Words with: Franz Ferdinand

WAR! Doesn't it make you proud to be British? Well, no, actually, as any informed person with a conscience will tell you after the last two years' relentlessly hypocritical "War On Terrorism". It wasn't always the US who provoked them, however - way back in 1914, a certain Austro-Hungarian archduke by the name of Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a young Serbian radical, and the ensuing political developments rocketed most of the world into what was initially referred to as the 'Great War'. Nearly ninety years later - just after a dubiously-reasoned conflict between an impoverished (but supposedly dangerous) Iraq and a number of western states - it looks like something similar could happen to the musical world. A new Glaswegian quartet has usurped the name Franz Ferdinand, and their dramatically catchy art-punk leanings could well create something else truly historical. We caught up with bassist Bob and drummer/backing vocalist Paul during their recent stay in Liverpool, as a part of Zane Lowe's Gonzo Tour. So guys, whaddya reckon? Surely that name is something of a declaration of war in itself?

Bob: "Umm…well, it's a good theme, and we wanted to make it kind of dramatic."

Paul: "I think the alliteration in the name came first, and THEN all the connotations we could base on it came afterwards. We're all quite keen on historical stuff!"

Oh, that's quite disappointing. We were hoping you might be against something.

Paul: "Haha! It's a war on mediocrity!"

Fair enough. But we're sure you'd admit your post-punk arty pop stands out in comparison to the rest of Glasgow's musical history (Delgados, Mogwai, AC Acoustics, etc).

Paul: "Yeh, there was a real kinda chin-strokey thing going on in Glasgow for a while…I suppose we're going more for the pop jugular because that's the sort of thing we like to listen to. Good-time pop music that you can dance to!"

Bob: "I think we're a natural progression from what's been happening for the last few years."

Interesting that you should say 'pop' because you're frequently described as 'art-rock' (and yes, Gigwise is guilty as charged). Do you think that so-called 'intelligent' or 'arty' pop music can exist anywhere other than on the periphery of the mainstream?

Paul: "Well, there's Talking Heads, for instance! A lot of bands come from art school backgrounds."

Do you actually view yourselves as an 'art' band?

Bob: "We get called it so much that I think we're being brainwashed!"

Paul: "Haha! I don't know, what does it mean?"

It usually refers to people like Mark E Smith. He said he wanted to put a bit of intelligence back into music, which was a bit snobbish of him but there you go.

Bob: "Hmm, I dunno. I think we just want to make people dance."

So you're not out to promote yourselves as a part of any art movement or anything.

Paul: "We just like what we like, and that comes across in what we do."

Bob: "We've all had strong art backgrounds, but that doesn't mean we're walking pretentiously around thinking of a manifesto, y'know."

Fair enough. You've signed to Domino, though, home to Stephen Malkmus, Lou Barlow, Matt Elliott and scores of other members of the 'alternative' royalty. Do you think you've got what it takes to match up to their fine history?

Paul: "Oh, definitely, yeh! It's very flattering. They're one of the few labels that are completely independent - that's what attracted us. You look at the roster over the years and it's not dictated by any trends or anything - it's just good music."

In the wake of the 'rock revolution', do you think you're likely to stick to the guitar-based music that's got you this far?

Paul: "It's difficult to say. When we first started out we were making electronic dance music, 'cos that's what we were into. But that all kind of evolved into playing guitars."

That loosely sums up your first single 'Darts Of Pleasure' (for those of you who havent' heard, it's all angular guitar parts and thoughtful vocals over a stunningly catchy rhythm section and is pretty boss to boot).

Paul: "Haha, I suppose it's too late to say 'go out and buy it', isn't it? Two weeks after the release date is kind of the end of a single's shelf life!"

Enough small talk, let's cut to the chase: do you think you're the best band in the world?

Bob: "(Considers)…erm…yeh, I think so."

Paul: "You've got to say that, really, haven't you?"

Pfft! Go on, sell yourselves!!! What have you got that no-one else can offer the world?

Bob: "…Erm…I would say…because…we write good songs…and good…bass parts! Good rhythms, vocals, lyrics…"

Paul: "The lyrics are very important. We're very new to using the voice as an instrument and we want to do something different, but pop music is such an incredible medium! You get more exposure as an art form than anywhere else. It's sort of like…"

Revolution you can dance to?

Paul: "Yeh, that'll do! Good way of putting it!"

And that, basically, is Franz Ferdinand in a nutshell. They definitely want to do something big - they're one of the most enthusiastic bands this hack has met in some time - but at the moment they're struggling to find their own voice in which to say it. Their music sounds brilliant, but as of yet it remains thoroughly derivative. Their chief inspirations - dance music, Talking Heads and the evident spectre of XTC - were elementary in the development of modern music as we know it, and if these young tykes can take their template and push it even further, we could be in for something truly immense. They've already mastered the art of writing great pop songs, now all they need to do is fashion them into something unique - a notion well within their grasp. And that really is an idea worth fighting for.

(Gavrilo Princip was assisted by Will Williams)
Photo by Shelly Turner