Lab4 – ‘None of us are Saints’ album launch interview
Reported by Steve Milton
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Submitted 05-06-06 22:33
In a quiet moment at work I got my head into thinking of an introduction for this piece and immediately came up blank. I wanted to avoid the clichéd standard few sentences of “how big and successful so n so are” and the general blowing of sunshine up orifices which makes everything sound so sycophantic and overly commercial. That kind of thing really does just turn me off so I’m avoiding it like a tired clubber crossing the road when noticing the aggressive beggar man coming towards them whilst walking down Town Hall Parade in Brixton.
So, expertly side-stepping that issue, I’m going to get straight to business. I’ve been lucky enough to know the chaps behind Lab4 for a few years now and as such will try and get the no bullsh*t down and dirty answers to the questions about the live stage shows, the future and the forthcoming double album, ‘None of us are Saints’.
OK first up, the name of the album. Is this a retrospective indication on your past exploits? It seems to hint at an acceptance of things past, or am I just reading too much into it?
Lez: We were in Australia at the time and didn’t have a name for the album. We bought a DVD about the world’s most notorious serial killers. Under each of their mug shots on the back cover there was a quote from each of them. The ‘None Of Us Are Saints’ quote came from Albert Fish. He was a very naughty boy and had an appetite for some rather exotic meat. When questioned as to why did you do it, all he said was ‘oh well . . . none of us are saints’ . . . classic!!!! Very dark and twisted.
Now you’ve finally got the release all sorted you must be very relieved, it seems like this has been dragging on for ages. Did you get frustrated with it all or are you beyond all that kind of thing now?
Adam: It has been possibly the most difficult part of my career. It has been hard work to stay focussed, and not lose hope or perspective, but at the same time to keep believing that things will all fall into place when all the pieces of the puzzle are present. It was a relief the first time we listen to the whole album (which was actually when we received copies from Japan) and to still feel excited and proud of it as a whole piece of work.
Lez: Really relieved it’s happened at last. I played it all the way through a few weeks ago and it still holds up, even though some of it is 2 years old. It’s kicked off in Japan for us as well. We played there last month and were told it’s doing really well there.
So what were the major causes of all the delays?
Adam: The last minute change of record label in May last year followed by various small delays including remixes coming in late and tweaks needing to be done.
Lez: The two main reasons were finding a strong label for it. That took a year. Then we decided to put the ‘Perfect Drug’ remixes on it as well. The Starscreem mix took ages due to the Slipknot touring schedule.
OK, following on from that and with the benefit of hindsight do you think you’d have done anything differently if you could go back and start again?
Adam: No. We made the right decision to go with Resist and all the other delays were really out of our hands. For example, to include the Slipknot and Nightbreed remixes on the album was a good plan at the time, we had no idea that one of them would take so long to come through by which point art work had been done, press releases had happened etc. . . . as does sh*t (happen that is)!
Lez: No, not really.
You’ve got some pretty big names doing remixes of Lab4 tunes from the album. How did they come about and are you pleased with the outcome?
Adam: Resist wanted some remixes done and we were all pretty much against getting some standard hard dance mixes so we sat round a table, had a beer or two and came up with some possible names and basically managed to get mixes from the first two choices. I’m pleased with the remixes; I like the fact that they are not just DJ friendly rehashes of the original. Having said that, I would really like to hear them in a club, they are both really dark and quite disturbing, which is obviously good.
Lez: I really like the Nightbreed mix. The Starscreem mix was a bit of a kafuffle. They used some unlicensed samples from the original ‘Perfect Drug’ track. When I heard it I couldn’t believe it, we had waited months and months for it and when it turned up it was practically unusable. It had to be edited to f*ck just so N.I.N wouldn’t sue us to death
It must be interesting to hear another artist’s take on something you’ve written, were you ever concerned that you’d dislike the outcome and what would you have done if this were the case?
Adam: Personally, I think if you ask someone to do a remix it should be because you want their perspective on your track and you really should be prepared to be totally open to what is sent back. It’s usually pretty obvious if the time or effort that a mix deserved hasn’t been put in which is pretty disappointing, but so far I haven’t felt that way about any mixes that we have been sent.
Lez: Had them shot. Ha ha! I don’t know really. In this case it was weird because it’s a track we’ve covered/remixed, then someone else has added their interpretation on top of our one. It’s like a self-perpetuating organism.
Again the album is a real mixture of styles and genres, with pretty much everything in there. Do you have a favourite sound or are you happy having a pop at producing anything?
Adam: This album really is possibly the truest representation of what Lab4 really is. There have always been Lab4 tracks written that just do not suit the live set and mostly people only get to hear them if they listen to our ‘Devilution’ albums (available from the Lab4 web site NOW!), but during the writing of this album there was a lot of ‘movement and development’ on the dance scene and we were looking forwards, backwards and sideways for inspiration. By the time we came to try to pick the tracks for an album, we realised that we needed to put them all in to say what we wanted to say; hence the double album of studio tracks. For anyone who has heard the 1995 Carl Cox CD F.A.C.T (released on React), it’s pretty obvious that N.O.U.A.S is really a tip of the hat to the open-mindedness displayed on that album.
Lez: Dance-wise I like a good techy hard type of style. I did the reviews this month for IDJ magazine, loads of house stuff that kind of thing, the tunes that really stuck out were poles apart. One was a remix by Switch (dark twisted house, Harry Romero style) and the other was by Skeewiff. 1970s Starsky and Hutch meets glam . . . absolutely classic. I like stuff that makes my headphones pop out and go “God! That was cool.” Very, across-the-board, eclectic taste.
OK moving on, the Lab4 Live Extreme experience include the tools normally associated with something akin to a rock concert, was it a conscious decision of yours to try and break down the boundaries of hard dance or was it just a natural progression considering your musical roots?
Adam: It was a natural progression, although a long slow one. We have progressed with it very carefully until we felt we had got the right balance and when we found that balance, it was then really a game of pushing things as far as we could but without losing that balance. Anyone can push things to and past limits, but the magic happens if you can still keep that balance happening. The main goal has always been to see if we can make each (big) show just a little better or more exciting for the audience as opposed to just pushing limits.
Lez: I think it’s more of a natural progression to be honest. It’s not a tactical move to break any boundaries. To me that’s just arrogant and boring. It’s also a finger in the face of all those that were slagging us off and saying we couldn’t play our stuff etc.
What would you say to those who might say that this kind of thing has no place in hard dance?
Adam: They are possibly right . . . but they should all just chill out! It would be a boring scene if we were all just doing the same thing and our job on the scene is to be Lab4, which for us has always involved seeing how good a show we can put on. So far, based on the reactions from the crowd that we have played the Extreme show for, people mostly seem to enjoy it and if they don’t, there’s usually only half an hour to go until a DJ is back on!
Lez: Fair play, it’s a free country.
So what’s up next for the Lab4 locomotive? Do you see yourself continuing with more releases and shows around the world, or will it be pushed into the sidings and uncoupled, allowing you to both go off and do your own thing?
Adam: Most of the rest of this year is booked up until NYE and will involve at least another trip to Japan and Australia, as well as Finland and possibly Canada. We are considering taking a break from the constant gigging next year but we’ll see what happens.
Lez: I’ve started messing around mixing and really getting into it. It’s something that I’ve wanted to devote more time to and now I can. I’ve almost bankrupted myself with the amount of tunes I’m buying. When we were in Japan Yoji made me get up in front of 1500 people and mix some tracks. I sh*t myself, I’d been practising for 8 weeks at that point. I’m into doing remixes and collaborations as well. I did one a month ago with Sonic from Cambridge. We’ve yet to finish it. It’s very different to the normal stuff I would write. Very commercial trance.
I’ve noticed you’ve been taking an interest in the visual as well as the audio with credit for some of the artwork on the album. Is this a new thing you’ve just been playing with or is it an indication of future potential projects?
Lez: I’ve always been heavily into my visuals. I actually sit and study corporate branding and have books and books on it. I took some of the photos as well. The graveyards ones were shot at Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington on a Sunday evening. It was really creepy. My girlfriend and I were walking along this really overgrown path talking about the album, when I noticed that headless angel gravestone and though yes!! None of us are Saints . . . a headless angel . . . classic . . . I know it’s wrong but!
The Manga image was started by another artist who got Adam’s image well but had left mine off. So I thought f*ck it!! I’ll do it myself . . . so I did. It was a good learning process.
Adam, we’ve been seeing a little more of you recently behind the decks indulging in some serious techno. Will this be continuing in the future or will it be back on the live gig trail once more now the album is released?
Adam: I have been really enjoying the different feel and focus of getting into techno sets. It is something that I will definitely do a little more of next year, at present the Lab4 gigs remain a priority, particularly with a the new album just having been released. The next techno set I have is at Tribal on Friday 16th June at Hidden with James ‘Sterling’ Moss and Yoji Biomehanika. We have a Lab4 gig at Slinky in Bournemouth and then I’ll be dashing (as always) back to London for the last set.
And finally, any words for all the clubbers who’ve supported you over the past years?
Adam: Thanks basically . . . we honestly really appreciate the support and open-mindedness that for the most part we have experienced year in and year out when we are out gigging. It’s always been the gigs that have pulled us through difficult or depressing times and it’s good to know that also it seems for the most part people really appreciate the work that goes into the shows, particularly the Extreme shows.
Lez: To everyone that’s supported us over the years, I reckon we should start a private army and take over the world and show them how it’s done. We love ya! XXX
Thanks guys for your time.
I think that’s about it. You can say what you like about the guys from Lab4 (and many regardless of knowledge undoubtedly will), there’s no denying the fact that they’ve remained one of the most respected and successful acts on the scene for a reason. Aside from their success they’re both down to earth, approachable and eternally grateful to their fans for allowing them to continue on their chosen path. I’m a firm believer in the saying: “You get out of life what you put in”, so by my reckoning Lab4 deserve a fair slice of the cake that is this life.
See you on the dance floor.
All images courtesy of Adam and Les of Lab4 (except pictures 4 & 5 by Nomi Sunrider). Not to be reproduced without permission.
Lab 4 play their next Live set at Terminal this Saturday night at the Renaissance Rooms.
Digital Fusion Presents:
TERMINAL
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On:
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Saturday 10th June 2006
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At:
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Renaissance Rooms [map]
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From:
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21:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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Limited Early Bird Tickets on sale now @ ONLY £12.50+BF,
Saver Tickets £16+BF,
Standard Tickets £20+BF,
More on the door.
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Ticket Info:
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Ticketweb: 08700 600 100 - www.ticketweb.co.uk
Clubtickets: 0870 246 1840 - www.clubtickets.co.uk (Group Discount of 1 FREE for Every 5 you buy!)
Vince Coach/Tickets in the Midlands : 07835 626 226
Charlie Real World Promotions: 07939 207836
Never Enough Maria: 07813 684 399
Ticket Tout : 0121 3509095
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Prepare for the biggest launch of the year when on 10th June 2006, Five of the UK's best promotions land together at Terminal.
Digital Fusion present a night of music that is quite simply out of this World, featuring four arenas of first class Hard dance, Trance, Hardcore and House.
Terminal will be taking off from the Renaissance Rooms at the heart of London's club capital, Vauxhall in what must surely be London's best kept secret venue.
On board over the course of the 4 rooms will be the dance scene's jet set djs including Lab 4 , K90, Adam Sheridan, Adam White, JFK, Paul Glazby, Hixxy, Dougal, Phil Reynolds, JP & Juksey and MANY more.
The Midlands biggest promotion - Storm, bring their legendary party to the Capital and join forces for the first time with London's No1 afterhours, Twist for a one off Storm Vs Twist Extravaganza. This is also the first time Twist has held a night time party on this scale so it will be a double whammy for many to sample both the Midlands finest and discover what Twist and storm really is all about.
Trance wizards,Knowwhere bring their special magic to Terminal 2 and promise a night of undoubtedly the finest trance you will find anywhere on this planet.
Over in Terminal 3 the Hardcore will be provided by Square 1 from Oxford where they will be gracing us with some of the biggest hardcore headliners the nation has to offer.
Funk Deluxe will host the VIP departure lounge with a special exclusive house set by Phil Reynolds who will set the pace for a sexy, funked up journey into quality house.
The Renaissance Rooms will also boast
Funktion one sound throughout to ensure maximum sound quality
Top of the range laser
Countless inflatables
Pyrotechnic shows
Professional dancers
Décor to die for
Large fans for those overheated moments
Outdoor chill-out space that will offer a welcome place to retire to and re-charge the batteries.
There will also be countless UV, Gas and massage stalls scattered throughout for merchandise
Free Cd’s to early arrivals; Free Alex Kidd and Adam Sheridan Cd’s to the first 100 people through the door.
So with 4 arenas of fun, music and debauchery can you afford not to be there?
Get your tickets, get your bags packed and get ready to take off as Terminal will be landing in Vauxhall sooner than you think.
And if your up for more dont forget that TWIST is the official Terminal afterparty - 2 mins walk at FIRE vauxhall.
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Flyer:
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Other Features By Steve Milton:
The Final Zoo
The Death of Clubland?
Trousers, Caps and Trance Anthems - It's Dave Pearce!
Boom Box, Bulldog Breaks and V1 - It's Time to Reload with DJ-X(lab4)
Clubbers Guide to Photography: Part Two
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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