This week the LiquidGeneration e-mail interview went across the internet (how does that work anyway, pipes?) all the way to the United Kingdom! The first Brits brave enough to answer our stupefying questions were The Subways. They are a trio from the London suburb of Welwyn and have already taken their native country by storm. Charlotte (bass) and Billy (guitar/vocals) from the band shared their thoughts with us and we learned a great many things from their answers. However, we have a feeling they, or perhaps British folk in general, might not get our extremely smart and sophisticated brand of humor. They are quite young though so maybe it's asking a bit much to expect them to kick out the jams and make us chuckle. In any case, someone get Charlotte a fake ID already!
Their debut record, Young For Eternity, is out now so go check it out. Here are a couple of goodies to listen to while you read:
The Subways - Rock and Roll Queen LIVE (MP3)
and
The Subways - Staring At The Sun (Tv On The Radio Cover) (MP3)
LIQUIDGENERATION: If you could fight any celebrity past or present who would it be and why? And the follow-up: If you could party with any celebrity past or present who would it be and why?
Charlotte: I would like to party with The Foo Fighters, I think that would make for a pretty good night.
Billy: For me the fight would have to be with Charlotte. She seems nice enough but she’s really a toughie. I’d love to bring Hendrix back and have a night of debauchery with him. That could turn out interesting.
LG: What’s the last record you bought borrowed or stole?
Billy: “Come Down” by Dandy Warhols. I felt it was a must after seeing the documentary with them in it called Dig.
Charlotte: The last record I got was Confessions on a Dancefloor by Madonna. It is awesome, such an amazing collection of dance-pop songs.
LG: Who’d you rather? Oasis or Blur. 
Billy: Blur during their “Leisure” period, Oasis during their “Morning Glory” period.
Charlotte: Yeah, half of each.
LG: What’s the worst band name you’ve ever heard? Bad because it’s trying too hard to be smart, bad because it doesn’t make sense or bad because it’s just annoying as sh*t.
Charlotte: I think that any band name that is too long to remember is a bad band name
Billy: I just think a band name that implies too much to a style of music is not very good at all. I can’t think of any at the moment which is a good sign.
LG: So you’re on tour right now in the US. Is this your first time to the States? What do you hate most about Americans?
Charlotte: The thing I’ve hated most so far is that, being 19, I can’t drink here yet. On the first tour there was one venue in LA that wouldn’t let me or Josh stay in the venue before or after we played. We were only allowed on stage, then had to go outside to meet fans after!
LG: Subway is one of the great craptacular fast-food chains in America. Are you worried that people are just going to get hungry listening to your music? Or worse, do you think you’ll inspire them to take public transportation?
Charlotte: People should take public transportation, especially in cities.
Billy : Exactly, it’s only ever a good thing really. Especially if people feel the need to feed after hearing our music, that’s only complimentary.
LG: Please let our readers know a couple of the more extravagant things you request in your backstage rider, and if you don’t really request anything cool, make something up. Thanks.
Charlotte: We like to get a different spirit each night, it’s no good having too much of one.
LG: Now that you have “made it,” you can start using your pull to make other people work with you. Who would you most like to collaborate with in 2006?
Charlotte: If we were ever to collaborate with someone, it would be cool to work with a pop, dance or hip-hop artist. It would be a great opportunity to try something really different.
LG: The three of you are pretty young and we were wondering if any of the more established acts you’ve played with over the past year (like Graham Coxon, Razorlight, Von Bondies or The (International) Noise Conspiracy) gave you a hard time. Also, are there any other up-and-coming bands that you’re itching to start a feud with?
Charlotte: We have been lucky enough to work with some very friendly bands over the past year. As for starting feuds, there’s no point in that. Bands should be supporting each other.
Billy: Quality journalism. But yeah, I think we’re young but no-ones given us a hard time about it.
LG: Finally, one train leaves Los Angeles at 15mph heading for New York and another train leaves from New York at 20mph heading for Los Angeles on the same track. If a bird, flying at 25mph, leaves from Los Angeles at the same time as the train and flies back and forth between the two trains until they collide, how far will the bird have traveled?
Charlotte: ...
Billy: err...
Subways Fucking Rock! .. BILLY i Love You !! ..
And Charlotte .. Wow!
Josh .. Great Drummer :D
Posted by: Dave Reid | July 18, 2008 at 03:31 PM
To dress up a simple expressive folk tune in the trappings of a symphony is to degrade !
Posted by: Jordans shoes | February 23, 2011 at 06:04 PM