The Brights Four Essex Indie Hopefuls, Four talented young men ready to make a good assault. With the minor success of the 1st Single Play listed by the late John Peel, handfuls of gigs under their belts and a really healthy following building, the Brights do seem ready to make the next step and just poss launch Chelmsford in to the limelight.

Tell me about The Brights why are you here . How long have you been together as a group? Have you always had this lineup ?

We will have been together for 2 years in march, the line up for the brights has always been us four and we are doing this because that's what we here to do.

How did you come by the name The Brights ?

We all just got together a couple of times and put individual names forward and gradually managed to shortlist from our suggestions down to our name. My dad initially suggested it and I think it just was the natural name for the band.

How would you describe your sound for those who haven't heard the band ?

Cool. Good lyrics. Jingley Jangley guitars.I think its just an upbeat sound really, there's a vibe there and people seem to like it and get the vibe themselves.

What are the Brights like as a live band is it all 'up on stage throw the tunes out and off' or is there a show that would make Iggy Pop think HEY MANNN ?

We just get up on stage and go for it I think. For me personally, its just letting the sound out and its the sound that takes you to what your doing on-stage. I think its a natural process.

What's the best gig so far, are local gigs better or do u prefer playing and winning over new faces ?

That's a hard one.

We have played so many great gigs and everyone's support at every gig we have played makes it special. I think the first time we played the garage was a great gig. Every gig at our labels club night Bitterscene is also quality.And supporting Vinnie Peculiar was top, it was a great experience to be playing with people we have musically always admired.

What kind of audience would you say you’re trying to reach ?, are they already captured if so who next ?

We're not targeting a particular audience, we just want to let it out. Music isn't an art that only certain people can access and enjoy, its for everyone and I think that's shown in the different audiences we have played to. We want the whole world to be our audience.

Is your Web site vital to both you and Bright-sters ?

Its the best place to check up on gigs and what's happening. We also have a mailing list which is cool. So everyone go to it! www.thebrights.co.uk

It's good the way you mange to capture a very English 60's vibe yet still make it all seem so fresh and upto date , is that something you planned ?

It is just a really natural thing. It just comes out. When people try and sound like something, in the end it just boxes them in and creativity restricts them. Being influenced by something obviously fuels music, but you need to do your own thing.

The UK music press at this time of writing seem to have re-found a love of Retro Rock, has this helped The Brights, have you received good coverage so far from the UK music press ?

We have been really lucky and received some great press and reviews. I don't think we are relevant to what's happening at the moment, which is good. All these unwashed garage bands will fade away, what we are doing is timeless.

Do you know if you have any sort of following un the USA, are there plans for getting more recordings out stateside ?

Someone bought 1 copy of the single in America and had to have it imported. I think there are too many bands who take on the record industry attitude of ''we are going to break America and makes loads of money''. If we ever play there, it will be no different from playing anywhere else. We just want to spread the vibe and if people like it and support what we are doing that's great. We have all been on holiday there too.

Have you considered touring there, the Jingle Jangle sound is very Popular as is the 'THAT' look ?

I didn't know that. Let's go break America and make loads of money! hahaha

What period do u guys relate to in both music and Style, who would each of you say is the biggest influence on your music and your life out look ?

Musically the best music would be great in any period. The la's album was recorded in '89 but still sounds amazing today. The Beatles are still as melodic 40 years later. Meat is Murder still has the same meaning. It is as if great music has always been there but just comes along at a certain time. I would like for someone to listen to our single in 10 years time and think ''that's quality''.

Musically The Smiths, The Jam, The Beatles, The Small Faces and The Stone Roses have all been influences on us.

Stylistically the 60's was great. The haircuts, the clothes, the scooters. But again the music just takes you where you wanna go. There's obviously the social side of things, all the Goths all blacked up or the chavs in their tacky gold chains. But with us there's something more, is how we are.Your outlook on life is what's in your soul. The things you relate to are already there, it's when you discover them.

What's the indie scene in Chelmsford like now days, is it exciting or does it mix with pretty much every other big Essex Town..

The only thing Indie wise is Bitterscene at The Bassment. I heard there is some stuff going on at the Bay horse soon too.I think there's a real mix of bands though, but with so little really going on I think its all be lumped together as the Essex music scene.

U ever been beaten up by a Man in a Tracksuit ???

No, touch wood.

Have you? No not me Im far to....But there are plenty of those Chavs in Chelmsford Right I've seen them :)

Tell me about the new record, what's the title( for those who don't know) and when did it come out ? Who wrote it, what's it about, is it doing well ?

The single is called 'Girl in a bric-a-brac shop' and was released on ltd 7" vinyl on Bitterscene records.It came out a little while ago and has done really well. We have had some really good airplay and was played in John Peel's last session.It has a great B-side too called 'The Sea Will Tell'. Yeah that B-side is great

If you could Tour and Headline who would each of the band want to support ? Who would you most like to support, either still rocking or Dead ???

David would say The Smiths, Mark would say The Smiths and I know Ben would say The Beatles straight away. I'm not actually sure if I would want to tour with our musical idols who are no longer. Would it change the dream? Erm... I would say The Smiths too, but I'm gonna say The Faces because I think it would be cool to go for a beer with them. And Ronnie Wood's is a legend.

For the Girls ( you understand) where do you buy your clothes and get the hair-cuts ?

Mark will go wherever and always do all right, David and Ben have a hairdresser come to their house and I go to a really cool place called Wiggies in Hornchurch.As for clothes, Sam Walker is a great shop. We all enjoy a good rummage around the boutiques in covent garden.There we go. The brights fashion secrets finally revealed!!! hahaha

For the Tech types what gear do you use ?

I use a Fender amp (stage 100)

Mark uses a carlsboro bass amp ( bass bomber 90).

Ben uses a marshall amp (one that weighs a ton!).

Premier Drums (70's kit)

All the amps are just clean, good combos.

At the end of the day your instruments are just an extension of what's inside. They are how you let the music out.

What are you spinning as your 3 most resent Fave CD's.

I have recently been listening to 'Hatful of Hollow' by The Smiths, 'Singles' by Suede and 'Up At The Lake' by The Charlatans.

Who did you last go and see live ?

Me, David and Mark went to see Morrissey in December. He was Brilliant!

Do you think you could lead a Britpop Revival :) they say its overdue and the next BIG thing ya know !

I hope so!

Sum up the Brights in 3 Mighty Words

as cool as

Say Good Night

But its not.

Cheers for your time David told me about the interview.

Many Thanks,

James the brights...MENU