Razorlight

Mon 16th Mar, 2009 in Features

Late 2008 saw influential Triple J music producer Richard Kingsmill ask his audience on a Sunday night, “Does anybody in Australia really care about Razorlight?” In January, the band embarked on its first sold-out tour of Australia, silencing anyone who doubted their pull down under.

Razorlight have attracted detractors throughout their three-album career. Regardless, it’s hard to deny that with over three million albums sold, they have found a formula that reaps sales and a credibility that has seen them share stages with The Who and Oasis.

Razorlight first hit the scene with their debut release Up All Night; full of pomp and arrogance that only Johnny Borrell could muster on a debut release. Seeing his friends The Libertines shooting to stardom seemingly drove the frontman to heights he felt he warranted. However it was not an easy rise, according to Swedish-born guitarist Bjorn Agren.

“When we first started out in 2002, there was a new surge of UK bands. Most of the bands rehearsed around the same places. They all walked around like they were rock stars without even releasing a single, and then it was coke binges every night. So we thought, – œFuck all that.’ So we got a warehouse and rehearsed; only doing one gig a month. From then we were outsiders.”

Next came the self-titled album Razorlight, with the anthemic America being the band’s first number 1. After the ensuing touring came a two-month break for Razorlight. “We wanted to be as alone as possible. Then your brain goes through all the touring and the crazy shit you have been doing ‘cause it’s intense – and it turns into music.”

The most recent album Slipway Fires is very different from their previous work. Lyrically, it’s more ambitious, increasingly atmospheric and at times it seems as if some songs lose their way in an attempt to become a new U2. So where does new inspiration come from when you have won bagfuls of Brit Awards and toured the world for five years?

“Musically, I look at Josh Homme. We are on the same vibe generally about what music we like and that music shouldn’t be so bloody serious. You can be serious about your music and still have a sense of humour; something that’s lacking a lot in music – especially indie.”

However the importance of music as a tool for awareness is something not lost on Agren or the band. Razorlight have attended various benefits for Fair Trade, they have donated songs to the Warchild foundation and have played for Nelson Mandela at his 46664 concert in 2007. “I have a Clash poster in my kitchen at home and I always find myself looking at it and thinking to myself, – œWhat would Joe Strummer do?’” Agren muses. “I’m not quite sure why, because I never met him. I don’t even know if it’s even the real Joe Strummer or just his concept.”

For all those who missed Razorlight on their fly-by January tour, there’ll be a second chance at V Festival. So what should we look forward to?

“Just expect a solid rock show. There are no weird secrets or balloons. We will let the songs do the talking – just running round and sweating a lot. Expect a lot of sweat. It seems the sweatier the shows are the more fun they are. We might even turn the air-con off, but [in Australia] that seems more like a threat…”

Razorlight play the V Festival circuit, as well as supporting Kaiser Chiefs at their sideshows.