THE PIGEON DETECTIVES
The SiS Interview by Miriam Lamey
Photo Credit: Ami Barwell

The intrepid Leeds outfit, The Pigeon Detectives, recently burst into America, presenting a blend of Killers-like (think Hot Fuss as opposed to Sam’s Town) rocking tunes, with arching singalong choruses, Britpop-inspired anthemic guitars and stage-shaking, punky drums and bass. Bringing their high-energy kicking tunes Stateside for the second time, The Pigeon Detectives sat down with SIS to chat about playing smaller venues once again, their music and the unique band name which seems to inspire grins and quizzical glances at every mention.

SIS: So first of all, I have to ask, why call yourselves “The Pigeon Detectives?” Everyone I’ve told about you hears the name, sort of laughs, smiles or makes some kind of a comment and I’m just curious as to why you picked that name.

Matt Bowman: Eh, there’s not a real reason, I mean, you can imagine we get asked that question quite a lot, but it’s just something that stuck out to us as quite quirky. Back in England, there’s bands like The Arctic Monkeys, there’s a ridiculous band name, The Pigeon Detectives, a ridiculous band name, so, you know, it’s where bands are going. You want to stand out from the crowd, especially when you’re starting and you need a following, so you’ve got to pick something that sticks, so, I mean, if you say it backwards it doesn’t mean anything cryptic, it’s just random words stuck together that stick in people’s heards. I think when we were a little band, the name seemed ridiculous, but now in England, we’re quite famous. [laughs] Tell you what, I’m going to put it out there, we’re quite famous in England, um, it can become second nature and people don’t think [the band name] is ridiculous anymore, but coming out to Canada and America and nobody having heard of us, and it’s not been on the radio, I can imagine it’s a lot more ridiculous than back at home where it’s ok and accepted.

Jimmi Naylor: I think that’s the longest answer you’ve ever gave about that. [laughs]

SIS:  When you’re writing lyrics, what are you writing about? I mean, are your lyrics taken from personal experience because it seems that you write about a lot of failed relationships, a lot of problems in relationships?

MB: Well, I think the album’s probably fifty percent experience, fifty percent observational lyrics and one of the charms of the PDs in my opinion is you can relate to the lyrics. We’re not writing about going on tour for ten weeks and traveling the world which most people have never done and couldn’t relate to; we’re talking about things that happen on a Friday and Saturday night in Leeds, so we’re trying to write lyrics people can relate to.

SIS: So how do you think people in America and Canada can relate to that – living in Leeds, I mean, if they’ve never been to Leeds?

JN:  Anyone can relate to it who understands English really [laughs] some people think about [the lyrics] in different ways and bring in different viewpoints and interpret them anyway they want, really.

SIS:  How have you found touring in America versus touring in England so far?

Ryan Wilson: This is actually our first gig of this tour in America. In England, we play quite big venues, so it’s kind of going back to basics, which we don’t really mind. We got a bit used to having a big stage, and it’s quite weird going back to small stages especially when we have quite an impact live, you know. This is how we started off in England anyway – we’ve played the course, so it’s quite easy, really.

SIS: What would you say your main influences are when you’re writing songs? I mean, in terms of anything; other music, outside influences, inspirations, that kind of thing.

MB:  It’s an answer we’ve been giving right from the start of our career, but the gist of it is, The Beatles got us into music and was our introduction to music. Oasis were our, if you like, was kind of the soundtrack to our youth – it’s what we were growing up with. Then more recently, bands like The Strokes, The Kings of Leon, The Libertines; they kind of came over to the UK or became big in the UK and they almost spurred us on to the next step of becoming a band and you almost realize it’s something that you could do if you put your mind to it. Then in terms of influences, we’ve got anything from The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Blondie, Terrorvision…

SIS: Terrorvision, eh? I haven’t heard that band mentioned in a while…! [laughs]

MB: Did I say Terrorvision? Sorry, I meant Television! They’re a band, but they’re not one of our influences. [laughs] Well, when you give answers you’ve been giving for a long time, you kind of stop thinking about it.

SIS:  Ok, well, in that case, if you feel you’ve answered all the same questions a lot…how do you feel that you best represent yourselves? Or rather, how do you want to represent yourselves?

MB:  We kind of pride ourselves in our live shows and that’s certainly how we’ve made a name for ourselves in the UK. So, I think we’re obviously proud of our records and we write great songs that stand up on their own, but I think most people would agree, the true PD experience is when we’re playing in front of a crowd.

SIS:  How do you think you fit into the current music “sound” or “scene” and if not, why not?

Dave Best: It depends where you’re from to be honest. I mean, the early 2000s were a big London Sound. But I just think if you’re a good enough band, regardless of your sound, you’ll get the record deal. I don’t think there’s any kind of “sound.” A lot of people like The Arctic Monkeys and things, and try and copy it too much….

MB:  But I think the last couple of years, England seems to have fallen in love with the working class band as well. I mean there’s bands like us, The View, The Enemy, bands like that are kind of selling records at the minute and it’s pretty obvious they’re all from working class backgrounds, whereas there are a lot of bands in England that have this kind of posh, London schoolboy persona and they’re getting signed for huge amounts of money to record labels…there’s an element of that in England, but there are also fans who are looking for bands who have worked hard, who will sit down and have a drink with the fans after gigs and writing about everyday experiences. There’s definitely an element of that in England.