Liverpool University


January, 2003

Carlos D answered our questions.

I suppose one could say that you’re experiencing a bit of a buzz at the moment?

Yes, you could say that, perhaps…

Give me a little background on how the band got together, your musical style….?

It came about organically. We didn’t really have any idea in mind, we just kinda met and were interested in doing something musically. But we didn’t really have any concrete ideas on what would actually happen. We preferred that it would come about by itself, or at least that’s what we hoped would happen, and that’s exactly would did happen. We were very fortunate and very early acknowledged how rarely this kind of thing happens. It was really, really great; that four individuals can somehow can come up with something by just sort of feeling it out, rather than one person liking this type of thing and these are the influences.

How did you all meet and who are the other band members?

I’m Carlos and I play bass. Daniel plays guitar, Sam plays the drums, and Paul sings and plays guitar. We really all met at college.

What sort of music did you used to listen to?

I kinda like a whole bunch of things. We all have such an eclectic taste in music; it’s really all over the place. Sam, for example, is a huge Shelak fan, and is also really into the Warlocks right now - we’re actually touring with them. Daniel used to be really into Fugazi. Paul’s into John Frusciante, and I’m into a wide range of music.

You music has been described as very 80s. How would you describe your music?

I would describe it as emotive, charged, rhythmic; kinda punchy, atmospheric and modern. I wouldn’t use terms that would pigeonhole us in any way but I know it happens a lot - bands get categorised. I mean it’s fine if other people want to do that but we’re not in the business of creating some sort of resurgence or revival at all. Or in a kinda position to say that’s it’s this kind of sound. We don’t really think about what we write, it just kinda happens

You’re looked on very favourably over here and, I’ve heard, in Australia. What is it you think that grasping the imagination?

I think we have something different to offer, I think that’s what it is. I also think we’re a presentable band, likeable (despite some of the coldness of our music - we don’t aim to make it this way, it may be down to our moods…). It’s something different and I don’t think there’s really anybody out right now there that’s doing what we’re doing, and I think a lot of people respond to that.

And live performance is obviously very important to you?

Yes! Very much so.

What’s the response been like on this NME Tour - this is your fifth gig?

It’s been fantastic actually. We were not worried but concerned. Like we’re used to playing to our own audiences and we jumped on this tour which we thought would be a great thing to do, an excellent experience. But we had to be conscious of the fact that we are not the only band that people have come to see; we’re playing second and we’ve gonna have to concentrate on winning people over, and so far, so good - I think. We’re converting some people.

This is a real diverse mix of bands on this tour…

I think it’s fantastic. Every band has something completely and utterly different to offer and I find that really exciting

Your debut album, how’s that going?

It’s going really well. We’re really happy about it.

What about singles from it?

Well, PDA I guess constituted a single from it before, and we also released Obstacle 1 as a single and we’re going to release very soon a double A-side single with NYC and Say Hell To The Angels.

Do you have a favourite song from the album and why?

Probably Obstacle 1, PDA, Leif Erikson and Roland. They just fit my psyche more than the other songs and I think we all have our own favourites which makes the band kinda interesting.

And who writes the songs?

We all do. It get’s hard sometimes and it can be a long process because everybody’s got their own agenda; everybody’s got their own insertions that they want to put in. And finding and accepting what works and what doesn’t - it’s arduous sometimes. And sometimes it’s like it all comes together in a flash, and that’s really, really exciting.

And who writes the lyrics?

Paul writes the lyrics and that gets done last. We write all the music and then Paul has like a template to work under and he creates the lyrics.

How long are you over here for?

We’re here till we get to London, I think that’s February 9th and then we’re flying over to Seattle and start the West Coast leg of our American tour.

And the American response has been good?

Yes. Actually we like to think of it as equal on both sides of the Atlantic. The American audience is kinda hard to break and you usually use the British audience to get to them, that’s usually the way it works. But then it kinda happened on its own which is great. There seems to be a great appreciation for American music right now here. There seems to be a greater attention span for it. In America you get your small local indie bands and then there’s nothing until you get to the really big acts like Eminem. People are being brainwashed by MTV which is the source of the most banal band music you could possibly find. But I love MTV2.

Thanks Carlos and I hope it continues to go well for you

Thanks