Incoming: Klaxons - September 2006 (RADAR magazine)

So called rave revivalists, Klaxons are one of the bands to name-check right now. RADAR was lucky enough to entrap guitarist, Simon Taylor, to uncover a little more about the band and find out just what this “nu-rave” title means:

“We basically invented the nu-rave name ourselves. We were just joking around, we wanted to invent a label and eventually we did. Then all of a sudden, you have people from the Guardian writing about nu-rave. We find it hilarious.”

The practice of attaching a fancy genre to a band is nothing new; various popular music publications have played their part in it and Klaxons are emphatic that the label does not define them totally as a band.

“It’s not something that bothers us. It’s a problem for some bands if you’re a band that can only exist in those borders but we’re completely confident that we can branch out a bit.”

Despite being slightly amused by their neo-rave credentials, it is not difficult to see where this has sprung from. Covers of songs such as the 90s rave hits, “The Bouncer” and “Not Over Yet” only work to solidify the claims. Simon is quick to point out, however, that their versions are somewhat different to the tunes of yore although a basic premise exists.

“We wanted to recreate that excitement about going out on a Friday night; the excitement about parties.”

It’s an interesting sentiment from a group of guys who had barely hit puberty at the height of the dance scene. On the other hand, they are keen to highlight the trail of thought that suggests bands can mix and match everything. James, the bassist, admits to being a Gwen Stefani fan; Simon prefers “weird noise stuff” and as a group, they share a love of kraut-rock bands, such as Cluster.

“Even as youngsters, we listened to Nirvana and Ash on one side of the tape and dance music on the other.”

Comparisons have been made in the press with the now-defunct, Test Icicles, notable perhaps due to the fact that Simon shares a house with one of the band members. He’s reluctant to say that musically they share common ground but he does have his own theories as to why such links are made.

“They had that element of high-energy music and made party music which is hopefully what we do as well. Test Icicles shook people out of that Whitechapel, dark, dingy Libertines-esque scene and with our album, we want to do that as well.”

At the time of the interview, Klaxons have been locked away in the middle of nowhere - a recording studio near Hastings in England, working on their debut album. James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets) is their main producer but the band have previously worked with Erol Alkan on some material and are keen to do so again.

“We’ve already done some stuff with Erol – it’s probably going to be b-sides. It’s a bit of a time issue with him but we’ll definitely be working with him again.”

The album is due for release in the second week of January – one year since things started taking off for the guys. It does not escape them how quick their rise to success has been.

“In November 2005, we basically formed a band, had one rehearsal, booked a gig a few days later and that was that. We had the intention that by February we’d have a few more gigs on the go. By the second week of January, we had management; record labels chasing after us trying to sign us and basically all our live dates booked ‘til May.”

It is pretty impressive, especially considering keyboardist James was drafted in under false pretences. Originally residing in Madrid, he was convinced by Simon and Jamie that he was wanted to front a band of girls back in London so he returned. Still, he can’t have been too disappointed as he remains here a year later! Both James and Simon had recently finished uni by the time plans came together about setting up their post-punk, dance band.

“I studied Fine Art and personally I think the music we make wouldn’t have sounded like it does if I hadn’t had the creative influences there. In terms of lyrics, the books I came across reading there are critical to where I am now. It does make a major difference having something to fall back on. I can’t even fathom not having any sense of direction.”

His grounding in Fine Art has been of benefit to the band – they are determined to stay involved in their creative process – doing artwork, working with friends of theirs videos etc. Being able to have a great deal of authority was what took Klaxons so long choosing their record label.

“I think some of the bands recently who have come out with second albums, you can see who has been influenced and immediately you can see whether a major label has had a say in it – even in advertising and merchandising. I think a lot of people can see through it and for us, it’s incredibly important to keep a firm hand on every aspect that goes on”

He enthuses about one of his musical stimulus - Liars Club, a small capacity club, in Nottingham, where he studied, that is well known as a starting ground for bands – Franz Ferdinand played one of their first shows there Things have changed now though – instead of being part of the crowd, Klaxons are now up on stage, having recently come from playing the Carling Stage at Reading festival.

“Reading was one of those life-changing moments. To walk out to four / five thousand people and knowing they’re there to see, it’s really weird. You play some gigs and you’re like ‘are they really there to see you, a support band?’ But to go to Reading and knowing people are there to see you… It was nearly a week ago and we’re still completely baffled.”

Looks like you’re going to have to get used to it, boys, as it seems Klaxons are only going to get higher and higher!

Next single, Magic, out 1st week October.