“I probably sound like a nerd!”
There’s some slightly dubious terminology being banded about surrounding The Cast Of Cheers’ latest album, ‘Family’. The album is being almost universally referred to as the band’s first ‘proper’ album. The reason for this is clear, albeit maybe a little flawed. In 2010 the band put out their self-recorded, self-produced, self-released LP ‘Chariots’ for free with the intention of getting themselves a bit of a fan-base before they did any gigs. The album went on to receive over a hundred and fifty thousand Bandcamp downloads, which would have seen the record go gold (by UK standards) had it been being sold. Without being too pedantic, that sound like a pretty good effort at a ‘proper’ album, no?
Admittedly the album made more of an impact in Ireland than it did in the UK but nevertheless, one way or another, it did the rounds online and paved the way for The Cast Of Cheers to come to record and release their first ‘proper’ album, ‘Family’. Clash recently caught up with Neil Adams from the band, who is guitarist and co-frontman along with his brother Conor.
The internet’s role in the band’s initial recognition isn’t lost on Neil: “We have ones and zeros to thank for our small success!” He said, followed by a pause, realising he may have just done his bit in allowing the math-rock stereotypes already circling the band to swoop in and brand their cardigan-cloaked subjects. However, his awareness to this, and his innately Irish sense of humour would have you think otherwise. “I probably sound like a nerd!” was his self-deprecating response.
The Cast Of Cheers might have a whiff of textbook indie about them, but they’re undeniably more Foals than they are Young Knives, and they’re certainly not shy of getting their hands dirty. “I’ve just come back from a big run to try to feel a bit better because I think we all feel a bit under the weather at the moment,” Neil began. “Of the last five days we’ve spent forty six hours in a little van driving to and from Germany, so... feeling a bit worse for wear!”
The guys had been playing Melt! Festival on the Friday of the previous week. In his Irish patter, Neil gave a little insight into that weekend: “We were watching Bloc Party after our set and it started lashing rain. We were getting absolutely soaked! We actually camped there that night; we were drenched lying in the tent trying to sleep so we could get up to drive to the UK the next day. Yeah! Rock ‘n’ roll!” He added, with more than a hint of parody about his tone.
The Cast Of Cheers aren’t about to be put off by a few less-than-glamourous travel arrangements, though. In August they’re playing Y Not? Festival, Reading and Leeds, and Belsonic in Belfast, before touring the UK, Europe and Ireland in September and October. “The schedule’s pretty hectic,” said Neil. “It’s been getting busier and busier over the last six months. We think we have a few days off then more things just keep popping up.”
At the time of speaking to Neil, The Cast Of Cheers were about to jet off to Australia to play some dates. “I’m actually surprised that we’re flying to Australia!” He told Clash, clearly dumbfounded by the luxury. “It wouldn’t be too far-fetched if our manager rang us up and was like, ‘yeah, you’re driving’. We call our van the Pink-Top Express because it’s supposed to be red but it’s faded so it’s pink. It’s really small inside and it smells really bad, so, I think, driving to Australia in that... I think we’d all just quit the band and work normal jobs!”
With the difficult second album now under their belts and receiving high praise across the board, the prospect of touring the new material (despite the van) is one that excites this young Irish troupe. “The basis of the band is to get people dancing live, and to really focus on the live stuff. The albums, we try to keep them as energetic and raw as possible,” explains Neil. “This time we got to work with Luke Smith [producer, known for his work with Foals on ‘Total Life Forever’], so he added a lot to the sound. He was able to give the songs really good depth. That tightness and punch, and for some tunes for the bass to be really big and others to have strong vocals, was exactly what we wanted.”
“Live shows are kind of like the forefront of the fun that we have. We all enjoy going to the studio and making the album, but it’s a totally different thing playing live. Sometimes, I suppose because of the radio play that the single ‘Family’ has got, when we play that, you can see loads of people singing back the words. I think that’s just really cool, it makes you feel like people are actually listening and enjoying it, so playing live is definitely the best part.” The next few months should be the best The Cast Of Cheers have ever had, then. Let’s just hope the Pink-Top Express holds out.
Words by Jim Pilling
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The Cast Of Cheers debut album 'Family' is out now.
Admittedly the album made more of an impact in Ireland than it did in the UK but nevertheless, one way or another, it did the rounds online and paved the way for The Cast Of Cheers to come to record and release their first ‘proper’ album, ‘Family’. Clash recently caught up with Neil Adams from the band, who is guitarist and co-frontman along with his brother Conor.
The internet’s role in the band’s initial recognition isn’t lost on Neil: “We have ones and zeros to thank for our small success!” He said, followed by a pause, realising he may have just done his bit in allowing the math-rock stereotypes already circling the band to swoop in and brand their cardigan-cloaked subjects. However, his awareness to this, and his innately Irish sense of humour would have you think otherwise. “I probably sound like a nerd!” was his self-deprecating response.
The Cast Of Cheers might have a whiff of textbook indie about them, but they’re undeniably more Foals than they are Young Knives, and they’re certainly not shy of getting their hands dirty. “I’ve just come back from a big run to try to feel a bit better because I think we all feel a bit under the weather at the moment,” Neil began. “Of the last five days we’ve spent forty six hours in a little van driving to and from Germany, so... feeling a bit worse for wear!”
The guys had been playing Melt! Festival on the Friday of the previous week. In his Irish patter, Neil gave a little insight into that weekend: “We were watching Bloc Party after our set and it started lashing rain. We were getting absolutely soaked! We actually camped there that night; we were drenched lying in the tent trying to sleep so we could get up to drive to the UK the next day. Yeah! Rock ‘n’ roll!” He added, with more than a hint of parody about his tone.
The Cast Of Cheers aren’t about to be put off by a few less-than-glamourous travel arrangements, though. In August they’re playing Y Not? Festival, Reading and Leeds, and Belsonic in Belfast, before touring the UK, Europe and Ireland in September and October. “The schedule’s pretty hectic,” said Neil. “It’s been getting busier and busier over the last six months. We think we have a few days off then more things just keep popping up.”
At the time of speaking to Neil, The Cast Of Cheers were about to jet off to Australia to play some dates. “I’m actually surprised that we’re flying to Australia!” He told Clash, clearly dumbfounded by the luxury. “It wouldn’t be too far-fetched if our manager rang us up and was like, ‘yeah, you’re driving’. We call our van the Pink-Top Express because it’s supposed to be red but it’s faded so it’s pink. It’s really small inside and it smells really bad, so, I think, driving to Australia in that... I think we’d all just quit the band and work normal jobs!”
With the difficult second album now under their belts and receiving high praise across the board, the prospect of touring the new material (despite the van) is one that excites this young Irish troupe. “The basis of the band is to get people dancing live, and to really focus on the live stuff. The albums, we try to keep them as energetic and raw as possible,” explains Neil. “This time we got to work with Luke Smith [producer, known for his work with Foals on ‘Total Life Forever’], so he added a lot to the sound. He was able to give the songs really good depth. That tightness and punch, and for some tunes for the bass to be really big and others to have strong vocals, was exactly what we wanted.”
“Live shows are kind of like the forefront of the fun that we have. We all enjoy going to the studio and making the album, but it’s a totally different thing playing live. Sometimes, I suppose because of the radio play that the single ‘Family’ has got, when we play that, you can see loads of people singing back the words. I think that’s just really cool, it makes you feel like people are actually listening and enjoying it, so playing live is definitely the best part.” The next few months should be the best The Cast Of Cheers have ever had, then. Let’s just hope the Pink-Top Express holds out.
Words by Jim Pilling
- - -
The Cast Of Cheers debut album 'Family' is out now.
