In Motion - The Cinematics

 

They hail from Glasgow; one of them is small, excitable, boyish, the other - taller and more masterful. For one moment, Gigwise wonders if there’s been a mistake and they’re not interviewing new Scottish band, the Cinematics, but rather – the Krankies. Worries are soon put at rest though as two more Scottish youths and a decidedly harassed looking tour manager wander into the bar where the interview is going to take place. And no wonder the poor bloke is looking knackered. The Cinematics are in the midst of a gruelling schedule; the weather is hot and sticky, they’ve just travelled up from London where they’ve been smeared in make up for a photo shoot, they’ve hurriedly sound-checked at the Barfly where they are performing tonight, to get to this interview, and are shooting off to Edinburgh tomorrow to continue their tour with Ambulance Ltd.

 

They must be a bit sick of this interviewing lark, so Gigwise ever the thoughtful interrogator, starts their grilling with these words: “You must be pretty bored of interviews at the moment, so if you don’t want to answer any of these questions feel free to say ‘fuck off – I don’t want to answer that…’” Gigwise smiles generously at the four lads and commences with the following (admittedly not entirely inspired question): “What has been your favourite gig so far?”

 

Wee Jimmy Krankie, aka Cinematic’s front-man Scott Rinning, jumps in as quick as flash with: “I don’t want to answer that – fuck off.” The rest of the band breaks into loud Beavis and Butt Head style laughter, while I write ‘SCOTT IS RUDE’ in big letters in my notebook and push it slightly further onto the table where he can see it. That’s the last time Gigwise will try the nice guy tactic, the little fucker.

 

I then direct the same question to Adam Geomans, the band’s bass player, who, not being rude, gives the following response: “I think probably a gig we did in Edinburgh - T on the Fringe - just after last year’s T in the Park. The best bands from T in the Park are asked to play at the Fringe and I’d say that was our best gig.” Scott, unable to stay silent, agrees wholeheartedly, “yeah I’d say that as well.” I pretend not to hear him.

 

“You’ve just signed to TVT Records, how are you finding it?” Scott jumps in: “It’s good – they’re all nice – I’ve met everyone in the company, it’s not some faceless corporation.” And now that they’re signed, what are their ambitions? Scott again: “Just to write good tunes that people want to listen to - and have fun while we’re doing it.” Gigwise must admit at this point, that Scott isn’t actually a little fucker, he’s just brimming with an energy and determination which make him impossible not to gawp at on stage. He doesn’t really look like Jimmy Krankie either – more a mischievous, baby-faced doppelganger of Alex Kapronos - and whereas the entire band is hugely amiable, Scott does tend to take the spotlight as much in conversation as in performance. When Gigwise asks in what way the band are – as their website puts it – ‘intriguing,’ he muses, “I suppose the sort of thing they mean is that generally our songs are about weirder things.”

 

Everyone is enthusiastic about working with Stephen Hague (Blur, New Order etc), “Oh that was fun – he’s a really, really nice guy,” enthuses Scott, “he knows what he’s doing as well…he’s really relaxed.” “Yeah,” Ramsey agrees, “he’s a really laidback guy to work with.” Gigwise points out: “Yeah, but you have to say that don’t you?” To which Scott exclaims: “No, no! If he was a cock I’d fucking tell you!” and Ramsey backs up; “If you met him, you’d know what we’re on about – he’s really cool and he knows what we’re doing.” Scott finishes off, “and I think he really likes our band and that’s really important if you’re working with someone recording – he likes the band, knows what we’re trying to do and we got on with him in the sessions. We’ll say what we do like and don’t like about his ideas, and vice versa, it’s a good working relationship.”

 

Talking of ‘good working relationships,’ Gigwise’s sordid and degraded mind turns to the subject of groupies: “Oh no, we’re all in relationships,” says Ramsey sweetly and the band nod in chaste agreement. A young band, more bothered about writing good music than snorting drugs off their groupies’ bum cracks?! It seems that they raise them well in the Scottish Highlands where the lads originate. And it’s definitely paying off; the Cinematics are one of Britain’s best fledgling guitar bands. With music that is heavy but not stodgy, contemporary but shot through with infectious eighties influences and fronted by a Krankie - sorry Rinning - magnetic to watch, with a voice that effortlessly alternates from delicate to intense, purring to soaring. Let’s hope they get the recognition they deserve.

 

The Cinematics are currently writing their debut album and will release their first single, the Stephen Hague produced ‘Chase,’ with TVT on September 5. Catch the band at T in the Park’s, T Break stage on July 10 and playing with the likes of the Proclaimers, the Bees, British Sea Power, Emiliana Torrini, Editors and the Black Velvets at the Tartan Heart Festival on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 August. In the meantime, check out a couple of Mp3s on their website: www.thecinematics.co.uk.