Fightstar.

BY KELDA MANLEY

 

'It's pretty much no holes barred on this album' states Charlie Simpson. 'If we [had] a crazy idea [we did it]. We had the idea to get a choir on the chorus on English Way and that could of sucked but it actually ended up sounding amazing.'

2009 could well be Fightstars year. Finally accepted within the rock music word and packing out venues with dedicated, passionate fans the foursome are definitely ready to take over.

Today, Charlie and drummer band mate Omar are in a thoughtful and outspoken mood. Sitting in their transit van tour bus, filled with magazines and books the two discuss record labels, the press and their future.

No member of Fightstar would deny that when they began their career there was skepticism within the listening public, press and most probably their peers. However, their talent is undeniable and their ability to write a powerful tune won people over from moment one.

 

 

Since then they have grown. In 2008 they played on the Main Stage at Download Festival and for once people stopped being surprised that, in fact, the band were rather good. They've had other troubles, specifically with record labels. All these issues have now been resolved as Charlie explains, ‘[we started a] joint venture with our management and a record label called “Search and Destroy” and we're going to keep 100% of the licenses for the music. Kind of similar to what Funeral For A Friend have done and Enter Shikari. It seems to be working out really well. I think you're going to be seeing a lot more bands doing it now.'

Charlie and Omar's joy at the control they have over their music is also tinged with some frustration at how the major record labels run. 'They exploit their control to a degree that's really unfair on the bands progression’ explains Omar ‘There's examples out there of a few bands who really got shafted. They'll kind of just prod you with a stick rather than just be nice. That's the general vibe of majors at the moment and it's  a dying breed and when species starts to die is they start to lash back and I think that's what the record industry is doing at the moment.'

Perhaps Fightstar need to fight against the vibe being sent out by major labels. An industry drowned by copy cat average indie bands has made a heavier bands progression difficult. It's something which disappoints Charlie in a genre he believes could thrive. He explains, 'if you look at bands doing what we're doing in this country they are really few and far between. In America, it's totally different. You'll turn on daytime radio and you'll hear Deftones, followed by Tool, followed by Nine Inch Nails and that doesn't happen over here. There's definitely a great crowd for it. Fans that are into this sort of music are so passionate about it and that's what keeps it alive.'

As well as major labels Omar and Charlie also have a small issue with the media. 'The funny thing about reviews is that sometimes you have a really fucking awful gig and a reviewer will love it. There are shows when you think it's amazing and they think it's average' laughs Omar  'Some reviews people just get spiteful and that's when you get a little agitated, when they didn't even write about the music or the gig. You just take it with a pinch of salt.'

 

Charlie is a little blunter in his analysis, '[the thing] with reviewers that frustrates me so much is when they don't get their facts right. If you have your facts right and don't like us that's fair enough. If you have your facts wrong then you shouldn't be a fucking journalist. Do your fucking job!'

Fightstar may have started as an easy target to the press but that is slowly fading. For now they just want to tour with ambitions for greatness in the future. 'We just want to get out to as many people in the world we can' admits Omar. ' We would love to be just be able to bounce around and play in front of crowds who want to see us. It's not like we want to be rich rockstars.'

Charlie nods along to his bandmates comments before finishing off with a life lesson for us all. 'We have ambition the same as anyone. If we can get to playing 10,000 people a night then great but we'll only do on stuff we love. If it becomes really successful then that'll be fine. Everyone should have the same ambition, to become as successful as they can.' That presumably includes journalists!