Star Man

Gledhill front man David Gledhill is a keen amateur astronomer. With this in mind, uk-fusion natters about inter-planetary travel with David, as well as covering Zane Lowe hyperbole and opening for Tears for Fears.

Does the success of fellow Sheffield residents Arctic Monkeys make it easier or harder for you to break through?

I don’t think it makes any difference. Obviously there are gonna be lots of copycat bands of them, but our music is so different to theirs, that I don’t think it makes any difference. They do what they do, we do what we do.

How much warning did you get that Zane Lowe was going to play your demo and how did you feel when you heard him do so?

I got a call on the day from my manager. I felt excited, but once it was played, I’m onto the next thing. I never dwell on anything like that.

Your debut single came out on Fierce Panda, a label which has broken bands who’ve gone on to become household names, so why did you then switch to MX3?

The Fierce Panda thing was great. Simon Williams is a genius – the greatest A&R man ever. However, Nigel Haywood, who was working at Universal at the time, had shown a huge interest in the band around six months before, so when he set the label up, it was a loyalty thing. As much as we would have liked to sign to Fierce, Nigel Haywood had put such an amazing deal on the table, and put such a good team together, we simply couldn’t say no.

Your sound appears to be very cinematic, so I’m guessing movies are as much an influence on your music as other artists are. With that in mind, what’s your favourite film of all time and why?

My favourite film of all time is Amelie. I love the film, I love her. The cinematography, the script, the soundtrack, the story…it’s just amazing. Every shot is beautiful and Paris has never looked so good.

You’ve gone on record as saying you want to be a stadium band. What’s the fascination with stadiums? And aren’t you worried about the loss of intimacy you gained at your Grapes residency?

Well, we still haven’t played a stadium, and maybe never will. It’s not really about that. It’s more of a metaphor for what we wanna achieve. It’s like that Springsteen mentality from the 80’s…you know, ‘how many nights at this stadium can I sell out?’ We just think our music is massive, and we’re not afraid to say so, and we wouldn’t be afraid to play to a huge venue…in fact, we’d love it.

How excited are you by Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premiership?

Not very. I’m a Liverpool fan, and because of Hillsborough, I have a lot of fondness for Wednesday. Not that I dislike Sheffield United, I’m just ambivalent to them.

Neil Warnock: A comedy god or an angry, old man?

Angry, old man. Bitter, chippy and deeply repressed. I always think he could do with a good 20 hours of therapy. He needs to release the anger…let go of the hurt!

Your album’s called Constellations (released on 15 May 2006), as is one of the tracks. You’ve always been interested in all things space-related, so if inter-plantetary travel was a reality would you book a trip?

Yes, I would. I suppose it started when I was very small, looking through my Dad’s records, and being obsessed with Dark Side of the Moon. And ultimately I’m a deeply melancholic and perhaps unhappy person, so maybe I assume life could always be better somewhere else. Another planet even!

What’s your favourite song on the album and why?

‘Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?’  It’s my proudest moment as a songwriter. Kind of a Carpenters vibe…it just encompasses everything I love about music.

What did producer Owen Morris bring to the recording sessions?

He brought alcohol, swearing, abusive behaviour, and some motivation. Owen ain’t the most competent person in the studio, but he does dish out loads of enthusiasm, if you can pick it out amongst the swearing! Ultimately, we love and hate each other. He hates me, but loves my music. I hate his money and drunkenness, but I love his love for me.

If you had to describe Gledhill in terms of a colour, which one would it be?

Red. Bright, eye-catching and passionate.

How did you find opening for Tears for Fears?

It was great. We felt completely at home in front of 3,000 people a night. We’ve got a bit of an ‘80s vibe going on with our music, so it was a good combo!

And what about your Channel 4 appearance?

Yeah, that was alright. Don’t really like watching myself talk. I mean, I come out with some right bollocks sometimes. But the tunes sounded great, which is all that matters!

Martinet or Mr Laidback – which description best sums up your band leadership style?

Benevolent dictator is how my band describe me. I am an autocrat, but a nice, cuddly one. At the end of the day, there is no room for wishy-washy democracy in a band. All the greatest groups have one, or two, definitive leaders!

Which famous front men from the annals of rock history do you most identify

with?

Erm…tricky. I love Morrissey for his amazing lyrics, but I also hate the fact that he’s such a cunt in real life. I love people like John Lennon, but in general I don’t like front men. Even though I’m just the same as all these people, I wouldn’t wanna be mates with any of ‘em…egos out of control!

There’s a Lebanese band covering ‘Remain’, what other far-flung fans of your music do you know of?

We get ‘em everywhere. Japan, Canada…it’s nice really. It freaks you out to think something you wrote in yer kitchen in Sheffield is being listened to in some far-flung corner of the world.

What’s only kinky the first time?

Sausages.