TrakMarx interview 2002
trakMARX - What constitutes selling out to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife.
John - As soon as Carl starts wearing 'Ernie Ball' bandannas on stage.
Peter - Sleeping through it all.
[where was Carl? Was he not there or just not saying anything?]
http://libertines.twinkling-star.com/yorkuni.html
TrakMARX interview by Jean Encoule, 2nd July 2002
The Libertines
Kicking back at the recent US domination of gtr-land come London's ex- rent boy wide-stars, The Libertines. They say you carnt be in the music industry in any way without being a cocksucker. They say The Adverts were crap.
If there's one sure way to get yr. head kicked in around these parts, it's slagging off TV Smith. It's a good job the lads recently delivered the "What A Waster" 45 (Rough Trade) & that music speaks louder than words (ask Mick)!
"What a waster, what a fuckin waster you pissed it all up the wall round the corner where they chased her."
You probably haven't heard "What A Waster" on the radio funny that. Fuckin wasters & two-bob cunts tend to get up playlist schedulers arses, for some reason. God knows why. Still, it caused a bit of a stink raised a few eyebrows sold a few records got the band a nice bit of press. Not that we're cynical bastards or anything.
The Libertines don't mind courting controversy thank fuck. It's been a while since anyone English with a gtr around their neck has bothered to rile anyone other than their gtr tech. The Libertines may know fuck all about r&r history, but they do know how to make a right cockney barrel of noise.
Knees up mother brown, the chancers are in town.
"What A Waster" shimmers with vitriolic abuse. Whether they like it or not, they sound more like The Adverts than The Jam from the gtr sound to the backing vocals pissing in the sink of the land of milk & honey. Straight up the back.
"I Get Along", as perceived by this listener, is a fuck off big slice of prime time These Animal Men. You can just about spot the Kinks jones people will tell me I'm wrong fuck em.
"Mayday" is the punkest cut here. The boot is being well & truly put in. This must have scared the shit out of The Strokes & The Vines live.
Jean Encoule recently "caught up" with The Libertines during sessions for their debut LP:
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES appear to have plenty of attitude - do you mean it, maaaaaaaaaaaaan?
Gary - Music is based on the perception of the listener, if you think it has attitude then I guess it does...
trakMARX - The UK has been starved of decent gtr bands for a while now any theories on why that is?
Gary - The UK has always had good guitar bands, whether they have the chance to be heard is down to the industry...
trakMARX - English-ness in R&R has been conspicuous in its absence lately - what English band's inspire The LIBERTINES?
Gary - My inspiration does not come from other bands, but I do dig the Kinks, Paul Weller and the other usual suspects.
John - Super Furry Animals.
Peter - The Left Hand, Specials.
trakMARX - Posing for pictures with the Union Jack is a double edged sword - it ended up falling on Morrissey - any fears that may happen to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Urghh, are you kidding?
John - Nowt wrong with a bit of patriotism - every other country is allowed to show it - look at the Americans, they've got stars and stripes everywhere.
Peter - No hopes, no jeans - the flag was superimposed anyway.
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES have skored decent mainstream press so far do you feel any pressure from the "next big thing" tag currently hung around yer necks?
Gary - Don't really read the press so it has no real effect on me, but it is real positive for the band - I think!
Peter - Good question, is it hung there? It used to read 'change please'!
trakMARX - Build em up - knock em down - any worries on that skore?
Gary -If it is gonna happen I can type fast so will be able to get a job at the Islington Council Office...
John - I try to keep my head in the sand on that beach.
Peter - Loads of worries on that score - can't score today...
trakMARX - Certain hacks have been bleating on about The Jam - we hear more of The Adverts - any substance to these observations or is it just lazy journalism?
Gary - You do the math.
John - The Adverts were rubbish and the Jam were amazing - are you trying to insinuate something!
Peter - Mmmmn, better The Jam or the Adverts than Secret Affair...
trakMARX - Considering the NME burnt a gtr on the cover & pronounced R&R dead & buried in the 90's do you perceive any irony in their championing of six string chaos currently?
Gary - They are only human - can't be right about everything.
John - Everyone murders and revives R&R at least twice a year - it's farcical rather than ironic.
Peter - From my brief experience of the NME nothing would surprise me. They are a twisted bunch of addicts and poseurs.
trakMARX - What do you make of this "no name" malarky - desperate bands or desperate press?
Gary - I have no clue.
Peter - ???
trakMARX - Do The Libertines wanna be a part of a scene per se - or stand alone in glorious isolation?
Gary - Scenes come and go. Isolation can be a lonely place...
Peter - The scene is obscene.
trakMARX - What music publications do The LIBERTINES rate?
John - The NME Cartel.
Peter - 'All Quiet on the Western Avenue' fanzine and, of course, trakMARX!
trakMARX - How did you end up on Rough Trade & how long do you envisage staying with them?
Gary - Rough Trade are cool, as long as they want us, or as long as we don't suck.
Peter - Perfect name for a label...you can't be in the music industry (in any sense) without being a cocksucker (apart from strangely, Rough Trade).
trakMARX - Are they capable of delivering the kind of support you need?
Peter - Yes! Probably not, who knows?
Gary - I have yet to receive my free sports car, but everything else has been real cool.
trakMARX - What constitutes selling out to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife.
John - As soon as Carl starts wearing 'Ernie Ball' bandannas on stage.
Peter - Sleeping through it all.
trakMARX - What constitutes success to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife - just kidding!!!
John - Leather balaclavas and new socks everyday.
Peter - Revol, love, riots, harmony, disorder...disturbing their sad dreams "is he alright", "no mate, he's a fuck up."
trakMARX - Will you ever end up wanting to play footie stadiums?
Peter - Only Loftus Road...
John - I'm not very good at football.
trakMARX - You weren't looking for mainstream airplay with "What A Waster" - its lyrical content is contentious to say the least - can we expect more of the same no compromise approach in future material?
Gary - Why the hell not.
John - YES!
trakMARX - Have chosen the next 45 yet?
Gary - That would be telling...
John - It's called 'Up The Bracket'.
trakMARX - Have you begun work on the LP yet & is Bernie The Butler @ the controls for that too?
Gary - That too would be telling.
John - We started on Monday 11th July and the Admiral Mick Jones (Clash) is at the helm instead - they have completely different ways of going about things. Mick is a legend.
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES come across as four fiercely individual entities - does this promote harmony or friction or both & is it an essential aspect of yer sound?
Gary - A bit of harmony and friction can bring about a harmonious, angry, loving environment...
Peter - The boys! Very peculiar affair on the whole. Always hysterics, laughter or tears.
trakMARX - Brevity is a refreshing aspect of everything we've heard by you so far - can we rest assured we're gonna get a 16 trak LP @ under 40 minutes?
Gary - Hey!! It will be as long as it takes OK?
Peter - Rest is assured.
trakMARX - How've the recent live dates been going - have you been feeling a street level reaction to the press you been getting?
Gary - We have been having a great time and met some cool people from all over the country...
Peter - The kids are fucked up - got head-butted in Wolverhampton, cigarettes stubbed out in the face, love everywhere though!
trakMARX - The 7" of "Waster" was allegedly ltd edit - any idea how many copies went out?
Gary - Sorry, no idea!
Peter - 3000 at a guess.
trakMARX - All great bands have an awareness of the collectors market are The Libertines that kinda band?
Gary Errr..
Peter Kinda.
trakMARX - Who else do The Libertines rate in 2002?
Gary - Jack Black to rule the world...
John - Super Furry Animals, The Strokes.
Peter - The Left Hand.
trakMARX - What does the rest of 2002 hold in store for The Libertines?
Gary - Lots of fun and good music, hope to see you all soon!!!
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife.
John - As soon as Carl starts wearing 'Ernie Ball' bandannas on stage.
Peter - Sleeping through it all.
[where was Carl? Was he not there or just not saying anything?]
http://libertines.twinkling-star.com/yorkuni.html
TrakMARX interview by Jean Encoule, 2nd July 2002
The Libertines
Kicking back at the recent US domination of gtr-land come London's ex- rent boy wide-stars, The Libertines. They say you carnt be in the music industry in any way without being a cocksucker. They say The Adverts were crap.
If there's one sure way to get yr. head kicked in around these parts, it's slagging off TV Smith. It's a good job the lads recently delivered the "What A Waster" 45 (Rough Trade) & that music speaks louder than words (ask Mick)!
"What a waster, what a fuckin waster you pissed it all up the wall round the corner where they chased her."
You probably haven't heard "What A Waster" on the radio funny that. Fuckin wasters & two-bob cunts tend to get up playlist schedulers arses, for some reason. God knows why. Still, it caused a bit of a stink raised a few eyebrows sold a few records got the band a nice bit of press. Not that we're cynical bastards or anything.
The Libertines don't mind courting controversy thank fuck. It's been a while since anyone English with a gtr around their neck has bothered to rile anyone other than their gtr tech. The Libertines may know fuck all about r&r history, but they do know how to make a right cockney barrel of noise.
Knees up mother brown, the chancers are in town.
"What A Waster" shimmers with vitriolic abuse. Whether they like it or not, they sound more like The Adverts than The Jam from the gtr sound to the backing vocals pissing in the sink of the land of milk & honey. Straight up the back.
"I Get Along", as perceived by this listener, is a fuck off big slice of prime time These Animal Men. You can just about spot the Kinks jones people will tell me I'm wrong fuck em.
"Mayday" is the punkest cut here. The boot is being well & truly put in. This must have scared the shit out of The Strokes & The Vines live.
Jean Encoule recently "caught up" with The Libertines during sessions for their debut LP:
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES appear to have plenty of attitude - do you mean it, maaaaaaaaaaaaan?
Gary - Music is based on the perception of the listener, if you think it has attitude then I guess it does...
trakMARX - The UK has been starved of decent gtr bands for a while now any theories on why that is?
Gary - The UK has always had good guitar bands, whether they have the chance to be heard is down to the industry...
trakMARX - English-ness in R&R has been conspicuous in its absence lately - what English band's inspire The LIBERTINES?
Gary - My inspiration does not come from other bands, but I do dig the Kinks, Paul Weller and the other usual suspects.
John - Super Furry Animals.
Peter - The Left Hand, Specials.
trakMARX - Posing for pictures with the Union Jack is a double edged sword - it ended up falling on Morrissey - any fears that may happen to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Urghh, are you kidding?
John - Nowt wrong with a bit of patriotism - every other country is allowed to show it - look at the Americans, they've got stars and stripes everywhere.
Peter - No hopes, no jeans - the flag was superimposed anyway.
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES have skored decent mainstream press so far do you feel any pressure from the "next big thing" tag currently hung around yer necks?
Gary - Don't really read the press so it has no real effect on me, but it is real positive for the band - I think!
Peter - Good question, is it hung there? It used to read 'change please'!
trakMARX - Build em up - knock em down - any worries on that skore?
Gary -If it is gonna happen I can type fast so will be able to get a job at the Islington Council Office...
John - I try to keep my head in the sand on that beach.
Peter - Loads of worries on that score - can't score today...
trakMARX - Certain hacks have been bleating on about The Jam - we hear more of The Adverts - any substance to these observations or is it just lazy journalism?
Gary - You do the math.
John - The Adverts were rubbish and the Jam were amazing - are you trying to insinuate something!
Peter - Mmmmn, better The Jam or the Adverts than Secret Affair...
trakMARX - Considering the NME burnt a gtr on the cover & pronounced R&R dead & buried in the 90's do you perceive any irony in their championing of six string chaos currently?
Gary - They are only human - can't be right about everything.
John - Everyone murders and revives R&R at least twice a year - it's farcical rather than ironic.
Peter - From my brief experience of the NME nothing would surprise me. They are a twisted bunch of addicts and poseurs.
trakMARX - What do you make of this "no name" malarky - desperate bands or desperate press?
Gary - I have no clue.
Peter - ???
trakMARX - Do The Libertines wanna be a part of a scene per se - or stand alone in glorious isolation?
Gary - Scenes come and go. Isolation can be a lonely place...
Peter - The scene is obscene.
trakMARX - What music publications do The LIBERTINES rate?
John - The NME Cartel.
Peter - 'All Quiet on the Western Avenue' fanzine and, of course, trakMARX!
trakMARX - How did you end up on Rough Trade & how long do you envisage staying with them?
Gary - Rough Trade are cool, as long as they want us, or as long as we don't suck.
Peter - Perfect name for a label...you can't be in the music industry (in any sense) without being a cocksucker (apart from strangely, Rough Trade).
trakMARX - Are they capable of delivering the kind of support you need?
Peter - Yes! Probably not, who knows?
Gary - I have yet to receive my free sports car, but everything else has been real cool.
trakMARX - What constitutes selling out to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife.
John - As soon as Carl starts wearing 'Ernie Ball' bandannas on stage.
Peter - Sleeping through it all.
trakMARX - What constitutes success to The LIBERTINES?
Gary - Playing back up to Westlife - just kidding!!!
John - Leather balaclavas and new socks everyday.
Peter - Revol, love, riots, harmony, disorder...disturbing their sad dreams "is he alright", "no mate, he's a fuck up."
trakMARX - Will you ever end up wanting to play footie stadiums?
Peter - Only Loftus Road...
John - I'm not very good at football.
trakMARX - You weren't looking for mainstream airplay with "What A Waster" - its lyrical content is contentious to say the least - can we expect more of the same no compromise approach in future material?
Gary - Why the hell not.
John - YES!
trakMARX - Have chosen the next 45 yet?
Gary - That would be telling...
John - It's called 'Up The Bracket'.
trakMARX - Have you begun work on the LP yet & is Bernie The Butler @ the controls for that too?
Gary - That too would be telling.
John - We started on Monday 11th July and the Admiral Mick Jones (Clash) is at the helm instead - they have completely different ways of going about things. Mick is a legend.
trakMARX - The LIBERTINES come across as four fiercely individual entities - does this promote harmony or friction or both & is it an essential aspect of yer sound?
Gary - A bit of harmony and friction can bring about a harmonious, angry, loving environment...
Peter - The boys! Very peculiar affair on the whole. Always hysterics, laughter or tears.
trakMARX - Brevity is a refreshing aspect of everything we've heard by you so far - can we rest assured we're gonna get a 16 trak LP @ under 40 minutes?
Gary - Hey!! It will be as long as it takes OK?
Peter - Rest is assured.
trakMARX - How've the recent live dates been going - have you been feeling a street level reaction to the press you been getting?
Gary - We have been having a great time and met some cool people from all over the country...
Peter - The kids are fucked up - got head-butted in Wolverhampton, cigarettes stubbed out in the face, love everywhere though!
trakMARX - The 7" of "Waster" was allegedly ltd edit - any idea how many copies went out?
Gary - Sorry, no idea!
Peter - 3000 at a guess.
trakMARX - All great bands have an awareness of the collectors market are The Libertines that kinda band?
Gary Errr..
Peter Kinda.
trakMARX - Who else do The Libertines rate in 2002?
Gary - Jack Black to rule the world...
John - Super Furry Animals, The Strokes.
Peter - The Left Hand.
trakMARX - What does the rest of 2002 hold in store for The Libertines?
Gary - Lots of fun and good music, hope to see you all soon!!!