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 Originally formed in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, the Young Knives
began their career "playing bad funk and Ned's Atomic Dustbin
covers", but it was their subsequent move to Oxford that saw their career begin to take
off. Their 'big break' came in 2002 with a successful set at the popular Truck
Festival, which was followed by the release of their debut mini-album The Young
Knives...Are Dead on local label Shifty Disco.
The band completed a lengthy UK tour in early 2006, and
supported Dirty Pretty Things and The Rakes later in the same year, fitting in
an appearance at SXSW in Texas and a terrestrial television debut on Later with
Jools Holland in June and their third single, "She's Attracted To",
was released on June 19, 2006. For their
forthcoming album, Voices Of Animal And Men they worked with Gang Of Four’s
Andy Gill on board as producer. UK Music spoke to House Of Lords (aka Thomas Dartnall)
What did you do today?
I went to a Chinese supermarket and went shopping. I didn’t
really buy anything but I got a really nice biro!
Why are you called The Young Knives?
We were called Pony Club before and then somebody else used
the same name and released a record under that name so we had to change it. In
the end we found an illustration in a book about Scottish Medieval History with
a picture of someone having their wig knocked off and it said “the young
knaves” underneath it. I read it wrong and started saying “young knives” which
ended up sounding cool.
So you’re not dangerous then?
No, we’re total wimps!
Did any of you study music?
Not really, but we all had piano lessons as children. I
think Oliver played the cornet and violin as well but he wasn’t very good at
it. I was rubbish at playing the piano; it was a waste of my parents’ money.
What kind of tracks do you have on the album?
It’s definitely a mix. The singles we’ve had out so far are
the funkier and upbeat numbers off the album. There are a few tracks like that
and then some darker, sinister sounding ones such as Coastguard which is about
a child being washed out to sea.
Did you enjoy touring? What was it like supporting Dirty
Pretty Things and The Rakes on tour?
We’ve done lots of tours on our own but when you get to
supporting people like Dirty Pretty Things it’s strange because they’re so
popular and have this massive fan base. We definitely learned a lot from
watching them. Seeing people going f**king mental watching them you start to
think, “We’ve got to step up our game a bit.”
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it
be?
There’s a theatre house in Japan which is amazing. It’s a giant
concrete bowl set in the ground designed by Stockhausen [a Classical composer]
with the best acoustics. I think the better gigs depend more on the audience.
We’ve done some really good gigs at pubs in Telford
and some sh*t ones in swanky venues.
How do you think the public perceives you?
As nerds! Most of the interviews we do are about our image,
which is fine because that’s how people judge things a lot of the time.
Hopefully when the album’s out people will judge us on our music instead. At
the moment we have pop singles out but the album has a bit more depth to it.
They will say that we have a really great album but we’re fat and ugly with
dirty clothes, rubbish glasses and crap haircuts.
How would you describe your fashion sense?
I think it’s all because when we were younger Jarvis Cocker
was the coolest guy ever and he had that charity shop chic thing going on. At
that point in time we started going down to charity shops and buying ties and
cardigans in the seventies. We never really got out of that habit because once
you start doing that you think, “but that costs 50p, if I go to Top Man that
will cost £25 for something effeminate.” I just can’t be arsed.
Have you been asked any weird questions in an interview?
The worst question was: Would you ever kill a prostitute? My
answer was No! It was on a military radio station [British Forces Radio] and
that was considered to be in good taste.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome to
get this far?
It’s about building a fan base to get to a certain point and
it’s really playing out all the time. You need to spend three or four years,
quit your job and play out four times a week all over the country so people
recognise the name of the band when a single comes out. Some people get signed
to a big record label and have huge billboard posters like Razorlight but that
doesn’t really interest me.
Would you ever move to a major label?
I’d never say never but I’m very weary of that. Our label
obtains some funding from Warner Bros even though they’re not a subsidiary they
get some free advertising and help out a bit. Major labels are really pushy and
are only interested in your artistic vision to a certain extent. If you could
survive without a major label it’s probably better to keep your integrity.
Do you get a lot of attention from females now that you’re
making it in the music industry?
If you’re in a band and you’re doing well you feel more
confident in yourself which is more attractive. I have just met a really nice
girl that I’m in love with so I don’t notice the attention anymore.
The debut album Voices of Animals and Men is released on
August 21st preceded by the single Weekends And Bleak Days (Hot
Summer) on the 14th.
Official website: www.theyoungknives.com or www.myspace.com/theyoungknives
By Rashmi Shastri
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