I've never really been religious. I've got nothing against people who are. However, I've just not been brought up that way. As a result of this I've never given the Bible much time. I'm sure it's a great read; but for me it's got far too many words and a lot like golf, it's far too time consuming. Yet, there are other people, like me, who aren't religious but still use the Bible for one thing or another.A classic example of this is my mate Dave. You see, Dave uses the Bible as a wedge to keep his kitchen table straight. He's tried everything to stop it slanting, but he proclaims that nothing keeps a six foot plank on the straight narrow like the Bible. And Dave's not the only one. Another group of individuals who aren't religious but put the Bible to good use are, The Maccabees.
The band initially came up with their name by flicking through the Bible and picking out a random word. Four years and two albums later, the word Maccabees is now associated with the modern day indie band, not the Jewish rebel army.
Now, although I'm sure that Jewish armies are fascinating, I'm not really interested. However, what I am interested in is the indie rock & roll outfit from south London. So, I got straight onto Felix from The Maccabees; and although we didn't speak about Adam, Eve or Bethlehem. We did speak about writing music, sticking it together onto an album, touring the finished article, and just about everything else in between.
CSW: "It's safe to say that things have been going pretty well for you recently. Your new album Wall of Arms has finally been released to the general public. And you've been touring here, there and everywhere as a result. Things are certainly different to when you first released X-Ray back in 2005. How are you finding it all?"TM "Things have always very slowly gone upwards for us as a band. I hope it continues that way, because we are still learning and getting better. I think you feel like you have earned it more that way too".
CSW: "You may think that things have moved slowly. However, I always think it's nice when a band gives the listener the opportunity to digest an album properly before trying to ram another one down their throat. With this in mind, the release of Wall of Arms was a timely one. The music buying public were craving a new Maccabees record again - and you delivered it. Was there any element of planning surrounding this, or was this just how things organically worked?"
TM: "To be honest, we had hoped to put an album out quicker. But we were just aware of how good we wanted it to be and weren’t prepared to put it out till we knew it was the best it could be. I think it felt like the right timing in hindsight though.
The Maccabees latest album, Wall of Arms, was released back in May of this year; exactly two years after their debut, Colour It In. The latter, as a complete album, is a lot lighter than its successor. Wall of Arms feels like the big brother of the two. The band is naturally evolving together; and their latest long player showcases exactly where they currently are as musicians.
CSW: "Although your first two albums are very different, there are some similarities. They both showcase complete albums of solid music from start to finish. It's a rarity to find an album that contains no filler tracks, but both of yours clearly demonstrate this. From a listeners point of view, each track has truly earned it's place on the record. How does the process work internally? Do you start with 30 songs and then try to whittle it down, or do you really try and fine tune the ones you already have?"
TM: "Thank you! The writing process is a very meticulous one. We’ve never been able to write a lot of songs quickly. The songs take quite a long time to reach there final form and, for example, we only had about 15 finished songs in contention for Wall of Arms".
CSW: "When you sit down to write, do you all share the same musical vision? Or is it a case of tracks like Bag of Bones and Toothpaste Kisses come from one side of the camp, and Lego and No Kind Words come from the other?"
TM: "We definitely have different opinions on what we want out of a song, but that’s one of the reasons it works – because when everyone is happy with it, you know it was worth it. Most of it happens accidently, when certain things each of us has just fits together. Bag of Bones was meant to be instrumental interludes in the album but we ended up making it work as the album closer, and Toothpate Kisses was written and recorded in a couple of days right at the end of Colour It In’s recording".
The Maccabees music if full of emotion. Both Colour It In and Wall of Arms are albums that should be listened to as complete pieces of music. Each track flows into the next creating a roller coaster of feelings for the listener.
CSW: "Your sound as a whole is very unique. You seem to have cut your own niche into the scene. I've heard your sound described as many things. Don't panic; they're all complimentary! But, how would you describe your own music?
TM: "We get asked it all the time, but still don’t have an answer for it. We try to make music that is exciting and has elements of beauty to it though".
CSW: "When growing up; were there any particular bands or musicians that you were really into that have taken influence from now to help sculpt The Maccabees sound that we know today?"
TM "One of the great things about music is that you never stop finding new things. So being really into listening to music constantly helps. When we had started The Last Waltz film of the Band by Scorcese, footage of XTC and Dr. Feelgood on Old Grey Whistle Test and The Clash were big influences".
CSW: "In terms of the world of indie music, you're in a position now where you pretty much rule the roost. You manage to keep to keep the real music heads interested on a consistent basis; which we all know isn't easy. However, looking further afield than the indie rock & roll scene, does reaching out and trying to open yourself to the mass commercial market interest you?"
TM: "I think the only way to look at it is that we’re proud that people have stuck by us. But there is still a point to prove to some people and turning some more heads will prove we’re going the right way in time".
Just like any other band releasing a new album, The Maccabees have been touring relentlessly off the back of their latest long player. 2009 has seen the five piece play every major city in the UK, whilst the latter part of '09 sees them tour Europe. And not forgetting their little trip to Malawi to play The Lake of Stars festival in between.
CSW: "You've been back in the road now for a while now touring with the new album. But what do you prefer; the live shows, or writing the music in the first place?"
CSW: "You've been back in the road now for a while now touring with the new album. But what do you prefer; the live shows, or writing the music in the first place?"
TM: "It’s been great touring this time, because we were looking forward to playing the new songs, and seeing people take to them was great. But the way bands set their legacy is through their records so we hope we go and make a better one!"
CSW: "Your live shows have won you many great plaudits due the way that the capture the attention of the audience, and the fact that you truly replicate the songs from the album. Your music carries fantastically well over large venues, whilst is still being able to rock a smaller affair. But what do you prefer; the large festival-esque shows or the more intimate venue where you can see the whites of everyones eyes?"
TM: "I don’t know. Every show is important when you’re there, if you know what I mean".
CSW: "I understand. But are there any venues or events that you literally count down the days to playing?"
TM: "Brixton Academy and Reading are huge ones for us".
So as the interview draws to an end, Felix calmly states; "Hopefully things just keep going the same way. I think we’re all set on making our best record yet". And if this is the case, then I can't wait for what's to come.
The Maccabees are a band that sound fresh, yet established all at the same time. Their music pushes boundaries, and they're not afraid to take risks. The future is certainly looking prosperous for this non-Bibal bashing set of London born lads. And I just hope hope you join them of the journey.
CSW: "Your live shows have won you many great plaudits due the way that the capture the attention of the audience, and the fact that you truly replicate the songs from the album. Your music carries fantastically well over large venues, whilst is still being able to rock a smaller affair. But what do you prefer; the large festival-esque shows or the more intimate venue where you can see the whites of everyones eyes?"TM: "I don’t know. Every show is important when you’re there, if you know what I mean".
CSW: "I understand. But are there any venues or events that you literally count down the days to playing?"
TM: "Brixton Academy and Reading are huge ones for us".
So as the interview draws to an end, Felix calmly states; "Hopefully things just keep going the same way. I think we’re all set on making our best record yet". And if this is the case, then I can't wait for what's to come.
The Maccabees are a band that sound fresh, yet established all at the same time. Their music pushes boundaries, and they're not afraid to take risks. The future is certainly looking prosperous for this non-Bibal bashing set of London born lads. And I just hope hope you join them of the journey.
