What were you up to when you first got together?
Tim, Jon and Nick Prior had just finished Ligament's last tour (with Mogwai) and decided to do something different. I got involved off the back of another band I was in playing a couple of shows with Ligament. When we got together it was mostly about getting a bunch of songs so we could play some shows. There was no big plan apart from play shows and see what happened. We ended up being really lucky and getting the help of some mates early on and those early songs became the first record almost before we knew what was going on.
What are you up to now?After each record we end up fucking around with the songs until they've got a kind-of "lived-in" feel and they work live. Since finishing recording Thriller we've been messing around with the songs. Actually we've also been going through some of the oldies with Tracy (as she's never played them before) just in case the urge strikes to play anything from I Am Come.
How enjoyable has the writing and production of Thriller been compared to previous albums?It was tougher. We played a lot of shows (for us) off the back of I Am Come and didn't write anything new for a while. We probably messed around with two or three albums worth of stuff that just didn't seem right, which can be a bit demoralising. It all started to make sense again in early 2008 with Tracy joining. We're pleased with how it turned out, but it wasn't the easiest of processes.
How has your approach to tackling an album changed since I Am Come? What new influences or ideas have gone into this record?
There's a bit more in the way of quiet bits on this record. Maybe we're mellowing out. As to influences, between us we listen to a lot of different stuff. Beyond a continued shared love for 70's stuff like the MC5, The Stooges, Sabbath, I don't think too much in the way of contemporary stuff has been influential. Maybe a little bit of Harvey Milk or The Boredoms or Truman's Water or Th' Faith Healers but that's about it. The main word that came up when we were writing was "feel". If a song didn't feel right, even if we'd been working on it for a year or more, then it would eventually end up being junked.
What's the routine on an average day on tour with Part Chimp?
About an hour or for us all to crawl out of bed and get into the van. Breakfast wherever we can get it. Then usually 3-4 hrs on the road in the UK (or 6-7 hrs in Europe), followed by load-in, and soundcheck before getting to chill-out for a while and meet promoters/old mates that sort of thing. Then drinking, show, more drinking, someone getting lost, and then bed: mostly on people's floors. Very occasionally we get a couple of shows close together and then we can take a look around whatever town we're in or be chaperoned to a local greasy spoon - before getting in the van.
What instruments and other items do you take with you on tour?
A mate told us once of a tour he did with Weezer where they all used digital amp modelling thingies and in-ear monitors. He loved it as it kept the heavy lifting to a minimum. For us though, Tim and I both have two amps and two cabs, Tracy has a one very loud amp and cab, and Jon has whatever is left of his drumkit. Then a bunch of guitars, strings and drumsticks. Nothing much else - a big bag of merch, that kind of thing.
Alternate (slightly less serious) answer to this question: absolutely nothing, why do you want to know? Stay away from our van: it will go badly for you if you try anything funny. Tracy's hard as nails and not afraid to permanently scar scumbags.
Different places depending upon who you ask. Tracy, Jon & Tim go to a lot of shows around London or Tunbridge Wells (that last one's Tracy mostly). Tim spends a lot of time in the studio that he and some mates have been putting together. We all work to get by.
If you were to divide it up how much chimp is there in Part Chimp and how much human?
Exactly 2% Human and 98% Chimp.
What's the most important thing your mum ever taught you?
Humility and a lentil soup recipe.
[Sep 2009] Back to Top
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