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Local Guides
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Well-tailored tunes
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by Neil McDonald
March 30 — April 5, 2006 |
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Toronto’s Clothes Makes The Man have been turning scenester
heads in the Big Smoke since unleashing a quick one–two punch
of critically acclaimed independent EPs shortly after forming in
2003. The second of these self–titled releases prompted Exclaim!
magazine to tout the band as “the most promising music to come
out of Toronto this year,” and ensured an increasingly large
audience for the band’s melodic, dynamic and infamously loud
blend of pop smarts and rock and roll heft. Consisting of four
Ottawa exiles (namely guitarist/lead vocalist Ryan McLennan,
heavily bearded bassist Ross Machon, guitarist/vocalist Scott
Henry and the aptly named Adam Thrasher on drums), CMTM are
now taking their infectious sounds to the masses outside of
Toronto and have an excellent new full–length CD (self–titled,
natch) as their extremely impressive calling card. The album, a
potent mix of heartfelt lyrics, hard–driving rhythms and kick–ass
gee–tar rock, is once again an independent release–– a reflection
of the band’s all–encompassing DIY approach. Indeed, the band’s
bio describes the four as a “close–knit rock and roll band
comprised of musicians, songwriters, publicists, photographers,
promoters, designers, booking agents, visual artists, accountants,
managers and performers.” ECHO recently contacted Ryan
McLennan via the miracle of electronic mail to ask him about
these and other things. What follows is a near–accurate transcript
of that virtual conversation, in which McLennan muses briefly
about samosas, Springsteen and day jobs, Clothes Make The
Man–style.
ECHO: How does it feel to finally have a full–length CD to call your
own?
CMTM: It feels like we have finally lost our virginity. Or like we
were just born. Or like we just survived a shark attack in shallow
water. And it feels very gratifying.
ECHO: Are you happy with the way it turned out?
CMTM: Today I bought a bag full of samosas for five dollars.
There are like 30 of those little bastards in there. That makes me
happy. So, yes we are thrilled with the way the record turned out.
ECHO: How do you think this album differs from the two EPs that
you put out in 2003?
CMTM: It’s just better. Better lyrics, better music, better sound.
ECHO: Clothes Make The Man are a totally DIY band – is that
something that’s come about out of necessity or is it more of an
overall philosophy?
CMTM: Both. We definitely like the creative control we have, but
it’s not like we are in a financial position to have others do our
bidding for us anyway. It is a comforting feeling to know that, at
the end of the day, we only have ourselves to blame...or praise.
ECHO: How stressful is it to do all the booking, mailing out press
kits, etc. while still maintaining day jobs and such?
CMTM: Fuck our day jobs. It’s not stressful to book shows and do
work for the band at all. What is stressful is being stuck at work
and feeling like there’s so many more important things to be
done for the band.
ECHO: It seems like this is a pretty good time to be a Canadian
rock and roll band, what with all the international attention on
bands from ‘round here. Do you notice that at all or is it the same
as it ever was for most indie bands?
CMTM: I do have a somewhat naive belief that good music will
always find a way to be heard. But I also believe that in most
cases you have to bust your ass and work hard no matter how
good your music is.
ECHO: Having seen you guys play, I know that Clothes Make The
Man are a tip–top live band –is having a consistent live show
something that’s really important to you guys?
CMTM: Fucking right our live show is important. It is our live show
that gets people out to the show the next time we visit. Plus it’s
what helps us sell CDs and T–shirts, which lets us buy gas to get
back to our beds. We try our very best to have a lovely time when
we are on stage no matter who is in the crowd.
ECHO: Do smaller town audiences differ from the T.O. crowd?
CMTM: Smaller town audiences often have more people with
interesting haircuts. I do suppose small town crowds have less
music snotty–snots and more people who want to have a good
time.
ECHO: What are some of your favourite indie bands right now?
Anyone you’re excited about?
CMTM: The term ‘indie’ has been thrown around way too often
and I don’t ever think of music in terms of ‘indie’ or not. Anyway,
the only band we have any time for these days is Clothes Make
The Man. Is Bruce Springsteen ‘indie?’
Clothes Make the Man
w/Lucie Idlout
Friday, March 31
Vinyl • Tix: $6
www.clothesmaketheman.org
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