Interview with E. Belfast Observer, May 2004
1st of June 2004, 6:25 am
with Jason Walsh
Why the name, 'The Vichy Government'?
It's the oldest trick in the book, isn't it? Flirting with fascist imagery to generate shock value. But I think there's a difference between calling your band the SS Totenkopf and calling it The Vichy Government. The latter are perceived as a bunch of bumbling, shit-scared cowards, giving our name a self-deprecating edge which undercuts all that 'New Order' crap- representing the little man who gets swept along by circumstances. I think it sums up how, as a group, we don't fit in anywhere. But the name is what you choose to make of it- Nazi sympathisers, a Bush/Blair metaphor, a comment on how the desire for self-preservation overrides all of our principles, whatever.
How long have you been together?
Andrew and I go back centuries. Every time we are reincarnated we seem to bump into each other. We first met when we were crucified next to Jesus- very dour man he was. We've been burnt alive in the Crusades, tortured in the Spanish Inquisition, but to be a fledgling pop outfit in the age of the Spectacle represents a new low for us.
And how did you meet?
In this world, we met on a protest march to have the Associates' 'The Glamour Chase' album released. Andrew was delivering the petition to 10 Downing Street when the police decided to hold him as a suspected terrorist. I offered Andrew legal advice and representation until someone with a clue turned up.
Are there any notable influences in art, culture, or music?
I could tell you the things we listen to most, but we don't sound remotely like any of them. We're simply trying to make interesting, enjoyable pop music, and although we can be inspired by whatever books or films we're consuming at the time, we're just as likely to get ideas from our observations of the world. Perennial favourites, however, include cult drama The Prisoner, Motown's output in the 60s and the novels of C?line.
How has the Belfast live scene responded to you?
Being born and bred in Belfast, I'm flattered by the attention that has been feted upon us when we play there. I think a lot of it is down to two songs in particular, 'Orange Disorder' and 'The Protestant Work Ethic'. People always look for a pigeon-hole that they can file you away in and these songs facilitated that. We don't mind, as long as people pay enough attention to realise that this is just one aspect of what we do; there are some great tunes coming out of that Casio keyboard, and the lyrics are more than just provocative slogans strung together.
What about in Britain, are audiences there more or less receptive?
It depends who you're playing to. The clich? is that London crowds will look down their noses unless Time Out tell them to like you, whereas the provincials will be overcome with gratitude that a London band has bothered to visit their town. There's an element of truth to this, but a lot of people who've stumbled across us in London have become very enthusiastic converts, whereas further afield, audiences can sometimes be every bit as lethargic and apathetic as those in Camden Town.
Where do you most like to play?
Fun though it is to preach to the converted, what we really enjoy is playing new places. The first time that a crowd come across you is always the most memorable, and when you know that none of the people out there have a notion of just what they're in for, it's mouthwatering in a quite malicious way.
What next for the band?
We are releasing a single called 'Rubbish' in June. In August we'll have two songs on a split EP for release in America, with a limited number of copies available over here (we're contemplating submitting our song about 9/11, 'The Reichstag Is On Fire'). You can see us live at the Waterfront Hall bar on 25th June, and the Limelight on the 30th.
It's the oldest trick in the book, isn't it? Flirting with fascist imagery to generate shock value. But I think there's a difference between calling your band the SS Totenkopf and calling it The Vichy Government. The latter are perceived as a bunch of bumbling, shit-scared cowards, giving our name a self-deprecating edge which undercuts all that 'New Order' crap- representing the little man who gets swept along by circumstances. I think it sums up how, as a group, we don't fit in anywhere. But the name is what you choose to make of it- Nazi sympathisers, a Bush/Blair metaphor, a comment on how the desire for self-preservation overrides all of our principles, whatever.
How long have you been together?
Andrew and I go back centuries. Every time we are reincarnated we seem to bump into each other. We first met when we were crucified next to Jesus- very dour man he was. We've been burnt alive in the Crusades, tortured in the Spanish Inquisition, but to be a fledgling pop outfit in the age of the Spectacle represents a new low for us.
And how did you meet?
In this world, we met on a protest march to have the Associates' 'The Glamour Chase' album released. Andrew was delivering the petition to 10 Downing Street when the police decided to hold him as a suspected terrorist. I offered Andrew legal advice and representation until someone with a clue turned up.
Are there any notable influences in art, culture, or music?
I could tell you the things we listen to most, but we don't sound remotely like any of them. We're simply trying to make interesting, enjoyable pop music, and although we can be inspired by whatever books or films we're consuming at the time, we're just as likely to get ideas from our observations of the world. Perennial favourites, however, include cult drama The Prisoner, Motown's output in the 60s and the novels of C?line.
How has the Belfast live scene responded to you?
Being born and bred in Belfast, I'm flattered by the attention that has been feted upon us when we play there. I think a lot of it is down to two songs in particular, 'Orange Disorder' and 'The Protestant Work Ethic'. People always look for a pigeon-hole that they can file you away in and these songs facilitated that. We don't mind, as long as people pay enough attention to realise that this is just one aspect of what we do; there are some great tunes coming out of that Casio keyboard, and the lyrics are more than just provocative slogans strung together.
What about in Britain, are audiences there more or less receptive?
It depends who you're playing to. The clich? is that London crowds will look down their noses unless Time Out tell them to like you, whereas the provincials will be overcome with gratitude that a London band has bothered to visit their town. There's an element of truth to this, but a lot of people who've stumbled across us in London have become very enthusiastic converts, whereas further afield, audiences can sometimes be every bit as lethargic and apathetic as those in Camden Town.
Where do you most like to play?
Fun though it is to preach to the converted, what we really enjoy is playing new places. The first time that a crowd come across you is always the most memorable, and when you know that none of the people out there have a notion of just what they're in for, it's mouthwatering in a quite malicious way.
What next for the band?
We are releasing a single called 'Rubbish' in June. In August we'll have two songs on a split EP for release in America, with a limited number of copies available over here (we're contemplating submitting our song about 9/11, 'The Reichstag Is On Fire'). You can see us live at the Waterfront Hall bar on 25th June, and the Limelight on the 30th.