listen to it as I'm hearing all the mistakes and things we could have done better.
Jack: I can't even remember playing some of the tracks!
Steve: I worry about bands who are compleletly happy with their albums I'd be really concerned! I'd be like 'what's the matter with you?'. I'm not saying you should be completely happy with it but you've got to be able to list fault after fault. I think we're more honest than other bands
What are your opinions on filesharing? Do you think it's a positive thing or do you believe it damages bands?
Nick: I think the main thing that is killing music is piracy. Like in Russia, nearly all of the albums sold are pirate copies, it's organised crime but you just can't win. Things like that Danger Mouse bloke that remixed an album, rather than EMI saying 'Come on, we could make loads of money from this', getting millions of downloads a day, instead of signing him and marketing it to fuck they decide to sue him for using the Beatles back catalogue, stupid arses! They could have had all that money anyway if they'd just signed him! But no, 'LET'S SUE HIM!".
Steve: If you think about the days of Napster and the like it's actually take them so long to create something to sell music on the internet!
Jack: It'll be funny in about 15 years time when like they're doing modern history. 'Well this is the first generation that had to cope with the internet, it was all porn, you couldn't download music without someone on your shoulder going 'don't download music!''. We're going to be laughed at by our children!
Nick: Fining four year olds!
Steve: Sat at the dinner table... "Of course, back in the day, when we downloaded music we got into a lot of trouble!" "Shut up grandad!" "Eat your dinner pill!" laughs
Jack: We're going to be known as the arsehole generation that didn't know how to use the internet! laughs. Bill Gates will be considered some kind of fucking thick person!
Nick: Also damaging to music is signing Mariah Carey, for a ridiculous amount of money and then paying another enormous amount of money to get rid of her!
Steve: That's sad though. You see people at record labels losing jobs, and it's like half a percent of what they paid Mariah Carey is enough to give that person a job for another year.
Jack: Like we did a video recently and the day we did it a friend of ours at a record label lost their job. We never used the video either, you think the amount spent on that video would pay 9-10 months wages for that person! It's stupid. They've got their head so far up... actually I don't think they could find their arsehole to put it up!
Nick: I think the main thing that is killing music is piracy. Like in Russia, nearly all of the albums sold are pirate copies, it's organised crime but you just can't win. Things like that Danger Mouse bloke that remixed an album, rather than EMI saying 'Come on, we could make loads of money from this', getting millions of downloads a day, instead of signing him and marketing it to fuck they decide to sue him for using the Beatles back catalogue, stupid arses! They could have had all that money anyway if they'd just signed him! But no, 'LET'S SUE HIM!".
Steve: If you think about the days of Napster and the like it's actually take them so long to create something to sell music on the internet!
Jack: It'll be funny in about 15 years time when like they're doing modern history. 'Well this is the first generation that had to cope with the internet, it was all porn, you couldn't download music without someone on your shoulder going 'don't download music!''. We're going to be laughed at by our children!
Nick: Fining four year olds!
Steve: Sat at the dinner table... "Of course, back in the day, when we downloaded music we got into a lot of trouble!" "Shut up grandad!" "Eat your dinner pill!" laughs
Jack: We're going to be known as the arsehole generation that didn't know how to use the internet! laughs. Bill Gates will be considered some kind of fucking thick person!
Nick: Also damaging to music is signing Mariah Carey, for a ridiculous amount of money and then paying another enormous amount of money to get rid of her!
Steve: That's sad though. You see people at record labels losing jobs, and it's like half a percent of what they paid Mariah Carey is enough to give that person a job for another year.
Jack: Like we did a video recently and the day we did it a friend of ours at a record label lost their job. We never used the video either, you think the amount spent on that video would pay 9-10 months wages for that person! It's stupid. They've got their head so far up... actually I don't think they could find their arsehole to put it up!
If you could tour with any band past or present who would you choose?
Nick: The Pattern
Jack: Did you just say Pans People??
Nick: The Pattern.
Steve: Abba! Abba could headline so you could have a dance every night. You could be sat in the headline and just hear the intro- sings the intro to 'Mamma Mia'- 'Waaaaaaahey! Come on let's go!' laughs
Nick: Hand picked crew as well, that would be marvellous!
Jack: It would be interesting to go on tour with a magician, or a clown or something. A hypnotist!! 'You will play in time tonight.........'
Nick: The Pattern
Jack: Did you just say Pans People??
Nick: The Pattern.
Steve: Abba! Abba could headline so you could have a dance every night. You could be sat in the headline and just hear the intro- sings the intro to 'Mamma Mia'- 'Waaaaaaahey! Come on let's go!' laughs
Nick: Hand picked crew as well, that would be marvellous!
Jack: It would be interesting to go on tour with a magician, or a clown or something. A hypnotist!! 'You will play in time tonight.........'
What would you say are the best and worst things about being in a band?
Nick: It's annoying hearing people criticising you. laughs
Steve: 'Don't criticise me!'
Nick: It's just when you're criticised by people who just haven't got a clue. Like, 'It's not fair', when you're supporting. 'God Crackout only played for half hour.' We can't fucking playing any longer, we're not allowed to! laughs. It just really niggles me!
Jack: One thing that really gets on my tits happened the other night. I was at a gig and I saw a really old friend, someone I hadn't seen for more than ten or so years, we grew up together. The first thing he said was 'are you still working for your dad?' so I said 'No I'm in a band'. and he was like 'Oh right you're in a band are you?' as if to say 'you fucking loser!!!'. Rather than seem like a loser you can either move onto a different subject or go 'Well actually, we're signed to Virgin records' thing, so I chose 'Well actually....' and he must have been thinking 'You flash wanker', 'you wanker'. You could tell in his mind it was just 'You wanker!'.
Nick: I hate that, you get that with people you went to school with, 'You still in that band then?' 'So um.... you got a job then?" "No it's full time." "You wanker." People wait for you to fail.
Steve: Are you still ranting???
Jack: laughs I've got a queue of people outside my house, they're just waiting!!
Nick: Like distant relatives, everyone is not fundamentally good, they're fundamentally evil. They like seeing people fail.
Jack: Or love saying 'Oh you're going to get a kick up the arse when you have to join the real world!"
Nick: 'I don't like to see people happy, they're like 'Come down to my fucking level'. Like fucking career advisors.
Jack: Who would want to be a careers advisor? What sort of job is that? Telling people what to do and always being wrong! It's like films, like that Kez film or anything up north, it's like 'I wanna be a footballer!' 'You're dreaming kid, you're dreaming.' A week later they're first division.
Nick: My careers advisor said 'Do you have any hobbies?'. 'I play drums.'. patronising voice 'Ooh, you could be a drummer then!' IT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND.
Steve: I was told I'd be a town planner. I think I'd actually like that if it was town planner as in you got to plan everyone's night out.
Nick: We can but dream Steven, we can but dream.
Nick: It's annoying hearing people criticising you. laughs
Steve: 'Don't criticise me!'
Nick: It's just when you're criticised by people who just haven't got a clue. Like, 'It's not fair', when you're supporting. 'God Crackout only played for half hour.' We can't fucking playing any longer, we're not allowed to! laughs. It just really niggles me!
Jack: One thing that really gets on my tits happened the other night. I was at a gig and I saw a really old friend, someone I hadn't seen for more than ten or so years, we grew up together. The first thing he said was 'are you still working for your dad?' so I said 'No I'm in a band'. and he was like 'Oh right you're in a band are you?' as if to say 'you fucking loser!!!'. Rather than seem like a loser you can either move onto a different subject or go 'Well actually, we're signed to Virgin records' thing, so I chose 'Well actually....' and he must have been thinking 'You flash wanker', 'you wanker'. You could tell in his mind it was just 'You wanker!'.
Nick: I hate that, you get that with people you went to school with, 'You still in that band then?' 'So um.... you got a job then?" "No it's full time." "You wanker." People wait for you to fail.
Steve: Are you still ranting???
Jack: laughs I've got a queue of people outside my house, they're just waiting!!
Nick: Like distant relatives, everyone is not fundamentally good, they're fundamentally evil. They like seeing people fail.
Jack: Or love saying 'Oh you're going to get a kick up the arse when you have to join the real world!"
Nick: 'I don't like to see people happy, they're like 'Come down to my fucking level'. Like fucking career advisors.
Jack: Who would want to be a careers advisor? What sort of job is that? Telling people what to do and always being wrong! It's like films, like that Kez film or anything up north, it's like 'I wanna be a footballer!' 'You're dreaming kid, you're dreaming.' A week later they're first division.
Nick: My careers advisor said 'Do you have any hobbies?'. 'I play drums.'. patronising voice 'Ooh, you could be a drummer then!' IT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND.
Steve: I was told I'd be a town planner. I think I'd actually like that if it was town planner as in you got to plan everyone's night out.
Nick: We can but dream Steven, we can but dream.
What are your plans for this year? What are your ambitions for the band?
Steve: Our ambitions for the year have been crushed already! laughs
Jack: Mine is to go on holiday, not bothered about the band anymore! I'm off! laughs
Steve: Seriously, to write another record, get another record deal, and become a town planner.
Steve: Our ambitions for the year have been crushed already! laughs
Jack: Mine is to go on holiday, not bothered about the band anymore! I'm off! laughs
Steve: Seriously, to write another record, get another record deal, and become a town planner.