The Surreal World Of The Twang

• 6th Aug 2007

Ant Standring gets around. This week he was chatting with and die-hard Baggies fan, Jon Watkin, (back right) multi-instrumentalist and resident bass player in The Twang. Here's how they got on…

It’s so commonplace to affiliate a bands sound with other bands running the same gauntlet. Arctic Monkeys and The Streets are obvious points of reference here. Being a fan of the now defunct Pusherman, The Jam and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, I took great pleasure in listening to The Twang’s acclaimed ‘I Love It When I Feel like This’ LP.

Comparable to Happy Mondays ‘Squirrel and G-man…’ LP, with it’s profanity propped and familiar, life affective songs, I took my chance to ask Jon from TT, (Phil Etheridge, Martin Saunders, Jon Watkin, Matty Clinton and Stu Hartland) a few questions about this and that and, of course, the other.

What was with you and your ‘Neon Twang’ (original band name) problem? How did that cause hassle?

We came under new management and it was agreed that after touring etc under the name Neon Twang, that a fresh start and perhaps the name change would be best.

I guess you guys like playing live, after the buzz around your Glastonbury and Oxegen performances. Do you prefer big crowds or smaller and more intimate venues?

It depends on the crowd itself and whether it’s up for a good time or not. We’re certainly not scared of big crowds like the ones we’ve played at various festivals. Having played many a main stage since, I think we’re undaunted by a big crowd now.

Building the reputation that you are, making it impossible to find a bad review about The Twang, is it difficult or do you feel pressured to maintain your high standard?

We’ve always worked hard and tried to maintain a schedule of practicing at least three times a week. I think the secret is to stay hungry and focused. It’s nice to play the big party animal rock star, but you’ve got to keep the music up to scratch. If we spot anything ourselves that we feel is a lapse, we scrap it there and then.

Your album came out as a special edition, double disc set, with five bonus tracks. Do you personally choose the artwork, formats or bonus material for your releases?

We chose the artwork from a selection offered up, so we mainly directed it and sent it in direction we were happy with. The bonus material was chosen by us, again from a selection that we had.

Winning the Philip Hall Radar award for best new talent, how good did that feel?

Surreal. We hadn’t even had a single out when we won it. We’d been signed for two months and then out of the blue, we were sat alongside Noel Gallagher and Shaun Ryder with people like Pete Doherty and Kate Moss across the room from us. It was ace!

How did The Streets mix of ‘Either Way’ come about?

We approached Mike who agreed to work on the track after hearing it. We were well honoured when we heard what he brought to the track, adding vocals and featuring Professor Green too. It showed what a great guy he is, putting in real time and thought as opposed to what is so often the case and just dropping a beat behind the music

I see Mark ‘Spike’ Stent mixed your album. Did you track him down specifically?

We were familiar with his work but it was our label who asked him to jump aboard. I’m sure he turns a lot of work down being the sought after man he is, so for him to mix the whole LP was again, a great honour.

Any dream collaboration you’d like to mention?

I’ve (personally) not really got any interest in collaborating at the moment. I think we’re too busy on our own material.

When you played your televised ‘Big Weekend’ for Radio One, Did you have any meetings of minds with your fellow performers?

We chatted with Jamie T briefly and a few times with Biffy Clyro. Other than that, we watched a boring FA cup final and spotted Chris Moyles doing the same. We left early after a couple of hours, before the beer kicked in and I started mouthing off!

Keeping with Radio One, you recently featured on a documentary of theirs, where you apparently did a ‘Huey’ (unfazed foulmouthed frontman of Fun Lovin’ Criminals who, for the same reasons, had a memorable interview with Jo Whiley), and innocently swore your hearts out. Have you had chance to listen to it yet?

Swearing is everywhere these days. It’s in the films you watch; it’s a part of life. I think that documentary came off well anyway. Yes, there was a bleep here or there, but we were just being ourselves. It’s the responsibility of the big wigs to decide when it gets broadcast isn’t it.

Danny Dyer is in the video for your new single ‘Two Lovers’ video. Anything personal behind that? Are you fans of his?

We approached him and he agreed. Ray Winstone's daughter (Jamie) was in it too. But Danny was really sociable. With his bacon butty and Sun newspaper, he just enjoyed filming in his home turf, the East End. He’s a real nice guy.

Sorry to remind you but you’ve got a busy live schedule ahead, with at least 37 worldwide gigs from now until November. What’re you going to do when it comes time to chill out?

Our first tour was thirty two dates and we’ve done twenty five on another. It’s ace really because we love playing live. But when its time to chill, we try and get away for a little while, but it’s good to catch up with friends and family too.

Thanks for letting us take up your time Jon.

Two Lovers is the new single from The Twang and is released on August 27th. I will be available on CD, enhanced CD and 7” vinyl.

Check out the official website for all information on The Twang:
www.thetwang.co.uk