Fight Like Apes for lively New Year's Eve gig

Fight Like Apes play the Róisín Dubh this Thursday as part of an impressive New Year’s Eve bill that also includes Le Galaxie, Messiah J & The Expert and Disconnect 4.

Since their emergence in 2006, Fight Like Apes have acquired a reputation as a fiery, impressive live act. The Dublin band is made up of May Kay on vocals, Jamie (or ‘Pockets’) on synths and vocals, Tom on bass and Adrian on drums. As 2009 draws to a close, Jamie reflects on a good year for FLA.

“It’s been great, it’s been really, really fun,” he says.

“The last few weeks have been relaxed because we’ve just been writing. It’s been hectic enough, but not as hectic as last year.”

The synth-pop meets indie quartet are currently working on the follow up to their Choice Prize nominated debut The Mystery of The Gold Medallion.

“We’re doing bits and pieces in our houses and then we’re renting a house down in Offaly, in Ballycumber,” says Jamie.

Then we’re going back to the studio where we did the first two EPs and we’re doing some stuff there.” To be fair, Ballycumber isn’t known as a haven for quirky rock bands. How did Jamie and his band mates end up there?

“We heard that there was a place going down there that was relatively cheap and a lot off rooms, and we just thought it’d be really funny. There’s no distractions – a few pubs and a few shops – which is what we wanted at the time.”

In January, Fight Like Apes are embarking on an extensive German and Swiss tour. The live setting is where they thrive and they’re looking forward to attracting new fans.

“A label called Strangeways wanted to release the album over there,” Jamie explains.

“It all seemed above board and we gave them licence a few months back and we went over for our first tour there. We were asked would we go back over in January. It’s something we’re looking into doing a lot of, going over to Europe.”

One of the most interesting things about Fight Like Apes is the fact the band has no guitarist, a rare thing in rock groups. Was this a deliberate choice?

“It wasn’t, no,” Jamie says. “We just couldn’t find one at the time. We tried out three or four and it was just really . . . tiresome, or something. Watching guys solo, not bringing anything original to it. “There was more room in the car as well,” he adds.

“At the start we were driving around in a little car, so it made more sense. And we didn’t want to carry [guitar] amps; they’re really heavy.” The real power of Fight Like Apes lies in the unrestrained pitch of May Kay’s voice. The frontwoman’s howl makes every show memorable, but it’s a sound that took some goading.

“It came about in a real weird way,” recalls Jamie. “At the start we kept saying ‘could you give it a bit more?’ and she kept getting really annoyed with us. She said ‘this is as far as I can go’. We got her so pissed off one day, I remember, by going ‘no, no, there’s no point in us playing gigs if you’re going to sing it like that’.

She just erupted into a scream that went completely over the top. We said ‘could you tone it back a bit?’ and we went from there. We found the perfect balance.”

Fight Like Apes’ live show led to them being invited to support The Prodigy on their 2008 UK tour. It was an enjoyable, but challenging, experience for the quartet.

“They’re really nice guys,” Jamie says about the dance music veterans. “But really intimidating fans, I have to say. Prodigy fans are terrifying; they’re completely hardcore. The first two dates, we literally did everything we could and the crowd just stood there, throwing stuff at us. “We had to learn to play for their crowd,” he continues.

“We decided to play less poppy stuff and more heavy stuff and not play properly, at all. We went out and acted like we didn’t care – because we didn’t! We’d no confidence left after being stepped on the first few times. When we went out not caring any more, they loved it. It was the most bizarre thing.”

Touring with the Prodigy allowed FLA to see the trappings success can bring, but one thing in particular impressed Jamie. “I think I talk more about the food on the road than I do about anything else,” he says.

“It’s kind of my gauge. [The Prodigy] had amazing catering every day – starter, main course, dessert. We just be sitting around going ‘why are we allowed to do this?’ That’s why I’d like to get big – to get the catering! I’m not really into that ‘selling loads of albums’.”

Fight Like Apes enjoyed a fairly quick path to prominence, impressing critics and fans with their unique approach. “It came out of nowhere at the start,” Jamie agrees.

“We were making music to play for ourselves. We were very aware that we were limited in terms of musicianship. We weren’t technically a great band but we always had a lot of fun with it. Every gig was a night out.

“Sometimes it feels like we’re watching the band progress while just having a laugh at the same time. It’s always been easy to bring the fun to it. If it’s not fun, there’s no point in doing it.” As Fight Like Apes prepare an eagerly anticipated new album, their synth player reveals how they approach songwriting.

“Mary will bring a song in, or we’ll mess around and just write stuff. Sometimes nothing will get done and then one day we could write three songs. It took a little while to get going on the second album because we hadn’t written in so long, but when the floodgates opened they just came pouring in.”

Their songs so far, combined with their loyal following would seem to indicate that Fight Like Apes will be around for a good while yet. “We’re getting on better and better every day, and as long as that keeps happening then I can’t imagine anything stopping us.”

Tickets for the New Year’s Eve show are €20/15 members. Doors 7.30pm.