Brine and dandy

Fisticuffs with Faust, recording with Scrumpy and Western legends The Wurzels and a record launch in a Czech Embassy – not your usual interview topics, but then British Sea Power are not your average indie band.

A keen love of history, literature and science is evident in lyrical references that include Einstein, Dostoevsky and Field Marshal Montgomergy. The subject-matter of latest opus, Do You Like Rock Music? (a lush, epic indie-rock confection prompting comparisons to Arcade Fire – more on them later) is impressively diverse. It includes an ode to Canvey Island FC, musings on the campaign against ‘light pollution’ and on latest single ‘Waving Flags’, a heartfelt welcome call to Eastern European immigants.
“You see horrible headlines in the papers,” says singer Yan during my post-soundcheck chat with him and brother Hamilton in their Whelan’s, Dublin dressing room. “It’s not fair. It’s not what we think or what our friends think. We like those places and we like those people. It’s a weird concept to be against new people. Especially in a country that has been as integrated as ours for so long. So we thought we would write a nice welcoming song for them.”
“We did the launch last week in the Czech Embassy in London, that was quite interesting,” continues the singer smiling. “We went to the three Eastern European embassies and the Czechs were the only people who were up for it. They’re always up for a bit of fun!”
Production duties on the album were shared between Efrim Menuck (Godspeed You Black Emperor), ex-Arcade Fire drummer Howard Bilerman and Graham Sutton of Jarvis fame.
Back in 2002 the Brighton-based act toured with Mr Cocker when they supported Pulp. Sheffield’s most famous son declined a bird-watching invitation from the nature-loving troupe.
“We asked him and he said no. He missed out on a very exciting evening,” says Yan shaking his head. “He was with his girlfriend, she didn’t seem very interested in nightjars.”.
On their previous outing Open Season, the band worked with the legendary Bill Price (The Clash, The Sex Pistols). Did he have any interesting stories?
“Not really. He has an amusing dance he does when he mixes though,” notes Yann mimicking a half-shuffle/half-jog movement. “He takes his shoes off and has a shuffle. We didn’t really push him for stories.”
On the subject of legends, the group have had the privilege of recording a single with The Wurzels (of ‘Combine Harvester’ renown).
“A lifelong ambition fulfilled that was,” muses Yan, looking misty-eyed.
For the purpose of the project the band covered their 1976 hit ‘I Am A Cider Drinker’ and The Wurzels re-interpreted ‘Remember Me’.
And what did their version of a BSP track sound like?
“Saucy!” smiles bass-player Hamilton mischievously.
Yan adds, “Their version is great. I was in stitches when I heard it: (adopts thick Somerset accent) OOERRR!!”
He continues: “They made one of our songs more cheerful and we made one of their songs more depressing.”
Another collaboration was not as fruitful. In 2005 the band shared the stage with Krautrockers Faust but their performance did not meet with the approval of frontman Peron and the venture ended in fisticuffs.
“He gave me a sucker punch, right there,” says Hamilton, pointing to his cheekbone.
“They weren’t very friendly,” confirms Yan.
Hamilton explains, “They weren’t very nice. It was a collaborative concert and we turned up in the right spirit.”
“It was the kind of freeform experimental music where you had to do exactly what you were told,” interjects Yan laughing.
“I was out of my mind to be fair,” admits Hamilton. “But we were still alright, just trying to have a good time. I was so out of my mind that I barely even remember being hit.”
Another clash of a less violent nature occurred at a gig the night the band were signed by Rough Trade head honcho Geoff Travis.
“I used to do this trick where I jumped off the stage and would land like a crouched tiger,” explains Yann. “That night I landed right on his feet! I looked up, but he was okay. He always wears big shoes so he was alright.”
As our time is coming to an end I bring up the sensitive issue of Arcade Fire. When the band were starting out many people dubbed them the Canadian British Sea Power, such were the similarities. Now years later fate has dealt the two acts very different hands.
“I don’t really have strong feelings about it, I think they're a good band. We met them a couple of times, they came and visited us in the studio when we were in Montreal. Maybe they like some of the same things we like,” says Yan diplomatically, with a knowing smile.