XX Teens are the latest London band to succumb to our Listen Up! harassment. If you used to hang out at Art Rocker up in Islington you might have bumped into them when they were still known as Xerox Teens, but after narrowly avoiding a photocopying centric lawsuit the name had to change.
Their single 'Only You' is out this week, and their debut album 'Welcome to Goon Island' follows on 28 July. We caught up with them before their forthcoming show at Fabric on Thursday night.
Yo! Who's in XX Teens?
Anthony Silvester, Rich Cash, Will Morrow, Jurgen Raa and someone else.
Whereabouts in London are you based and what's ace about it?
I used to live in an old pub in Bow that was very ace, but it got knocked down. I’m now staying with a friend in London Bridge. I like it because we’re on the twentieth floor so you can see Big Ben and you always know how late you are.
What are XX Teens up to at the moment?
We’re thinking about knocking out a quick album before the end of summer, we’ve got the title –‘Welcome to Goon Island’, but no real songs.
What do you sound like?
Every other new band out there.
Why should we listen to XX Teens more than every other new band out there?
To give us an unfair chance.
What's your favourite London venue?
The Tate Modern for art, the Prince Charles for film and Corsica Studios for bands my mate likes.
Can you think of an unusual London location that should open itself up for gigs?
There’s supposed to be a dome-shaped folly somewhere near Greenwich.
Have you ever busked on the underground... how was it?
Yes, but it was before you needed a licence. Now I can’t even pass the theory test.
What's your favourite record shop in London ?
There’s a great one on Lower Marsh Street behind Waterloo Station. It’s weird because you can be queuing up to buy a £1 record and the guy in front of you is buying a £200 mint jazz record. You want to tell him just to rip it off Limewire.
What's your favourite club night in London ?
The Griffin for strippers, Boujis for wankers and the Tea Bar for members.
What's your favourite song so far this year?
When Jimmy Cliff sang ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ at Glastonbury I thought my eyes might wet themselves.
What other new London bands / artists should we be checking out?
John and Jehn are French, but they’re very good. The Irrepressibles are easily the best band in London. Jazzman John’s band Swing It aren’t very new but they’re brilliant and Gerry Mitchel and Little Sparta will make you want to throw away all your other records and start again.
Where can we see you playing next?
Fabric on July 18 alongside the likes of The Whip, Das Pop, Slagmalskubben, Sinden and Filthy Dukes. Full details online here.
