The Monochrome Set
There are very few bands I love. I listen to a broad range of music, and like most music lovers, what I listen to fluctuates as I uncover new musical treasures. However, there are a select group of 10 or so bands I constantly return to, and the Monochrome Set are one of them. I first encountered them as a 9 year old in 1980, when I was staying with an older cousin. He was into a wide range of exciting bands, some of whom even swore, and after every visit he'd pass me a tape crammed full of wonderous sounds; The Clash, 999, Joy Division, Buzzcocks, Durutti Column... One day, whist thumbing through his vast LP collection, I came across Strange Boutique by The Monochrome Set. I'd never seen anything like it, and so I asked my cousin to play it. I think I played that album about 14 times that day. I wore the tape recording out that he gave me in a month. I apologise now for this early act of piracy, but I was 9 and I did buy the album later. Honest.
The Monochrome Set are a hugely influential band - one of the most important in British Indie history. You can hear their influence on The Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, The Bluetones, Franz Ferdinand, Blur...the list goes on. Lauded by the underground press, without reaching the heights of mainstream success their peers achieved, but all the better for it. They are a gem of a band, an important part of British post-punk music. Lead singer Bid talks to tribe about the new album, Platinum Coils.
-Mark Doyle
The Monochrome Set are a hugely influential band - one of the most important in British Indie history. You can hear their influence on The Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen, Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, The Bluetones, Franz Ferdinand, Blur...the list goes on. Lauded by the underground press, without reaching the heights of mainstream success their peers achieved, but all the better for it. They are a gem of a band, an important part of British post-punk music. Lead singer Bid talks to tribe about the new album, Platinum Coils.
-Mark Doyle
Can you tell us about the new Monochrome Set album?
It's mostly about my ruptured cerebral aneurysm in July 2010- the time in hospital and few months afterwards. It doesn't sound very nice, but it's quite an amusing & pop-laden album, I think. The title, "Platinum Coils", comes from what they put in my head. You've had a long career - how has the music industry changed since you started in the late 1970's? Sales are a tenth of what they were. Audience attendance is much less. There are fewer venues. It's now near impossible for any new band to get anywhere. There is no longer any indirect patronage, i.e., paying young people to go to art college, and the like. Mmm...actually, I could be here all day... |
You are often described as a hugely influential band - how do you feel about that? Do you hear your influence in modern bands (I certainly do!)?
Yes, I hear the influence. With the stage set and songs, we were influential from the first year- we were always trying things out, and couldn't care less about what anyone else thought about us. It made us less successful, but more interesting! The Monochrome Set's sound is dizzying - it makes you want to move (at least it makes me want to dance!). It's very distinctive. How did that sound come about? Stuff from the 60s, mostly US. Also earlier periods of music. As I said above, we didn't care what people thought, or even wanted, although we did have a similar desire to burn the beards of ageing hippies and prog rockers. Thus, we made music that was naturally fun to listen to, and we also liked the idea of a lead guitar playing proper melodies - often competing with the vocals. |
How have the development of digital technologies and the internet changed the way you have produced and promoted your music? Has it had any impact at all?
It's easier to make demos of new songs for the band. It hasn't really changed our overall approach to recording, though it has made it much easier. Obviously it's easier to promote the music, but this is offset by the lack of any decent focusing forums (i.e., the weekly music press).
Can you describe your songwriting process?
Nowadays, I write the song, demo a basic version, and we work on it in rehearsal. It used to be slower, but not too much difference. Very difficult for me to say how I write the songs...! I have no control over that.
I read an article once that described The Monochrome Set as "the best British band you never heard..." I personally was always amazed that more people didn't know your music, or get into you during the post-punk years. Do you feel a sense of 'what could have been'?
These phrases some along and stick, for whatever reason. I can probably list quite a few bands who were huge not too long ago, but have now faded into nothing. You can't please everyone...and, indeed, if you're doing something "interesting", it's usually unlikely that you'll please the majority. It's often garbage that pleases the majority.
"What could have been"...no. I do what I can't help doing.
How has touring been and playing live? What has been the reaction to your recent tour?
Everything has been really good, since we started in 2011. The last UK tour was April this year, and was a great deal of fun- we've also been very happy to see such a mix of ages. In Japan, many of the support bands were fans of ours, and were very young. And the old people are good, 'cos they actually buy stuff, haha.
And is songwriting a liberating experience for you?
No, it's the opposite - I am a slave to the creature inside me that creates.
You have a reputation for humorous, eccentric songs and song titles - where do you draw your inspiration from?
I don't really know...oh, I guess I should tell you the story of how I saw myself writing songs, and not being in control, but it's long. It's to do with the brain damage I had, and how I periodically "blank out"...but don't stop writing. It gave me a huge insight into the creative process, and beyond.
What's next for the Monochrome Set?
We are writing songs now...and we'll just carry on until we die. And then we might take a hiatus...
It's easier to make demos of new songs for the band. It hasn't really changed our overall approach to recording, though it has made it much easier. Obviously it's easier to promote the music, but this is offset by the lack of any decent focusing forums (i.e., the weekly music press).
Can you describe your songwriting process?
Nowadays, I write the song, demo a basic version, and we work on it in rehearsal. It used to be slower, but not too much difference. Very difficult for me to say how I write the songs...! I have no control over that.
I read an article once that described The Monochrome Set as "the best British band you never heard..." I personally was always amazed that more people didn't know your music, or get into you during the post-punk years. Do you feel a sense of 'what could have been'?
These phrases some along and stick, for whatever reason. I can probably list quite a few bands who were huge not too long ago, but have now faded into nothing. You can't please everyone...and, indeed, if you're doing something "interesting", it's usually unlikely that you'll please the majority. It's often garbage that pleases the majority.
"What could have been"...no. I do what I can't help doing.
How has touring been and playing live? What has been the reaction to your recent tour?
Everything has been really good, since we started in 2011. The last UK tour was April this year, and was a great deal of fun- we've also been very happy to see such a mix of ages. In Japan, many of the support bands were fans of ours, and were very young. And the old people are good, 'cos they actually buy stuff, haha.
And is songwriting a liberating experience for you?
No, it's the opposite - I am a slave to the creature inside me that creates.
You have a reputation for humorous, eccentric songs and song titles - where do you draw your inspiration from?
I don't really know...oh, I guess I should tell you the story of how I saw myself writing songs, and not being in control, but it's long. It's to do with the brain damage I had, and how I periodically "blank out"...but don't stop writing. It gave me a huge insight into the creative process, and beyond.
What's next for the Monochrome Set?
We are writing songs now...and we'll just carry on until we die. And then we might take a hiatus...
