Setting The Rules: Protocol

“Embrace the gimp but don’t wear the mask. That can be the first line of the interview”. We have to agree that it’s a pretty good opening sentence from David Malik, keyboardist of Protocol. How could we refuse? Having made considerable waves last year supporting the likes of New Order, The Bravery and Hard-Fi, 2006 has already seen them make countless obligatory predictions of the year lists. Christ, even the teeny bopper’s favourite show, CD:UK, is clambering to run competitions to meet them. It seems they’re destined for good things then with their indie-electro-pop. Refreshingly, Protocol are feeling relaxed and are not even a little pissed off after their first full day of interviews. John, lead singer, says, “It makes us feel very important”.

Rather than play all the furore around them down, the lads are pleased with the reception their nu-wave sound is getting. Steven, bassist, says “My family saw the video for (new single) ‘Where’s the Pleasure’ on the telly over Christmas for the first time; that was definitely a moment”. Album ‘Rules of Engagement’ consolidates the band’s sound, which merges a fondness for all things Roxy Music with synth-pop harmonies. Dave elucidates: “It combines up-tempo, synth vocal with moments that show some of our influences”. Before John cuts in, “Yeah, There’s some U2, Buzzcocks, Magazine and others all in there… Our tastes vary but we’re really proud of it. We’ve been writing for 5 years but the album was actually written in 2 weeks. It captures a certain moment in time. It’s about the games you play in a relationship. We wanted it to sound like an album with a story rather than just a collection of songs.”

Better still, Protocol have been gaining a reputation as a terrific live band and the lads have enjoyed touring over the past year. James (guitars) comments: “It’s great to see the reactions to our songs. We take the time to talk to people after gigs and find out what they thought. We like it because the songs aren’t filtered. They’re just there for the crowd to listen to… Playing live is all important – it drives us. We’ve got a passion for it.”

Fortunately, Protocol aren’t content to sit on any laurels when it comes to their live shows. They have grand plans for the future, as Dave explains, “We can’t wait to be playing bigger venues. We want top-quality visuals so people are seeing a show and not just a gig.” Touring has also provided some good memories. “The drummer of the Paddingtons got cramp and fell off his stool. He’s quite a big guy and there were about five roadies on stage trying to pick him up in front of this big crowd.”

Moving on to digging up the dirt, of course, we ask did Dirt of The Bravery live up to his mad-man reputation? John feels confident enough to claim, “They were always up for a drink. But we were the last ones standing every night”. Steven adds, “We were in this bar and there was this really attractive blonde in there. So Dirt says watch this and walks up to her but she’s having none of it so he disappears home. Later on, the manager of the band wanted to know where he’d got to so rang him and he was back at the hotel shaving off his beard coz that’s what he reckons turned her off.”