The Verve
As The Verve, Richard Ashcroft, Simon Jones, Mick McCabe & Simon Tong (now replaced by Peter Salisbury), straddled the world for a short time. Multi-million selling artists they had’ audiences and critics eating out of their hands. Following the incredible success of a certain record entitled Urban Hymns, things went suddenly and spectacularly wrong. Tours stress and inter band fighting brought on an implosion that many (including the band) thought would never be repaired. Some years later and on the verge of releasing what some are calling a make or break album The Verve are back. Alive and Kicking. Simon Jones appears to be a happy enough man. The Chester born, Londoner seems to be the natural counterpoint to Ashcroft’s swagger, but can be equally as outspoken when pressed. Talkative, chirpy and occasionally cheeky the Verve’s bassist smacks of a man confident in what he has achieved but careful to address some of the mistakes that may have been made along the way.
It’s taken some time for the Verve to get the wheels turning again. What have you learned from the last time around?
The 90’s were a pretty hedonistic time. A lot went on. When your young (they were first signed at 17) and this opportunity comes up, you kind of get lost in it. It were mad for a bit. I think we’re all a little centered now. We’ve got a bit more balance.
Has that made it easier in recording?
It has, yeah. We’re not as easily distracted as before and the thing is, we’re recording the best stuff we’ve ever done.
But you have to say that don’t you? You can’t say “it’s the second best album we’ve ever recorded”.
But it is. I can say that honestly.
Ok, then what sort of direction has it taken in terms of sound?
It’s pretty broad. There’s the softer stuff we’ve had, there’s the murky guitars from as far back as A Storm In Heaven. It’s a big sound, we’re happy about it.
We’ve got to touch on the split, you must be bored of it by now.
Well, look at it this way, like I said, we were younger before and there was a lot of…stuff going on. You’re away from home, everyone’s your best mate and it can get a bit…much. We’ve moved passed that now. There were many personalities, we were overworked and ill prepared and it took us by surprise. Like I said the 90’s were pretty deadly, but were back to reality now. Finally.
So the atmosphere is good?
It’s great at the moment, yeah.
What happened to The Shining (Simon’s short lived band following the Verve split in ‘99)? Quicksilver (a former single) was immense?
Oh that’s done. Buried. It was right for me at the time, but I just had kids and begun to settle down so I couldn’t tour it properly. I couldn’t sacrifice 6 months away from my family.
What truth is there to the rumours circulating that the new record is delayed because the record company panicked about the Coldplay release?
(Laughs long and hard). None. No truth. It’s simply not finished yet. That’s all.
Any hints on the title then?
Erm, ha ha, no. Not as yet, we’ve a few working titles, let’s put it that way.
A possible single?
Love Is Noise is likely to be the first single.
There’s a bit of excitement about this record isn’t there? Do you feel that the press are building you up, just to knock you down again?
There is a bit yeah (excitement). But I tend to avoid reading any of the press. Maybe I’ll catch a live review here and there but generally I’ll stay away. It’s just someone’s view after all.
So what do you make of Jay-Z and the grumbles at Glastonbury?
I dunno. I’m a big fan, of what he’s done for music. Is Hip-Hop the right choice for the festival? I think if he puts on a good show, what does it matter? There’s too much about this band and that band, but it’s relative. We’re looking forward to Glastonbury the most. We’ll have a big show.
What about playing live? Where are you looking forward to playing – aside from Roeser?
Glastonbury is obviously going to be huge. I like live shows. We’ve had a good response so far. We’ve a couple of things up our sleeves.
Like at Haigh hall (A homecoming gig in Wigan 98)?
They’ll be some big lights and that, but we’re looking at atmosphere. And to test the newer songs, of course.
And how’s the set list developing? What’s the balance of new versus old – is it a bit of a Greatest Hits set?
Ha ha, it’s pretty balanced. There are the crowd pleasers of course. We’ve got Lucky Man, Sonnet from Urban Hymns obviously. A few off A Northern Soul. Some songs come in and out, it depends. Like one night we’ll have History and the next it could be On Your Own. There’s no fixed list for every gig. Of the newer stuff there’ll be maybe 4 or 5 from the new record.
Is that all?
(Laughing quiet loudly). Why, you think there should be more?
I don’t know, I’m not in a band or a manager, but I’d of thought more. Maybe 6-7.
You might be right, I’ll have a think about that.
And is the whole Rolling Stones/Bitterweet Symphony problem a thing of the past.
(Sighs audibly). It is. We didn’t see a penny.
Do you see The Verve releasing more and more music on the digital format?
Oh yes definitely, the industry is changing pretty fast and you have to be ready to adapt.
Are we talking soon?
There could be some things happening later this year. Yes. You’ll need to keep an eye out.
The Verve play Rock-A-Field on Saturday 21 June.
Stephen Lowe
