Live4ever Interview: The Rakes

After bursting onto the crowded indie scene in 2004, The Rakes have subsequently gone from strength to strength as many others have fallen away, and released “Klang“, their most well-received album to date in March this year.

As they prepare for a stint of US gigs, lead man Alan Donohoe spoke to Live4ever this week to discuss, amongst other things, jogging in New York, recording in Berlin and emulating Benny Hill in their videos:

Hi Alan, thanks very much for taking some time out of your busy schedule to talk to Live4ever – The Brit Rock Daily!

You’re debut was released around the same time as the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, when the British indie scene was all the rage, do you feel the decline in sales at the moment reflects a lack of talent with new bands today?

Alan: Hello. Probably just a result of peoples need for something new every year or so. I remember being into English music when it was exciting, then you get a bit bored of one thing all the time and move onto our USA cousin’s offerings. But some quality bands wouldn’t hurt.

Who are the current acts that are inspiring the band at the moment?

We’re all into different things – i think Matt likes Stockhausen and Phillip Glass, I like Bowie, watching good punk bands and recently getting into classical stuff – I figure there must be a reason why a song is still listened to for 300 years, right? Jamie likes Peter Andre.

You recorded your last album in Germany, saying you wanted to get out of London because the scene there is ‘dull’. Did a change of scene help to inspire the writing of the record?

Actually, i only said the London scene was dull to stir up and get press – there’s lots of decent stuff going on here – but now everyone hates me cos i said it was dull – shit-arses. Still got a lot of love for The Big Smoke. But Berlin did help us – just getting away from the distractions of home helps you focus and Berlin’s a nutty sort of place – made our album a bit wee wee wha wha.

You’ve been quoted saying the song 1989 shaped the making of your latest album Klang when you went into the studio to write and record it. How so?

It was the first song we wrote and its about Berlin – a nite out in Berlin and also about Berlin’s history as the chessboard for the last century’s ideologies to be played out on. Poor Berliners… that started the whole idea of us going to Berlin to record.

‘Klang’ was very well received when it was released earlier this year, are there plans afoot to return to the studio soon?

None at the moment.

You guys look like you’re having fun in your videos, do you have any input conceptually or do you go with the flow of the directors?

Differs per video really – we thought of the ideas for Strasbourg, 22 Grand Job, Retreat, Work Work Work, All Too Human, We danced Together, 1989 – erm.. all of our singles….

So how hard was it truly to concentrate and hit your lip sync cues while shooting the 22 Grand Job video?

For those readers who haven’t seen it yet: You were cooped up in a small office space with a dozen (yes we counted) stunning young ladies dressed in black skirts and white button down shirts. Now what’s so bad about a job like that?

No nothing bad at all – we nicked the idea from the Eric Prydz video – but its a bit cheap really – bit Benny Hill – we’re too clever and too well versed in women’s rights to repeat something as exploitive.

You have been strongly linked with fashion since the release of your debut album, would you consider starting your own clothing range, as Liam Gallagher has done?

If i did it would be exactly like the french label “April 77” – so may as well let the experts do it. anyway, far too busy to do that – that’s why its Liam doing the clothes, not Noel – Noel has to write the songs and take Liam out for walkies – he’s far too busy for other nonsense.

Do you generally like to tour or are you guys more comfortable at home and in the studio?

Personally, I love being at home – but the one thing i like about touring is meeting the Rakes fans – from writing a song in your bedroom, to getting it together with the band, to recording it, to releasing it – doesn’t mean anything until you see people getting into it – a great and exceptionally priviledged situation – thank you rakes fans!!!

What’s the most glamorous item on your tour’s green room rider?

Champagne???

Most bands say New York City is like a narcotic. They get a buzz from the citiy’s vibrancy and energy, love to work and play here. Do you have a favorite city like that and are you looking forward to anything when you hit the Big Apple in November?

I’ve actually gone off cities and prefer silence and calmness – think thats what happens when you’re in “punk??” band (dunno if the rakes are properly “punk”) for 5 years or so. But i try to immerse myself in NYC when i’m over there – by jogging in central park with Jay Z on my iPod and then getting a starbucks and a bagel.

Alan, thanks again and good luck on your tour, we are looking forward to catching your show at the Highline Ballroom, NYC in November!

My pleasure – thank you for the interview. Cheers

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Here are Alan and the lads having fun at the office: official video for “22 Grand Job“:

US TOUR DATES – FALL 2009

OCT 31 – LOS ANGELES, CA – THE ROXY
NOV 1 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SLIMS
NOV 3 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – THE URBAN LOUNGE
NOV 4 – DENVER, CO – THE BLUEBIRD
NOV 6 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN – TRIPLE ROCK
NOV 7 – CHICAGO, IL – SUBTERRANEAN
NOV 9 – TORONTO, ON – MOD CLUB
NOV 10 – MONTREAL, QC – PETIT CAMPUS
NOV 11 – BOSTON, MA – GREAT SCOTT
NOV 12 – NEW YORK, NY – HIGHLINE BALLROOM

More on the Rakes here: www.myspace.com/therakes