Feeder are heading to Soundwave Festival in Australia. Tanya talks to Grant Nicholas ahead of the shows.
TH: On behalf of the Rockpit and myself, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to let us interview you.
GN: No problem
TH: Let’s start with you telling those individuals out there, who are yet unaware of Feeder, three key facts everyone should know about you?
GN: We are currently working on our 8th Official studio album. We are a 2 piece officially and are UK London Based……..Our music is electric Indie Rock
TH: You have released one mini-album (‘Swim’) nine other albums and 20 top 40 singles during the 20 years of your career, which made you very successful in the UK and America. Now you have to start over again with another new album? Is it still always a challenge for you?
GN: Every album is a challenge especially in the current climate of falling record sales and downloads. We just enjoy making music and feel very privileged to still be doing something we love with the great support of our growing fan base.
TH: So what can we expect on the new album? Is there going to be more Feeder classics or are you taking a different approach on this album?
GN: The next album is slightly more mixed in dynamics from the previous album “Renegades”. There are some rock moments but a few more melodic tracks also. We have recorded it again in a very organic way like “Renegades”.
TH: Do you have a title for the album yet?
GN: I have a working title but you will have to wait a bit
TH: What inspired the side project ‘Renegades’? Did you feel the need to escape ‘Feeder’ for a while?
GN: I just really wanted to escape the usual shows and go back to our roots .We both felt the best way of road testing new material was in small clubs where we first started . The tours were great fun and created a great fresh chemistry in the band. We also got a chance to play some really old school feeder songs to both old and new fans
TH: Do you feel caught between the two genres?
GN: We have always tried to make the music we want to make and that includes heavy and lighter mellow moments. As a writer it’s great to have that freedom and it’s kind of our chemistry. The most important thing to me is melody and connecting with people but we love rockin’ out. We tend to be heavier live than on record. We have never really been part of any trend and that’s probably why we are still going as trends come and go.
TH: What are the plans for the future for Feeder compared with Renegades? Are we going to see more of Feeder and putting the Renegades to rest? Or vice versa?
GN: Renegades is very much Feeder and the next album will reflect that in some way. Every album needs to be different in some way however to keep it fresh.
TH: The EP ‘Renegades’ received some positive and negative critical reviews last year from various media and record companies, how do feel about that? Do you think you would have had more positive reviews if the EP was released under the name of Feeder?
GN: The album was released under the name Feeder. We only released 2 EP’s under Renegades which was a teaser for the album and something different for the fans. The reviews in general were good especially in the rock press where we knew the album would sit. Reviews don’t sell albums to be honest and it’s one persons opinion at the end of the day. It’s nice to get good ones but you can’t please everyone. We are very happy with the album in general and it’s a fun album to play live.
TH: You are well known in the UK for playing at the festivals, you are labelled as the ‘festival band!!’ and I guess you have many memories from over the years, does anything stand out in particular?
GN: Main stage at Reading festival in 96-97 stands out as we had worked our way up with our loyal army of fans. Also Fuji rock in Japan and The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff with the Manic’s being a Welshman.
TH: You must still get quite a ‘buzz” when you play at these festivals, can you describe that feeling? And especially when you play ‘Buck Rogers,’ the fans go wild, how do you feel about it a decade on since it was released?
GN: We still get a massive buzz from playing festivals. They can be tough sometimes especially in countries where we are not so well know but when it connects it’s a great feeling….Playing Buck Rogers is always a festival pleaser but we don’t always play it. It’s become almost a cult song for us here but not sure if it will be in the set for Oz. It’s been ten years since we last played there so we don’t really know if anyone will know us…
TH: What is your best gig you have been to and played at of all time?
GN: Reading festival when Nirvana headlined. It was an amazing bill and they rocked.
TH: If you could create a festival stage, which 3 bands would u invite to play and why?
GN: We always love playing Fuji Rock and Reading festival but I really enjoyed our headline arena show at Birmingham NEC. It was packed (15,000) and a real sense of achievement for us.
TH: Who are your inspirations in music?
GN: Led Zep, The Pixies, Foo’s , Beastie Boys, Radiohead Tom Petty, Eels, PJ Harvey, The Strokes, Neil Young, The Police, Arcade Fire, REM, Santagold, Ting Tings, Prodigy, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins , AC DC, Sabbath……..the list goes on. If it was only 3, I would say Pixies, Tom Petty and Smashing Pumpkins….tough call.
TH: What do you think is important, the riff or the lyrics?
GN: For me it’s a mix of the 2. Some of the most famous rock songs of all time are remembered for their riffs. I think lyrics can touch people and give a connection so it’s a tough one. When they are both good you’ve got the makings of a great tune……………
TH: What makes you unique and gives you the edge?
GN: I don’t know what unique means in the music business but we just try to make the best music we can and hope people get it. We have a passion and will continue for as long as that lasts.
TH: What have been the best and worst moments of your long career?
GN: Best moment was getting a record and publishing deal all those years ago and the worst was losing Jon Lee our drummer 9 years ago.
TH: We are so much looking forward to seeing you here in Perth, Australia at the soundwave festival, how do you feel about playing to fans the other side of the world?
GN: We are really looking forward to coming to Australia again and it’s been far too long. It’s a great country and we are chuffed to finally be coming back again.
TH: I feel the need to ask you this ’corny’ question, do you have a brand new car? that looks like a Jaguar, has it got leather seats and a CD player? He, he
GN: I have an old 1963 Mercedes 230sl pagoda but it does have a CD player although it’s not the best sounding one……
TH: And finally, a question we ask everyone, what is the meaning of life?
GN: To live ,love and don’t be shy, your mother wasn’t………
TH: I would like to wish you guys all the best for the rest of your tour, we look forward to the new album coming out and hope to see you this side of the world in March, any last words for us at the Rockpit?
GN: Go easy on us………Can’t wait. Laters………
