Annalise were a bloody amazing UK punk rock band who hailed from Exeter. Back in 2001 I interviewed them for FPM Zine and here’s what happened, finally back online for people to check out. Seriously though, Annalise are one of the greatest ever UK punk bands and you should check them out…
So who’s in Annalise and what do ya do?
Dave/Bass, Martyn/Guitar, Ed/Vocals, Adrain/Drums & Vocals and Brian/Guitar.
Can ya give us a brief band history at all?
We started in 1995 and somehow we’re still here. In that time we’ve had numerous releases and played all over the place. For the full story check out our website (www.listen.to/annalise).
What’s happening to Annalise right now?
We’re working hard on songs for our new CD. We’ve recorded half and are finishing it in May and it’s kind of quite stressful at the moment. We have a weird way of working which means when we have to record or tour we leave everything to the last minute then drive ourselves into the ground getting everything together on time. It can be quite difficult with all the shouting, storming around and arguments but hey, it it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?
When are you hoping to release the new album? And which label will it be on?
May/June. In the UK it’ll be on Pigdog Records. Other labels releasing it in Europe, the US and Japan etc.
Is there any future tour news or upcoming dates?
No definite tours although we’ve been asked to go back to Japan again. Other than that, once we’ve finished the new CD we’ll look at getting out and playing some shows. We’re playing a Boss Tuneage London show in June and maybe some all dayers depending on dates. It’s always difficult anyway with work, but with Brian planning stuff with Kids Near Water, things are more complicated than normal. We’ll work it out.
How would you describe the creative process with Annalise?
Torturous.
What inspires you to write your music and lyrics?
Here’s a weird story. I recently splashed out on a holiday to the Maldives (you see punk rock does pay!) and it’s like the most relaxing place ever, golden beach, nothing to do…anyway, I wrote a set of lyrics while sat in the sun about getting beaten up in an English city centre, now where the hell did that come from?
Sometimes with the lyrics there’s points we want to make (“Too much music and too many bands”) and other times the lyrics are just stories and observations (the “Our story goes like this” CD). The inspiration behind writing is “Fuck! Someone pick up a guitar – we have to record a new CD soon!” Basically we get motivated when there’s a reason to do it.
Which bands have you played with and who did you enjoy playing with the most?
The best band we’ve ever played with for me was Screaming Fat Rat in Japan. They were fantastic live, I was in shock after seeing them. We’ve played with a lot of great bands both musically and as people but Screaming Fat Rat was the band that I remember totally blowing me away. I think Adrian would say the same about 3 Minute Movie and Martyn about The Urchin.
You toured Australia and Japan, what was that like?
Fantastic. Playing in Malaysia and Japan has had a lasting impression on what we do now. Seeing how certain people and bands did things has reinforced ideas we had about the way we should work as a band. I know it has for me anyway. It’s difficult to explain but the lyrics to “Too much music and too many bands” cover part of it quite well.
Any hair raising moments at all? Or on stage stories?
We missed our flights from Malaysia to Australia and thought that was the end of the tour after just two shows. My fault. After having the tickets for months and checking them over everyday I misread the flight times and while we were sat eating noodles in KL our flight was taking off. I had to phone the airline and kick up a fuss, refusing to pay for new tickets, before they finally agreed to get us on the next flight. The rest of the band were ready to kill me!
What do you think of the punk scene in those countries?
The parts of it we saw were great. The scene in Malaysia was very DIY, same with the Snuffy Smile scene in Japan. Like I said, what we saw in Malaysia an Japan was inspirational. It all seems like ages ago now….
How about the current UK punk scene? And in your hometown of Exeter?
Dave and Brian are more up on the Exeter scene as I don’t really live there but there are loads of bands at the moment: Shoe, Tyler, Reeko, KNW, Brat, FCG… There’s a lot of good stuff in the UK both musically and with fanzines, promoters etc. There’s a lot of crap as well, but that’s just the way it is. Hopefully we fall into the good rather than the crap category.
What bands/CD’s are currently doing the turn on the Annalise stereo?
Kirsty MaColl – Kite, The Chords – So Far Away, The Unkown – Pop Art, Rancid – And out come the wolves and the Divine Comedy – Regeneration are all on my stereo. Also the Shonben/My Winter Jane 7” on Snuffy Smile.
What did you grow up listening to?
The bands that really had an effect on me when I was a kid were the Ramones, Crass, Television and Patty Smith Group. Also, there was a lot of great music in the charts like The Jam and Blondie which sunk in I’m sure. Later, Minor Threat, Dag Nasty, the Chameleons and Husker Du. Hearing the Ramones for the first time made me want to get in a band and hearing the Articles of Faith LP “In This Life” along with the Husker Du and Dischord releases of the time inspired me to actually do something about it.
So that’s why you started a band?
Hearing the above and reading MRR and seeing all the great stuff that was happening worldwide and comparing it to how shit it was on my own doorstep. Wanting to have fun and be part of it rather than admiring it from afar. It came to the point around 1988 where I had to start a band or just explode with frustration.
If you could take 3 albums with you to heaven which 3 would you take?
This is ever changing but….Jeff Buckley – Grace, Nick Drake – Pink Moon and Television – Marquee Moon would always be in the running.
How would you describe Annalise to someone who has never heard of you before?
Punk rock with mod and emo leanings. I’ve seen that used on a few website and it covers the music pretty well.
Where do you see Annalise in 10 years?
Reissues, singles collections and the last laugh.
Nice bit about Annalise here as well: http://www.unsaneasylum.com/bands/annalise/
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