Posted by UBR Admin | 30 June 2012

IC1s Put The World To Rights

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If you're looking for the biggest personalities in our Olympic line-up, then look no further than IC1s. An affable bunch of scamps, they have no fear about calling a spade a spade; or, with horticulture out of the equation, saying that something shit is shit. The indie quintet are an act that like to do things the old fashioned way, having been described as 'a proper, no messing about rock n roll band'... so we were quite keen to get their views on one or two things; notably the detrimental effect of Bieber Fever on the human race.

With the Olympics hitting the capital, London seems to be getting rather dolled up in preparation for the world's arrival. What's the London you know from growing up around these parts? Bit more of an Artful Dodger viewpoint?

John: There’s no point us pretending we are poor deprived kids because we aren’t but at the same time we aren’t rich kids living in Chelsea. I guess thats the most normal thing about IC1s! Dan was actually described by Gary Powell from The Libertines as a 'street urchin' so I suppose he is our own Artful Dodger, I see him as more of a skinny Del Boy to be honest.

The London I know though can be the greatest city in the world but at times like last years riots its also full of scumbags who want to destroy it. I guess that’s a problem all over the world though and not just a London thing. I was mugged though when I was younger and I only had a pound on me so felt a bit pathetic handing that over but it was that or a punch and he was a lot bigger than me. I hope to find him one day and shove a pound down his throat next time (actually he probably is still bigger than me, I’ll get Andy to do it!)

We know it's all about sex, drugs and rock n' roll... but if you had to pick one, leaving you otherwise stuck with a life of chastity/sobriety/silence, which would it be and why?

Daniel: Now that's a tricky question as which ever one I pick, I will be losing two of my favorite past times. They all kind of roll into one. Initially I'd pick music but music makes you wanna get drunk and go on the pull! If I chose women, then what would I have to drown out their constant need for conversation? But then without alcohol, some of the girls I'd have 'pulled' may not have looked as good! I'm just going to say music as I've been listening to that way before I had any interest in birds and booze!

You lads channel the spirit that used to shroud the likes of the late great Oasis rather well in your style of performance- would having a pint with the Gallaghers be something on the to do list? Separately, obviously. Don't want to deal with fisticuffs.

Daniel: Well that's on my 'already done' list. I went to a Dirty Pretty Things gig and Liam was there. He was surrounded by people as you can imagine, after pushing a few people out of my way, I just approached him introduced myself and my mate 'Scottish' and before we knew it we were heading for the VIP bar with him and Colin Murray.

Millionaire Liam Gallagher didn't put his hand in his pocket once but I'd have paid for that pleasure anyday. After a few drinks I got the sambucas in, Liam downed his and before I knew it he puked up down my leg and on to my trainers. I've still got the trainers, except the one that had the contents of Liams stomach on it now has no leather left on it. I should Ebay it. Cheers Liam.

Something else the Gallaghers are pretty renowned for is making outrageous comments about the credibility of other artists. If you were to purge the music world of anyone, who would it be and why?

Jesse: How long have you got? There's a serious problem with the music charts but the problem actually lies partly in people allowing the industry to spoonfeed them shit on a plate. So with that in mind I'd remove anyone involved with Xfactor and Britians Got Talent, especially Ant and Dick. For crimes against music, I'd cull almost every 'Folk Rock' band in one fell swoop and for his unjustified and unwelcomed status in the industry, I'd punch Justin Bieber in the face.....I really hope he doesn't sue me at a later date for that.

IC1s are perfect festival fodder with your anthemic sound- which festival and stage would you like to perform most? It's only hypothetical so you can be as demanding and diva as you like.

Andy: We've had great responses from the festivals we've played so far and i think our sound gives us the opportunity to go transatlantic. Glastonbury, Benicassim and Coachella are on the 'to-do-list' but for me the greatest of them all would be the Rio Carnival...3 and a half million Brazillians dancers, a gazillion litres of rum and the Stones as our support act. O Brasil é lindo maravilhoso!

The attitude you exude would make you millions on the self-help circuit- let's say we've woken up feeling a little down. Could you give us a pep talk in taking on the world?

Daniel: Funny you should say that as before every gig, I like to do my Harry Redknapp impression and gear the boys up for the show! It works. People need three things in life, food, air and compliments. So I just big them up and they bounce onto the stage! If I was to give you a pep talk, I'd say something like "get up, get out of bed and go out there and try and make a difference! Believe in yourself, don't listen to the little demons that tell you you won't amount to nothing or that your dreams are fantasy, prove everyone wrong! "Just because you dream, it doesn't mean that you're dreaming!" Failing that, I'd suggest going back to bed and watching some more Jeremy Kyle, cos if you don't believe in yourself, you will probably end up on his show anyway.

Forgive us if we're wrong, but you strike us a proper bunch of boy's boys. What's the most shamefully laddish thing you've ever done? Crude as you like...

Jesse: You aren't wrong but I don't think we are lads lads ya know? I've got skinny jeans that are tighter than my girlfriend's leggings. John sends us photographs of his outfit before gigs. Andy goes to themed parties to drink tea and eat scones. Jacob drinks 2 pints and can't remember his name... and Dan sings Ronan Keating more than he does IC1s. We can banter like the biggest lads around and we really are a band of brothers but deep down we are all a bunch of nancy boys I think.

Having your track featured on Soccer AM must score you a fair few lad points. But we can think of one better. If you were approached to use one of your songs in the soundtrack on FIFA 13, which would it be and why?

John: Probably ‘Not Perfect’ because the last time I played Jesse I smashed him 5-0 so I would dedicate ‘Not Perfect’ to him...

Jesse: ...Ouch!

You rather selflessly donated the profits of one of your singles to Shelter, a homelessness charity. Are we right to assume that this means you really are in this more for the music than any of all of the other bollocks that comes along?

John: Of course the music comes first and being the nice, all-round lovely chaps that we are we thought it would be a nice touch to support a charity that do so much good work for people in need. As it was Xmas time too we all felt that any help we could do to shelter the homeless during those cold lonely winter nights would be something we could be proud of.

We’d be lying if we said we don’t want fame and money and all that goes with it one day, that’s why everyone joins an band in the first place but I believe this band are more about the music and would like to think that when we are old and grey (should we live that long) that we can look back and be a band that meant something to people and influenced them and have them regard us as their favourite band. We already have people say that we are their favourite band, WE are our favourite band too and we just want the rest of the world to know about us too and before long we’d be everyone’s favourite band! Now what colour should I order that Jag in?

If you were to write a thank you letter to just one band for the influence they've had in shaping your identity, who would it be and what would you say? Would you put kisses at the end?

To The Beatles,

Good Morning, Good Morning! I Want To Tell You Something From Me To You, I have grown up listening to your music from Here, There and Everywhere and no matter what other music I listen to I always Get Back to you. You have been the biggest influence In My Life and With A Little Help From My Friends we formed IC1s to play Rock N Roll Music. Sometimes I think It’s All Too Much and I Should Have Known Better but If I Needed Someone then I know There’s A Place were we can Come Together, So Please Mr Postman deliver this with All My Loving. If you would like to get in touch You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) IC1s x