The Complete Short Stories (image courtesy of Stéphanie Bossett)
We saw The Complete Short Stories play The Dublin Castle last week, where the seven piece somehow managed to contort themselves and their instruments onto the tiny stage, and delighted the crowd with their sweetly layered tunes. We asked a few quick questions to get the full story from the 'Short Stories ahead of their upcoming gigs.
Who's in the band?
The band is (in alphabetical order) Kerry Adamson, Gavin Ahern, Grant Frampton, John Hilton, Toby Levan, Naomi Paget, James Pickering.
Whereabouts in London are you based?
We're based in North London (from Kentish Town to Archway)
...and what's ace about it?
The opportunity to play a gig and then walk around a park the next day and panic about how it sounded.
What are you up to at the moment?
We’re currently mixing some tracks and planning to record 2/3 others over the next couple of weeks. We’re then going to chat about what we’re going to do with them depending on how they sound. Throw them in the river or release them.
What do you sound like?
Haha! I love this question. C-C played and sung in various ways I suppose; sometimes at the same time. I can tell you who we like too. Bowie, Kate Bush, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Tom Waits, Flaming Lips, Fred Astaire’s middle period etc.
Why should we listen to you rather than every other new band out there?
Well, we have to put up with our music and we’re all hypercritical.
Have you ever busked on the underground... how was it?
No, we don’t play a note for anything less than 25 grand and none of us owns a hat.
What's your favourite record shop in London?
Generally the cheapest. I always forget what I want to buy as soon as I go in. Maybe the Oxfam or Cancer Research in Muswell Hill. They still do tapes.
What other new London bands should we be checking out?
To be honest we spend most of our time at the moment writing and rehearsing but we’ve played a few gigs with a really good band called The Red Fishes. People should check them out.
Where can we see you playing next?
Apart from Club Fandango @ 229 Great Portland Street Wednesday 12th, we’ll be playing Café 1001 (Free Gig) on the 22nd September, The Good Ship 16th October, and Glasswerk Presents @ 93 Feet East 5th November.
What's your London secret?
Apparently if you put your ear to the wall of the Thames at low tide you can hear the whispers of all those who have violently perished there.
We'd be very surprised if any of their new tunes end up as Thames wall ghosts. You can catch The Complete Short Stories playing 229 tomorrow night (map, £5 with flyer) on stage from 10pm, stalk them on myspace or facebook, and hear them played on recharged radio (podcast dated 07/08/09)
