Wakefield trio THE CRIBS have been kicking up a storm since 2003 with their exciting, anarchic blend of DIY punk and indie rock, their outspoken resentment of the 'Independent' music industry, and their energised, often visceral performances. Having recently signed to the Wichita record label, they are developing a growing fan base in the States, and they are currently the darlings of NME, things are looking extremely interesting for this literal band of brothers.
W&H caught Gary (bassist) on a much-deserved break after their recent NME tour with Maximo Park and the Kaiser Chiefs. For your pleasure, we have the low-down on quite a bit of showbiz gossip. Yes folks, here we report that certain members of Maximo Park were caught listening to 1980's stadium rock whilst on tour, and the Keiser Chiefs are categorically Not Evil. Ok, hardly Heat Magazine material, but we thought it was of interest.
By all accounts, attending a Cribs gig is akin to a DIY punk re-enactment of Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ'. With the guitar string self-flagellation and profuse facial bleeding, one wonders if they are following in the footsteps of Throbbing Gristle?
"Ok, well listen," Gary began, somewhat irritated, "Basically, it's not like we've got to be full on, but people compare us to what's going on at the moment, and indie and punk is so fucking commercial."
Whoops. Not off to the best of start there then. I pointed out that this is something the band is notorious for, it stands to reason that it's something our readers would be interested in. In other words, it was a question, not a criticism. Honestly, some people.
So having conceded that I wasn't having a dig, he continued: "With DIY bands, it's [I'm assuming the bleeding] never ever been a thing. You've got to have passion, you'd be doing a massive disservice if you turn up and just go through the motions."
"Like, last night, we played with Franz Ferdinand [3rd December, Alexandra Palace, London], my bass got badly damaged, and I can't remember why. It's in pieces on the floor at the moment. I'm a bit worried about it 'cause we have a gig in London tonight."
Oh dear, that sounds a bit messy. Must have been fun to watch though. "Yeah, but it's not contrived." (Are we not protesting a tad too much here?) "It doesn't have to have a massive climax, but sometimes it feels right. I certainly don't feel that we're pandering to anything."
OK, well I'm glad we got that cleared up then. So, what with you and Ryan (guitar, vocals) being twins, are you psychically attuned to each other when performing?
"No not really!" he laughed, immediately lightening up, "It means we're a lot more single-minded, functioning as one unit. We're into the same music, but Ryan is more into punk, and I'm into indie and experimental music."
"We go through a lot of the same things, I know what his mindset is at the time. Although it does get a bit claustrophobic cause you're there 24/7 on tour, and then 24/7 at home. I didn't think I would be like that because I wasn't at first. But saying that, we know each other better than anyone else."
"I guess I know from being on the road with him [Ryan] what's coming next. Although its not contrived." (I think we get that now) "But for example, he'll check where his amp is, and I know that it's going to get destroyed. You just get to know what's coming!"
The Cribs have been picking up numerous rave reviews, particularly in America, where they've had glowing coverage in Rolling Stone and Filter Magazines, as well as performing sell out shows at South by SouthWest. Wowzers.
"You should go! [South by SouthWest]," he enthused, "Its amazing! It's like every band you want to see on one street. We've been 5 times to the States already this year, as long as we can go and play shows and have free trips to America, I'll be happy."
So you're a fan of the States then? "Yeah, I mean for instance the other week I was in a posh hotel in Los Angeles, sat on a balcony - I haven't been on holiday since I was 16 or 17 - so I'm thinking 'This is fucking cool!'"
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"It's better than being a 'coerce-ist' band that needs to break America. We aren't like that, but as long as people like what we're doing that's ok."
So you're not hell bent on breaking America, nuff respect. But I bet you indulge in the odd bit of Diva-ness every now and again? "No! We're proper DIY underground!" he protested. Oh go on, not even a little bit? "Honestly no, not really. Well, I've bought an arcade machine, which I guess was extravagant, and I've got loads of new cds!" Well, you've got to have some perks of the job I guess.
It is very easy to see the attraction with the Cribs; they are accessible enough to reach the mainstream (sorry guys, I know it's not in your musical ethic, but how else are you going to afford your endless supply of replacement instruments, etc?), yet they still have a strong DIY sensibility. That is, they remain openly disdainful of the music industry.
"We've always been into pop, but DIY was totally influential. We didn't want to rot away doing benefit gigs, I'm really proud of our background." Talking about their previous single, 'Hey Scensters' Gary explained that "The scene [indie scene] was totally at odds with the musical background we come from, and it ended up embracing us. It missed the point cause we were against indie becoming the new trend. It was a knee-jerk reaction, definitely more literal than the other songs."
"I listen back to that track and it seems that the whole album was going on about it, but it wasn't intentional, it was just what we were thinking about at the time."
The Cribs have just got back from the NME Rock'n'Roll Riot tour, with Kaiser Chiefs and Maximo Park. So how was that? Did you all party like it was 1999? You're mates with the Kaiser Chiefs, so touring them must have been a riot? (I couldn't resist that one. Shoot me now.)
"Yeah we go back a while with them [The Kaiser Chiefs], they're really nice guys. Honestly, they haven't changed a bit, they've really done loads to bring new bands to the limelight. It's like, they use their power for good." Not evil? "No," he laughed, "They're not evil."
What about Maximo Park? Any goss with those guys? "No not really, they kept themselves to themselves. Although we had to share a dressing room with them at one point, and we were upstairs and they were downstairs. One of them was listening to dodgy 80's metal, we don't know which one it was but it was
definitely one of them." Say it ain't so? Frankly I'm shocked.
OK, so you've dished the dirt on your fellow musicians, what about you? Have you any guilty secrets you'd like to confess to W&H?
"I'm not sure about that!" he laughed. "Right. I know, the Bee Gees! We listened to the Bee Gees when we were growing up, I'm a little bit ashamed of it."
"When they were playing disco and that, it was a bit shit," he hastened to add, "But their other music is really good. Actually, I don't think liking the Bee Gees is that bad!"
No matey, they're more prolific than you think. And don't worry Gary, your secret is safe with us.
(For more information on forthcoming gigs and releases, can be found at www.thecribs.com)
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