best feet forward
The state of pop music in this country hasn`t looked so good in a long time. For everyone that gave up hope when Jarvis Cocker fled to Paris, it`s time to put a smile on your face, things are changing. The Long Blondes finally released their debut album and showcased the world a master class in intelligent, heart ache pop. Camden jesters Art Brut have enjoyed success overseas off the back of their excellent album and proven themselves to be the closest thing we have to Pulp in this day and age.
But that`s not all. Our third beacon of light comes in the form of Morden four piece Good Shoes. Still enjoying somewhat of an underground fan base, they have proven time and time again that they know to write a perfect pop song.
Good Shoes are headlining the XFM tour, calling in at Glasgow, Manchester and London. It is here in the matchbox sized, graffiti riddled dressing room of Glasgow`s Barfly that I catch up with them in order to find out how they set about becoming one of pop`s saviours. Where did they come from and what influenced the music they make?
`We met at school and Tom is Rhys` brother. It`s as simple as that. We don`t really see why anyone would want to form a band by putting up an ad saying `bassist wanted` or whatever. Doesn`t make sense.` says bassist Joel
`David Bowie could be classed as an inspiration, but at the same time there are no echoes of him in our music, I think what influences us separately gets kept private to what we make as a band. We listen to a lot of our contemporaries, more modern stuff`
`I don`t really get how influences work`we just make music really“ says guitarist Steve
`There`s a common ground for all of us, things that we all like, but we don`t feel consciously inspired by anyone.`
`When it comes to the songs Rhys writes the lyrics so he`ll be able to tell you any stories or whatever behind them.`
`Not really man, just like, living life. Just the same kind of things you`d come across growing up in Glasgow or wherever. But as for constructing songs, someone will come up with an idea and we`ll all work on it. We rehearse in a shed normally.` says singer Rhys
`We`ll be returning to the shed, it`s good to know that it`s there for us`
One of Good Shoes better known tracks is Morden, a perfectly crafted tale about growing up in a dead end town filled with pound shops and knife carrying skin`eads. Jesus, sounds like the place where I grew up. And maybe that`s the appeal of Good Shoes. Intelligent, witty, unpretentious pop music that is accessible to everyone regardless of where you`re from.
`It is a small town. But it`s part of everywhere else, South Wimbledon and so on. I guess wherever I grew up I would still be writing about the same things, just different street names. Everywhere is the same more or less; I`m not targeting solely Morden. That`s why it translates to people across the country`
You`ve escaped Morden for the time being. Is being in a band the best job in the world?
`It`s the best of all the jobs, but it`s still a job, it has good sides and bad sides.`
`I think anything you do to support yourself is going to have downsides`
`Is there such a thing as a perfect job? I thi“
Perhaps we would have found out what Rhys` perfect job was, and we most likely would have if it wasn`t for the fact that at this point in the interview a man abruptly entered the room enquiring about where he can purchase a copy of Good Shoes debut single `Small Town Girl`. Two years too late surely? The 500 copy only single sold out a while ago.
`Ummm`try Ebay?` says Rhys
`I`ll give you my copy` says Joel
`What? Your only copy?! You can`t!` exclaims Rhys, clearly concerned at the reckless abandon with which Joel appears to be displaying
`I don`t mind` he replies, and one scribbled address and a conversation later the man leaves content.
Anyway, where were we? Speaking about life in the band or something to that extent`
`Yeah, it`s a great job but rehearsing is boring. I do all the artwork though and I enjoy that.` says Rhys.
Have you learnt anything since forming Good Shoes?
`That the music industry is a many tentacled beast`
`Being signed to a record label is a bit of a tightrope, it`s all about compromise, we can`t just do what we want. We`re lucky in the respect that our artwork and videos never get messed with.`
What do you still want to achieve as a band?
`To just reach more people and sell out gigs throughout the world`holy shit`I just realised that `Dustin`s Bar Mitzvah` are emblazed across the wall in here. So big I didn`t even see it. Yeah`we hope to be as big as Dustin`s Bar Mitzvah one day haha.`
Proudest moment so far?
`Getting home after playing Reading & Leeds festival and seeing myself on TV. Jo Whiley didn`t have a fucking clue who we were.`
The conversation winds down with the band venting their concerns that `Glasgow crowds don`t seem to get us` except for one occasion where they supported Be Your Own Pet and half the crowd ended up on the stage. The fact that this occurred after Good Shoes had left the stage, and most of the invaders were there simply to cop a feel of Jemina Pearl, seems irrelevant.
After a brief discussion about mix tapes, fan photos being used as single artwork and where is good to go in Glasgow on a Thursday night (the Art School, for those that don`t know already) Neu! Magazine leave the boys to prepare for tonight.
A few hours later Good Shoes grace the stage of the Barfly. They`re no stranger to a Glasgow crowd and have sometimes appeared to be a bit apprehensive when playing, worrying that they don`t seem to evoke a great reaction from the punters. But tonight is different, they put on their best performance yet. Perhaps it`s strangers milling in and out of their dressing room wishing them good luck for their set. Perhaps it`s the prospect of a nearly full house in attendance tonight (many have arrived for Dananananaykroyd and stuck around, good vibes still in flow). Perhaps it`s the drunken, topless idiot mixing things up in the front row. Whatever it is, Good Shoes play a blinding set, resulting in jerking calves and tapping feet. The audience are excited and the band seem to feed off that, giving as good as they get. The only downside to their set is the omission of fan favourite `Questions and Answers` but you can`t win them all, surely.
Like a well deserved pat on the back, the band and what seems like half of the Barfly heads up the Art School for a dance. All parties involved well and truly abuse the cheap drink promos and by closing time we`re all having drag races down a hill and calling friends to locate some after hours booze. Determined to make the night last as long as possible Rhys steals an unlocked bike and cycles around trying to find somewhere for the party to continue. After several failed attempts (including the ejection from a Gala casino) and a crash on the aforementioned bike we all decide to call it a night. After repairing the bike Rhys cycles off into the distance, flicking an oily handed V sign at our taxi.
`Stick this in your article! See you in March`
- Rough Trade - 18 August 2008
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