Magoo, stalwart and talented indie rockers straight outta Narborough are holding a special Anniversary gig at their spiritual home, Norwich Arts Centre this month. We’ll be there to help them celebrate 25 years of making the noise that they love with an extended set featuring some old songs with some past players as well as some bang up-to-date recent faves with the current Magoo roll call. A history that includes playing Glastonbury, supporting Arab Strap, being signed to one of the hippest labels ever and seven album releases, they’re just about to release a new EP feat one of my favourite songs EVER, Ice Cave. I spoke to lead singer Andrew ahead of the show.
Why are you called Magoo? Mister Magoo is why. We needed a name and only had a day to come up with one. We liked the cartoon and me and Mr Owen were half blind. We’ve regretted it ever since. Andrew, you have an incredible voice. When did you first start singing? Why thank you kindly. I have always sung. Luckily my voice didn’t break too bad although I can’t quite do what I used to though. What brought the band together initially, and who were you listening to at the time? We just went for it even though Owen was the only one who could play anything. Initially we were listening to Te Stone Roses, Ride and Te Family Cat, quickly moving towards a Pavement/Flaming Lips world. Te band’s home is in Narborough, in the wilds of the Norfolk countryside. How has it affected your music, to write and record in nature? It’s basically no distractions whatsoever. Sometimes we record outside, sitting in the trees, with tweeting birds on our shoulders. How did you first get your foot on the ladder of musical
success? We made cassettes of songs and sent them about. Noisebox Records heard one and put out some singles, one of which Chemikal Underground heard and they offered us a little dealio. We also had a manager/friend type of guy back then. Tat helped a lot. What was the Norwich music scene like in the early 90’s? What were the popular venues? We played in a lot of different places back then, some of which aren’t about anymore. Te Arts Centre were the first to put us on - we played in the bar. Tere was loads going on, lots of friendly bands having fun and supporting each other and lots of promoters doing good things. Being signed to Chemikal Underground meant you got to play Glastonbury and in New York. What was it like being with that particular, well renowned label? Being on Chemikal was fab! We were touring, playing with some great bands, putting more records out and we got to play a few gigs in New York. We got Glastonbury through our old headmaster knowing
Mr Eavis’ brother. I think that the Chemikals were a little envious at the time. Everyone was lovely to us in that Scotland world. John Peel was a big fan of yours and you recorded several sessions with him. How would you describe his influence and involvement? We could not overstate the importance of Mr Peel. He played our records. He gave us seven radio sessions and was extremely supportive of us when not many others were. Also, listening to his programmes was the best musical homework you could have. We miss him muchly. You last released an album in 2012, and before that, 2006. What have you guys been up to during that time? We were always doing something, and we always had gigs to play, just not as many as our touring days. I record on my 8-track cassette machine all the time. We have a stockpile of 250 or so songs. It’s not as easy to do our stuff with the studio busy with other peeps. You’re celebrating 25 years in the ‘business’ at the Arts Centre, which you describe as your spiritual home. Why do you feel that way about the building?
Tey gave us our first Norwich gig and we must have played there 40 times over the years. We’re always looked after and the staff over the years have always been top notch with us. Tey sorted out our Blue Aeroplanes support earlier in the year which led us to publishing and record release possibilities in the near future. How will you choose which songs to play on the night? Will it be a selection of tracks from all your albums? It will be all kinds of everything. We’re re-learning at the moment, from a list of 20 songs. Andrew, what song would you play someone who’s never heard Magoo before, and why? Maybe it would be Expansion Ride. It has the energy and the strangeness we like.
LIZZ PAGE Read this interview in full at
outlineonline.co.uk
INFORMATION Magoo play Norwich Arts Centre on 28th July. Tickets available from
norwichartscentre.co.uk
OUTLINEONLINE.CO.UK / JULY 2017 / 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
