Method Action.

by JC. 16.08.10.

All has been quiet on the Suzuki Method front recently. The last time I saw them was at their Helmets for Men show at Islington Mill in May where they were about to launch their debut EP with Factory Foundation Recordings. And then.... well, like I said: all quiet. The EP never arrived, they stopped playing live. I was starting to worry about 'em.

For anyone who hasn't heard Suzuki Method before, you need to click HERE and experience the joy, the yearning and the relentless power. Anyway, I digress...

So. I headed down to the "Method bunker" on the ever-salubrious Cobden Street to try and find out what's been going on lately. Why the delays? What's in the pipeline? and will that bloody EP ever be released?

Well, as it happens, I find the lads in relaxed mood, rehearsing for the upcoming Wood Vibrations music festival that takes place in a few weeks time. And when I ask them about the delays there is a communal sigh and rolling of eyes to the heavens. Singer/guitarist Adam Leishman explains:

"Well, lots of red tape really. A deal was being set up with Warner to do the distribution which took about three months to complete. And then our labelmates' (Silver Club) album was put back and Factory want to launch the label at the same time as launching the 2 records they are putting out. So it's going to be September 27th now."

Ah. So what's been happening in the meantime?

AL: "Loads of stuff. We've been sorting out the tour which kicks off in October- we're doing seventeen dates so obviously it's taken some time. Plus we've been sorting out the artwork for the EP and on top of that we're writing songs for an album which will follow next year.

Plus we've got a new guitarist (Ben Hounslow) so we've been teaching him how to play guitar- which has taken longer than expected!" Everyone laughs. Ben blushes a bit. Bless.

Glen Leishman, keyboard maestro explains further: "Also, there's lots of boring shit we've had to do- like find a PR company and hire lawyers and we still haven't really got a manager, so Esther from the record company has been doing some of the management duties."

So what does a hardworking band do while the admin monkeys drag their feet?
Mike Matthews, bassist: "Well to be honest, these three or four months have been a blessing 'cos it's given us some time to write some new songs and remember what it's like to be in a band again. Coming into our dingy rehearsal room and throwing some ideas around. We'd been doing the previous batch of songs for so long that it was nice to have a bit of space from 'em."

Back to Adam: "But ultimately, it's very frustrating because we're a very industrious band and we work quickly so ideally we want everyone else to work as quickly as us. But as Mike said, it's given us a bit of time to perfect some songs and get to know Ben a bit better. And as long as the band is progressing and the upward curve continues then we can't complain really."

I decide to change the subject before the lads collectively murder me for bringing on this doom 'n' gloom talk. So I ask them about a song they're recording especially for BBC Radio Manchester. What's going on there then?

AL: "Yeah. BBC Radio Manchester will be 40 years old this September so they are getting some of their favourite bands to record a cover version of a song from a Mancunian band from the past. They allocated us a year which was 1987 and they gave us three songs to choose from. We could've had "24 Hour Party People" by the Mondays, "You Win Again" by The Bee Gees but we chose "Hit the North" by The Fall. So we're recording that in the next week or so and it will be aired on the week of September 10th. To be honest I wanted "I'm not in Love" by 10cc."

GL: "I wanted summat by Simply Red."

AL: "Oh, and we've been asked to do a "Best of Myspace" gig in London so we'll be going down there to do that shortly too. We got no love off Facebook or Twitter though."

It's all running along smoothly for our heroes then I reckon. The Suzuki Method EP will be available on download, CD and limited edition vinyl on September 27th. They will be touring from the beginning of October and will be doing various other bits and bobs in the meantime so keep yer eyes peeled.

Oh, and I must mention that Ben and Dave did also speak during the interview but I couldn't be arsed transcribing their stuff. Most of it was libellous and/or slanderous. Cheers lads.