I left Sheffield late last summer - so correct me if things have changed in the months since - but I have to admit to disillusionment with the state of the music scene there. As a small city with masses of students passing through, why aren’t the kids starting interesting bands?
Don’t get me wrong, there are bands in Sheffield who I love, but I’ve loved them for some time. Not much new takes my fancy. You could accuse me of falling into the trap of thinking the grass is always greener on the other side but I’m fortunate enough to have seen the very greenest of grasses. Well, more like sun-burnt-brown grass, that happens to be the other side of the Atlantic, in Texas.
Such is the strange nature of the UK music industry, it seems we are currently at the stage where fed up with the saturation of once-hyped-homegrown-bland-fake-indie-crud, the powers that be cast their eyes over to the American underground to find new musical saviors. Hip tastemaker blog Transparent recently put out a one of a string of hit singles by Fergus and Geronimo. As a side-project band from Denton, this seemed strange to me, not because of the quality of the music (exceptional), but because American DIY was once again the in thing. I exchanged words with Fergus, or Andy Savage as he’s usually known.
“One thing I think is interesting about the UK's underground music habits is that they aren't interested nearly as much in the more avant-garde bands that seem to be spearheading a major artistic movement in the USA right now. Brits go for the more straightforward, melodic, poppy (and I include us in this), because I think that goes all the way back to the British invasion, to Brit Pop of the 80's and 90's - it’s very familiar and recognizable. But I also think there is a uniquely American brand of underground music that is going on right now, very brash and independent, that doesn't get its dues over seas.”
Having visited the US in 2007, Denton was the place I raved about to friends, mainly for one reason, explained here by Andy: “Everybody I know works a menial part time job (if they are lucky), which allows them to focus all their spare time on being in a band”. Such devotion to art! What admirable rejection of finance based aspiration! Having described American educations as “worthless”, Andy continued to proclaim that creative endeavours are, “one of the last things we have to hold on to. If not art what else?”
Denton is a small city with a large student population. It probably has other similarities to Sheffield, but where it most certainly differs is the way people approach music over there. When trying to negatively contrast Sheffield with Denton, I suggested that there wasn’t much scope for pulling many people in to DIY gigs here, and was surprised by the answer:“I've been to Sheffield with (his other band) Teenage Cool Kids actually, it’s great. Best show of our UK tour I think just because the kids went absolutely crazy.” Crickey! Well, that disproves one point. But I knew nothing of this gig, which says a lot about the city and kind of proves another point. As far as a different approach to life goes, Andy had this to say:
“I do notice a difference in attitude though. I think people here are maybe less concerned about a future of working minimum wage at a shitty job. If you can reconcile with the fact that you aren't going to be making a career out of this, it stays fun a lot longer. At this point, nobody in this age group (early to late 20's) has any major responsibilities, so creating music and art can still be considered primary goals (imagine that). We are musicians and artists that live in Denton. Young and motivated.”
This approach is certainly reaping rewards. I’ve recently been digging a brand new compilation named ‘Denton Denton USA’ which offers a glimpse of the rapidly changing band scene. I wonder why there’s so many band’s playing awesome music? “Because its the same 7 guys doing it over and over in 15 bands!” I think the Sheffield music scene suffers because everyone thinks that things need to be done ‘properly’ here. All the bands think they have to record their demos in the studio where the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp recorded. There's very little DIY recording.
“Wow, that's strange… I don't know anybody who goes to pro studios. Everything Teenage Cool Kids, or Fergus & Geronimo has recorded we have done ourselves. Same with bands like Wax Museums, Uptown Bums, Strange Boys, Bad Sports, Silver Shampoo, Stymie etc. I can think of a few exceptions, but in those situations it’s just like "why don't you guys just let one of your friends do it, better?”"
It’s hard to consciously facilitate such a great scene. I ask if people choose to go to University there because of the group of guys churning out hits, or is at all chance?
“I wouldn't call it chance. Creative people tend to gravitate toward college towns. I came here because of the art school, as do a lot of people. Denton is a college town, which means it is a revolving door of young people. People are always leaving and arriving. It almost goes unnoticed. Culture forms slowly over time. I probably become involved just by meeting people with common interests, where we all just sort of came together and reached critical mass, and started cooperating in various projects.
Now that cool labels are picking up on the new US underground - bands like Magic Kids and Smith Westerns; I asked Andy if he planed to capitalise on this by coming over to the UK anytime soon. He said yes. They have gigs booked in London on the 19th and 20th July, and I’d recommend taking the MegaBus down to see them. Or hassle them to play in the north too.
Fergus and Geronimo: http://www.myspace.com/fergusgeronimo
Denton Denton USA is on Play Pinball: http://playpinballrecords.bigcartel.com/