Few bands can conjure a sense of communal euphoria quite like Courteeners, turning gigs into cup finals with their life-affirming anthems.
This week the Greater Manchester heroes mark 20 years together with God Bless The Band, an old fashioned best of collection which they hope might introduce a few newcomers to their catalogue.
“It’s like a nice little bookmark and if we don’t pat ourselves on the back nobody else will,” smiles frontman Liam Fray. “People listen to music now in a way that’s just so fragmented, and if I think about how I got into bands like James or the (Happy) Mondays was through Best Ofs in my older sister’s CD collection, you know.
“It was an easy gateway into what became a proper love affair, so hopefully, the younger generation will find this best of the same way.”
The tracklisting might be a little controversial for a few Courteeners die-hards, but offering an overview of the band’s entire career was more important than just including the big arena singalongs.
“Rather than it being full of hits, I mean, let’s face it – we haven’t got loads of hits – the idea was putting something on that’s important as a statement of where you are as a band,“ explains Liam. “I wasn’t that bothered about (early hit) What Took You So Long? being on there, which went down like a proverbial lead balloon in the rehearsal room. It’s not like I dislike it, but you know.
“Sometimes Best Ofs can be more about how you took a bit of a leap as a band. A song like Sycophant is maybe, I don’t want to say a curveball, but not what you’d expect on there; but to me important little markers.”
Listening back to the band’s work has been moving for Liam who admits: “It made me quite proud. That we never ever made the same record twice.
“What I’ve never done is gone into the studio with a plan, I’m always quite loose with it, and it’s always worked out. There’s never been any stone left unturned.”
While he’s clearly developed as a songwriter, Liam’s always had a talent for sharp societal observations, reflecting with humour on the ups and downs of British life.
“I think I’ve become a lot more relaxed about writing,” he muses. “I used to think I couldn’t stop, and I have to keep going. And I’d get nervous if nothing came. Now I write less than I used to, but maybe I want it to mean more.”
What’s also evolved is Liam’s persona. When he first. swaggered onto the scene the industry marketed him as a bit of Liam Gallagher clone. These days he’s more thoughtful, the wise man of indie if you will.
“I’ll take the wise man all day long,” he laughs. “I feel like we suffered from my naivety at the beginning, because in those days being in a band, was like six beers and press record. And I just don’t think that you’d get away with that now.
“And also, I think we were fair game, there were things printed where I’m like, ‘why did I say that?’ I was probably quite a young 22 year-old as well. I was putting off getting a full-time job and the last thing you need for somebody who’s probably not that emotionally in tune, is to start a rock and roll band. All those experiences have led me to become a more rounded. I’m in a much happier place now put it that way.”
There’s two new tunes on there too including Luckiest Man Alive and Plus One Forever, which is an instant Courteeners classic.
“I’ve had that song for a long time in different forms but it just never fit anywhere until now,” he enthuses. “You have to be careful sometimes if you have a song for a long time. You might try and shave bits off or add sections. But I stuck to my guns and I love that song so much and it’s straight in the live set.”
It will get played when Courteeners play O2 Academy Leicester on August 27 and their huge homecoming gig at Wythenshaw Park & Gardens two days later (29) which will be a chance to really celebrate.
“Thursday we will be, you know, yoga, steam room, all that jazz. Saturday, let your hair down it’s all about moderation.”
Mercifully all these celebrations don’t spell the end, far from it.
“I look forward to the next chapter,” smiles Liam. “It feels nice to have that little body work behind us.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s a full stop you know what I mean? Hopefully this is just volume one. I’d love a double volume Best Of.”
Courteeners embark on a full UK arena tour in November.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
