James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
1. What can we expect from the new album? Is it going to follow in the steps of the last single "Destabilise" or will it be something different? Expect the unexpected. this album is just as, if not more, diverse as the rest of our music. we've got huge melodic, epic pieces next to some ear drums bursting bass lines and thumping beats. It's got a lot of contrast but is definitely Enter Shikari the whole way through and sits together perfectly.
2. What is your attitude to touring in America? What are the main differences between touring in America and the UK? Size. America is huge and so spread out that means you have to do hundreds of little shows. Showers is another one, American venues very rarely have showers in the dressing rooms so we can easily go 5/6 days without a wash. No amount of baby wipes can cut through the grease. The poor quality of beer is something that we have to re-adjust to. Saying all that, the people are awesome and the shows are always great fun
3. What was your experience of working with a major label (Warner)? What are the major changes between independent and major record labels?
It's a lot harder to get things done with a major as it all has to run through their huge, bureaucratic money- driven machine. We're glad to be back on our own two feet and ready to really get to work with people who are in it for the love of music.
4. What is your opinion of the current British music scene at the minute? Has the split between 'pop' and 'alternative' music grown wider with the internet, or has it disappeared altogether?
I would have to say dubstep would be a UK explosion that can't be ignored. It is probably the biggest, newest and freshest thing to happen to music for a long time. It's opened up a world of dance music that a lot of people would never have known. Metal is feeling stale at the moment.
I'd say the effect of the internet would be more about giving people more access to a tidal wave of artists. You still get the soulless crap in the charts like [sic] black eyed s**ts just as much as you ever did but I reckon it means less now than it did 10 years ago, The only ones really caring about that are people that would never be passionate about music and just go along with whatever is pushed down their ears the hardest.
5. What is your opinion of illegal downloading? Can those downloading be arrested? Is it a viable way of providing word-to-mouth? How is it affecting the music industry from your experience?
You're not going to stop people from downloading so you just have to work with it. I've never downloaded music but am guilty of copying my friends' CDs which i think is a great way to find new music. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising and if illegal downloads means that more people are hearing our music, then coming to shows and maybe buying merch and generally buying into the band as a brand as opposed to just buying a CD then it's a good thing. The downloading revolution hasn't affected us as much as it has for bands that have been in the industry a lot longer.
6. What festival or gig venue do you want to play at most and what has been your favourite gig experience so far?
I think we've been lucky enough to play at all the venues and festivals we could ever have wanted to do, our only wish would be to be able to keep playing them. Reading Festival was always the one we'd go to as punters so to play that one always means a great deal. Every time we've done it has just been the biggest adrenalin rush ever, it almost feels like the homecoming show of the festival circuit. Last year I couldn't hear my own cymbals over the roar of the crowd. It's quite a humbling experience.
7. In what direction do you see Enter Shikari progressing in future years? You tell me? I really have no idea. I imagine we'll be doing what we do now, writing music and touring, at least i hope so.
8. Do you have any pre-gig superstitions? No. none of us are religious or superstitious in any way. as long as we've all been to the toilet before going onstage we're all good.
Enter Shikari will be playing at Leeds and Reading Festival later in the year
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