“Oh yawn” thought I, it’s only recently since we've witnessed the explosion of the Arctic Monkeys, and already we have the obligatory following of similar cheeky-chappy Sheffield based semi-satirical (“Has she got great boobs or is it a good bra?”) mod punk set ups.
But as similar as LITTLE MAN TATE are to the Arctic Monkeys, I think it would be unfair to put them 100% in their camp. Yes, they are from Sheffield, yes their lyrics are observational, and occasionally amusing, but stylistically they are very different (more Parklife than the Clash), and I think it would be lazy for people to label them as such.
Their performance was electric, bouncy, and great fun, and you can’t beat their banter – there was no pretension, they were really warm and their enthusiasm was infectious, with Jon Windle (Vox) belting his way through “Court Report” [incidentally, what is it with bands singing about cross dressers these days? Is it me or is there a lot of repressed feelings going on here?], Maz’s (guitar) playing was as spiky as a goth’s hairdo, and the rhythm section were simply ace.
After a marvellous performance, Little Man Tate were to be found backstage, cramped in their tiny dressing room, tucking heartily into their rider (Strongbow – Jon protested, “Why am I being blamed for this?!”), which they very kindly shared out. All we needed was a park bench and we’d have been sorted.
So, having got quite (heavily) tipsy on cheap cider, here for your pleasure are the remnants of what I can make of our conversation from my addled handwriting…
W&H: It’s quite difficult to decide on a band name, what made you pick Little Man Tate? Did the film move you that much? Jodie Foster did give a stella performance. [Please note, this isn’t taking account of the slurring of speech that was going on at this point].
Dan: I saw the film when I was about 14, but I didn’t think "What a Beautiful piece of art”, but we couldn’t think of band names so we ended up with this one.
W&H: I love your accent. My cousin’s from Sheffield, do you know him? [i.e. there will obviously be an association with the Arctic Monkeys with the Sheffield connection, how do you feel about that?]
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Jon: Wherever in the country you are, you’ve got brilliant bands so it doesn’t really matter, […LMT then embark on a huge dialogue about having West Country accents, but I can’t remember anything specific, other than it was very funny].
“So,” they continued, “basically, if the Sheffield thing fails, we’ll just change our accent!”
W&H: You all seem a little overwhelmed by all the attention you’ve been getting recently, how’s it been?
Dan: Yeah, like two months ago, we were playing gigs to 4 or 5 people, and now the fuckin audience are singing us songs and cheerin and everythin', it’s fuckin madness.
W&H: So you reckon that you’ll all change and act like rock divas then?
Dan: Not me! My feet are firmly on the ground, they’ll all get big ‘eds though I know they will!
Ben: No, but what do we do after gigs though? We sit and ‘ave a chat don’t we?
Si: Yep. [Si is their engineer and best mate]
Ben: I could murder a kebab…
W&H: I’m vegetarian and I keep having this recurring dream about eating bacon sandwiches.
Ben: [looking wistful] Do you know I have never in my life had a wet dream?...
So there you have it. Lovely chaps, great music, free cans of Strongbow, and the rest is history (and given how the conversation degenerated after Ben's last statement, some things are certainly best left un-read...). Wonderful stuff.
Little Man Tate will be in London at the Camden Barfly on Feb 21st, check them out, they’re great.
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