The Carnabys - the interview Following last month's feature on The Carnabys, we decided it was time for Rob Massey to put some questions to the five geezers from Nottingham and Leicester. This coincided with their new ep, the aptly titled, “Rattle n' Soul”, which was recorded at Monmow Valley in Wales.
The band is: Luke Williamson – vocals Paul Iliffe – rhythm Luke Headland – bass Andrew Lees – lead Simon Walker – drums You can hear the tunes at http://www.myspace.com/thecarnabys . You won't be disappointed with songs such as the powerful call to arms “Wake Up To The Revolution“ and “We‘ve Gotta Get Away“. A bit like a teenage Mick ‘n' Keef making full on Britpop for the naughties, we‘d say.
How long have you been playing together? LukeW: As a full band, The Carnabys started in March 2007. So it's not even been a full year at the minute. Andy was the last addition to the band when he replaced a departing guitarist in March and Simon had been in the band just two month prior to that. Before that, me, Paul and Luke Headland were knocking about in a big shed at the bottom of my garden writing awesome tunes. At the time we suggested Paul change his name to Luke. Paul: I didn't!!! But we used to spend hours upon hours in that shed, with small 4-track, acoustic and note books full of lyrics…and a fridge of beer.
How did the band form? Were you mates before? LukeW: It started as a pipe dream for me really and one by one, we got it together. I knew Paul from way back watching football down the pub and boozing at weekends. I knew Luke from Nottingham through a mutual love of the sixties and that. Paul: Yeah, Luke (Williamson) was a bit of a face around town. A gobby lad that always popped up at 60's nights and England games. It just went on from there.
Which bands/artists would you say have been a particular influence on you? LukeW: Probably the easiest question you can ask. The Beatles, Oasis, The La's and Dylan. Paul: Same for me. But put The Stones and Small Faces down. Luke H: Could probably narrow it down to: The Beatles, early Who, Kinks, Small Faces, Rolling Stones, Slade, La's, Cast, Oasis LukeW: Yeah, they're all awesome too. Gotta love Slade . Andy: Definitley The Who. But also Oasis, The Beatles, all sorts really. Simon: Oasis mainly for me. And Weller.
Is there a particular phrase you would use to describe your sound? Paul: We used to say we were rootsy. I think now we're confrontational in our lyrics. Sort of makes me wanna drive 100mph straight onto the stage of a Bloc Party gig. Andy : I'd call it fucking loud. Luke W: Yeah before we turned everything up it was rootsy, that was it. But now we make a noise and it's where the rattle in the EP name “ Rattle n' Soul ” comes from. I think the soul side of us is self explanatory. Simon : We're like your best mate you've not seen for ages. Luke H: Yeah. Crashing, big beat drums, broken Laneys, driven Orange is the Rattle and Williamson's vocals is the soul.
I love “Wake Up To The Revolution” There must be a story behind it! Paul: It was a two fingered salute to all non-believers. A bit of a rant. It took 5 minutes to write and half the time to perfect as a band. It's a drunken anthem. LukeW: I remember first time Paul brought me that song. It was obvious it'd be big. I think it sums up our ambition. The line “it doesn't matter what they say” for me, is us sticking a finger up at those who like to have a dig.
Any other tunes you would mention in particular? LukeW: The other side of us to ‘ Wake Up' is ‘ We've Gotta Get Away' . It's all about wanting to better myself and get something more from life. Not just plod along. Someone said that those two songs showed a Lennon/McCartney relationship with my deep song writing and Paul's poppy side. I think Paul was a bit narked at being the McCartney comparison though.
Do you have a main songwriter, or are the tunes all band compositions? LukeW: We have our own formidable song writing duo of me and Paul. We've wrote every number together except for Headland's monumental tune ‘ Rain (Oh Lord) ' and a new one called ‘ The Enlightening' that I did with other Luke as a set opener . Me and Paul share all the credits 50-50 because it's always one of us with the initial idea but we develop them through each other. But Luke (Headland) is like the Harrison of the band. Not as prolific but writes top tunes. Paul: Yeah, we can write alone or together but we influence each other. LukeW: I am not gonna hold back with the Lennon/McCartney reference purely because I believe we are great. We are prolific song writers and we don't write rubbish. Most bands have the odd catchy song and loads of set fillers. You don't get that with us. LukeH: We've got some top tunes. Williamson and Illife seem to churn em out quicker that we can play em.
The videos on your My Space profile are pretty good. Tell me about making them. LukeW: We wanted them to look 60's and simple. No frills if you like. It reminds me of some of them early Who videos but on a budget. There is no jumping around or gimmicks like all the young bands nowadays. Not a tacky glow stick in sight! Just a room, 5 guys and some top fucking tunes. LukeH: Yeah but all videos nowadays are crap. And now the dreaded Desert Island question.
Which album would you take with you? LukeW: Revolver every day of the week. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't listen to The Beatles, but this album tops em'. LukeH: Revolver. If you took Yellow Submarine and Eleanor Rigby off and replaced them with the Paperback Writer single and it's B-Side Rain, you'd have perfection. Paul: If they've got Revolver, I'll take Definitely Maybe. It's the album that made me pick up a guitar. LukeW: And me some sunglasses. Simon: I'd take Oasis – Stop The Clocks. It'd have a bit of everything in it. Andy: For me it'd have to be The Who Live at Leeds. The Deluxe edition though, because its got 2 discs and so it'd take longer to get boring. LukeW: If we all got stuck on the same Island I reckon we should swap one of our copies of Revolver for ‘The La's' or ‘Pepper'. Then we'd have a right good set.
And finally - what are your plans for the future? LukeW: World domination, adulation from millions. I wanna be a band that makes people pick up a guitar. And I wanna be able to buy endless amounts of jackets and sunglasses. Andy : I wanna get signed and then I'll be dead by the age of 40. Simon : Wanna get signed so I don't have to listen to the same shit every day at work. Paul : I aspire to run over Bloc Party driving at 100mph LukeH: Maybe pop down the local for a few pints and pickup a curry on the way home. LukeW: Ultimately, we won't be happy till we know we're the most important band of our generation.