Title nteners
APPROACH TO AN INST RUMENT’
\i e
The sardonic hardcore genius of Mclusky is no more, but Future of the Left still have the talent for a choice turn of phrase, finds Doug Johnstone
ou can’t beat a good song title. and Future of l the Left have some of the best. The Cardiff
based trio‘s second single was the thrillingly
angry rock of ‘adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood'. and
the band‘s debut album Curses was peppered with
other gems such as ‘Fuck the Countryside Alliance’ and ‘I Need to Know How to Kill a Cat'.
But then. for those in the know. this penchant for
quirky titles is no surprise. Both singer and guitarist
Andy Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone are former members of Mclusky. the defunct Welsh threesome with a substantial cult fanbase who knocked out albums with titles such as My Pain and Sadness is More Sad and Painful than Yours and The DIflerence Between Me and You is that I'm Not on Fire.
“Some bands split up because of musical
differences. Mclusky split up because of differences.” says Falkous. ‘There‘s meanness and there’s unbridled bitterness. but that would be a fair and
accurate reflection of where all the hard work and ,
love came from. I realise that sounds far too glib and convenient but it also happens to be true.‘ The Future of the Left line up is completed by
singer and bassist Kelson Mathias. formerly of Welsh
underground prog-rockers Jarcrew. While the band‘s format is similar to Mclusky. there is something more experimental and expansive about Future of the Left’s debut compared with the one-dimensional headfuck
rock of Falkous’s former outfit. The frontman is
under no illusion about where his current fanbase comes from, but hopes to change perceptions.
‘The whole Mclusky thing is both a help and a hindrance,’ he says. ‘We had a loyal following but
we‘d been around for so long there was a ceiling of expectation we‘d reached. It‘s more understandable that people mention Mclusky with respect to this band. but after we've done another record. if they're still talking about Mclusky then there’s a problem.‘
That‘s unlikely to happen. as Future of the Left are moving forward. Not content with the traditional
three-piece rock sound. the band have been
experimenting with keyboards. although Falkous is reluctant to give such dabblings too much weight.
‘I would hesitate to say I have keyboard skills. it’s very basic.” he laughs. ‘The second you learn to play
a keyboard properly is the second it‘s effectively
broken. Certainly for the kind of music I like. I like a . very primal approach to an instrument. you should 3 still be able to play it in time and be able to hear i where it fits the song. but too much knowledge can be i a dangerous thing when it comes to something as
basic and emotive as music. That’s just my opinion.‘
that’s just part of our personality. mine in particular.
It‘s sad when a band can’t show their full range of character. rather than writing in a one-dimensional '
way about girls, without being labelled a certain way.‘
l Captain’s Rest, Glasgow, Fri 15 Aug.
‘I LIKE A VERY PRIMAL
than
Falkous and co have garnered a rather unfair : reputation in some quarters as being difficult and darkly weird. which is strange when you experience i 3 just how much unbridled fun goes into their live , shows. ‘For some bands playing live is a catharsis. but not for us. it’s a joy.’ he says. ‘Obviously the , records are imbued with a certain dark humour. but 3
: > music
*
flit BEST ROCK, p’op, JAZZ & FOLK
Di: Bonde Do Role These
strident slam-funk shamans are well-known for a powerful night’s grooving, like their kin, 088. The Arches, Glasgow, Sat 16 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
>i< Gordon Macintyne, Over the Wall, The Felt Tips and The Second Hand Marching Band More pop hooks and lyrical stand-offery from the ballboy frontman as well as a wheen of indie pals at this charity gig in aid of Maggie’s Centre. 73th Note Cafe, Glasgow, Sat 7 6 Aug. (Rock & Pop)
Cult of Luna This incredible post-rock/hardcore outfit bring the brutality in fine Scandinavian style. lvory Blacks, Glasgow, Tue 79 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop) Alanis Morlssette Her commercial peak may have been her debut Jagged Little Pill but Alanis’ pointed emoting remains as affecting as ever. See preview, page 37. Carling Academy, Glasgow, Mon 18 Aug. (Rock & Pop)
3%: Future of the Leit See preview, left. Captain '3 Rest, Glasgow, Fri 75 Aug. (Rock 8 Pop)
2%: The Warlocks Their new album is an altogether darker affair so this tour should cast the trippy Californian rockers in a new light. Barfly, Glasgow, Mon 78 Aug. (Rock & Pop)
ti»: Camerata Scotland This excellent pre-professional orchestra conjure up a stirring night’s mix of sonorous elegance and understated harmony. City Hal/s, Glasgow, Tue 19 Aug. (Classical)
a: Midnight Juggernauts The Melbourne power trio have garnered some serious plaudits with their brand of intuitive electropop - should be another classic night at R-P-Z. School of Art, Glasgow, Thu 21 Aug. (Rock 8. Pop)
14-21 Aug 2008 THI LIST 33