Interview, The High Arts
In the back room of a dim North London pub WJ caught up with one of the capital’s most aspiring new bands, The High Arts, for a chat about dressing up, making music and some serious partying.
Pete, Matthew, Rich and Dan may have only been a complete line up for a short while but they are already proving that a new post punk revival is beginning to rear it’s head from the small venues of London’s live music circuit.
“We got together through a dating website” laughs Matthew, “through a mutual love of The Beatles and The Kinks”.
“We have a lot of influences but are definitely more of a rock band” adds Dan, “somewhere between The Ramones and Oasis.”
The band are fairly traditional with their live performances “We turn the shows in to a party, it’s a good show when people turn up!” says Pete. “Sometimes we try and do a show sober but it never really works out.” admits Matthew. Once Rich did a show in drag, that was a memorable gig!”.
Unleashing big guitar lead sing-a-long tunes the band may be modest in person about their ability to instill a catchy hook in the minds of anyone listening but on record and on stage it’s a different story.
“The first gig we ever did was at The Enterprise and the drum kit totally fell apart” says Pete, “we’ve never done the same set since and try to dismantle the kit for good measure”.
The High Arts have an extremely identifiable look about them and combined with their musical style could fall nicely back in time to about 1994 but their ability to scruff up the pristine mod scene that the likes of Miles Kane are injecting full of clean cut sex appeal is a refreshing middle finger to the mainstream hell bent on a cleanly revival. “People just must be ready to dance again”, says Matthew “It’s just boring isn’t it, we’re like anti Coldplay. I live over the road from Chris Martin, he’d probably fucking hate us”.
This is a band that like many before them are fairly traditional about what drives them. “It’s about the music and it always has been,” says Rich. “We have never claimed to be anything we’re not, we like getting on stage and playing our tunes and if people are into it then great, if they don’t then we don’t waste our time with them.”
It’s refreshing to see a band on the London circuit who haven’t set their sights anywhere in particular but at the same time the fear of losing momentum is one that has to play a role in the development of any band.
The reason this band so addictive is not fueled by a desire for fame and fortune, but the need to have a good time. “If we don’t enjoy it, then what’s the point” says Pete, a mantra that may have saved some famous friendships – Lennon/McCartney, Waters/Gilmour…
If you’re looking for a raucous debauched evening of good time rock ‘n’ roll we’d recommend you stop by a high Arts show in the new year, we can’t promise you’ll leave though.
Quick fire questions:
What’s the best band you’ve seen live?
Flying Saucer, an old Rockabilly band from the 70′s. Top guitarist and amazing bass player.
What’s your guilty Pleasure?
Guilty Pleasures are the thing of the devil. If you like something you like it. If someone thinks what you like is shit it’s tough fucking luck. It’s the same with people wearing things ironically. You’re not you just have terrible dress sense. Admit it and move on.
If you could banish any celebrity who would it be?
I’d banish Alan Titchmarsh. No! Sandy Toksvig. No! Keith Chegwin. No! Andy Peters. No! Simon Cowell. No! Krishnan Guru-Murphy. No! Gary Glitter. Yes Gary Glitter. Or Jonathon King. No! Wait Louis Walsh. I’m gonna settle for Louie Walsh. Yes, Louie Walsh.
If you could play anywhere where would it be?
Trafalgar Square, top of Nelsons Column!
What’s your best claim to fame?
My ex girlfriend went to primary school with someone who’s auntie and uncle were extras in Willow.
Wow, that’s a good one.
Words by Ben Welling
