Ignorance Is Bliss
Last month the eternally under-rated indie outfit The Cribs released Ignore The Ignorant, easily their most ambitious and critically acclaimed record to date. Catching up with the band in Belfast Edwin McFee talks to Gary Jarman and new recruit Johnny Marr about press attention and expectations as well as hearing about how the former Smiths guitarist has found a new home with the brothers from Wakefield.
Edwin McFee, 20 Oct 2009
Back in January 2008, the music world was left scratching its head over some rather strange news. It seemed that Johnny Marr, Smiths legend and all-round indie demi-god, had been working with Wakefield trio The Cribs on some new material. The following month it was confirmed that the 45-year-old legend was indeed a paid-up member of the band. Fast forward a year and a bit, and the quartet have now released possibly their best record to date, Ignore The Ignorant. It’s an event which comes as something of a relief for Mr. Marr because now he’s finally letting the music do the talking.
“I don’t have a problem with there being a story around the record and I understand the level of interest that’s been generated by me coming into the band,” begins the guitarist. “When it starts to overshadow the music and we’re more discussed about than listened to, it kinda misses the point. Now that it’s out on the shelves, all can be revealed and it feels really good that people are using their ears instead of their mouths.”
At the time of our interview, The Cribs are in Belfast’s Mandela Hall preparing for the second night of their tour. As is the norm at the moment, Hot Press is granted time with both Marr and singer/bassist/“one half of the twins” Gary Jarman (sibling Ryan plays guitar in the group).
As we speak to the two bandmates, each makes it clear that regardless of how juicy the story might be, their union is for the purest of reasons and that’s to make a kickass album.
“Our primary consideration was all about the way the band sounded and how we fit as individuals,” Johnny resumes. “What people are going to think of ‘the story’ and my past was a passing thought. It’s almost superficial when you’re concentrating solely on the songs and essentially that’s the main thing we’ve got in common. We take care of the music first.”
“Theoretically getting Johnny on board was a big deal and a scary thing,” Gary takes over. “The reality of it was different because we’re four friends who are into the same bands and who are playing together. We all had the same ideas and any kind of trepidation or nerves went out the window in the first few minutes because we wrote some new songs straight away.
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