Neu-Electro - South Central

As anyone who switches on the radio, flicks between music channels and reads the press will know the indie-electro crossover is everywhere and associated bands can be found plastered across the scene; although this isn’t to deny the fact many are talented bright young things, but rather that a failure to really look below the surface of the music has developed. And this is what makes South Central- a DJ duo and live band, very different.

The Brighton based five piece mix “electronic and indie music” and through a blending of different tastes and knowledge try to push their sound to the limits. As Rob (vocals) and Keith (DJ) sat down for a chat with Gigwise down in Brighton before going on stage to support Gary Numan explained, “We both come from Malta, we have a Danish drummer- Nick, and an English guitarist- Brandon and Chris the bassist who’s English as well”. “Me and Keith have a long relationship” Rob continues, “I was doing music in the UK and Keith was doing music in Malta, then three years ago I convinced him to move to the here. Before, we were both producing electronic and dance music but we changed completely into a rock band. So we’ve learned both worlds and mixed them together- it took a long time for us to make the 50/50 mix that works because indie people don’t like dance and the dance people don’t like indie but now it’s all come together and we’re here at the right time with the right music”. 

Having worked on South Central for about two years, they’ve come further, faster than most bands do but Keith still insists “It took us a long time to get the right sound and the right mixture of both worlds, and then it came together. Our first remix as was Metronomy from then onwards the sound developed”. In mixing two different genres it is always interesting to see which influences a band list, because you get a very good idea of the bands own sound then, with South Central not only do they have a varied list but they know their influences and music inside out and that makes all the difference between a good band and a brilliant one.

“There’s Joy Division, Bauhaus, Kraftwork obviously, Neu!. He Likes Siouxsie and The Banshees”, “Yeah I love them!” Rob beams, “I used to be very into The Cure and there’s loads of people who’ve inspired me…” “But those are the main ones” as Keith goes on. “Dance stuff and the electronic side of things…” “And drum n’ bass as well. We like Interpol- I love that sound” adds Rob. The Happy Mondays and the Madchester scene as a whole is something South Central love too as it was the first time indie and dance was really blended together and this reflects a lot of what they do, which aside form the band includes a lot of DJing and remixing on Rob and Keith’s parts. The Maccabees and The Wombats (which they’ve just finished and assure Gigwise that “it’s gonna be a good one!"), amongst many remixes both official and for ‘fun’.