Words With: The Research

 

 

Gigwise: What was last night’s gig like?

Russell: “Rubbish!! Let’s talk about the other gigs.”

 

Gigwise: OK then, what’s been the best gig of the tour?

 

(This is actually true, but only on a technicality in that they were playing the same venue on the same day. The gig was marred, however, by the theft of some of their gear “bloody scousers”, mumbles Russell, clearly not having picked up on his interviewer’s North-West accent, which is particularly unfair as the most notable thing about The Research is that they don’t own much gear anyway. Mercifully, Russell’s beloved keyboard was spared the wrath of the scallies.)

 

Gigwise: Russell, is it true that your keyboard only cost £9?

Russell: “That is true, except I’ve got a bit of a problem. I think it’s almost reached breaking point. The whole underside of it is held together with gaffa tape.

 

Gigwise: In the video for “She’s Not Leaving”, you appear to only have a bare minimum of equipment. Has this always been the case and has it ever presented a problem?

Russell: “No, well we still don’t even have our own bass drum, but it’s never really been a problem for us.”

Sarah: “Yeah, we don’t even record with any extra equipment.”

 

Gigwise: Really?

Georgia: “No, because Russell’s tiny keyboard actually makes a deceptively loud noise anyway.”

 

Gigwise: So, what are your influences?

Russell: “Well I like a lot of pop music and 80s rock n roll: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty...(pauses)…Steven Segal. Have you ever heard Steven Segal’s band?

 

Gigwise: Er…no.

Russell: “Yeah, he’s in this bluegrass band who play Hank Williams covers."

 

Gigwise: So do you think Steven Segal and co. have influenced your sound?

Russell (nonsensically): “Well, I think they’ve influenced the way my right hand works on the keyboard…”

Georgia (throwing him a lifebelt): “Er…I like a lot of cheesy pop, Prince, Madonna, Tori Amos, that sort of thing.”

Russell (to Georgia): “You like a lot of really bad Motown don’t you? What’s that one that goes ‘I’m hot like an oven and I need your lovin’? (Chuckles to himself)

Georgia: “Marvin Gaye? Oh come on, you can’t beat a bit of Marvin!”   

 

Gigwise: So what material have you got out that we can buy or download?

Russell: “Just the single actually (‘She’s Not Leaving’). We’ve recently been down in London recording with Edwyn Collins.”

 

Gigwise: “What, THE Edwyn Collins?!”

Russell: “Yeah, but apart from that we’ve been really rubbish at recording.”

 

Perhaps they should start, because, as tonight’s gig proves, The Research have some excellent pop songs which thoroughly deserve to be heard on record. Plus, judging by the amount of gear they have, recording the actual songs can’t take more than half an hour. Just as Gigwise is about to leave, leaving the band to prepare for the gig, Gigwise is suddenly stopped in its tracks.

 

Russell: “What is there on the website other than gigs and wisdom?” (he is referring to the slogan emblazoned across the flyer I have just given him). “You see, wisdom encompasses quite a lot, doesn’t it…you see a news article, then you’re wiser for it, you read a review of a GIG and that gives you WISDOM,” he ventures.

Georgia: “Russell?”

Russell: “Yes.”

Georgia: Stop talking.”

Russell: “OK.”