ABOUT LASSE....
The stylish, charming drummer of British band of the moment, The Rakes has a good old chat with SSScene.
This is a phrase I often use to remind myself when meeting bright,
talented artists that they are after all, human, mortal and slightly flawed.
However it is difficult not to get caught up in the moment when a
musician reveals his inner thoughts and aspirations or when an artist
shares his intricate visions. Catching up with Lasse Petersen is
another one of these fascinating moments. In one of the most talked
about British bands of the moment and with looks comparable to a
D&G model, it is reassuring to know that he has a pure genuine
quality. Some are quick to condemn fashionable musicians but let this
give you peace of mind…some people really do have it all; the talent,
the passion, the looks and the soul. Petersen is one of them.
Petersen has just stepped off the decks at the ‘Monsters In Tights’
night at Underbelly. Having sprinkled the erratic crowd with gems such
as A-Ha’s ‘Take On Me,’ The Vapors ‘I Think I’m Turning Japanese’
and ‘Room On Fire,’ by The Strokes, Petersen magically masters
people’s self-conscious foot shuffles into full-on, all the rage sporadic
dancing. Well done, good sir! What numbers have you got planned for
part 2 of your set? “Definitely some Bruce Springsteen…The Specials..
you always have to have a bit of ska!” I nod meekly, slightly disarmed by
his supermodel looks. “But,” he continues, “they’re closing up early so I
won’t get to play them,” he says with the sigh of a disappointed child
whose mum has called him home to do the washing up. I try and cheer
him up by saying the night reminds me of my school discos; laddish
punks, indie supremes and the demure nondescripts terrified of
whacking out a great booty-shaker (me included here). “Oh, school
disco..you mean in the sense that it’s bad music?” I instinctively nod
without thinking. “Right then!” (he laughs and pretends to walk off in a
huff). This sums up the easy-going, humorous nature of Petersen. It’s
clear he’s enjoying himself and is extremely likeable, however I get the
feeling that he’d be out here making friends and playing a nostalgic
mix of music even if he wasn’t a drummer or in The Rakes.
triumphantly played their shows with the help of Kele (Bloc Party) and Donny (Towers Of London). “We did a few rehearsals with them beforehand. It was
great. Oh, but I also went up and sang a few songs..that was scary!” Hmmm perhaps that’s where Hawkins and Grohl got their swap show ideas…
Eloquent, charming and conventionally handsome, Lasse exudes an approachable air and shares what his other fellow Danish musicians have; wonderful
decorum. Always intrigued by drummers, I ask him to name his favourite. “Stu Copeland from The Police is great. But I also listen to a lot of electronica so I’m
not really into specific drummers.” Music aside, Petersen enjoys reading the work of futuristic author Kurt Vonnegert.
Petersen is originally Danish (he speaks highly of fellow Dane and friend Sune Wagner), however like most Danes, has a command of impeccable English.
“No one knows our language, so we have to learn theirs,” he says matter-of-factly. He has resided in London for 4 years, has played drums for 3 and joined
The Rakes “because we are a bunch of mates just having fun.” He continues, “Alan had never sung before; he sang a Bob Marley tune at a Karaoke night,
decided he wanted to sing and joined the band a month later!” Since then, the band have toured Japan, Europe, head off to America next week and then return
for a support slot with Franz Ferdinand. He tells me, “you know, some guy just came up to me and said ‘nice to meet you, you’re in Franz Ferdinand!’ Everyone
thinks I look like Alex!” Ooof, yeah…well now that you mention it Alex does look like a slightly acidic and seedy looking older brother. Petersen then says,
“Actually, the rest of the band also have look-alikes; Alan looks like Lily Savage, Jamie looks like Bryan Ferry and Matthew looks like Sue Pollard!” So who
would he like to look like if he could choose? “Just like me. I’d like to look just like me,” he says.
Lasse’s quick quips may be the result of his latest past time. “I’ve got cable TV at home and I spend hours watching it…I love Seinfeld! It’s the best!” Any
chance of Lasse trying out stand-up comedy? “Well, I’ll have to get people to find me funny first, then do stand-up. It’s a good plan!” And a good plan is
definitely what The Rakes have - the brightest boys rising on the UK scene, all hail to The Rakes.
Special thanks to Lasse.
Interview and photograph by Dee Sekar
The Rakes are currently on tour in the UK. For more info: www.therakes.co.uk
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