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Over the past few years there's been something brooding underneath the London scene and although this musical monster has reared its head on numerous occasions, it has only been seen by relatively few. But now with the release of ‘The Legend Of Yeti Gonzales’, the band are ready to step into the limelight. After a series of issues with management contracts, line up changes and subsequent work on new material and inner turmoil, Yeti are stronger than ever.
The first member we meet is Mark Underwood who’s first words are “Hi my name is Mark and I’m an alcoholic” and assures Gigwise that “Graham (Blacow) can quote verbatim for any good comedy program; pretty much, John does a very good impersonation from Dungeons & Dragons and Andy is very helpful if you’re looking to buy a house”. Apparently Graham is “annoyingly good at all instruments in the band though he makes everything sound like the theme tune to Pot Black” and joined Yeti through an exaggerated ad, Mark is, or was, an actor and Andy went to the prestigious Yale University. But as this is all said with a wry smile it’s hard to work out whether they’re having you on or if they are as honest as the day is long. Yet with the next question we ask about the difficulty about breaking away from their past labels and associations, especially with that of The Libertines (band member John Hassall was part of the legendary group), and the band start shifting in their seats drawing themselves up to answer.
“I think it's only as difficult as you make it yourself” begins John, “If one has no problem asserting oneself as an individual band then people will react accordingly. It's all up to the protagonist. I don't mind being associated with The Libertines”. Graham continues saying “I don't think we'll ever shake off The Libertines association. The fact of the matter is they were one of the biggest bands to come out Britain in the last ten years and John was part of that so some people will always make that connection. In the early days you'd get a few people turn up to our gigs wearing Royal guard jackets and Libertines t-shirts, but it doesn't take long to realise that our music is nothing like theirs and our band has a completely different dynamic. So over the years we've built up a healthy following of people who like us for who we are and the songs we play... not for the band one of our members used to be in”.
“In an ideal world it'd be nice to see where the band would have ended up without all this Libertines stuff hanging over our heads,” chips in Andy before Graham continues: “ We've never been part of any scene as our sound is far from modern .so wherever progresses to, I’m sure we'll be outcasts”.
What they say is so true, Yeti’s sound is different, not just compared to The Libertines but numerous other influential bands that have graced the music scene in recent years. Drawing on the more indie and psychedelic sounds, along with more American country tinges on certain songs. Andy (Deian) comments: “It is more West Coast than East because the drums and bass are barely compressed. What you hear on the album is very close to what we sound like live in the studio. Most bands nowadays have producers polishing and enhancing their performances on a computer post-recording. It's what the A&R dudes demand.”
‘The Legend Of Yeti Gonzales’ is a real gem on an album which is strong but also gentle, dark and humorous, whilst at the same time smacking of disillusionment with the music business and twenty first century life. “There were no terrible experiences, just wanted to laugh at other people really. My life has been one long party mostly of the key swapping variety” chuckles Mark and the rest of the band as John carries on “I think it's a struggle to remain creative and inspired in life and in music. We've obviously had good and bad experiences. But that's all in the past. I think it's what we're doing now that's important”.
Their slightly sardonic humor comes across again when asked about the songs that down well with the crowd when Mark replies “Up the bracket seems to go down rather well…”. “Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder and Midnite Flight” says John, although their song about an insect eating man, quite a music hall style song which follows the vein of lyrical entertainers Flanders and Swan proved to be an instant crowd pleaser and may one day feature on a rarities album- “Bludgeoned Swan to death while Flanders looked to God otherwise he’d receive the same treatment unless he gave me the song…..its safe to say that gave me the song to save himself!” Mark jumps in again.
Although there aren’t any festival appearances scheduled for the band this year (“But we'd love to play a festival if there are any promoters reading!”) they say they’ll definitely be out promoting the album, especially as touring is something they all love, but until then, as John says, “Don't sell your soul to the Devil. Give it to Yeti instead!”
