Lauren Foster chats to Gary Jarman ahead of the band’s Coventry show...
The Cribs’ seventh album, 24-7 Rock Star Shit, was released last year. Can you tell us a bit about it…
We recorded it in five days and released it with no promo. It’s probably my favourite Cribs record.
How does it differ from your previous albums?
It has most in common with our debut, probably because of how quickly we made it. It’s the only record we’ve ever made where we specifically knew it was going to be non-commercial, which was very liberating - to not have to worry about all the industry stuff that, even subliminally, ends up seeping into the mindset when releasing a record. Surprise-releasing it, not doing any promo or servicing any songs to radio was very liberating, as it took that whole element off the table.
Why 24-7 Rock Star Shit?
Just seemed to typify a mindset, really. We felt that we’d already eschewed a lot of the usual formalities of releasing a record, so it was already a pretty serious gamble. We felt like we could get away with a name like that cos it wasn’t gonna be available in your local supermarket anyway.
The Cribs first became active on the gig circuit in 2002. Why do you think the band has remained so popular?
Hopefully it’s because the people who like the band get something from us that’s a bit less superficial than whatever is currently ‘on trend’. We’ve tried to represent a specific ethos and approach that operates outside of and independently from the pop-culture realm. Hopefully that’s what’s been translated to the people who care about the band, and they appreciate and understand that. It’s almost like we have our own small scene in some ways - the fans have always been really engaged and clued-in, which is just awesome.
The Cribs are a family band. Does being brothers have a greater number of positives or negatives?
More positives, for definite. The negatives can suck, for sure - you take criticism etc a little more personally cos you’re naturally defensive of your siblings - but the positives of solidarity, integrity and commitment to a specific vision are worth so much more than those trivialities.
How would you describe the evolution of the band’s sound?
We started off being pigeonholed as ‘lo fi’, which I always had a problem with cos we were trying to make the best-sounding records we could - we just had no money! We’ve always preferred the approach of passion over precision, so while the records were spirited, people thought they were ‘raw’ or ‘lo fi’ or whatever. We made a couple of records for a major US label which sounded technically better - and that was cool, I guess - but our heart has always been in trying to get the energy down, and we prioritise that above labouring over things for too long. I think that’s always something we return to.
Career-wise, what are you most proud of?
We’ve been lucky to tour and play shows with some of our heroes - the Sex Pistols, Queen, Dave Grohl etc - but I would honestly say that what we’re most proud of is having built a fanbase that believes in us and has been with us for 15 years. They’re the reason we’ve had four top-10 records and headlined Leeds Arena and stuff like that. It’s allowed us to operate outside the mainstream and still be able to sustain our momentum without having to constantly look over our shoulders. It’s hugely empowering and also humbling, all at the same time.
What’s your opinion of the current music scene in the UK?
We feel way more affinity with the new generation of bands that we’ve had on tour with us recently. They have to be DIY by necessity. They’re totally unspoilt, super-dedicated and motivated, and it’s by necessity. There are no major labels mollycoddling and throwing money at guitar bands nowadays, like there used to be back in the 2000s. We were always more DIY than our contemporaries, who were signed to big labels and had massive promo campaigns etc. As a result we always felt like outsiders. The kids coming through now are way more on our wavelength than the bands back then, who all expected success and fame.
The Cribs are playing Coventry’s Empire this month. What can your audience expect from your headline show?
We just honestly and sincerely put everything into it as much as we can. People who know the band know what to expect in terms of enthusiasm and effort. To people who don’t know us, it probably seems really wild and crazy, but to people who do, they know it’s just borne out of trying to make sure we give 100%, and that everyone who’s paid for a ticket gets their money’s worth.
Which UK city has the best audience?
Hard to say - Leeds is our sorta ‘hometown’ show, so is always really awesome. Glasgow is crazy, as is Manchester. But a lot of the time, when we get off the beaten path and go to cities that don’t get as many shows as the big cities, that’s where things can get really exciting.
And finally, what does the future hold for The Cribs?
We have a big stadium show with Foo Fighters in the summer, and we’re maybe heading to Australia and Asia - but this is our last UK tour for the foreseeable future.
The Cribs perform at The Empire, Coventry, on Saturday 27 January.
Lauren Foster chats to Gary Jarman ahead of the band’s Coventry show...
The Cribs’ seventh album, 24-7 Rock Star Shit, was released last year. Can you tell us a bit about it…
We recorded it in five days and released it with no promo. It’s probably my favourite Cribs record.
How does it differ from your previous albums?
It has most in common with our debut, probably because of how quickly we made it. It’s the only record we’ve ever made where we specifically knew it was going to be non-commercial, which was very liberating - to not have to worry about all the industry stuff that, even subliminally, ends up seeping into the mindset when releasing a record. Surprise-releasing it, not doing any promo or servicing any songs to radio was very liberating, as it took that whole element off the table.
Why 24-7 Rock Star Shit?
Just seemed to typify a mindset, really. We felt that we’d already eschewed a lot of the usual formalities of releasing a record, so it was already a pretty serious gamble. We felt like we could get away with a name like that cos it wasn’t gonna be available in your local supermarket anyway.
The Cribs first became active on the gig circuit in 2002. Why do you think the band has remained so popular?
Hopefully it’s because the people who like the band get something from us that’s a bit less superficial than whatever is currently ‘on trend’. We’ve tried to represent a specific ethos and approach that operates outside of and independently from the pop-culture realm. Hopefully that’s what’s been translated to the people who care about the band, and they appreciate and understand that. It’s almost like we have our own small scene in some ways - the fans have always been really engaged and clued-in, which is just awesome.
The Cribs are a family band. Does being brothers have a greater number of positives or negatives?
More positives, for definite. The negatives can suck, for sure - you take criticism etc a little more personally cos you’re naturally defensive of your siblings - but the positives of solidarity, integrity and commitment to a specific vision are worth so much more than those trivialities.
How would you describe the evolution of the band’s sound?
We started off being pigeonholed as ‘lo fi’, which I always had a problem with cos we were trying to make the best-sounding records we could - we just had no money! We’ve always preferred the approach of passion over precision, so while the records were spirited, people thought they were ‘raw’ or ‘lo fi’ or whatever. We made a couple of records for a major US label which sounded technically better - and that was cool, I guess - but our heart has always been in trying to get the energy down, and we prioritise that above labouring over things for too long. I think that’s always something we return to.
Career-wise, what are you most proud of?
We’ve been lucky to tour and play shows with some of our heroes - the Sex Pistols, Queen, Dave Grohl etc - but I would honestly say that what we’re most proud of is having built a fanbase that believes in us and has been with us for 15 years. They’re the reason we’ve had four top-10 records and headlined Leeds Arena and stuff like that. It’s allowed us to operate outside the mainstream and still be able to sustain our momentum without having to constantly look over our shoulders. It’s hugely empowering and also humbling, all at the same time.
What’s your opinion of the current music scene in the UK?
We feel way more affinity with the new generation of bands that we’ve had on tour with us recently. They have to be DIY by necessity. They’re totally unspoilt, super-dedicated and motivated, and it’s by necessity. There are no major labels mollycoddling and throwing money at guitar bands nowadays, like there used to be back in the 2000s. We were always more DIY than our contemporaries, who were signed to big labels and had massive promo campaigns etc. As a result we always felt like outsiders. The kids coming through now are way more on our wavelength than the bands back then, who all expected success and fame.
The Cribs are playing Coventry’s Empire this month. What can your audience expect from your headline show?
We just honestly and sincerely put everything into it as much as we can. People who know the band know what to expect in terms of enthusiasm and effort. To people who don’t know us, it probably seems really wild and crazy, but to people who do, they know it’s just borne out of trying to make sure we give 100%, and that everyone who’s paid for a ticket gets their money’s worth.
Which UK city has the best audience?
Hard to say - Leeds is our sorta ‘hometown’ show, so is always really awesome. Glasgow is crazy, as is Manchester. But a lot of the time, when we get off the beaten path and go to cities that don’t get as many shows as the big cities, that’s where things can get really exciting.
And finally, what does the future hold for The Cribs?
We have a big stadium show with Foo Fighters in the summer, and we’re maybe heading to Australia and Asia - but this is our last UK tour for the foreseeable future.
The Cribs perform at The Empire, Coventry, on Saturday 27 January.