UK post-punkers The Fall are about to welcome Sydney into their wonderful and frightening worldonce more – and according to their compelling and at times controversial frontman, Mark E. Smith, the sooner the better.
“At the moment we’re playing a holiday resort in Britain – why the hell we’re doing that in this weather I don’t know! It’s a bloody contractual obligation, but we’re looking forward to staying in Australia for a while – last time was such a short trip.”
The Fall’s latest tour dates come in support of a new release, Sub-Lingual Tablet. The innovative and enduring Brits have released 31 studio albums in 39 years, and despite countless lineup changes, their sound has continued to evolve. “That’s the advantage of having Elena [Poulou, Smith’s wife on vocals and keyboard] and the other guys in the group, because they’re a good deal younger than me so it keeps things fresh. Alternative radio in Britain just play stuff from the ’80s and ’90s – it’s fucking shit! Almost everyone they play is older than me, and that’s saying a lot,” Smith laughs.
Smith has a reputation for being blunt in interviews, but what shines through most is his sense of humour and honesty. “It took about two years to make this album, which is a long time for us. I was getting a bit fed up with it, and I’d given up on it, to be honest! So I threw a quarter of the mixes away and just used the first takes, believe it or not. But when I listen back, I think that’s why it feels a bit edgier than other records.”
What is also abundantly clear when speaking to this icon of British underground music is his fondness for his wife and musical partner – his voice audibly softens when he says Poulou’s name. “She’s got a completely different musical taste to anybody else in the group, that’s for sure. She thinks she’s light years ahead of everyone else,” he chuckles.
The Greek-born Poulou started her career as a DJ and joined The Fall in 2002, a year after marrying Smith. “She’s into everything and she’s very good,” he says. “So it’s not like we’re creatively at odds or anything, you know?”
Prior to their current settled lineup, The Fall were something of a revolving-door workplace – certain counts claim the group has gone through over 65 members since forming in 1976. In recent years, it’s been widely reported that Smith once fired a man for ordering a salad (“The salad was the last straw” is one of his most notable quotes about that time period). These days, the frontman seems much more content. “The group is sounding very good live at the moment – it’s nothing like it was in the old days,” he says.
Towards the end of our conversation, the mood takes a sombre turn at the mention of veteran BBC Radio DJ and tastemaker, the late John Peel. Peel was once quoted as saying The Fall was his “favourite ever group”, and his continued support of the band was broadcast to millions. “He sent our music around the world – thanks to him we have fans in Russia!” says Smith. “You can’t expect someone at the BBC to understand that now. Radio has gone down the drain, it’s fucking shit … but we have a very good relationship with his wife [Sheila Ravenscroft]. She’s still doing things, and his son [Tom Ravenscroft] is on the radio, and he’s really good actually. I’ll admit I’d never talked to [John] much, but I’d write to him and he used to send me postcards. Yes, the world’s a worse place without John Peel.”
The Fall’sSub-Lingual Tablet is out now through Cherry Red, and they play theMetro TheatreWednesday October 21, with Gold Class.
