interview with atomic clocks

Interview with atomic clocks
I’m here with The Atomic Clocks, said to be ‘the next big indie rock band’, and I have to say I fully agree. Now to the interview, that is set at Blank Tape studios in Sheffield. Where the band are recording there next album ‘heads. shoulders. knees. and. soul.’ I’m here with Nick Fletcher (lead singer, guitarist) and Chris Haslam (Drums), the other 2 Jacob Smith (Bass) and Mike Schoefield (lead guitar) are ill and this has put a short stop to proceedings album-wise.

So how did you guys get started?
CH - It was 2002, we all got guitars for Christmas and started playing in my garage that summer, rehearsed there and in a warehouse for a bit for about a year.
We did our first gig in June 2003 and we played a few gigs in and around Sheffield for a bit then started doing gigs outside of Sheffield, recording demos while all this was going on.

What have been the highlights so far for you?
NF - When we headlined at the Leadmill, that was good. We'd played before, but when we headlined we sold it out which were good.

CH - Yeah, 'cause that's where we used to go and watch bands and stuff, that was good but recording this album has been the highlight for me, because I get to edit it so I sound good.

People say Sheffield is the most happening place in the country for new bands - what do you think?
CH - There are bands like Harrisons, Milburn... we used to go and watch Milburn when we were 15 and that, but the bands started out at the same time, like Bromheads Jacket.
We started doing alright for ourselves and a lot of focus came onto this 'scene'. But there are loads of good bands, and people want to create a scene, and it's not like the London scene.
NF - It's good how we all know each other as well, it's not like I'm mates with Tom from Milburn, I'm just mates with Tom.

Chris is happy he's not recognised too often

CH - And I used to play football with him for Red Rose [laughs].
NF - People do ask me if I see the other Sheffield bands and I do, but it's like, I see my mates and they happen to play as well too.

So are you at home in Sheffield very often?

NF - We haven't been back very often 'cause of the tour, but we're new to this, we've not been doing it very long.CH - I was looking at next year's schedule the other day and we've only got about three weeks off... a lot of it is just touring.