The Libertines drummer Gary Powell has spoken to ClashMusic about life after the indie icons.
Returning for a high profile slot at Reading and Leeds, The Libertines have slunk back into the shadows. Carl Barat is preparing a solo album, Pete Doherty has returned to Babyshambles and drummer Gary Powell is working on a new project.
Forming The Invasion Of… with a few close friends, Gary Powell reveals some latent songwriting abilities. Taking a back seat in previous ventures, the drummer has proved to be the main songwriting force in the new group.
Set to launch their new EP ‘373’ this October, Gary Powell spoke to ClashMusic about recruiting some close friends for his new band.
“It’s more about the personalities of everyone involved rather than anything else. Especially when you’re making music it’s an emotional endeavour” he said.
“People have to give a lot up. So it needs to be someone I get on well with, someone I knew on a very personal level. Rather than someone who I deem to be a great musician. Luckily for me I’m in the position where the people I know are great musicians, and I can get drunk with them and it’ll be all well and good in the hood.”
Gary Powell works closely with singer Robin Coombes in The Invasion Of… with the frontman supplying lyrics for the drummer’s melodies. “I mean I write the songs but I don’t give them everything. I give them a skeleton, and then those guys pick a way of playing to give it their own personality.”
“If it doesn’t have that personal touch then you just get music by numbers, something manufactured. This way you get to hear everyone’s personalities. Robin (Coombes) should be allowed to say the same things” he explains.
“Albeit, sometimes he’s written something which I’ve not felt was right but generally he’s had compete freedom. Generally, he’s responded. For me, it’s about improving everyone’s musicality as well so the more I can do to get them thinking about their own personal musical abilities is great – so the tracks are getting harder and harder.”
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