Crying Out Loud - Feeder

Their own longevity in the music industry culminated in 2006’s ‘Singles’ compilation and in 2008 they are set to release their most ambitious record to date. Since the passing of original drummer Jon Lee in 2002, the band revealed a softer side to their music. Even though success followed, many fans chose to ostracise themselves from the new sound. Luckily, those cynics can march straight back with their tail between their legs because ‘Silent Cry’ is a forceful nod back to the heavier sound of their early releases. Violent strident stomping tracks such as ‘Miss You’ and the punk rock melodies of ‘Into The Blue’ are joined by some of Nicholas’s most daring lyrical endeavours. Sitting forward with childlike enthusiasm he describes one of his proudest moments on the record. “There’s this song called ‘Fires’ which is about a young girl who basically lights fires on mountains to try and get noticed. There’s a lot of quite introverted people and I based it on that period, which everyone goes through, where they feel quite alone. It’s quite a surreal little story that I had in mind.  Maybe it’s reading too many fairytales to my daughter,” he laughs.

Surrealism is a common theme creeping from Nicholas’s reflections on some of the more peculiar memories of his time in Feeder. He speaks of a gig for a group of gaming fanatics, a beer and oyster festival and playing in front of the Welsh National rugby team as some of the strangest. Of the latter, Nicholas explains his honour before I ask him if he’s proud to be Welsh. “Yeh! Too right I am especially with the Welsh Rugby team they’re bloody great at the minute. It’s good and there’s some good Welsh bands around as well.”

The pride of his homeland is not the only thing Nicholas speaks of with great fondness. He and Richardson have both welcomed new additions to their families over the years. Nicholas admits he’s still learning about fatherhood and is encouraged by his daughter’s enthusiasm for music.  “She’s only three but she’s always playing my guitar and she’s got a little keyboard and she sings, she’s actually quite musical she can hit good notes.” Richardson says of his own son: “I’d be just as happy if he wanted to be a doctor,” to which Nicholas laughs: “That’s quite a good job.”

Becoming a family man has enabled Richardson to celebrate a more disciplined side to his life. He has stopped drinking and appreciates the ways in which he has grown up. He states: “I think you’ve always got to be learning and growing in whatever area, be that educational, spiritual, just making yourself a better person. It’s not something I find easy but it’s something I want to do and am willing to do.” Richardson sums up his career and the reason he has found respect within himself by saying: “I’d say it’s about progress not perfection, live each day as it comes and be kind. Not very rock ‘n’ roll but hey”. A fitting end to the conversation as Nicholas jokes “its all gone very serious.” What should be taken serious though is Feeder are back and they are ready to explode again just like they did ten years ago.