Having had their previous single, 'God', described a "blasphemous trash" by The Free Church Of Scotland, Attic Lights are back with a less controversial offering, 'Bring You Down' (released this week). With nods to Phil Spector's 'wall of sound' production style, the band play the kind of sunshine pop that will delight fans of The Beach Boys and Delays, albeit with a slightly darker lyrical slant. They recently recorded their debut album, 'Friday Night Lights', with Teenage Fanclub's Francis McDonald in the producer's chair and Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn & John fame adding string arrangements.
We spoke to guitarist and vocalist Kev Sherry.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
Myself and Colin [McArdle, vocals/bass] started writing songs together after we left university. Realising we had no chance at holding down proper jobs, the only other alternative was to sit in Colin's attic every weekend with cheap bottles of wine and write songs while the youthful gangs of Glasgow would be setting fire to things and causing havoc out in the streets. The attic was our oasis of musical calm.
Q2 What inspired your latest single?
Our latest single 'Bring You Down' is inspired by a bit of Phil Spector and a bit of Guided By Voices. We wanted it to be really catchy and melodic but also to rock. It's about not being able to communicate with your partner. About two people operating on different levels.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Normally someone in the band will bring an idea into rehearsals and we will jam it for a while with everyone contributing ideas. That's how the majority of our songs are written and that's why everything is credited to the band as a whole (plus it saves any egotistical arguments!)
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
When we started out we wanted to capture the harmony and melody of The Beach Boys with the sounds of alternative American rock bands like Pixies, Guided By Voices, Grandaddy and with a touch of the upbeat vibe of The Flaming Lips. That was our original vision and we have pretty much stuck to it so far.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Hope you like it, dude!
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single/album, and for the future?
Hopefully the single and album will click with a lot of people. I really love the idea of someone sitting listening to it and it really meaning something to them, becoming an important part of their life. That happens to me with loads of records, so it would be nice to think the same might happen with our record. The bottom line is, if we can continue to get away with doing Attic Lights for a living we will be happy. But, it would be nice to be the biggest band in the world. There's no shame in naked ambition!
MORE>> www.myspace.com/atticlights