It is just days away from the Editors first shows in Australia and I can’t help but point out that it has taken awhile for the band to reach our shores. After two years of rumours, false alarms and hear say, the boys have finally made it; scheduled to play at Splendour as well as headlining their own (sold out) shows.
Bassist Russell and drummer Ed Lay are talkative and polite, sharing stories about their first full day in Sydney. Catching up with the boys on their start of their Australian tour it’s hard to believe that this is the same band that has been living out of their suitcases for over two years. Sitting together in a hotel room overlooking Rushcutters Bay the two and are relaxed, debating whether or not they’ll have time to visit Bondi Beach later in the day.
Bassist Russell explains why it took them so long for them to reach our shores and reveals “Well, we were gonna come for the first record but because we’d toured for the Back Room for so long it just went on for so long we were exhausted by the end of it. We’re honed professionals now. It’s really exciting for us to be here.”
Ed adds “We haven’t played our own gig for a couple of months now.”
Russell continues, “It¹s going to be good to be playing to people who are coming to see us only.”
Ed reveals what the boys got up to on their first day in Australia. “We went on the ferry over to Manly. Just did all the touristy things, around the Botanical Gardens- had a gander at the bats, went to the Opera House, things you gotta have to do. It’s just fantastic being in a city that we’ve never been in.”
Their debut LP The Back Room instantly became a favourite, gaining the attention of critics and fans who were impressed with their urgent riffs, enigmatic live shows and yes, that voice. Although their sound has often been compared to artists such as Echo and The Bunnymen and Interpol, the Editors have slowly dictated their own path to success . Their tight live performances and punishing touring schedule has helped the band achieve success in both the US and Europe. Their achievements in the States are evident in the band’s appearance in high profile shows such as Jimmy Kimmel and coveted festival gigs.
Russell is blunt when it comes to discussing the band’s success. “We always knew that and we’re very ambitious and confident, especially with the new record that we can be one of the best bands around. We’ve always felt that there was something to our music.”
Ed adds, “Well, I think we got through touring for the last album without making any really decent money. We were living very much to our means and then we kind of realised that we had something going for us, because we were getting a vibe around us when we were playing gigs.”
Russell smiles, “What’s going on at the moment is that you don’t actually make money now from record sales, it’s all from touring. Well, we’re a competent live band and we like to play to people.”
I ask the boys what their opinion is on the UK music press and both share a similar and cynical view of it. Despite receiving favourable press in all magazines, both have a strong opinion on the press. Russell reveals, “I think our publications are really snotty. I mean, I remember buying it with Gospeed You Black Emperor on the cover and that’s never gonna happen again now and we all know why cause you gotta have your hyped band on it.”
“Yeah it’s all tabloid crap now, which is pretty unfortunate. I think
they take themselves too seriously and people will trust it as the gospel.” Ed says.
However, the lads do love performing on television shows such as Jools Holland and believe that such programs are crucial in pushing bands and discovering new talent. Tiny states, “Jools Holland is actually a really fun show to do.”
Russell offers, “Although the first time we did it we were petrified. Then the second time we did it we were like ‘well we’ve done this before’ and we did a much better performance with much more confidence.”
The Editors The End has a Start is out now
