IV Thieves interview

The concept of breaking America is almost the Holy Grail for British guitar bands and for all that the records chart briefly, not since the days of Led Zeppelin has a true British rock behemoth conquered the country. Part of Zep's success was due to the amount of time spent over there, and if clocking up the hours in the USA is a marker for success, then IV Thieves should have a foot in the door. RoomThirteen caught up with Shane Lawler (bass) and discussed America, rockstar mates, what model / actress rocks and the best things about Britain.

R13:Can you explain the thinking behind the name change for those who may be unaware of the band's history?
SL: We decided to change the name, because it was long overdue. We wanted a name that represented who we are and have always been really – in fact, we wanted to be a band in name from the very start, but it just didn't work out that way. The first record was recorded before we'd even played a show, and we were all very nervous back then...naïve is probably a better word for it. There's 3 songwriters and 3 singers in the band, and we wanted a name that was in line with that.

R13:You've spent some considerable time in the US, including SXSW, is America a big goal for the band?
SL: In short, yes. I found music to be a way to get out of the mundane existence I found myself destined to live in. It was a way to escape working in a factory, fighting on a Saturday night in town, dying in a block of flats...you know, coming from Nottingham, America is a magical, interesting place where anything can happen. Sure beats getting yer teeth knocked out, but I do miss the footy...
We left England and in doing so completely isolated ourselves from everything that was happening and normal to us, so that we could truly express our England, the lives that we had and knew, to make a record from those dreams and nightmares we all have. We left because we didn't want to die in those flats.

R13:How upset were the band to find out that the forthcoming UK tour has been cancelled?
SL: Absolutely Fucking Gutted. No two ways about it. Releasing a new record after 3 years and not being there to play it to people live on stage, and really show people what we're made of is extremely disappointing. I feel like we've been sold down the river.

R13: 'If We Can't Escape My Pretty' is the new album. How does it differ from your debut album?
SL: Well, basically, on the first record Nic sings lead on all of the songs, and wrote them all himself, Jonny and I backed him up, but that first record was recorded before we had ever played a live show. "...Pretty" is the culmination of 3 songwriters and singers (Nic, myself and Glynn) with one shared vision. It's much more of a group effort. Glynn even plays some drums on the record, I play some guitar as well as bass and piano, and everyone chipped in on the vocals on all of the songs.

R13:Are there any goals or achievements the band would like to achieve with this record?
SL: I'd like nothing more than for people to feel a connection with the songs, and with the words....oh, and did I mention sell a shit load of copies, and get into Sienna Miller's pants.

R13:With the creative output shared across the band, do you think the ability to make more albums and release more often will occur?
SL: I sincerely hope so. We certainly have the ideas, we started with about 50 tunes for this record, and eventually whittled it down to 12. I'd love to be releasing something, in some format every 6 months...I don't know if that's possible with the business side and all that, we shall see...

R13:What does the band really think of getting press acknowledgement from the likes of Noel Gallagher?
SL: Honestly....I'm chuffed he likes the band. Of course I remember when I was a kid and he really changed things. They had all the townies listening to The Beatles, and all of a sudden kids like me were a little bit cool, even if we had the wrong trainers on. Obviously, Noel's comments could be viewed as an albatross around our neck, but fuck it, I'm proud he likes us, proud to have opened for them on a US Tour, proud to play to a zillion people at Millennium Stadium with them. He really is a top fella, and Liam is the fucking business – you know he watched every soundcheck and performance we did when we were on tour together – I fucking love that bloke. He's a superstar, but when I was talking with him I felt like he could have been one of me mates chatting outside KwikSave.

R13:Did playing the stadium show in Cardiff give the band more desire to play massive shows of their own accord?
SL: Yes please, where do I sign? That whole show was just bizarre. Playing to that many people, in the national stadium reduced me to a nervous wreck afterwards, when it had all sunk in. I didn't really leave our dressing room for about 5 hours after we played. An amazing experience. Whatever happens, they can't take that away from me...no-one can.

R13:The band always seemed to go down well in Glasgow, as their sound fitted well with one of the scenes that was going on, what are the band's favourite cities to play in?
SL: We like London, where I lived for a year or so after the first record came out. Liverpool is normally fun –we have a lot of friends there In bands and it's nice to see them and have a pint. Nottingham's good too. It's nice to stick two fingers up at all the twats you knew for years, and to see all me mates that I don't really get to see anymore. LA is fantastic – the weather, the girls etc... New York is amazing too.

R13:Away from the music, what does the band do to unwind and relax on tour?
SL: Talk bullshit. Read. Try not to kill each other.

R13:Any messages for your UK fans?
SL: Nowhere else in the world do they have gravy like we do in England. Don't take it for granted, relish your Sunday lunch – I fucking miss it. I miss proper bacon too, they don't have that over here. And it's rare to get a decent pint. But the fags are cheap...You win some, you lose some...


Most bands understand the concept of cultural differences but an act that acknowledges missing gravy and a decent pint surely have their feet remaining on the ground, which is no mean feat considering what the band has seen and achieved so far. Time will tell if IV Thieves make it as far as some of their heroes and inspirations but the band have the attitude and work ethic to take them a good part of the way.