Ikara Colt Manchester - 7th March 2002
Ikara Colt, if you haven't already heard of them you soon will. Blazing a trail of back to basics rock 'n' roll and forming at art school in London, this brilliant noisy racket is made by Paul on vocals, Claire on bass, Jon on guitar and Dominic on drums. Described by an enthusiastic music press as part of 'the scene with no name'/ art school rock/ the British Strokes/ White Stripes, constant comparisons they must be sick of now?
'Well we did go to art school and we are sort of a rock band,' muses Paul, 'so it's kinda true. An art school rock and roll band would have been nicer!'
The other statement that has dogged the band is the claim that 'after five years every band should be shot', but is this a case of one off remark or part of their master plan?
So, who has outstayed their welcome?
Evidently a bunch who believe in what they do, they scream 'sincerity' says Dom as opposed to the 'sex and hard drugs' the NME claim.
Regarding the new wave of British bands, Paul hopes that perhaps 'bands that are a little bit unconventional, a little bit different will start getting signed but as for a direct comparison to his contemporaries...
'We're not in it to compete with other bands, we'll compete with ourselves but we have our contemporaries, like the bands on this bill. Musically we're different bands but there's a certain kind of core belief, we all want to be good rock and roll bands. But we're not in competition with anybody, it's not what we're about.'
Away from the music, what else do they get up to...What's the weirdest thing you've ever done on your own?
And so we move on to the joy of touring. Just how good are you linguistically for those all important European tours?
Name one thing you love that's critically reviled.
And finally, with all the expectancy placed on their shoulders, how do they plan to set the world alight with their music?
So, Ikara Colt, great music made for the right reasons. If you fall in love with one band this year, make it this one.
The album 'Chat And Business' is out now, check out www.ikaracolt.com for more info.
'And we like the Strokes and the White Stripes but we don't sound anything like them at all!' Claire rightly points out.
Sighing, Paul begins 'it was said once and it's been mentioned a few times, we just feel that bands should quit at the top of their game, instead of just being left behind.'
'There are a few exceptions...bands like Sonic Youth' interrupts Claire.
'Bands that keep progressing, but you know, perhaps bands should think “hey, let's bow out with some dignity”, and that was all we were trying to say, of course saying “shoot them after five years” is much more quotable than what I've just said but it's what we believe' spits Paul.
'We can't name names really can we?' enquires Jon to Paul,
'No, we're not in the business of slagging other bands off...'
'But they know who they are!'
'Yeah,' says Paul, 'they know who they are definitely I agree with that. As long as you make music for the right reasons then if we don't like it, it's a taste thing, so there's loads of bands musically that I don't really like but they're doing it for the right reasons.'
'This could be really rude...' giggles Claire.
After much silence and hard thinking, Paul finally breaks,'Right then, I'll say it. Wank 'til dawn!'
'That's not weird though,' ponders Dom, 'it's natural! I was thinking more like I walked round Paris on my own once about 4 in the morning 'til about 8 in the morning, waiting for a coach. I thought that was pretty weird, I was on my own.'
'I got lost yesterday on my own for about 20 minutes in Manchester. Not weird, just a bit worrying,' says Claire, looking for sympathy.
Jon mutters darkly, 'When I'm on my own I hear voices!'
'It's ok to hear voices, it's when you answer them you're in trouble!' Dom says, visibly edging away...
'Merd,' Paul offers, 'it means shit. I was sent out of French for speaking French for doing that.'
'When we tour Europe we'll try to pick some up.' claims Claire
Considering this, Paul decides that one universal language is better, 'It's all right. Coca Cola, McDonalds...'
'Multi National Corporation?' suggests Dom.
Paul goes on, 'It's the Andy Warhol thing, “What's the best thing in Berlin - McDonalds, what's the best thing in Moscow - McDonalds, what's the best thing in New York - McDonalds.”'
'Ikara Colt, The Parkinsons and 80s B-Line Matchbox Disaster!' comes the reply in unison.
'It's like I said with bands, don't keep eating the past, we live in the here and now, you've got to face forward instead of facing back. That's what we're about' says Paul.
Claire - 'Well if people hear us and then start bands, surely that's good?'
Dom - 'Yeah, to inspire some young kids to come and kick our arse.'
Paul - 'In a little way that's a change.'
Dom: - 'It's a change, nothing major but every little bit helps. Keep chipping against the wall'.
Paul - 'And when this band is over, our consciences will be clear and we'll say we've done our best.'
Dom - 'But yeah, that's all you can ask for, sincerity and belief. And honesty.'
Jon - 'Leave the path free for the next lot.'
Dom - 'And don't outstay your welcome.'
Paul - 'It's a big fucking wall and it will be knocked down one day, even if we only succeed in taking a brick out,'
Jon - 'Someone else can take the rest.'