Well, that’s that then. Painful. But instead of introspectively wallowing in the malaise of yesterday’s farcical and dispiriting exit from World Cup 2010, here is an interview with the boys from 1913 (who ironically played a set at the fan park in Castlefield before the Slovenia game, maybe they should have been there yesterday). They also played alongside The Jessie Rose Trip last week at the Ruby Lounge in one of the best local line-ups you could wish for.
Vocals full of anger, disenchantment, coupled with a controlled fury from the rest of the band adds up to a shuddering dark indie sound. I asked them about their plans for the summer and beyond, and what they thought of the current scene in Manchester:
A N Other Manc: So how would you sum up your sound in a sentence?
1913: A dark lunar experiment full of uplifting melodic menace.
ANOM: How did you start out?
1913: Two previous separate bands that hated each other, both split up, the singer and bass player from one band joined the guitarist and drummer from the other. The hatred still exists today!
ANOM: What are your influences?
1913: There have been many special bands, far too many to mention here, our desire in the future is to be recognised as one of them.
ANOM: What do you hope to achieve by the end of the year?
1913:To be well on the way to releasing our killer first album.
ANOM: Whats it like being a Manchester band in 2010?
1913: Great. Its different from years gone by which in my opinion were heavily influenced by the “gallagher swagger”. All the bands seem to get along now and actively encourage each other to do well and be successful, there is a healthy competition in the city. When you see the bands that have broken through recently and gone on to have commercial success, it inspires you.
ANOM: Do you think the scene is pretty good at the moment do you think the environment is good for new bands? How would you categorise it?
1913: I see it as positive. Our history and heritage as a musical city is there, set in stone, if you want to be in a band and create music that really means something to people, I can’t think of a better city to come from than Manchester to continue that tradition. If you are a new band there are plenty of venues to play, watch out for dodgy promoters though!
ANOM: Do you owe anything to ‘Madchester’ or would you rather it wasn’t so glorified by the music press and Hooky’s new wheeze Fac251?
1913: It’s ridiculous and indeed a sad reflection of England in 2010 that we always feel the need to criticise success. We all at some point have embraced and indulged in Manchester music, indeed bands from other cities, some very successful portray themselves and probably wish they were from Manchester. You cannot change history, as a city that seems to breed good musicians we are lucky to be based here following in the footsteps of the “Madchester generation”. Long may it continue and if that is in the form of FAC251 then great, we supported White Lies there recently and it is a great venue with a great sound system – More venues like this please!!!!
ANOM: Who would your ideal gig consist of?
1913: Wouldn’t mind seeing all the legends brought back to life and do a jam night in somewhere like Old Trafford! So, Lennon and Bob Marley vocals and guitar, Hendrix on guitar, Bonham & Moon on 2 Drumkits and although he’s not dead yet Roger Waters on bass. Then Old Trafford really would be the “Theatre of Dreams”.
ANOM: Are you planning on playing any Summer festivals?
1913:We are doing a couple of festivals this year, thankfully they are in London so we can escape the Mancunian Weather! We are wondering though why Dpercussion has died??? Someone should revive it.
ANOM: Which other local bands do you admire and would like to play with?
1913: Would love to support Elbow – really nice guys and admire how they have stuck at it over the years. Pleased that they now seem to finally have worked out that writing hit singles will give them the success they richly deserve, top band.
ANOM: Love and Disaster just released their Manchester sampler which saw Dutch Uncles and Delphic being showcased, do you think being signed to a local label is the best way forward? and have you found it hard to get any London label people to come and look at bands outside of In The City?
1913: We have quite a few London shows booked and feel it’s just a case of throwing your gear in the back of a van and taking your sound to them. It’s true they are much more inclined to get on the tube to see you, than come to Manchester, but with the internet available to everyone – I think its up to you to portray your band how you want to be seen. They will look at you if you get a buzz about you – but hey if Thom Yorke’s prediction of the “collapse of the music industry within months” is to be believed, it may be the best thing we ever did in signing to a Manchester Label that shares our vision.
ANOM: whats your favourite vowel?
1913: A (as in eh?)
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You can pre-order their excellent new single ‘Atlantis’ here from 7Digital, they’re playing at FAC251 again on Friday, and you can hear them being interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester on Sunday.
[...] Number 4 in my series of interviews with Manchester bands, and after Run Toto Run, Pocketkife and 1913, I speak to Elliott Williams, frontman of [...]