C’mere! Interpol Toast 20 Years Of ‘Antics’

Released in 2004, Interpol’s landmark second album ‘Antics’ cemented the Manhattan band as a force to be reckoned with, producing iconic tracks like fan-favourite singles ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Evil’. Developing their writing chops from their first album onwards, accountable thanks to a relentless touring schedule, what followed would see the album celebrated through a reissue and a 20th anniversary tour.

Nearly two decades later, guitarist Daniel Kessler reflects on how the band avoided the sophomore slump to produce a modern classic.

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How did the live recording of your Mexico City concert, featured on the 20th anniversary edition come about?

The way that whole thing came about—playing that concert in such a large venue—was pretty extraordinary. Originally, we had two shows booked at a much smaller venue. But after the first night, or even during it, the floor was shaking so much that the crew had to hold down the mixing consoles. By the end of that show, our tour manager came in, white as a sheet, and said we had to cancel the second show. The only venue available was the local sports arena, which was a lot bigger. A decent number of people showed up, it looked great, and it felt like a perfect occasion to record. At that time, it was probably our biggest headlining show. I think that was our first time playing in Mexico. It marked the beginning of a very close relationship with our Mexican fans, and it’s a place we visit frequently.

What was the largest show you’d played before this experience in Mexico City?

That was probably somewhere on the ‘Antics’ tour. Our fan base was pretty balanced across the States, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere, so it wasn’t that one place stood out as larger than the others. But certain cities—London, New York, and others in Europe— have always been great. Mexico City was different, though; it was a huge step up for us. The fans were so incredibly enthusiastic, passionate, and present. It was an amazing experience to connect with them on that level.

You mentioned seeing The Smashing Pumpkins play in high school. Now, touring with them, do you still have those “fan moments”?

I hadn’t really heard them before I saw that show; it was right when their first records were coming out. Playing shows with them now and having casual conversations with those guys brings back memories of being a teenager and imagining what it would be like to play concerts. It’s easy to remember those first experiences of seeing them live—these are lovely little full-circle moments.

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What do you think makes ‘Antics’ stand out against the landscape of music released in 2004?

Our writing and recording process is very focused on expressing what we want, without worrying about how it will be received. Our first record was just music for ourselves, and with ‘Antics’, we tried not to overthink it. We wrote it between tours for ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’, returning to Brooklyn between shows to work on new material. There was no time off; the transition from ‘…Bright Lights’ to ‘Antics’ was fueled by being on the road and us growing as songwriters. ‘Antics’ reflects Interpol at that specific moment, and I feel it has aged well because we stayed true to what we wanted to express then.

Writing songs while touring your first album—how did that influence the final thing?

Touring and writing were separate; we didn’t write at soundchecks. Instead, we’d return to Brooklyn and get back to the creative side. It was a pleasure to switch into that mode, and even though time was short, it was enough. I wouldn’t have wanted more time for ‘Antics’. ‘Length Of Love’ was one of the first songs we wrote, maybe even while touring ‘Bright Lights’. Having that pleasure of writing during such a busy time kept us going, and I think it helped avoid the typical challenges bands face with second albums.

Was that your first experience of fans hearing a song live before its release? Was that strange for you?

I think we were excited about it. I was curious to see if people would like it, especially those working closely with the band. We might have previewed ‘C’mere’ before it was finished. But we wouldn’t have done that if we didn’t feel good about it or weren’t intrigued to see people’s reactions. There was no pressure for something new after ‘Bright Lights’. It was important for us to keep writing, so there was a continuity between the records, and ‘Antics’ reflects that progression.

As a musician, is there a particular song on ‘Antics’ that shows your growth from the first album to the second?

There are a few, but ‘Take You On A Cruise’ stands out. I love that song, and I still feel as strongly about it now as I did then. The verses carry different energies, united by the choruses, and the outro brings something special to the song. I think it’s a clear example of our growth. Paul’s vocal melodies, especially in the second verse, are very timeless. Hearing him work on them in the studio was one of the defining moments of making ‘Antics’.

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Have you felt that same enthusiasm recently with any new material?

Yes, we had a great writing session in New York this August. We didn’t record, but we accomplished a lot in a short time and planted some good seeds for a new record next year. We’re all excited about it.

How has it felt seeing the celebration of ‘Antics’ from the stage?

It’s amazing. It’s rare to see such enthusiasm for a second album. We’ve only played a few shows on this European run, but the venues have been beautiful, and it’s moving to see fans’ reactions—especially people who weren’t even born when ‘Antics’ came out, knowing every lyric. It’s a privilege to perform this record from start to finish.

Robert Smith once said that he thought Interpol had a “fantastically defined sense of self.” Do you think he saw similarities between your bands?

I don’t know if he saw similarities, but it was incredible when The Cure invited us to play the Curiosa Festival in 2004 with Mogwai, The Rapture, and other bands. It was a fantastic lineup, and The Cure were incredible hosts. Watching them every night was amazing; they have such an extensive catalogue and would mix up their setlists night after night. It was one of our most memorable tours—a bit like a traveling circus—and a lot of fun.

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‘Antics – 20th Anniversary Edition’ is out now. Interpol play London’s Alexandra Palace on November 8th as part of their UK-wide tour.

Words: Emma Way
Photo Credit: Pieter van Hattem

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