CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS 175: COURTEENERS
Interview with Patrick Staveley
Joining us for another chat just months after the band released its seventh studio album is Courteeners frontman Liam Fray.
The Manchester rockers are coming to Australian shores for the first time in March for a four-date tour.
Starting with a slot at Wollongong’s Yours and Owls Festival on March 2, Courteeners will then play the Metro Theatre in Sydney on March 5, Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on March 6 and The Tivoli in Brisbane on March 8.
FMM: Liam, the Courteeners are coming to Australia next month. Is this your first time here as a band?
Liam: Cannot wait, cannot wait. First time! It definitely should have been before now. We’re like a coiled spring man ready to go.
FMM: Yeah, what has taken so long? You’ve been around for a while now.
Liam: I don’t know, you know. I think a lot of the time it’s touring, timing. I don’t know. Who knows man? But the timing’s now so getting ready to get stuck in.
FMM: I feel like you guys are coming to the right crowd. Australia and the UK have similar tastes. There’s a lot of bands similar to Courteeners here. Are you all looking forward to it just checking out Australia itself in addition to the tour?
Liam: 100 per cent man. I’ve got some family who are in Sydney. I think Conan our guitar player, he’s been over a few times. We’ve got some pals in bands. Everything everyone says is “you guys are gonna fucking love it”. When you start out, being on tour, rock and roll gigs, all that - it’s all a bit of a blur. We’re a bit older now so I think we can appreciate somewhere beautiful for a few days, rather than just getting in, having some beers, getting hungover. It’s like “no actually, I’m gonna take my time, and enjoy being in a beautiful space”.
FMM: Bands with that sort of pop-punk, Britpop, indie rock sound… that’s never gone away in the UK. I feel like there’s always been that appetite for that music. Is that why your success has been so consistent as a band?
Liam: Maybe! I think you’ve kind of nailed it, cause people might laugh but I think we are quite punky. There’s probably less sharp edges on this record than previous, but I think it’s like an attitude when you play, it’s not just the sound of the record. It’s like, how you are on stage and how you approach it all. I think we’ve been quite lucky with our fanbase. Although the lyrics are always trying to find a little bit of romance in the mundane cause everyday life’s shit enough man. You’re just trying to lift that for people. We’ve been doing this a long time now, but you feel a connection to people in the audience. They’re us, we were them. It wasn’t like we were these things from outer space. It was like ‘nah we’re you, you’re us’. It felt like we were kindred spirits.
FMM: You’ve been touring the new album Pink Cactus Cafe and played a few songs from it already. Are there any you prefer to play so far or ones that have resonated with the crowd most?
Liam: We were opening with Sweet Surrender, the opener of the album. I always quite liked that when the band opens with track one of the album because it’s like a statement of intent. This is album seven now for us, so it’s like 100 or more songs. What we’re playing live, you’ve got to pick 20 from that catalogue so it’s getting harder and harder. The other side of it is, when you have a new album, you’ve got to push that. We just did an arena tour in the UK in November, and they were still quite new and you’re finding our feet. We’ve been in rehearsals the last couple weeks, and they feel like old friends now, they fit seamlessly. Sweet Surrender’s gone down well, Pink Cactus, Solitude’s has been fucking class man. Solitude has been absolutely bouncing. It’s a bit of a curveball for us. We’ve got this indie guitar thing but then it’s like ‘look at this as well’. There is a real difference to some of the set. There’s the quiet moments with the acoustic stuff. It really does feel like we’ve got a few different bits to offer rather than being a one trick pony.
FMM: You’ve played a few covers over the years - Oasis, The Smiths and a song by the Arctic Monkeys I want to single out - Suck It And See. What’s the thought process behind choosing songs to cover?
Liam: Yeah we’ve done a few over the years. You don’t want to do it a disservice, that’s the only thing, you want to make sure that you do it justice. It’s always just a nice thing isn’t it for the fans I guess.
FMM: Are you across Triple J’s Like A Version in Australia? Have you ever received any offers for that?
Liam: Yeah it’s great isn’t it. No, but I think the festival (Yours and Owls) we’re doing is Triple J. I think when we get over, we’re going to speak to them and maybe something comes of it hopefully. Fingers crossed.
FMM: To play in a festival in Australia, playing to a big crowd here for the first time, what would that mean to the band - especially when you’ll have a mix of fans who already love your music, and some who may be discovering the Courteeners for the first time.
Liam: It’s exciting for me you know, cause it’s almost like you’re proving yourself again. I’ve got to be honest, even when we’re in the UK, even if you’re like at the top of the bill, I still go on thinking ‘are these actually here for us?’ I still have that weird imposter syndrome like ‘are they gonna be into this’. Things like Glastonbury, I think that’s the most nervous I get. Even now, we’ve done it numerous times. You’re never sure they’re there for you, so you’ve always got to win them over. For me though, it’s the fun bit. This is the payoff. You spend four years writing a record. You’ve done your best. You’ve done what you think is gonna connect. And it’s where you’re at in life as well - to then go and share it with people…you can’t underestimate how special it is. Honestly, fucking blessed to be out there and play it for people.
FMM: Before I let you go, I have one non-music related question for you. Do you think Manchester United have enough to stay up this season?
Liam: Ahh fucking hell. I was actually saying to a few friends…I’d quite like it if we’re in a relegation battle because it’s a talking point, something to get excited for. Nobody wants to finish 13th, 14th. Fuck knows what’s going on man. I believe in the manager, but it’s going to be very interesting over the next six to 18 months so see what happens.