Interview: Lovvers

Taking on lo-fi, scuzzy blues, and bone rattling punk head-on in a free for all, Lovvers are here to slam mediocrity against the wall and slit its throat with their jagged post-punk sounds. They got together in Nottingham, released a bunch of class 7”s and are now signed to the wicked Wichita Records. So at the moment things are going well for the band, and with a tour itinerary that would make even the most hardened road warriors weary, the band are definitely making sure that they keep up the momentum. Fortunately for LeftLion, Michael and Henry from the band were able to spare a few minutes from their busy schedule for a chat...

For the people reading this who don't know who you are, please tell us who's in the band...
Hi, Lovvers are Henry on guitar, Shaun is the singer, Michael plays bass, and Steve is the drummer.

How would you describe the music you play?
Pop music for people who like good music.

Tell us one secret that you’ve never told anyone else?
One of us recently ran over a cat - accidentally of course!

What is your association with Nottingham?
It's where we formed as a band.

What's your opinion of the current music scene in Nottingham?
I don't think the scene is as good as it was when we all lived there but with promoters like Damn You! and venues like Chameleon and the Arts Organisation, it definitely has some good things going for it.

For you, what makes a memorable night out in the city?
Nowadays it's just going somewhere with friends who we haven't seen for a while and hanging out with them. Anything which does not involve going to Stealth, basically. For example the Annexinema short film nights at Stand Assembly or the gigs at Chameleon.

Your album Think came out in September. One of the noticeable things about it is its brevity; it's direct, straight to the point and just 27 minutes long! Was it a conscious intention to make the LP so short?
To begin with it’s not an LP, its an EP. I don't know where people get the impression it's an album, but it's not. It is direct and straight to the point. It wasn't a conscious decision; it's just the way the songs we wrote for the EP are. But seeing as it's kind of an introduction to us for people who never heard the 7"s, I think the length helps. It's hard to get bored of it anyway.

Your first releases as a band were a group of swiftly released 7"s. Why release your music this way instead of simply sticking up an MP3 on a website? What is it that attracts you to the format?
For us, the logical step when starting a band is to demo some songs and then put out a 7" - whether it is self released or on a small label. We were lucky and had a great label with 'Jonson Family' who wanted to put out our demo on a 7". We then did two more 7"s on that label as working with them was really easy. None of us have ever bought an mp3 and we all buy vinyl so it was an obvious choice. Also vinyl sounds the best, and all our recordings sound much better on vinyl than on CD or mp3. Even my dad said the same about the new 12".

After seeing you live a couple of times this year, I can honestly say the band is a great live act, and you always seem to be playing a gig somewhere. What do you enjoy most about playing live?
It's fun, you get to meet lots of nice people and get to see lots of places. We also get asked to play with bands we like so that's always good.

What's the worst thing about playing live?
Bad sound men.

What's the best gig you've attended as a punter?
It's a long list but seeing as this is a Nottingham-based magazine, my personal favorite Nottingham gig was Arab On Radar at Bunkers Hill.

What makes you want to write songs?
Thinking about having to go back to working an office job.

How does the songwriting take place in Lovvers?
One of us comes up with a guitar part or a bass part to a song and then we just build on that. We usually do it with just the guitars then go into a practice room and add drums. Pretty much the standard way I think.

What music have you been listening to recently?
Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Strange Boys, The Hipshakes.

If you could put together your own fantasy festival, who would you have playing and where would you hold it?
Captain Beefheart, The Urinals, Pavement, Holger Czukay, Warren G, Chromatics, The Replacements, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, German Oak, Screeching Weasel. We would not give a toss where it was held if those acts were on the bill.

What's the last thing that made you laugh?
What is the difference between Gordon Ramsay and a cross-country Run? One is a Pant in the Country...

What's the last book you read?
Raise High The Roofbeam, Carpenters by J D Salinger.

After what I can imagine has been a busy year, what's the plan for Lovvers in 2009?
We want to record a new 7", tour Europe again, then go to America. Record the album and release it in the summer. Tour. Play the festivals. Then more touring...

What do you get up to when not doing stuff with the band?
We all have girlfriends so I guess see them and other friends. Michael likes to cook as that's one thing you can't do on tour. Henry has another band and a solo project and likes to make funny songs in his attic. Shaun helps his girlfriend run her vintage clothes shop, and Steve rides his new bike a lot.

Lovvers debut EP Think is out in record shops now.