 18/04/2007 A quiet revolution by some rather pale young boys and girls threatened to cause some real damage to the British music scene. Thankfully The Noisettes are stampeding into view with the aim of righting this wrong, with their blistering debut album ‘What’s The Time Mr Wolf?’ We called them to find out more and lead singer Shingai Shoniwa picked up as their car sped towards Manchester…
What is the Natural habitat of a Noisette?
A Quality Street box.
How do you imbibe a traditionally rock and roll sound with such freshness?
I think it has a lot to do with location because we recorded the album in California, Cornwall and Croydon. The freshness probably comes from Croydon, and the rock tradition comes from California. We recorded a lot of the album in Sound City in L.A, where Nirvana recorded ‘Nevermind.’ Also, our producer being strict and reining in our idiosyncrasies in the studio gave things a more rock sound. But then when we got back to Croydon after touring with bands like Babyshambles, we were able to get a bit crazy again.
You must be very proud of the album. How do you think it will be received?
Well, our Mums and Grans like it! So far in America all the old school rockers like it, and previously over here we were accepted by the underground music community, so we hope that it’ll be a going out record for a Thursday or Friday night. We’re lucky to have had good reviews, but because we were touring we weren’t around to have a reaction or throw up, which was good in a way. It seemed we were doing more in The States, so I’m glad it’s being well received over here, because I’d prefer to make it in England. England still has eccentricities that I thought the 90s and people like Simon Cowell had taken out. It’s nice to know that.
What secret alchemy happens in three-pieces that makes them more ass-shaking than the average band?
Incest.
Will 2007 be a good year for The Noisettes?
Definitely! Hopefully we’ll cope and carry it through. We’ve set the bar for ourselves so high now that we just have to stay fit and work hard. Go out drinking four nights a week instead of seven!
Where are you off to next?
Dan, where are we off to next? We were doing a gig in Wrexham last night and we’re just coming into Manchester now. We’re off to do some TV and radio with Mark Whiley I think. I’m not too good with names. But they said they have food!
'WHAT’S THE TIME MISTER WOLF?' IS OUT NOW (UNIVERSAL)
INTERVIEW BY KARL O'KEEFFE
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