65DAYSOFSTATIC (65DOS) are one of the music industry’s best kept secrets. They’re a music lover’s band. Guitar God Johnny Marr has declared his love for the group, while cult hero Robert Smith showed his adoration for the Steel City foursome by offering them the chance to support The Cure in America.
Sandman was lucky enough to meet band members Joe, Paul, Rob and Simon for the last ever Sandman interview.
“Johnny Marr’s an interesting man. He’s removed from the ‘celebrity status’ end of music,” notes Joe,
“Both him and Robert Smith made so much sense to what we’re doing. They know what they’re on about and they’re in music for the right reasons – it’s refreshing.”
“It was so humbling playing with The Cure,” admits Paul.
Supporting The Cure in America wasn’t 65DOS’s first tour abroad. In the last few years the band have been all over, from Moscow to Tokyo. But last year’s American adventure would have certainly seen 65DOS play at some of the biggest venues, to the largest audiences yet. Sandman enquires as to how it all went,
“America was amazing!” confirms Paul.
“The several weeks we were there could have been tiring but they were really enjoyable,” adds Joe,
“We made a real effort on tour and we feel better for it, as if life has a purpose.”
Paul agrees, “Every day was worthwhile, we didn’t waste a day there.”
One of the things the group seemed to learn was to be thankful for what they’ve got and to not be easily struck by grandeur. These are good lessons to take away from America.
“We had the cheapest tour bus in America but it was so luxurious,” remembers Joe, “the lounge was bigger than the old front room!”
“By the time we got to Madison Square Garden we just realised it was an arena like so many other venues across the world. It’s just a name, a big room really. I’d rather do the Fuzz Club to be honest,” reveals Joe.
On the subject of Sheffield gigs, 65DOS recently played in the city for what was their first headline homecoming gig in over two years. Unsurprisingly it was sold out. Paul explains further,
“We got to play several songs for first time and used loads of new technology. In fact it was our first show 1st show for in Sheffield for four months… [and] our first headline in Sheffield for over 2years.”
So what’s their excuse? Asks Sandman,
“We’ve been mostly writing and hanging around rehearsal rooms,” clarifies Paul.
“We’ve been moving rehearsal rooms a lot as well because of noise complaints – in fact we were in a rehearsal room for 24 hours last week!” adds Joe.
Rob also notes, “We’ve got quite a lot of history with Fuzz… it was sold out… [and] it was a homecoming… that’s always good.”
There was one recent gig that didn’t go down to well however, as 65DOS cancelled their scheduled gig in Barrow-in-Furness. “It was unfortunate,” sighs Rob.
Paul reveals why they decided to ditch the Barrow show, “We found out a week before that it was being funded by BAE so we didn’t take part in a gig sponsored by a weapons manufacturer, we were the headline act and it just seemed wrong.”
Some will understand this decision as a moral choice, and some will even applaud the group for making such a decision based on ethics instead of potential cash as Sandman do; however, some will see this as snobbery and a rejection of the fans in Barrow. But this is now a price 65DOS can afford to pay.
65DOS have graduated through the live music scene. They have played their unique brand of music to confused faces in empty venues to supporting The Cure at Madison Square Garden (still probably to confused faces). They have taken the good and historically proven name of Sheffield Electronica, albeit in their own form, to stages from Asia to Europe.
“No-one turned up to any gigs in first two years of the band,” claims Joe, “and we’ve had loads of problems that are par de course in any band.”
For example, 65DOS have had their fair share of illnesses.
“I threw up while drumming when we were playing in Germany, but just kept going!” admits Rob,
“and Joe once had salmonella while we were in Austen on The Cure Tour. Tell them about the Doctor Joe!” urges Rob.
Joe illustrates accordingly,
“This bloke came saying, ‘I’m Doctor Rock: Doctor to the stars!’ He was like Dr Nick off of The Simpsons! He stuck me on a drip then just left me. He only came back to ask if he could be put on the guest list for helping out.”
Sandman wonders how 65DOS would fair if they were to start out in today’s music scene, given the recession and other such problems that seem to be affecting the live scene, music production and falling demand.
“It’s getting harder and harder for bands,” claims Paul, “but positive things include the internet, which makes a lot of things easier.
“The mechanics of touring, indie promoters and radio shows which play odd music are getting eaten away by MTV and a handful of greedy corporations making money off it all. They’re quality controlling the market…
…I’m glad we’re not starting out right now, you’ve got to be in it for the long haul now more than ever,” states Paul.
Sandman asks 65DOS how they think Sheffield will be affected.
“It’s always gonna be a music city, it always will be, it always find a way,” asserts Rob,
“There’s good indie promoters [sic], original places and lots of interesting music going on all time.”
A positive prophecy for local music from 65DOS. Ending on a more personal level, Sandman wants to know what to expect over the coming twelve months from our beloved 65DOS.
“We’ve gotta make the best album we can make,” proclaims Paul,
“We wanna get it out at the end of this year, if possible, but most likely it’ll be early 2010… We’ll be spending all this year getting the album to the best it can be… We don’t want people to get bored with us.”
65DOS obviously have a bold vision for where they want to go, and Sandman believes they have the integrity to carry it off. 65DOS have a strong ethos,
“We wanna be the best band in the world,” states Paul,
“The important bands struggle to do that. We have to aspire to be relevant.”
Joe adds, “There’s too much music about, too much shit music. We need to dilute it. It’s a shame to saturate the market even more…
…Unless we’re putting stuff out that nobody else is doing then what’s the point?”
Sandman couldn’t agree more. It’s a poignant note to end on, both for this article and the magazine.
Both Sandman and 65DOS began around the same time, and both have seen a lot of action. 65DOS will no doubt continue their ascent into the stars. They have the right sounds and above all the right attitude to succeed.
However, unlike 65DOS, Sandman will be no-more. Charting the velocity of indie alternative sounds since the early 00s we have now descended into the depths, just like the current music scene. But, as the philosopher Boethius once said,
“Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it’s also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away.”
You can catch 65DAYSOFSTATIC at the following upcoming shows:
Dot to Dot Festival at Nottingham Trent Uni, May 24th
Digital, Brighton, June 19th
Thekla, Bristol, July 4th
Hop Farm Festival, Kent, July 5th
The Square Festival, Borth, Wales, July 25th
Supersonic Festival, Birmingham, July 26th
Summer Sundae, Leicester, August 15th
Bestival, Isle of Wight, September 11th
Interview by Liam Ronan
Photography by Andy Brown
Original feature: http://www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/features/65.htm
LiamRonan 