The Wombats Interview

Liverpool’s The Wombats enjoyed a hugely successful set at Radio 1’s One Big Weekend and played some of the tracks from their new album “This Modern Glitch” The hugely anticipated second studio album was recorded in LA over the course of 2010 and went it at number 2 in the album charts in April of this year. Set to conquer the States, the band delivers 10 tracks that retain the immediacy and hook-filled sensibility of their stunning UK platinum-selling debut, 2007s The Wombats proudly present Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation, while introducing aggressive dance elements and a heavier version of their infectious alt-pop. Furthermore, The Wombats' album art for This Modern Glitch was created by legendary surrealist artist Storm Thorgerson, known for his iconic Pink Floyd album covers. The band released it to critical acclaim and they are sure to release more singles in advance of their Wakestock performance scheduled for the Saturday night this year.  We were lucky enough to chat to Dan from the band in advance of their set this year and he was more than happy to answer all the questions we put to him, including some submitted by our local Facebook followers!

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You guys are from far and wide. How did you come to form The Wombats?
We formed in October 2003 in Liverpool. Myself and Murph had been making and playing music together over the summer and decided to start a band. Murph then met Tord, who had just arrived over from Norway and was sampling some of Liverpool's finest produce in Hannah's Bar, and asked him to join. He said yes and so began 'The Wombats'.

You sound like you have got a busy summer coming up and you’ve been part of the festival scene for some time now, what are your favourite festivals, and what are you looking forward to this year?
Every festival has something different to offer which is why the summer season is so much fun. Glastonbury always stands out because it is one of a kind. European festivals are so well organised and they have great catering which is always a plus. We can't wait to play Wakestock as it will be our first time to headline a festival and maybe break a wrist or two trying to wakeboard!!! Considering the amount of touring we've done the vibe in our touring party is remarkable. We very rarely argue and when we do it doesn't come to much more than a cheeky clementine to the groin. I think we've learnt to give people space when they need it. Touring life can get hard so we have lots of group hugging sessions that often get a bit out of hand...

You guys are LIPA graduates. A load of people come to Abersoch from the Merseyside region. Have you ever ventured down this way before?
Growing up in Liverpool meant that any weekend break to the countryside usually involved our little caravan in north Wales so I'm no stranger to that beautiful part of the world. We were supposed to play Wakestock a few years back but it got rained off unfortunately so this year I think we're owed some real good bahama style rays.

You’ve been on the road for a few days now, where have you had the best response from a crowd so far?
We've just finished a tour around Australia where we played at a festival called 'Groovin the Moo' as well as doing our own headline shows. The response from the crowds was insane. To be so far from home and to have fans screaming and singing along to all our songs was really special for us.

You guys have been performing songs from the new album. How does it differ from your first release? Do you think fans of the first album will love this one?
The reaction to the new songs at gigs has been amazing so I think fans of the first album should enjoy 'This Modern Glitch'. The new songs were a natural progression for us. Over the last 2 years we developed a new sound which involves all 3 of us playing more synths than the first album. We experimented with programming also and generally tried to push ourselves to make the best album we possibly could. Performing the new songs took some work but now the live set has so much variety with the combination of both albums and is a real challenge every night.  I think the songs are similar to the first album but the emperor is wearing slightly more flamboyant clothing this time around!
What can people who have never seen you live before expect from your Wakestock set?
A mix of our 2 albums with some smoke and mirrors. Well maybe no mirrors but a bit of smoke, some fuck off lights, screens and we're hoping to get some 'lasers' (which is an acronym worth learning to impress your friends by the way…) but we'll see. Our shows are normally very energetic and if you've never seen an 87 year old man play bass and run around like a blue-arsed fly then come check it out.
Wombats are nocturnal – Are you guys night owls or early birds?!
Sometimes we have to be early birds and night owls when we're on tour as we get up to fly somewhere in the morning then do a gig that night. I think naturally we are crepuscular creatures…

Have you ever tried to Wakeboard?
I tried Wakeboarding when I was on l'Ile d'Yeu off the coast of France when I was 15 and I jumped on the board too hard whilst running at full pelt and fell off spraining my wrist for the 2nd time that holiday (the other was when I tried to cycle with no hands…then no legs at the same time. By the time I realised that was impossible I was in a ditch).

What music you listening to at the moment?
Just listened to a new album called 'Rome' by Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi. It sounds like a soundtrack to a western film with Jack White and Norah Jones singing some songs. It wasn't bad. Think I'm gonna stick the new Fleet Foxes album on now..

Why are you called The Wombats?
Because we needed to put a name on the poster for our first gig in Hannah's Bar, Liverpool and I think we'd been calling each other Wombo (the Wombat) and Charles (the Goat) around that time so it was one of the two. The Goats would've been quite good too.

Would you rather dance to Joy Division or get smashed and rave to Chase and Status?
Get smashed and rave to Joy Division...

If you could be an animal what would you be?
Well I used to get called the rat but not through choice! I guess if I was Lord Splinter, ruler of the sewers then I'd be happy but I think that job's taken. I'll go with an animal we got to hold recently in Australia, the Koala. I'd love sleeping 20hrs a day in a tree then eating as many leaves as possible before falling asleep again...

What other bands do you want to see play at Wakestock when you are not playing? And who's the best band you’ve ever seen?
Would like to catch Wolfgang as I met the singer in Australia recently but unfortunately didn't see them play and they're supposed to be really good. Biffy Clyro smash it every time and would like to see The Joy Formidable too as Rich Costey was mixing their album whilst we were putting the finishing touches to our album in his studio in LA and it sounded smart. The best band I've ever seen has to be Radiohead. We played on the same stage as them in Arras, France a couple of years ago and they were incredible. We're all such big fans of theirs and live they do not disappoint.

Jaggerbomb or Flaming Sambuca?
Jaggerbomb every time.

Who cuts Murph's hair?
His hair wears the trousers in their relationship so he just lets it do its own thing. I do remember one time we were on tour in Nantes, France and he went into the barbers next to the venue for a trim and came out with orange hair…