The rightful heirs to The Chemical Brothers, Underworld et al…
Ahead of their set at Creamfields this summer, DMC checks in with three boys going right to the top…Gareth Donoghue welcome…
You all hail from Northern Ireland, how did you all get together in the first place?
“Well, two of us are from Derry, I’m from a town about 70 miles away called Dungannon, though Derry will always be the spiritual home of the band. How we met was that Gary was working as a DJ and promoter in various venues across Derry, Decky was a member in a different band at the time and Gary actually give his band their first gig. At the same time I was a bedroom DJ trying to get my first gigs. I was sending CD mixes out to various promoters etc. and one of them took a punt on me and booked me for a night in Derry, Gary was also booked to play that night. I was very much into using live samplers, effects and laptops for DJing trying to make it as live as possible, I think this caught Gary’s eye and we became friends.”
You have collected a host of awards over in Ireland including ‘Best Live Act’ and ‘Best Album’ and Best Breakthrough Act’ at the DJ Mag Awards in 2008. A lot of appraisal so soon, do you still feel you are only at the beginning of the journey?
“Yeah hopefully. Looking back the feedback after the first album was diffenately unexpected. We were doing this as a glorified hobby really, but then it just all seemed to kick off and here we are two years later. We have just finished the second album which I diffenately think is a progression, we are all happy with the way it turned out. The next step is to really build up the production on the live show, watch this space.”
You are playing the mutha of all dance festivals, Creamfields in August – who are you most looking forward to seeing over in Cheshire?
“Yeah its f**king great, Cream and Creamfields are so iconic, to be involved is wicked. There are so many good acts and friends playing, it’s diffinately going to be a huge party. Mix Hell, Crookers, Tongy and of course Plastikman. That show looks incredible.”
Your sound is very much made for the big stadiums and festivals, what is the biggest crowd you have ever played to – and where has been the best festival you have played at?
“I think the biggest crowd was probably Exit last year, I think that was about 25,000. The best festival for me was probably Fuji Rock. I used to watch that Underworld live at Fuji Rock show every weekend and to be on that stage, in that setting, I think I was the happiest that I have ever been, I had to be dragged off…”
What makes a great festival?
“Good weather helps I think, especially during the day, nobody likes getting up hungover in the rain. Access to semi clean toilets and for me the most important thing is to have lots of friends with you.”
What is coming out next from The Japanese Popstars?
“We are very excited that the first single from our new album is coming out at the end of May. It’s called ‘Destroy’ and features the legendary John Spencer. Album to follow at the end of the summer”
What has been your biggest festival disaster?
“We have never really had a festival disaster touch wood, though at Exit last year we didnt get a soundcheck, which really hampered the show I think.”
Which of your record’s is going to get the biggest reception at Creamfields?
“‘BCTT’ is definately a festival favourite, I think if the sun is out that will be the one. Also ‘Let Go’ which features Green Velvet on vocals, it’s killing it everywhere we play it at the minute.”
What tunes are on the tour bus at the moment?
“I have a playlist on my ipod of all the best power ballads from the eighties, over 120 killer cuts, no fillas.”
What other festivals are you looking forward to playing at this summer?
“All of them to be honest, we actually start festival season next week in Austria at Springten which we did last year and it was awesome, Laurant Garnier playing live with Goldie MCing in the middle of a mountain in Austria, whats not fun about that? Also Bennicassim, Rockness, Parklife, Victoria Park, Bestival, the Irish festivals are also huge for us, Life Festival, Electric Picnic and Oxygen!!”
Who out of you three, is the biggest pain in the arse to tour with – and why?
“Probably me, I have a habit of bringing the party back to the bus. The other guys like to act a little more settled, but its only an act.”
What’s the weirdest thing someone has thrown on stage whilst you were playing?
“I cant think of anything weird to be honest, just the normal stuff, shoes, hats, tshirts, not sure about bra’s, lets hope this year we get some bra’s. As long as it’s not bottles I dont mind.”
Ever camped at a festival? There must be a story there?
“There was one story about a certain festival in Ireland that the toilets were so bad, that some plucky entrepreneur was charging people £1 each for them to go to the toilet in his tent.”
What festival that has eluded you so far do you really want to rock?
“I really want to go to South America and have always heard great things about Creamfields in Buenos Aires. I think that would do me very nicely.”
What is the strangest thing on your rider?
“Fruit, I dont know why it’s there.”