After their now infamous “no guitars allowed” three night residency at The Camden Underworld, the band then took the stage co-headlining with Evan Dando at the recently rained out Fleadh festival. Francis Macdonald speaks up.
28/07/01
It’s been a furious couple months for Glasgow’s favourite sons, Teenage Fanclub.
Having just completed their first US tour for six years, Crud spoke exclusively with The Fannies drummer, Francis MacDonald. Francis and Priya Elangasinghe discussed the bands whirlwind year, his groovy record label “SHOESHINE RECORDS”, new signing MAJOR MATT MASON USA and The Fannies bottoms. The Fannies bottoms?!
How’s the first US tour for 6 years going?
Francis: I’m just back and had a great time! All the shows were busy or sold out and I got to hang out with out some Shoeshine buddies – Michael Shelley, Laura Cantrell (who opened the second show in NY), Ben Vaughn, The Beauty Shop (a name for the future) and, of course, I got to meet Major Matt for the first time in New York. Swell guy, great talent – as we both know.
Can you give us three words to describe the Fleadh concert?
Francis: Wet and rainy. I’m a long-time Neil Young fan so it was good to see him (actually I didn’t see much of Mr. Dando at all). I enjoyed playing out own set but I felt sorry for the punters who didn’t have a dry dressing room for shelter.
The “guitars embargo” gigs you guys played in April.Can we take them as an indication of new musical direction?
Francis: The ‘no guitars’ night was just someone’s idea of a challenge which didn’t really work – after a couple of songs they go the guitars back out and did what they do best.
As a band famous for their love of slightly twisted American pop how do feel about the whole NY/Strokes thing?
Francis: I haven’t heard the Strokes. I get suspiscious when there is a bunch of press about someone before they have really done anything – I guess that’s just PR companies doing their job well.
Tell me about your label “Shoeshine Records”
Francis: It’s been up and running since the Summer of ’96. I release mainly guitar pop and country/roots stuff including Laura Cantrell, Paul Burch, Ben Vaughn, Michael Shelley, Radio Sweethearts…
How did you “discover” Major Matt Mason USA?
Francis: I got sent a CD by his NY label. It took a couple of listens before I decided the Matt was a great singer and a wonderful songwriter.
Do you know there is a heated debate going on your official site’s message board about which one of you has the best bum? Don’t you hate it when people just want to talk music, music, music?!
Francis:It’s a bummer.
What are the bands’ immediate plans?
Francis: Next few things are Summer festivals in England and Ireland and then – I don’t know what! Scotland perhaps.
Report and Interview by Priya Elangasinghe
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