You announced that the new album will be the last thing that you guys will be putting out as a band. What has led to the decision to part ways? I started a pretty intensive teacher-training course in September. Knowing it was going to be full-time and that it would cause problems for the band I had no hesitation to suggest bringing things to an end. Everyone knows how important this is to me and that there really wasn’t a choice to be made. None of us ever wanted more from this band than an excuse to hang out with each other at the weekends. When serious opportunities arise, there’s no way we’re not going to explore them. James is in university, both Ronan and Duncan are full time employed and Alex is pursuing his career as a videographer in the USA.
There are not too many UK bands that are as well received in the US as you guys are, that must feel pretty special? It’s strange because that is something that has been said to me a few times, and my reaction is sort of ‘yeah…it’s funny isn’t it?’ I don’t really know what to say about it, because to acknowledge it is to suggest we are somehow better than other bands, but at the same time I can’t really ignore it. I can say however, that I feel very very lucky to have been given the chance to play all across America and have it turn out to be a positive experience. I don’t know why people out there like us but I am happy they do.
Basement are a very well travelled band, are there any countries which you have particularly enjoyed playing in? Apart from the UK of course! I think we would all answer this with Australia, because that was something else. The people were so nice and the country is beautful. Every show was amazing, we couldn't believe how far from home we were and that kids actually knew who we were! It was our first real headline tour and for it to be that much of a success was unbelievable to us all. I also really enjoy playing countries with great history. Getting to see places like Prague ,Barcelona, Berlin, and experience how their culture and architecture differs is really great. I am incredibly grateful for experiences like this.
What have been your fondest memories of being together as a band? I think probably how over the past year or so, how much closer we have become. The last couple of times we have been away I have felt truly happy and privileged to be given the chance to spend time with everyone else. In the real world I get caught up with everything going on and find it hard to see people as much as I’d like to. Going away would allow me as much time as I wanted. I will miss that.
You have a couple of farewell gigs listed for November, in Leeds and London, can we expect any more UK dates, or will these definitely be the last? That’s it. I found it hard to squeeze those shows in as it is. I seriously have so little free time. We tried to pick two venues that meant a lot to us, in towns that we had always felt comfortable playing. I think we chose the right ones. Not too big, not too small and far enough apart.
It’s clear listening to your previous works that your music is full of honesty, do you think perhaps that’s something which is starting to dissolve and disappear within the music industry? I can only speak for what I have immediate knowledge of and I have to say, I have been exposed to a lot of shit recently. People singing about promiscuity or being sexist, or promoting band personas and the idea that you are better than other people, or about ‘industry’ stuff. This was not only in alternative music in general, but also in hardcore and whether or not they were done with a pinch of salt, that kind of nonsense has no place here. I’ve never tried to appeal to anyone because I write for myself. In doing so, the things I say could not be any more genuine. It upsets me that people are buying into some of the ideas I have mentioned. On the whole though, people are pretty clued up. However, I am still shocked almost daily at some of the crap that comes out of people’s mouths.
Do you have anything else you would like to say to your fans out there? Do what you want to do.