Formed in February 2006, Coventry based indie rockers The Enemy - comprising of front man Tom Clarke, drummer Liam Watts and bassist Andy Hopkins - have proved themselves to be one of the best new acts around, with a sell out UK tour under their belts and the release of their debut album 40 Days and 40 Nights.
Lead singer Tom Clarke took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me:
A lot of people think that as "the next big thing" on stiff records you have a responsibility to do well for them. How does that make you feel?
Amazing. Really amazing. The thing is, - and none of the band were aware of this, but their importance as a label is absolutely massive. They have had so many great bands on the label like Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, and Motorhead loads. And for us that is so important to be a part of. At first when you've signed to a label like that your feet don't touch the ground I was in fucking awe of all the great names they had.
Does that include Desmond Decker?
Yeah course!
You've toured with the Paddingtons in the past and they're renowned for partying hard, what was it like hanging out with them?
They're quality lads! Well you know how down to earth they are. They were great to tour with, totally sound all of them. We've toured now with them twice and yeah they definitely deserve their reputation for getting drunk. They can all hold their booze!
You've said in the past that there's no place for half hearted bands what do you hope to achieve beyond the next two years?
In a band I believe you should just be the best band in the world and not give up. If you do it, that's the best thing in the world. And that's what we're doing now we're on top of the world all the lads in the band are loving it, and that's what you need. But if you think that you can't make it for one second then why bother? Give up. As a band we want to be the best and that's for as long as we go not just the next few years.
Otherwise what's the point right?
Yeah don't do anything half- hearted, life is too short just go for it or don't bother wasting your time.
How did you all get together and start the band?
Well I was trying to work out how to write songs for a while and Liam and me would always knock around together, and then Andy who was one of our best mates told us he played bass and I asked if he was any good, he said he was alright, so we started playing with him. And then we just recorded a song, which was the demo for 40 Days and 40 Nights.
What's the most Rock'n'roll Spinal Tap moment you've had so far?
It was in Leeds, we were just starting the NME tour in 2006, and someone tried to jump our van! I'll bet they're still trying to get glass out of their toes now though! (Laughs) that was pretty immense! All sorts of stuff happens on tour though, it's great.
A pub worker earlier on wanted to know do you still drink at the same pubs?
Yeah course! When we're in Coventry we drink in the same pub, it's not like we're famous wankers. Not yet anyway. I hope to be one day though.
