Magoo
Magoo, stalwart and talented indie rockers straight outta Narborough are holding a special Anniversary gig at their spiritual home, Norwich Arts Centre this month. We’ll be there to help them celebrate 25 years of making the noise that they love with an extended set featuring some old songs with some past players as well as some bang up-to-date recent faves with the current Magoo roll call. A history that includes playing Glastonbury, supporting Arab Strap, being signed to one of the hippest labels ever and seven album releases, they’re just about to release a new EP feat one of my favourite songs EVER, Ice Cave. I spoke to lead singer Andrew ahead of the show.
Why are you called Magoo?
Mister Magoo is why. We needed a name and only had a day to come up with one. We liked the cartoon and me and Mr Owen were half blind. We’ve regretted it ever since.
Andrew, you have an incredible voice. When did you first start singing?
Why thank you kindly. I have always sung. Luckily my voice didn’t break too bad although I can’t quite do what I used to though.
What brought the band together initially, and who were you listening to at the time?
We just went for it even though Owen was the only one who could play anything. Initially we were listening to The Stone Roses, Ride and The Family Cat, quickly moving towards a Pavement/Flaming Lips world.
The band’s home is in Narborough, in the wilds of the Norfolk countryside. How has it affected your music, to write and record in nature?
It’s basically no distractions whatsoever. Sometimes we record outside, sitting in the trees, with tweeting birds on our shoulders.
When you listen back to your first songs, how does it make you feel?
The first songs at the time were always lacking for me for whatever reason. I listen back now & I’m pretty damn happy with what we did do.
How did you first get your foot on the ladder of musical success?
We made cassettes of songs and sent them about. Noisebox Records heard one and put out some singles, one of which Chemikal Underground heard and they offered us a little dealio. We also had a manager/friend type of guy back then. That helped a lot.
What was the Norwich music scene like in the early 90’s? What were the popular venues?
We played in a lot of different places back then, some of which aren’t about anymore. The Arts Centre were the first to put us on - we played in the bar. There was loads going on, lots of friendly bands having fun and supporting each other and lots of promoters doing good things.
Being signed to Chemikal Underground meant you got to play Glastonbury and in New York. What was it like being with that particular, well renowned label?
Being on Chemikal was fab! We were touring, playing with some great bands, putting more records out and we got to play a few gigs in New York. We got Glastonbury through our old headmaster knowing Mr Eavis’ brother. I think that the Chemikals were a little envious at the time. Everyone was lovely to us in that Scotland world.
You toured with bands like Arab Strap and The Delgados. What did you learn from the other bands?
I really don’t know. There will have been some things, but it’s so long ago and my mind is jelly.
John Peel was a big fan of yours and you recorded several sessions with him. How would you describe his influence and involvement?
We could not overstate the importance of Mr Peel. He played our records. He gave us seven radio sessions and was extremely supportive of us when not many others were. Also, listening to his programmes was the best musical homework you could have. We miss him muchly.
After you left Chemikal Underground you set up Sickroom Studios in Narborough, and Owen has run it ever since, very successfully. What bands and musicians have recorded there during its history?
There have been hundreds over the years. Here’s some: Broken Family Band, Emily Barker, KaitO, Factory Floor, Bearsuit, Mega Emotion, Graceland, Tibetan Night Terrors and Ducking Punches.
You last released an album in 2012, and before that, 2006. What have you guys been up to during that time?
We were always doing something, and we always had gigs to play, just not as many as our touring days. I record on my 8-track cassette machine all the time. We have a stockpile of 250 or so songs. It’s not as easy to do our stuff with the studio busy with other peeps.
You’re celebrating 25 years in the ‘business’ at the Arts Centre, which you describe as your spiritual home. Why do you feel that way about the building?
They gave us our first Norwich gig and we must have played there 40 times over the years. We’re always looked after and the staff over the years have always been top notch with us. They sorted out our Blue Aeroplanes support earlier in the year which led us to publishing and record release possibilities in the near future.
How will you choose which songs to play on the night? Will it be a selection of tracks from all your albums? It will be all kinds of everything.
We’re re-learning at the moment, from a list of 20 songs.
You’ve got some old music friends supporting you on the night, Mega Emotion, Rory McVicar and Shane O’Linski. How has the music community in Norwich been towards you throughout the years?
We’ve always found the music community to be friendly and fun. Maybe if we were based in Norwich we’d find out that everyone hates us.
Andrew, what song would you play someone who’s never heard Magoo before, and why?
Maybe it would be Expansion Ride. It has the energy and the strangeness we like.
Magoo play Norwich Arts Centre on 28th July. Tickets available from norwichartscentre.co.uk
