Obwohl sich The Zephyrs bereits seit einigen Jahren im Geschäft befinden und seit 1999 immerhin drei Alben aufnahmen, hält sich ihr Bekanntheitsgrad selbst im heimatlichen Edinburgh merklich in Grenzen. Verantwortlich dafür war in der Vergangenheit neben dem wechselnden Line-Up vor allem die Tatsache, dass das Southpaw Label zeitgleich mit der Veröffentlichung von "When The Sky Comes Down It Comes Down On Your Head" 2001 in die Pleite schlitterte und alle Promotionaktivitäten eingestellt wurden. Während mit "Stargazer" zumindest ein kleiner Clubhit raussprang, wurde erstmal ohne Vertrag an einem neuen Album gearbeitet und ex-Adorable Gitarrist Robert Dillam konnte als festes Bandmitglied gewonnen werden. Auch fand sich mit Setanta alsbald ein neues Label. Doch als man nach gut einem Jahr das Studio verließ, mußte man zu allem Unglück feststellen, dass der ins Auge gefasste Titel "Thirteen Months And A Day" in der Zwischenzeit von David Sneddon, dem britischen Pendant zu Daniel K., in Beschlag genommen war. Nachdem auch dieses letzte Hindernis durch die Änderung in "A Year To The Day" überwunden wurde, gab uns ein erleichterter Robert Dillam im Rück- und Ausblick Auskunft über seine neue Band.
The short history of The Zephyrs is a bit of a winding road and has seen
lots of ups and downs. How did you get involved in the band?
The link is Michael Brennan, the album's producer. He did live sound for Adorable,
as well as bands like Slowdive, Boo Radleys, Pale Saints, Elastica, Pernice
Brothers, Mogwai, SFA etc. I have known Michael for about 10 years and I used
to go visit when The Zephyrs were recording. Since one of the downs of the
band was losing Jonathan, their previous guitarist, Michael suggested me to
replace him. I obviously said yes although I've already known the Zephs for
about 3 or 4 years anyway.
What did you do in the meantime after Adorable had split up?
I went back to a normal life and got a job. It sucked of course, but aside
from that I have just kept playing music and doing little projects here and
there. Nothing for public consumption, just stuff with friends. And I started
snowboarding and getting into computers. I used to go out and see bands all
the time and go up to Scotland in the Substation studio with Michael, taking
my guitars up with me... which is how I met The Zephyrs.
Your records were often compared with Mogwai in a more laidback version.
But there are also some Slowdive references on the new album, especially the
duet with Adele Bethel on "One Year Many Mistakes". How would you describe
your sound?
A review we got last week said we were something like the link between ‚psychedelia,
post rock and country'. That sounds pretty good to me. The Mogwai thing is
more to do with the fact that over the years if the band needed a Mogwai type
sound to help the track, the best way to do it was to get one of the Mogwai
members in to play on it. Stuart, John and Barry have all played on one Zephs
track or another. And as for the girl singer thing: Adele, who has sung for
Arab Strap, sang a few songs on "When The Sky Comes Down It Comes Down On
Your Head", so we all already know Adele. Her new band Sons And Daughters
supported The Zephyrs on a few of our gigs last week. They are really good.
And as for Slowdive, Rachel sang on "Setting Sun" (a track on "When The Sky
Comes Down It Comes Down On Your Head"), so we know her as well. She joined
us last week on stage in London to sing the song which was totally cool, especially
since I hadn't seen her for a few years. It was nice just chatting and catching
up and stuff. She has just finished her solo album as well, but I haven't
heard it yet. She seemed happy with it though, so cool.
Which input did Cian Ciaran (SFA) have on the recording?
Michael bought him in and he was around for a while, helping out with ideas
and playing guitar and keyboards and doing the Cian sonic thing. He had some
cool ideas that are there to be found on the record. Just listen out for them.
Do you agree that "Go Slow" could work as a follow-up to "Stargazer" as
an indie-club hit?
Yeah, well, yeah!!! I hope so, anyway. I like that track so I hope people
will like it as well. We have been playing it live and it is getting pretty
rocking. So we might re-record a "rougher" version... we'll see.
Are there any plans to re-release the hard to find first two albums on
Setanta?
I'm not sure. Have a look on The Zephyrs website cos there might be some copies
for sale there, if you need to get hold of it.
What is your relationship to Spain?
The Acurela label thing was set up before I was in the band. They did a 4
song single though. "The Love That Will Guide You Back Home", "Carpentry",
"Obessekyre" and "I Came For That", featuring Stuart Braithwaite on guitar,
are on this single and I really like it. They are releasing "A Year To The
Day" as well.
A few words on Idle Pop winner David Sneddon?
"When I See The Sun, I Hope It Shines On Me And Gives Me Everything, Well
Almost" from "Pea" by Codeine.
What is your favourite b-side?
That I played on: "A To Fade In" (b-side to "Sunshine Smile", also a track
on the first Adorable album). By somebody else: "Rain" (b-side of "Paperback
Writer") or "Thorn" (b-side of My Bloody Valentine "You Made Me Realise").
Carsten Scheef
Die Review des aktuellen Albums gibt es hier.