To start with – let’s put things into perspective with a brief review of 2006. Since February this year the world has been spun on its axis by more events than Gigwise can care to remember. From Middle-East politics to Western democracy nothing seems stable anymore. Equally as inconsistent has been the musical landscape. A year for the Monkeys ‘they’ said – well what do ‘they’ know? A few festivals later and everyone suddenly wants to get their arms round glow sticks as opposed to round the neck of the ‘scummy man.’ How things change, eh?
With the year on its last legs, and while the North and South wax lyrical over who deserves the patented crown for ‘the most ‘real’ wordsmiths of the year,’ Gigwise meets up with three 18-year olds from the Midlands - Coventry to be precise, who have emerged as the years real surprise package – and guess what? They just “don’t give a fuck.”
Sitting on a staircase directly opposite the entrance to an exotic dancing class (which creates an obvious distraction throughout the interview; “There’s some good stuff coming out of there,” drools Tom Clarke, The Enemy’s lead singer and someone you’ll hear a lot from -whether you like it or not), the band are still in the embryonic stages and putting their name about. Along with Tom, there’s Andy Hopkins on bass (the ladies favourite – the Salsa dancers an understandable distraction!), and Liam Watts who’s like a whippet with drumsticks. They met through “friends of friends” and after finding they shared the same feeling of “boredom” with the monotony of 9-5. Gigwise joins the three-piece mid-tour supporting The Futureheads where they’re far from bored, and where their reputation is spiralling (despite the fact that according to Tom, “Futureheads fans all wear blinkers”). “It’s nice doing our own tour but it’s also nice playing with different bands,” Tom intrepidly states, “It’s good to get different people to hear us, it gives them a chance to make their mind up.”
Since their formation, people have been doing just that. If you do the ‘in’ thing now (that’s check Myspace for those still in the 90’s) you won’t find many bands who have assembled over 90,000 visits and 6,000 ‘friends,’ in eight months. Put one of their demos on and it’s clear why they’ve struck such a rapport nationwide. Tom puts it more candidly, “I just think England’s on its arse and all we’ve done is give the nation a wave, a prod and go it’s a bit shit here you know, and everyone’s gone yeah your right.”
Although they’re keen to put their opinion across through their music, they state on a number of occasions during the interview that that’s where it ends. Tom confesses that he’s, “not stupid or fucking naïve enough to realise you can’t change the world with music, because we know you can’t.” Now, Gigwise feels a disclaimer is necessary here - Tom is known for his forthright opinions which people will either admire or despise him for. Fuse Noel and Liam together with a Bunsen burner and they’d probably struggle to keep up at times!
He’s keen to point out that lyrically the band are Social commentators as opposed to Politicians, “I hate it when people do try and get political in music,” he slates. Not holding back for breath he continues, “Especially when you’ve got little posh cunts like Chris Martin with ‘Make Trade Fair’ written on their hand. I think that’s absolutely fucking ridiculous, because it’s never affected him for one minute.” It doesn’t come as a surprise to learn that the band’s (Tom in particular) biggest inspiration and the reason they’re doing what they’re doing is because of Oasis. Mention his Gallagher-esque swagger and you’ll draw a ‘heard it all before’ look.
So where does the band’s forthright personas originate? Well, their consensus spawns from their upbringing - all three live in the Holbrooks area of Coventry, which is somewhat notorious. However, it’s their sincere honesty about their situation and lifestyle that will win over the masses. They passionately talk about how major companies in Coventry, particularly Peugeot have succumbed to the industrial juggernaut (both Tom and Andy’s family’s have suffered at the hands of the job cuts), but Tom states that he doesn’t go out of his way to convey Coventry in his lyrics. He says, “It’s just what I do, you literally just look out your window and write what you see.” It’s hard to disagree with his sincerity, and despite their anger, they’re keen to point out that the Peugeot 106 rally was a “quality car!”
Live, this inspiration transcends into an explosive ‘post-punk’ spectacle which reminds Gigwise of the frenetic displays of The Jam. There are also traits of their idols (The Who, The Clash, The Rolling Stones…) that bleed out of their performance, although as Liam says, that happens “without knowing it.” It’s not a surprise therefore that Stiff Records have chosen to re-launch their catalogue with The Enemy (Elvis Costello and Madness both triumphed on the label). However, while the band are not phased by the pressure of re-launching an iconic brand, Tom admits that Stiff were initially apprehensive, until they heard the track (’40 Days and 40 Nights’) when, “they said straight off, ‘do it.’” Ask why they thought Stiff were attracted and you’ll get yet more confident candour, “Just probably that we’re a fucking good band.”
The Enemy can (and should) expect plenty of competition in 2007 from the likes of the Arctic Monkeys but they believe that their debut album (produced by Owen Morris – ‘Definitely Maybe’) will dispel the comparisons on the strength of its material alone. Tom puts it even more bluntly - “We can play our instruments and write chorus’, which I don’t really think any other bands can do.” Although they crucify their modern contemporaries, if it’s any consolation they’re not going to stop everyone from doing what they want- just don’t expect them to join in. Or as they put it, “Music scenes are a load of bollocks. If you’re good enough you don’t need to be part of a scene. Play what you play and don’t give a fuck.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
“It’s not about whose ranked where,” says Tom. “Stupid magazines and channel 4 TV programs give you cool lists. I couldn’t give a fuck – I’ve never said I wanted to be cool, you know what I mean?” Gigwise agrees with Tom (by now it seems wrong not to), and although they’re definitely not going to be the ‘cool kids on the block,’ (which will suit them just fine) it’s clear that come 2007, The Enemy will be the best friends you make all year.
Photo 2 by Sharjo
