Crazy P have been delighting fans of the slowed down, disco, funk variety long before the term 'Nu-Disco' and 'Boogie' were on the tip of everyone's tongue. With an extensive and varied discography going back to 1996, they combine the delicate accuracy of beat making with live instrumentation and creative use of samples for they're trademark sound.
They're live act is a wild ruckus, and comes in the form of a DJ set or full live performance with 5 members including a vocalist and live drummer. Currently on a worldwide tour to support their new album, we chatted with member Tim Davies to get the inside scoop on this formidable act from the UK.
Stompy - How have the dates been so far on this tour? Any highlights or cities that exceeded expectations?
Crazy P - The tour so far has been great. Its good to get back o the road after a year off as the family vibe between the band is irreplaceable. Things are changing on the live circuit and audiences are getting younger which is great for us. I think Croatia Garden Party was a stand out gig of the summer with Leeds and Bristol being mega parties. I think Jim was held in Leeds for 3 days!
Stompy - Do you have a funny story from the tour yet that you can share?
Crazy P - Oh there are a few stories many of which have already been told. There is a story which is not that funny but a story untold. We were traveling to Sweden and myself and Tim were on a delayed flight from Manchester connecting at Heathrow. We had to run so fast through the airport in order to catch the flight. We had no option. Of course me being a trained athlete had no worries but Tim being a 20 a day smoker was struggling…well me too actually! We made it to the plane, the other lads already seated and myself and Tim were ushered into first class. We had the full works whilst the others looked on in disgust! "We deserve it" we mouthed back! We then tucked into champagne and a salmon dinner with real knives and forks. Turns out we had actually been put in Ray Davies's from the Kinks and his wifes seat. He hadn't kicked up a fuss and we'd benefitted. It turned out we were on the same flight back too and we got our picture with him.
Stompy - Does the band approach your sets from a tour, overall perspective, or does it depend on the particular performance and location?
Crazy P - Well at the moment we have an album to promote so its trying to represent that in the current tour. As much as some people like to hear old stuff too, there has to be a cut off point where the majority of the set is representing the new music. Mainly we play in club venues which means we have to keep the set upbeat-if we had a night which was solely our own, we could introduce a couple of the trackier, slower tracks. At festivals we would also try for a more party set as usually you get 45mins and it has to be short sharp and shit hot!!! So yes…what was the question?
Stompy - Do you feel any sort of freedoms or constraints when doing a live show, compared to a DJ gig?
Crazy P - Its so hard to compare the two. The live gigs are more personal as its all our own work and its you on stage laid bare, no matter how shit or brilliant you are feeling you have an obligation to the audience to entertain…and that can provide you with all the nerves which turns to adrenalin which hopefully converts into a bloody good show! I think djing is wonderful and to play to a crowd that dances from start to finish is a personal buzz…but nowt tops the diversity of every live gig we embark on. The downsides are usually the travel and the soundchecks--both essential, tiring but totally unavoidable.
Stompy - What's a typical studio session like? Is it a jam-type situation where everyone comes in and starts laying out ideas, or more on an individual label with individual sessions?
Crazy P - It has been both in the past. We wrote Stop Space Return as a band, yet the 3 final tracks for that album were myself Jim and Chris in the studio back to the production style approach. This carried through to the new album and worked. Jim and Chris are instrumental in initiating ideas and indeed encouraging. Whilst they are individually talented they enjoy the team spirit. Neither option of writing is ever struck off-it can sometimes be easier when less members are trialling ideas in a room. We really enjoyed writing When We On as it involved a few late night sessions over cheese and wine resulting in us getting a bit more experimental!
Stompy - Many times, cities have a link to certain sounds and sub genres. Do you think living in Nottingham and the UK is reflected in your music?
Crazy P - I think Jim and Chris may have been influenced by the wonderfully vibrant house music scene which was around in Notts when they first started. But I think it was more encouragement and inspiration from the parties rather than the sound that fuelled the fire. Certainly my inspirations were from monthly visits to the Hacienda, Boardwalk and Dry Bar as well as disco, soul and Top of the pops! I think the UK will always have a strong music scene as their is a huge passion for it.
Stompy - What is up next after the Tour?
Crazy P - Studio time we hope. Be nice to get back to some more writing and working on the Soundsystem too. Hopefully we're heading over to the States next year so that'll be nice! Jim and Chris are doing some other production work and hopefully they'll be chance to work with other people.
Stompy - What's the one thing you miss most when on the road?
Crazy P - Normality. Being home. Friends. Family. A good cup of tea and cooking !
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