[INTERVIEW] with... The Crookes

It's really no secret that The Crookes have long been legends in my book and having spoke to them many a time after the gigs etc I knew they'd be class for an interview. Last night they rounded up their recent UK section of their tour by returning home to play The Leadmill but we caught up with them before their gig at Hull's New Adelphi earlier in the month. 

Jase Hare: For itsallindie.com this is The Crookes, well half of, the others are playing pool just over there haha And we're sat in the back of Hull's legendary venue, the New Adelphi club. Obviously Daniel you've played here before?

Daniel Hopewell: yeah didn't there used to be a big bomb outside on the roof, where's that gone?

JH: probably stolen or blown away with the wind haha

Adam Crofts: I've never played here before but really looking forward to it.

JH: looking forward to playing the new tunes?

AC: yeah well there are some great tracks on the new album to play live so they'll be fun.

JH: in terms of the song writing on the new album Daniel obviously it's in stark contrast to 'Soapbox' having clearly happier tones, artwork etc matching that, was this a conscious decision or did it all fall into place?

DH: well i just write things down but then i seem to see colours of the lyrics and that shapes where it flows too as a verse or a chorus or such like.

What are your personal favourite tracks from the new album?

AC: i have two, 'six week holiday' and 'roman candle' which is the one we we're just talking about sounding like it has a Mario kart sample, but yeah those two.

DH: 'No one like you' is the best song I've ever written.

JH: that's a bold statement!

DH: i'm not saying it's any good but i think it's the best song I've ever written.

JH: i agree it's an amazing track.

DH: it just feels quite big.

JH: last couple of questions to round it off guys, appreciate you probably want to shoot off and play pool. Some friends of ours in a band called Bang Bang Romeo...

AC: yeah i know them, i know Joel.

JH: you know Joel, everyone knows Joel, bit of a lad, good guy.

DH: is he the one that was talking to you about Paul McCartney for ages?!

AC: yeah that's him. I really like Joel.

JH: yeah he's a good laugh, they were telling us a pre gig ritual of doing a shot together. Do you guys have anything you must do for a gig?

AC: normally pool, that's quite a common theme.

DH: do a prostitute together

JH: hahahaha

DH: Only jesting of course! i'd just like to stress. I go one up on Bang Bang Romeo!

JH: i mean yeah i think you did that

AC: we don't really do anything do we? I mean this tour has been relatively calm, we've not really been drinking much.

JH: i can tell from the bottles of water to be fair.

DH: well we've been touring for years so those sort of things just wear off. That kind of side of it is almost becomes like a job, i don't really mean it in an "anti-rock n roll" kind of way but you treat it in that way that you want to put a good performance on.

JH: is it yourself that's writing the tour diary online? Is that an avenue you use to get rid of ideas that maybe don't fit into a song?

DH: yeah i mean i write constantly, whether its stories or scripts and that's just one thing i do, i just had all these extracts and things then decided to post it online.

JH: it was really intriguing for me to read cos I've always said you guys are my second favourite band and that you lyrics are key to that...

AC: who's your first?

JH: Bloc Party.

AC: fair enough

DH: there are millions of bands out there so to get to second i'm delighted, top 100 i'd be happy i think!

JH: well i'd rather be honest with you guys. last question... Dream venue to ever play?

AC: we were just talking about this the other day actually. Do you know red rocks?

JH: where Mumford filmed a video?

AC: yeah there! That would be brilliant but we also decided on somewhere like the Leadmill, is just you know, go play a great gig at the Leadmill back home.

JH: yeah i totally get that. Well thank you guys for your time, greatly appreciated, i'll let you crack on and play pool.

Joe Brumby: one question from me guys, i always ask it, does Jase's head in but what's your favourite quality street?

DH: the green triangle maybe?

AC: i'm more of a toffee finger fan.

JH: are they're the guys you don't trust though!

DH: our old drummer Russell revealed one day actually that he didn't dunk biscuits in his tea, you can't trust those people either.

JH: is that why he left the band? Haha

JB: ha i ask everyone cos it divides opinion but yeah cheers for your time aswell guys, looking forward to the gig.

A huge thanks to the guys and their team in the background for arranging this, hopefully can do it all over again on the next tour. Be sure to get on the new album!

Photo Credit: @JustBrumby87

@Jasehare

[GIG REVIEW] The Crookes w/ Misty Miller & Affairs, 10th February 2016

I've probably bored my acquaintances over the years stating that one of my favourite places to be is at a live 'The Crookes' gig, last night was no different in Hull's unique The New Adelphi Club.

Before I get to the Sheffield lads, there was the support acts which firstly came in the form of Hull's very own Affairs. I believe these lads will go far and I've have said this for agesss! Hard working and getting technically better with every release, they now have a great repertoire, strong branding and those key stand out attributes (mainly James' dancing but I genuinely mean every aspect of their set aswell)

I posted an interview with the lads on here the other day, ermm just let me find it... Interview. I still forgot to ask about the gravy story!

Catching up with the guys they mentioned some exciting things in the pipeline so if you're in the Manchester area, no doubt you'll be able to catch them sometime soon. You won't regret it:

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Misty Miller was up next and as a self confessed novice in terms of listening to her art, I was intrigued to see what was about to happen when she took to the stage wearing a 'Pixies' shirt, acoustic in hand, strong attitude and not alot else...oh and her boyfriend (i think) on another guitar.

What followed was her undeniable ability to hold not only her voice but the crowds attention with minimal effort. Cleverly constructed lyrics, dare I say, made my head think of 'Jagged Little Pill', whether she would be happy with that comparison i'm not sure but I mean it as a huge compliment.

Totally enjoyed her set though and this wouldn't be the last we would see of her for the evening. Like, follow etc below, you know the drill by now:

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'The Crookes'... well what can I say that I haven't already over the years. I don't think there are many more complimentary terms that I could spit out right now. As a fan, the chaps just have my buy in constantly. They cannot do any wrong in my eyes. **Fanboy Alert**

New Album 'Lucky Ones' has not moved from my playlist since its release a couple of weeks ago, even the morning of my dads wedding I woke up and played him it! He loved it aswell, he knows he did!

In the build up of this gig I managed to grab an informal interview with Daniel and Adam from the band (will be posted on IAI soon) which was a personal highlight for me as I so eloquently told them that they're "my second favourite band".

Anyway this is a gig review so let's do that! A great mixture of old tunes throughout the years and obviously new hits from 'Lucky Ones' kept a very diverse crowd happy throughout. Personally I loved the fact they played "When You're Fragile" which I don't recall hearing live before. I love the lyrics to that song despite being relatively dark.

'I Wanna Waste My Time On You', 'Lucky Ones', 'Roman Candle' and my personal new favourite 'The World Is Waiting' all went down a storm and the guys seemed to be having a good laugh on stage even though George's mic stand was twirling around more than I was with my dodgy dancing.

This new album has some more keyboard/synth sounds thrown in the mix and i'm sure Daniel used these within a couple of older tracks such as 'Afterglow', I may be totally wrong and just never noticed this previously but it gave those hits a new cheeky twist.

You know I said earlier we hadn't seen the last of Misty Miller for the evening? This is because she joined forces with The Crookes on stage to perform "Ex-Lovers" a B-Side of 'I Wanna Waste My Time On You'.



Recorded just using one microphone, George and Misty unintentionally ended up sharing one microphone again but it worked abit better in my opinion as a live spectacle. This was THAT moment mid-gig that the crowd get drawn in and soak up what's happening in front of them. Very special.

All in all a fantastic evening for me personally, especially spotting my face on the front of one of their single covers, no royalties coming my way despite my best efforts but it's safe to say I can't wait to see them live again asap.

If you're not a Bright Young Thing yet then their world is waiting for you here:

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Photo Credit: @JustBrumby87

Many thanks,

Jase Hare

Gig Review... The Crookes @ The New Adelphi Club, Hull, 19th of April 2014

I make no secret about it... I am a HUGE Crookes fan so forgive me if this gig review is slightly tinged with a feel of a 'Bright Young Thing'.

I was seriously looking forward to this gig from the moment I read the lads were playing Hull, so much so I dragged 3 mates with me with the promise they wouldn't be disappointed and a cheeky night out afterwards.

Knowing full well that The New Adelphi Club was a tiny venue steeped in musical history I had a feeling that The Crookes lively stage presence and gut bursting effort into every tune would be quality to witness in such a setting, that's if they could get into the venue that is as the doors were locked upon arrival meaning George (Lead Singer and Bassist) spent 10 minutes talking to us outside about why he had a banana and a packet of midget gems in a carrier bag.



Starting the set with a belter off the new album, 'Don't Put Your Faith In Me' really shows how clever, concise and whispfully moving The Crookes continue to be into their 3rd LP when all paths pointed to 'Afterglow' (a single release from the 2nd EP and arguably their most anthemic/sing-along tune) being a fork in the road for them, heading down a more Kaiser Chiefs - 'Ruby' popularity contest kinda line, which I wouldn't have particularly enjoyed I don't think, although I do love 'Afterglow' itself.

The rest of the set was mix of now classics for Bright Young Things such as 'Bloodshot Days' and selected crowd favourites from the 'Hold Fast' album. I should probably apologise to The Crookes (if they ever read this) that my friend and I who were down the front probably acting like 12 year old 1D fans carried on singing throughout 'Yes, Yes, We Are Magicians' when they stopped playing in the middle of it and basically hi-jacked the show for all of 30 seconds, George said thanks but suitably put us to shame in the singing department after that... (I blame the pints for my almost football chant-like efforts).

A midas touch of a finale to play an acoustic version of 'The Cooler King' in a circle within the crowd was a real treat to stand next to aswell.



Ok so I think anyone reading this can guess that I had a quality time but my aforementioned friends seemed to also enjoy how much genuine quality the lads ooze in a live setting and their view point would be from a more neutral perspective than mine (and the night out was a decent crack aswell just FYI). I would urge anyone who hasn't given The Crookes a real good listen to plough through their back catalouge and it won't be long before you hit something that hits the spot.

Although having to rush off in the tour bus afterwards the band still squeezed in time to appease drunken requests for signatures, questions from us lot about being famous etc and Dan (guitarist) reluctantly helping us out on the quiz machine despite my friends choice in game not exactly being to his taste (erotic spot the difference, only in 'ULL)

New album SOAPBOX is out now and well worth purchasing! Also they have an app available which I was not aware of before this album... criminal!!!

JH     @jasehare