The Cribs: Back on the road and back to their roots

IF you have ever been to a gig by The Cribs you will see why they inspire such devotion.

I have seen thousands of bands but I have never seen a group that provokes their audience into jumping around with such fervour before they even walk on stage.

It’s not just the songs, idealism and frenetic delivery, it is the fact that you genuinely do not know what is going to happen next.

The band’s live shows serve as a metaphor for the way the band has operated over the past 10 years.

From courting controversy after telling an audience of thousands at Glastonbury that the mainstream attitude of indie bands was more pernicious than global warming, to having former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr join their ranks, judging what The Cribs are going to do next will often prove to be a fool’s errand. “I think people see us as being opinionated and as a result judge us,” says Ryan.

“I think if you are involved in music you clearly have got something to say and that essentially, if people are listening to you, you have a responsibility to talk about things.”

Around this time last year it was announced that Marr would be leaving the band and that left the band of Wakefield Jarman brothers, twins Ryan (guitar and vocals) and Gary (bass and vocals), alongside younger brother Ross (drums), once again as a three-piece.

Although fond of Marr’s time in the band, Ryan says that while they were working with him they had secretly been longing for their days as a three-piece and that they were now able to go back to their roots.

“We just played some dates in America and it has been essentially just us in the van together. I think a lot of bands after five albums just decide to go down the bus route and we did that on the last tour because Johnny liked it that way, but I find you get a lot more jaded like that.

“With the van you drive for hundreds of miles to the show and find that the whole process is really exciting and romanticised.”

Rumours circulating in the run-up to the release of their new record In the Belly of the Brazen Bull had hinted at the band’s return to being a trio would also see a revival of the more stripped down sound of the first records. Indeed part of the recording was done in Chicago with punk-rock guitarist Steve Albini, famed for recording Nirvana’s swan song In Utero and the writing process began in Ross’ garage in Wakefield.

However the band also travelled to Switzerland to work with David Richards who worked with stadium rock legends Queen.

The unlikely pairing of stadium rock and lo-fi punk may not be a natural fit, but it is a path that The Cribs are used too. Since forming they have never found themselves attached to any particular scene or movement, relying on their own enthusiasm and idealism.

“We have never really been part of any scene,” Ryan says. “Growing up around Wakefield we always felt like we were outsiders. We were brothers but we didn’t particularly have the support of anyone else, in terms of other bands who had the same sound.

“I don’t like the idea of being associated with other bands anyway, it means that when they say something you are linked with it.”

Ryan says that the band’s current living arrangement (Ryan is currently living with Ross in Wakefield while Gary lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife) has meant that the time the band does spend together is always time well spent.

“Gary and I have been really prolific. Whenever Gary comes over to Wakefield or Ross and I fly out to Portland, the levels of enthusiasm are massive. A change is as good as a break, and we haven’t had a break in 10 years.”

Speaking of not having a break when I speak to Ryan and Ross they are packing to head out on yet another tour.

Both Ross and Ryan say that the band was “reinvigorated” by the recent dates in the US and by the fact that the new album will be soon released.

“There is definitely a lot of excitement around this record,” says Ross.

“The new songs have had a really great reception when we have played live.”

A special hometown one-off gig – the first since 2007

The Cribs are set to play a special one-off gig in their hometown at Theatre Royal Wakefield next month – their first there since 2007.

The gig, on Wednesday May 16, is part of the Jack Daniels JD Roots Tour, will be free entry with fans told to apply via a lottery selection process through the www.jdroots.co.uk website.

Drummer Ross said that he and his brothers were massively excited by playing Wakefield again and that the venue itself would make for a grand occasion.

“It will be great for fans, friends and family”, he said.