04/00 nightshift 'the big question'

taken from nightshift online

This month weâve been talking to
Mark Gardener from The Animalhouse

The album has been a long time in coming, whatâs the story? It may seem like a long time but during a year of intense activity we built our own studio, recorded enough material for two albums and opened a small wool shop in Brighton.

What are the main differences between being in Ride and The Animalhouse? Like the way things work within the band and the fact that this time around youâre already known to people and the music press? Iâm much happier being known to people now that Iâve got new material coming out. A lot more time and work has gone into The Animalhouse. We all sing and write. Ride was a great experience to have under my belt. Iâm more excited by what I donât know now than what I do know. Iâve never quite understood the music press.

How did the teaming up with Sam come about, whatâs he like to work with? We were both writing individually for Trout & Salmon Monthly - mutual respect - weâd met a couple of times in passing and then I went and knocked on Samâs door about two and a half years ago and still havenât come out. Working with Sam is a technicolour widescreen trip all the way to the bridge. Heâs a top producer and a top guy. What more can I say?

Are you worried that The Animalhouse will automatically be compared to Ride? Itâs bound to happen initially, Ride is my history; that I am happy with. The Animalhouse is my present and future, which Iâm more than happy with. Iâm not worried about this because where Iâm at is important, not where Iâm from.

How have your musical tastes changed over the last few years and how has this influenced what you do now? Wider and broader and generally a lot more into forward-looking groove music and soundtracks. Iâm bored of retro music and retro thinking. If it ainât for tomorrow, then donât do it.

What are the bandâs immediate and long-term plans? Weâre supporting Oasis on Saturday night in Cologne. The second EP, ÎSmallâ, is out on April 17th with a British tour in April and May. Recording more tracks, playing more shows, radio sessions, the albumâs out in June, then thereâs European festivals, a Japanese tour and an open top Oxford bus tour.

Is it still important to you to be popular in Oxford? Iâve watched and felt part of Oxfordâs musical growth over the last 10 years. Oxford is extremely important to me, itâs my home.

What do you think about the way the local scene has changed since before Ride? How important do you think your were in changing things? I think we opened the doors initially. There was and still is a wealth of local talent that rightly now can receive national recognition.

Who are your favourite local bands of the moment? Iâll tell you when I finally get out of the studio and see some of them.

Favourite Oxford gig ever and why? Ride at the Oxford Apollo - it was my childhood ambition to play there.

Most hated? Ride at Oxford Town Hall - having to deal with the stupid old duffers that ran the place

If you could take three albums to a desert island, what would they be? Thatâs too difficult - Iâd have to take my entire record collection or set myself on fire.

How would you like to be remembered? For music.

If it all ended tomorrow (the band that is), what would you like to do? Go and kill the traffic warden who just put a ticket on my car. Then sleep a lot.

What advice would you give to any budding Mark Gardeners? Donât forget your passport and toothbrush, trust your instincts, donât explode, keep the faith.

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