Perth rockers Radars set to release new album

Oct 20 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

QUIRKY Perth rockers Radars are poised to spring a surprise when they unleash their new album next week.

After the gentle acoustic affair that was their 2007 offering Planet Silence, the Fair City duo have turned their attentions to GRUNGE.

According to the band’s singer-guitarist Michael Rattray, new set Rock Is Not Your Enemy came from his love of influential American acts like Nirvana and Weezer.

The album, which is released on Monday, was recorded over two months last year at Perth’s Clearwater Studios with producer Mark McClymont.

Although the new set represents a departure after Radars’ last well-received effort, Rattray - who is joined in the line-up by long-time cohort Gavin Kelly - insists it’s the next logical step for the band.

“I write songs all the time and that includes rock,” Michael tells me. It was Nirvana that made me pick up a guitar in the first place when I was 15.

“Gav is a huge fan of Queens Of The Stone Age, Sebadoh and Mudhoney, so there is always that side to our music.

“It is hard to contain the different genres of writing, but the album’s title says it all.

“We’re indulging in the kind of music that got us into things in the first place.

“Mark (McClymont) was great. We knew exactly how we wanted the album to be and he came up with ideas for creative arrangements as well.

“We have never been happier with the sound. We just wanted a loud, rocky pop record without too many effects.

“I’m a big fan of Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar) and the way he records has been a big influence on us. If a song’s good enough it will stand out without adding a lot of stuff.

“We’ve just got double track vocals with the guitars sitting nicely in the background.”

Radars, who released the single Honey on i-Tunes earlier this month, will play Perth Theatre on November 2 in the band’s first gig since they supported indie legend Edwyn Collins at the same venue in May.

And Michael, who grew up in Bridge of Earn, admits he found their last show “terrifying” after a year of health problems that put touring on the back-burner.

“The best thing was getting to meet Edwyn backstage,” he says. “He was a lovely man, a real inspiration.

“We have been quite quiet on the gig front but there are no plans for touring at the moment, just writing. But if we get offered a good gig we take it.”

The pair are signed to London-based Genepool, which Rattray describes as “a brilliant wee label”.

“They heard the album and are putting it out properly with distribution by Universal,” he explains.

“They really care about the music, whereas on majors it’s all about money. Also, there’s no pressure on us at Genepool.”

Taking in Radars and their previous project The Michael Rattray Allstars, Michael and environmental protection officer Gav have notched up a host of achievements.

They’ve released three albums, played at T in the Park, twice toured the UK supporting soul singer Sam Brown and performed a Radio 1 session for Vic Galloway.

Michael says the pair wouldn’t know what else to do with themselves if they weren’t writing music.

“We have played in bands since we were 15, with varied success,” he adds.

“As the Allstars we supported Belle & Sebastian at Perth Concert Hall in 2006, which was a real highlight.

“It was an amazing feeling walking out in front of 1600 people knowing my dad and gran were sitting up the back.

“But the best thing about being in this band is just being able to do something you love with somebody who’s your best friend.

“We know how to bounce off each other on stage. When we played with Sam Brown in England the crowd were in stitches even when we were being serious, which can’t be a bad thing.

“There’s no bulls*** when you are working with somebody you have known for years.

“They pull you into line and keep it real, but you fall out a lot.”

If Radars’ fresh new direction is anything to go by, fans probably won’t be surprised to hear that Rattray could be set to further extend his musical remit.

Future plans include a solo album and a separate excursion into electronica, which could form the basis of the band’s next effort.

“I have got really into electronic music lately, especially The Prodigy,” he reveals.

“One of my friends who is a dj got me into French house music, which has inspired me to try different genres.

“Right now I’m learning to use drum software.”

* Rock Is Not Your Enemy will be available on Monday from HMV in Perth. Radars support Andy White at Perth Theatre’s Redrooms on November 2.