CLINIC
– interview –

Liverpool based post-punk band Clinic, combining acid punk-rock influences and electron ics and organs, have created, since 1997 an unique sound that has made them remarkable and noticed at John Peel to Radiohead’s attentions.
Now they’re arrived at their 6th studio-album, and Ade Blackburn, voice and founder of the band, reveals attitudes, Thom Yorke and John Peel’s collabortions, future projects, Liverpool music scene, that very special way of performing surgery-dressed and the evolution of Clinic.

– You’re arrived at your sixth album, “Bubblegum” in about over 10 years of carreer: differences from the past ones?
AB: Of course “Bubblegum” is more melodic and some kind of easy-listening, this has been the consequence of our recent music tastes, that comes from more pop stuff combining that garage rock attitude we had since our starting point as a band.

– How do you manage the combination between the post punk attitude, the prominent use od vintage keyboards and organs, psychedelic influences and pop?
AB: I think that this king of sound we have always had is the combinaton of my and my mate’s preferences. And also we’ve always needed to explain our lyrics through pop music, easy to be understood, but with psychedelic taste to make all more excited and strong, I suppose…

– You come from Liverpool: the city of The Beatles, but your music roots seems to be very different…
AB: The Beatles have been the main Liverpool’s band, of course, but there’s always been lots of different music styles, so we’ve never wanted to have a Beatles’ sound. We’ve always listened to more punky stuff, also from Liverpool…

– I have to ask you about your surgery clothes on stage… why?
AB: Surgery clothes: that idea came some years ago. I’ve always loved bands like Devo and The Residents, who’ve always created a real show in their performances, combining the music show tot ha theatre, wearing clothes that reminded to that kind of art and messages the were spreading out. We are the Clinic, so the surgery clothes are perfect for us, to create an all-art performance.

– What about the live tour with Radiohead during the “Kid A” tour, and about recording one of John Peel’s Session at BBC?
AB: About the experience with John Peel: I’ve always listened to his radio-show, so when his staff asked usi f we were interested in recording a song for one of his BBC’s Sessions, you know, we were so excited about it! It’s also been a huge possibilità to be known in the whole world. That’s the ting I’m more proud of What can I say about Thom Yorke’s call? Well, he called u sto support on stage Radiohead’s “Kid A Tour”: such an amazing experience, they’re so great!

– What are the main bands and artists that have influenced you most?
AB: Stone Roses, Public Enemy and more heroes coming from punk, post punk and rock music. I’d love to collaborate with Crime, the punk band from San Francisco, just reformed in 2006: I’d adore to make some punk stuff with them!

– Punk and Post punk: how this music scene has changed from the post-clash-sex pistols era to nowadays?
AB: In my opinion, in the past, punk rock was something that changed the world of doing music: musicians had not to play perfectly or sing at their best, the importance was the aim of the music and of the lyrics. Today that scene has cenge with the evolution of time, so the sound is more perfect, and unfortunately, the lyrics not so creative. But we’re workin’ on it! Wishing for a re-birth of the real punk!

by Ilaria Rebecchi

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