Alex & Ben started Liner in '95, with James joining in '98 and Tom in '99. They released their The Pressure EP in June of '04, with a full length around the corner.
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I had intended for this interview to turn into an article, but sometimes, the interview flows better than an article possibly could. How's the album coming? Do we have an ETA yet? Ben: We are in the process of making it now and it sounds amazing so far. Alex: We've got through the hard bits and its finalling coming along now...It should be ready by the end of... What month is it? February? Late February end of March, 'till it's done really. Ben: I'd rather it take longer to do and it sound absolutley amazing. Has the recording process been smooth for you? Alex: Err the last three or four sessions have been quite tough, doing the drums is obviously stressfully (Laughs) Err, once youve got the drums youve got the foundation of the records and what were doing now is putting the Cherry on the top. Ben: The hardest bit is always doing the drums, with any record the drum sound, the skeleton has to be right and then you can get on with sprinkling. What’s a typical week like for you now that you’re on tour? Alex: No Showers. Smelly socks. Really enjoying been in a band and doing what we always wanted to do properley. Ben: Just learning to kind of live with each other cos like were all best mates and brothers and everything, it's a rocky road at times... Alex: We've learnt how not to wind each other up, put it that way, its just great to get out there and play live every night. |
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What have been your most memorable stops so far? Alex: I'd have to say the 100 Club Really, It was a great gig, all these people like Mick Jagger and they all came to see us... Ben: Shut Up. No I think the most enjoyable ones for me are the little towns, cos they really get into the gig and the fact that a touring band have come to their town. Alex: In some of the city gigs they stand there with their arms crossed you know waiting to be impressed , you go to small towns and they are impressed to see a band that know what they are doing, we love em we sell ,loads of CD's and enjoy playing to people who want to see us and hear our tunes. We played a gig down in Devon and got there and thought lets get out of here, it looked like Phoenix nights, a working mens club, but the gig was great 200 plus people came through the door and they had never heard of us and they loved it. There was no pretention , we played a blinder and people really seemed to get what we were doing. I like some of big city gigs aswell, like |
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Machester and London and all that but you have something to prove you come in as an outsider, that's cool as well we don't feel we have anything to be scarde of anywhere. It's really nice to play to people who don't give a shit what hair cut you've got or whatver and they just want to hear you, want to see you and hopefully buy your cd, its pays for the petrol. What do you hope to achieve with Liner? Alex: (Laughs) What don't we hope to achieve. Ben: You take every step at a time, what weve got now this developemnt deal the tour and a European tour coming up, and the album. A year ago that seemed pie in the sky and now it seems really normal and were gonna keep going like this. Alex: I think its fair to say were on the road to what we said we were gonna do when we were fifteen. I guess it would be arrogant to say were gonna do this, gonna do that, all we want to do is make a really good record at the moment. Were not talking about making a good record in terms of all the good bands coming out of Britain, I'm talking about making a fucking great album a classic record and I belive once its out there what we've been thinking about and working towards since we were fourteen will happen. What inspires you? Alex: Him (Points to Ben) Ben: Him (Points to Alex) |
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How much focus do you put on the creative end of your merch, cd jackets, websites, etc? Ben: In terms of posters, flyers and artwork, a lot of our own designs are used. Alex: We know what looks good we design a lot of our own flyers and cd covers, we've got some proffesionall people involved now but we have a lot of input. Ben: We're all very creative in that way and get very involved with any of the artwork that's got to be done, we have a strong idea of what things should look like which helps things to get moving more quickly when working with designers. How did you hook up with Solar Creations? Ben: I met Scott through playing on the Birmingham scene, Scott was almost like a mate promoting us and helping us out with no contracts and all that. We then signed a contract for one cd release and he was practically managing us and the right thing to do was to sign a management deal. Since weve signed the deal we've all upped out games and Scott's been the Boss . Alex: Chief Ben: (Laughs) Yeah the Chief Playlist (5 songs you’re really into right now) Ben: Anything by The Secret machines which I adore. Ermm yeah the new Secret machines album , the single off that. Alex: "Take me with you" (Prince), "Come on and feel the noise "(Oasis), "Cut Off"(Kasabian), "Killing me " (Echo and The Bunny men), "Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey" (Beatles) |
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