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How are the Applicants?
Jeffrey:
They are feeling a bit groggy.
Paul:
Yes a little unstable after a night in a strange
venue with balloons full of gas.
Fidel: Yes – even the bar staff were pissed!
Is that allowed? I’ve also sprained my right
wrist quite innocently, it looks dead embarrassing.
I’m glad this interview is by email too,
as my voice is drowning in flu and mucus. Yuck...
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 The
Applicants |
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Are
you making progress?
Paul:
Yes, particularly this month!
Fidel: We are finalising our first Long player,
and hoping to tour in the summer. So yes.
How
has the single been received?
Jeffrey:
I'm not sure...I think my mom is still trying
to find a record player Paul: We haven't really
been told anything yet, but its seems to be positive.
We played an instore gig in Islington and went
all Country and Western. I think that helped to
sell none more copies.
Fidel:
Yes, it was APPLICANTS unplugged as it were. I
think it went a Lot better than the Utah Saints
unplugged session they did on the Mary Whitehouse
experience. I have no interest in numbers, but
we were played and mentioned on radio 1 and x-fm,
so I suppose that’s not bad for our first
proper release. Although I’m still waiting
for my stalker – I haven’t one of
those I’m afraid yet.
How
do you come up with your ooo, sound?
Jeffrey:
Copious amounts of research into the elements
of monumental sound.
Fidel: There are two guitar players, a minidisc,
and a sample box that’s makes Scooby Doo
sounds and white noise. I write all the songs
and make all the backing tracks, stealing bits
from wherever I can – to me it’s Like
a game – the world is throwing bad music
and bad TV at me, so I try and ball it together
and make something better... or on a bad day at
Least throw it back harder.
Why
are you adorned with fake blood?
Fidel:
Because sex sells. Jeffrey: And it keeps the skin
from needing too much oxygen .
Paul: And real blood is just too impractical after
a while. It goes crusty doesn't it, and then we
can't move.
So,
there will be an album?
Paul:
There is going to be one soon Fidel: yes. The
songs are pretty much completed, if anything we
have too many – so we are currently in the
process of whittling them down into the perfect
order for the Listener’s punishment. All
going well, we plan to have it out there in the
next two to four months.
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| The
Applicants |
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Is
it hard being an Applicant?
Jeffrey:
On all levels. Applicants never get treated any
other way.
Paul:
Generally, applicants are either unsuccessful
applicants or successful applicants, there's no
middle ground, is there? So yes that’s hard.
Can you imagine that pressure! Always being an
applicant, waiting to find out which you are??
Fidel:
Yes it’s hard on many levels. Some people
are too small-minded to like us because there
isn’t a drummer or bass player. In addition,
I feel very distinct and distant from any kind
of scene or even people generally, and that’s
basically how bands get on, from meeting and playing
with their friends... I don’t know if its
because I am inept socially or because our music
ticks too many boxes, but it can be difficult
watching people you know or played with get further
on, while you watch at the back wondering how
it happened.
Having
said that, we don’t make it easy for ourselves,
but I guess I wouldn’t have it any other
way. Logically speaking, being a perpetual applicant
means you will never get a proper job - but I
can live with that - I’d much rather do
this than work in a call centre. Besides, anyone
who tells you being a musician is a real job is
a complete idiot who’s living in an apple
advert. Being an applicant keeps you keen to impress,
and more importantly interesting.
What
question should I have asked you?
Jeffrey:
How do we make candy?
Fidel: why doesn’t Jeffrey want to buy sweets
out of the shops like everyone else? It saves
Loads of time and effort...
Paul: Rearranging these letters will reveal which
top London band, PANIC SPLAT? Fidel: That’s
a good description of us isn’t it, ha ha!
Applicants
gigs
26
Feb 2007 20:00
The Horse and Groom, Fierce Panda night SHOREDITCH,
LONDON E2
31 Mar 2007 20:00
The Dogstar, supporting Aela / Japanese Intelligence
Mind Control / Junkplanet / Fuck Buttons BRIXTON,
LONDON
Extrageographic,
February 2007.
Links
Applicants:
www.myspace.com/applicants
Brainlove
Records: www.brainloverecords.com
Extrageographic:
Applicants single
Extrageographic:
Formula Bone,
the band that Applicants formed from
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