‘I THINK GOOD LYRICS MAKE OR BREAK A BAND'
Accidental heroes
MAXIMO PARK are spearheading indie rock’s return but Camilla Pia discovers that a music career had previously never even occurred to their frontman.
ith pretty screamo-rockers Test lcicles riding high in the top 40 and Arctic Monkeys soaring past Mcl-‘ly in the race for tltc nutttber one slot. it would seem that. pop is playing second liddlc to indie rock in the mainstream inusic scene. The severe lack of interest in tip-and- coming \Vcstlife wannabes may mean that industry types attempt to construct guitar outfits such as the ltideotis l-reefallcr. complete with contrived (ireen [)ay copycat tracks and excessive hair products. bttt it also opens the door for more authentic acts to unleash their music on a wider attdience than ever before. Indeed. these are exciting times for new music: liran/ l‘crdinand. Arcade hire. the Kaiser (‘hiefs and Bloc Party being just a few examples of non- manufactured groups currently riding high on this wave of interest in the alternative scene. But most ttncxpcctcd is the rise of the unashamedly eccentric Maximo Park who. in a different climate. would never ltavc struttcd their stuff on kids TV or notched tip four top 20 hits in a row with their first releases. .’\s the .\'cw castle quintet gear tip for their biggest l'K tour to date. we caught tip with softly spoken lead vocalist Paul Smith to hear his views on the hysteria surrounding him and his bandmates. ‘You can't imagine this sort of thing.‘ he laughs. ‘Seeing your record in shops and having people come up to you:
nothing prepares you for that. We were very proud of
the album when we finished it but we also worried about w hat would happen with it. so for everything to go right for its. with things like the Mercury nomination. is ama/ing. We feel very lucky.’
68THE LIST' i/‘t- 1’
l’ormed just over two years ago after drummer Tom linglish‘s girlfriend heard the dapper frontman singing along to Stevie Wonder's ‘Superstition' in a local nightspot. Maximo Park have been scaling the dizzy heights since the release of infectious debut A Certain Trigger in May. But before joining. Smith had never even thought of embarking on a career in music. ‘I was just a big music fan.' he says. ‘1 always sang in my room but never thought the sound of my voice would be particularly attractive to people and so didn‘t think of doing anything with it. i think [joined the hand because I felt they were kindred spirits.‘
This accidental meeting of minds has resulted in some seriously catchy. scratchy riff-backed melodies. unique vocals and a whole host of quirky. compelling lyrics. an aspect that Smith has particularly worked at: ‘I think good lyrics make or break a hand. So when we started I set out to make them vital.‘ But it’s their notoriously thrilling onstage antics. all scissor kicks and jerky gestures. which bring the Maximo Park sound to life. and the livesome have more than a few secrets up their sleeves for live dates. ‘We‘ve already got a lot of material for the next album.‘ says Smith. ‘so hopefully we will spring a few surprises on the crowd with these shows. visually and musically. It‘s important for us to try and get our songs to people because I think they‘re invigorating and energetic and emotional: all the things that music should be.‘ If plastic pop ever fancies a comeback. it's going to have a fight on its hands.
Barrowland, Glasgow, Mon 5 Dec.
Biffy Clyro Ayrshire's tightest and finest alternative shriek rockers round off a fine year in style including four straight nights at King Tut’s. The plan is to play a set culled from each album over the first three nights, then have a rare old shebang on the last night. See picture caption, page 74. Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Tue 6 Dec; King Tut '3, Glasgow, Tue 73—Fri 16 Dec. (Rock 8 Pop)
Maximo Park The Geordies are triggering an indie rock explosion. See preview, left. Barrow/and, Glasgow, Mon 5 Dec. (Rock & Pop)
CocoBosie New York- based art rock from sisters Sierra and Bianca Casady, whose weirdly wonderful debut album, La Maison de Mon Reve, was recorded in a Parisian bathtub, apparently. See preview, page 69. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Fri 2 Dec. (Rock 8. Pop)
Foo Fighters, The Futureheads, Eagles of Death Metal A right rollicking ramshackle riot of metallic- tinged rock in the hands of three disparate yet fantastic bands. The Foos (pictured) continue to conquer the globe. SECC, Glasgow, Mon 12 Dec. (Flock 8 Pop)
Courtney Pine The hugely popular saxophonist airs his latest take on jazz-funk-hip hop fusion. ABC2, Glasgow, Sat 3 Dec. (Jazz)
Bill McHenry/Trio MB Intriguing double bill featuring a solo set from New York saxophonist McHenry and an outing for the adventurous Edinburgh-based trio. The Lot, Edinburgh, Fri 9 Dec. (Jazz)
Partick Folk Festival There’s outdoor folk and fun as Glasgow's Wicker Man (Bogey Man) goes up in flames as part of Partick's big weekend Folk Festival including top fiddlers Chris Stout and Archie MacAllister, veteran political songwriter Roy Bailey, and wild young funksters Croft No 5. Various venues, Glasgow, until Sun 4 Dec. (Folk)