Seafood - Interview

  by Peter Liddle

published: 1 / 1 / 2000

intro

Seafood have been up and down Britain now quite a few times, and it seems at last that people may be beginning to pay attention. Their second album, 'When Do We Start Fighting ?…' has just been relea

Seafood have been up and down Britain now quite a few times, and it seems at last that people may be beginning to pay attention. Their second album, 'When Do We Start Fighting ?…' has just been released on Infectious Records (rather than on their home label Fierce Panda) and it looks like with that little extra promotion from a bigger label, this could be their big break. Seafood deserve that break - their music isn't mainstream, but it's certainly accessible and seems to call out for more recognition than they are currently getting. With new tracks sounding like everything from Sonic Youth to Pavement to Slint, their sound is very much still inspired by American underground bands, and, for some reason, this appears to be something that is putting the UK music press off. Their fan base is growing, and with Reading and Leeds festival appearances lined up to coincide with the new album, this might just be their time. Pennyblackmusic caught up with Seafood mid-tour in Glasgow, just before 'When Do We Start Fighting?… was released, and started off an exclusive interview by asking about the recording of the album. "We did it in New York, in Brooklyn. We were basically living together for four weeks." says bassist Kevin Hendrick. "We were in this apartment, this cockroach infested apartment, and it was wicked, we drove each other insane, but made a great album." The album was produced by Eli Janney of Girls vs Boys, and it seems that New York was definitely the place for Seafood to record the new album. In their recording diaries (featured on their CD's enhanced section) they talk about the music scene there and how many of their idols had Seafood records, and how they met some of their heroes - Hendrick describes it as "an indie boy's dream". "We met a lot of really great people that helped us out with the record - Mary Lawson from Madder Rose and Scott from Girls Against Boys. We were kind of surprised with the community that existed between bands out there. That was really quite refreshing for us. It was really hard work - a lot to do in a short length of time - really stressful, but good." It seems their trip to the US helped capture the sound of their idols - what was the sound the band were going for? "Seafood! It sounds more like us now, It's what we do... It's strange anyway because it seems when we get compared to American bands it is a negative thing - but I think music is about recycling other people's stuff and thinking "that's a good idea" and doing your own stuff. I mean I listened to Sonic Youth and thought 'Yeah, those guitars are wicked, but it would be great if you could sing along to it" but now... it's just us. You can hear other bands in it but it's Seafood" The band talk contendedly about the sound of the album and most especially of the guest appearances on it, and of Eli Janney. But was this an attempt to maybe create some sort of "fashionable" element to their album ?With NME raving on about New York bands every weekat the moment, was this an attempt to get in with the music press maybe? "A lot of journalists are very fickle - very fashionable" says David Line, Seafood's front man and one of the band's guitarists. We take that as a No. Caroline Banks, Drummer: "They [the music press] generally take no notice of us, but I don't read it that much anyway. The interviews are so biased. It's all about being cool I think. If I read an interview and it starts naming people from other bands , I generally don't read the interview - it's usually got very little about what the writer actually should be writing about.." Line: "We were a bit hyped at the beginning . Sometimes they made it all up. We met people that came to gigs late and said to us "I'll give you a good review for that anyway." - we want people to come and see us and generally write about us. We've become very mistrusting of journalists." The release of the album and the latest tour has seen such publications as NME review Seafood in more favourable terms, but still they seem to have a curse of being known as the indie band who should make it, but haven't. Do Seafood think this will continue, or be helped at least, under the more media-friendly Infectious Records (home of, for example, Ash, My Vitriol and Muse)? Hendrick: "It would be nice if they did, but I can't see it . We don't really fit into the current musical climate - sort of nu-metal and Travis/Stereophonics things. Not that there's anything wrong with these types of music. It's just that we're not that and that's what the music industry favours just now. I think there's going to be a rise in guitar, or guitar based bands. Hopefully, then we'd be popular." So you're not going more "popular" on the new album? "We used to try and do gigs where we'd try and be rock and stuff," says Banks, "but we can't do that, we write too many sad and quiet songs." Hendrick: "We went to America to write a rock album, to do 12 songs that really rocked and every one was a top 10 hit, but we can't force anything. There's four of us sitting down with ideas, and I don't think we can just make it like that, as much as we'd like to. It's the first time we've had the record company arguing about what single to release so that's wicked . We're getting there. Our fifth album will be one hit after another, all two minutes, beach boys harmonies..." David Line laughs, "By that time complicated Sonic Youth-esque songs will be the fashion!" Seafood seem to be having a hard time getting their music across. When they do, it seems to be recieved well, but, as they say, it's not currently a fashionable style. Their conviction in what they do can only eventually serve them well. Things could be looking up for this overlooked and talented band. Their gig that night was received at times in both hushed silence and rapturous applause, and as the reviews begin to come through for the new album, most of them have been very positive, acknowledging (at least) that Seafood are more than a Sonic Youth tribute band. Seafood have definitely started fighting. Hopefully those punches will get them somewhere…..

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