*THE LONG BLONDES * THE
LONG BLONDES *
LONG BLONDES *
| Matt Smithurst catches up with the band on the brink of great, great things... |
Could you give any details on the inspiration behind the band's name?
Reenie: We really felt that there just weren’t enough bands named ‘Long (something)’.
Screech: We wanted to be mistaken for one-hit wonders 'Four Non Blondes' on a regular basis, so chose a name as similar to that
as possible.
Emma: And it’s a reference to all of those fabulous ‘40s screen sirens.
Growing up and playing in a band, did you find it restricting in anyways hailing from a part of the country that hadn't
previously been noted for its immediate Indie scene?
Reenie: Are you serious? Sheffield has a strapping musical legacy!
Screech: I come from Birmingham, which has a great strapping legacy, but not such a good musical one.
Agreed band influences?
Reenie: Hardly any.
I would imagine you openly welcome any attention being drawn to your local area as far as band/Indie culture are concerned,
but how long have cities such as Sheffield been thriving with such a diversity of great bands?
Reenie: Since way back. When we first came to Sheffield, I saw the local music scene as nothing more than national touring bands
playing in Sheffield venues. Slowly, the true diversity of steel city music revealed itself – from the zombie surf movement, to the
seedy electro-faction, to the bijou Indie collectives. But watch that you don’t get sucked into the trad rock quagmire.
Certain other music publications have hailed Artic Monkeys as the most exciting British band since The Libertines. After,
witnessing a live performance the other night, I can understand such claims. Can you see Sheffield, and the surrounding areas,
becoming an almost 'fashionable' honeypot for British music culture, in the same way districts of London have?
Emma: I think this has happened with a lot of places over time. It’s a good thing because it gives the existing bands their exposure
and prompts people look into the music of other cities.
Screech: The problem with any 'honeypot' is that making honey often involves getting stung by bees. As with most scenes, there
are a few good bands and lots of poor one riding around on coat tales.
Love, The Long Blondes xxx
www.thelongblondes.co.uk
The band's new single, ‘Separated by Motorways’, is released on Good and Evil, December 12th.
Interview by Matt Smithurst
Photographs by Matt Bolton.
Reenie: We really felt that there just weren’t enough bands named ‘Long (something)’.
Screech: We wanted to be mistaken for one-hit wonders 'Four Non Blondes' on a regular basis, so chose a name as similar to that
as possible.
Emma: And it’s a reference to all of those fabulous ‘40s screen sirens.
Growing up and playing in a band, did you find it restricting in anyways hailing from a part of the country that hadn't
previously been noted for its immediate Indie scene?
Reenie: Are you serious? Sheffield has a strapping musical legacy!
Screech: I come from Birmingham, which has a great strapping legacy, but not such a good musical one.
Agreed band influences?
Reenie: Hardly any.
I would imagine you openly welcome any attention being drawn to your local area as far as band/Indie culture are concerned,
but how long have cities such as Sheffield been thriving with such a diversity of great bands?
Reenie: Since way back. When we first came to Sheffield, I saw the local music scene as nothing more than national touring bands
playing in Sheffield venues. Slowly, the true diversity of steel city music revealed itself – from the zombie surf movement, to the
seedy electro-faction, to the bijou Indie collectives. But watch that you don’t get sucked into the trad rock quagmire.
Certain other music publications have hailed Artic Monkeys as the most exciting British band since The Libertines. After,
witnessing a live performance the other night, I can understand such claims. Can you see Sheffield, and the surrounding areas,
becoming an almost 'fashionable' honeypot for British music culture, in the same way districts of London have?
Emma: I think this has happened with a lot of places over time. It’s a good thing because it gives the existing bands their exposure
and prompts people look into the music of other cities.
Screech: The problem with any 'honeypot' is that making honey often involves getting stung by bees. As with most scenes, there
are a few good bands and lots of poor one riding around on coat tales.
Love, The Long Blondes xxx
www.thelongblondes.co.uk
The band's new single, ‘Separated by Motorways’, is released on Good and Evil, December 12th.
Interview by Matt Smithurst
Photographs by Matt Bolton.
| All images, words, site design Copyright © Soma Soma Scene 2005 unless otherwise stated All Rights Reserved |
What has been your most memorable live gig experience, headlining and/ or
supporting?
Dorian: Playing at an illegal art exhibition in a disused tile warehouse in Peckham was
something to tell the grandchildren about. Unless they join the police force.
Emma- I think my most memorable gig moment was how frightened I was when we
supported Arctic Monkeys in Sheffield- the hardcore of fans who had no idea who we
were caused me to shake so much it was difficult to play!
Apart from yourselves, who do you consider to be 'the bands to watch' at present?
Reenie: Listen up for Cause Co-motion, a delightfully scratchy NYC band. The Lodger
(Leeds) are a sweet secret. Sheffield band Navvy have pure potential.
Dorian: I recommend the Vichy Government if you like your melodies nascent and your
repartee caustic.
Screech: Though I find the concept of four boys with guitars tedious beyond belief,
Good Shoes make me tap my feet from time to time. My favourite music is that which
aspires to be something, but in falling short becomes something else entirely. Animal
Collective also make a nice noise, like Brian Wilson if he had grown up listening to
Krautrock rather then Surf Rock
What is the ONE most important outcome you could receive from playing in this
band?
Reenie: Most people seem to be in bands in order to get laid. Given we are all ‘going
steady,’ I can honestly say I have no idea why we are in this band. It keeps us off the
streets I suppose.
Emma: And meeting loads of lovely new people!
supporting?
Dorian: Playing at an illegal art exhibition in a disused tile warehouse in Peckham was
something to tell the grandchildren about. Unless they join the police force.
Emma- I think my most memorable gig moment was how frightened I was when we
supported Arctic Monkeys in Sheffield- the hardcore of fans who had no idea who we
were caused me to shake so much it was difficult to play!
Apart from yourselves, who do you consider to be 'the bands to watch' at present?
Reenie: Listen up for Cause Co-motion, a delightfully scratchy NYC band. The Lodger
(Leeds) are a sweet secret. Sheffield band Navvy have pure potential.
Dorian: I recommend the Vichy Government if you like your melodies nascent and your
repartee caustic.
Screech: Though I find the concept of four boys with guitars tedious beyond belief,
Good Shoes make me tap my feet from time to time. My favourite music is that which
aspires to be something, but in falling short becomes something else entirely. Animal
Collective also make a nice noise, like Brian Wilson if he had grown up listening to
Krautrock rather then Surf Rock
What is the ONE most important outcome you could receive from playing in this
band?
Reenie: Most people seem to be in bands in order to get laid. Given we are all ‘going
steady,’ I can honestly say I have no idea why we are in this band. It keeps us off the
streets I suppose.
Emma: And meeting loads of lovely new people!
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