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Taking their name from a Zen Buddhist saying, Leeds tykes 10,000 Things are about as far from a meditative experience as you can get. Spawned four years ago in Leeds, before it was today’s home of northern cool, they have been infamously described as ’The New Yorkshire Dolls’. However, they dismiss the fact that Leeds is now ‘cool’ completely. It ain’t just started this year, its just people have just started noticing. There‘s been shitloads of bands around for ages!’ they announce in unison.
They’ve hit the big time, brand new tour bus, (with individual bunks apparently!), big money (up to £100 a night) and a full crate for the rider!! Although, they still have to ask their tour manager, Rob, to sub them some money every once in a while - which he keeps tally of in a little black ledger. It’s certainly glamorous indie rock n’ roll for these lads!
Raucous live performances, lead singer Sam Rily’s swaggering presence and a clutch of instantly catchy songs have made the music press sit up and take note with big predictions forthcoming. ‘We’ve said every year is gonna be the year of the things since 2001 so it’d better be this time or we’re all gonna get bored!’ says Sam, staggering around the room looking like he hasn’t slept for a week. The band sit waiting to perform the Liverpool leg of their current UK tour, it’s 7pm, they’re not on till eleven thirty, and have been here since 4pm. Lets just say - they’re a little wasted!!
Their debut album is recorded and ready for release at the end of March, put down for posterity in darkest Lincolnshire with legendary producer Phill Brown. ‘We did it quite quickly, in a couple of weeks pretty much, in a lovely house in the countryside to keep us out of trouble.’ explains Sam, ‘There was one pub in the whole village, that was it, we didn‘t really see anyone.’ ‘Disused quarries that you could go tripping in though!’ chips in guitarist Will.
New single ‘Dogsbody’ is due for release prior to the album and the band have been encouraging their fans to go down to the filming of the video and star in it. They’ve also asked fans to film the gigs, ‘We got people to film themselves on the way to the gig, and at the gig, but I think everyone forgot their cameras.’ But this is not the only way the fans have being showing their love for the Things, ‘We’ve had fans making underpants, 10,000 Things underpants,’ Will laughs. ‘One of thems got “Eatings not Cheating” tattooed above their . . .’ explains Sam, pointing down below his trouser line. A reference to one of the most popular songs in the Things current set list, and apparently a free ticket into every gig. ‘She gets in any gig for free, ever!’ declares Sam. Will has other ideas, ‘We’ve got another plan for the fans actually. If you bring hash, weed or skunk to the gigs you get in free, and maybe a t-shirt too!’
The band recently played a gig with the iconic ‘Gang of Four’, a big influence on the band who perform a cover of ‘Damaged Goods‘.’ They were fucking brilliant when we played with them in Leeds, really good. They sounded fucking ace!’ ‘They said we had to play our cover of “Damaged Goods”, cos they’d heard that afternoon, or we were a set of cunts!’ says Sam. ‘They were leaning on the amps at the side of the stage moshing by the end of the song.’ When asked they list other influences as,’ Mushrooms and Yorkshire,’ I think we saw that one coming!
Up to now, bassist George has been sitting quietly without a murmur. There’s a reason for that we soon find out. ‘George has got the shits!’ laugh Sam and Will. ‘I’ve got some bug in my stomach,’ explains George, ’something I can’t pronounce!’ ‘I couldn’t go more than ten feet from a toilet for about two days so we did have to pull out of a few gigs.’ The whole rooms laughing at George’s misfortune and the fact that all the fans will now know about it, but who cares! ‘I’ve talked about my arse so much recently I have no shame left!’ says George, seeing the funny side.
There are plenty more tour stories to go along with George’s mishaps: Walking in on a member of another band pulling strips of skin off his genitals, ten people sharing a bed on their previous tour bus, breaking down on the way to every gig on a previous tour and generally being caned during the majority of their shows. On stage 10,000 Things play exuberant rock n’ roll with an energy its often hard to keep up with. Although, as many people have pointed out, there is nothing particularly new or different about their music it is without doubt exciting, out of breath stuff. Sam Rily is an excellent front man, more presence than Johnny Borrell and better voice than most of the other frontmen in Britain today. Its easy to see why many people, including Gigwise, had them in their ones to watch for 2005 at the turn of the year.
Live photograph by Michelle Evans
Video Shoot Photograph by Linda Chasteau
