Quasi, August 18, Bristol Cub

A band passing the 10-year mark in today’s climate can be considered a success in its own right, irrespective of musical achievement. It can be said that Quasi have found this landmark more than a little challenging. Divorce, (the original White Stripes in more ways than one), poverty and side projects basking in critical acclaim are just a few of the obstacles placed in Quasi’s path. This makes their 7 studio albums and 13 years as a band particularly admirable and a lesson for those too readily to give up. On tonight’s evidence there is a little sign of hard times or inter-band drama. What we capture is an honest rock band enjoying what they do and enjoying each other. Tonight I caught up with front man Sam Coombes for the run down on all things Quasi (and Sleater Kinney).

On my arrival to the venue I could hear Quasi sound checking in the adjacent room and clearly having a blast. When I question Sam about the secret of a fun soundcheck he protests somewhat obviously ‘Soundchecks can be pretty miserable. We got caught on a good day. On this tour we brought along our own sound engineer. It’s helpful because both he and we knows we have to deal with this situation every night of the tour.' Later on as the band take to stage it’s clear for all to see that the tour has started in high spirits.

It was somewhat intriguing that Quasi opted to hook up with David Friddmann to produce their latest effort. Friddmann was of course the producer on the final Sleater Kinney LP, whom Janet drummed with. Sam is quick to play down any significant connection. ‘We were going to do it ourselves with a friend of mine in Portland. I don’t think it would have occurred to us to just give him (Dave) a call. Our friend had just built a brand new studio and it was a nightmare, we couldn’t get the sound good. Then Janet said lets call on Dave. We were lucky because he was able to squeeze us in.' Lucky indeed for Friddmann is a man in high demand having worked with many alternative rock heavyweights over the years including The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Janes Addiction.

On the new record ' When The Going Gets Dark ' there has been a common conception among fans that the new album has brought out a darker experimental sound to Quasi. Sam disagrees whilst also denying the overall influence of Friddmann and his previous work with Janet/Sleater Kinney. ‘We didn’t track with Dave. The music was already finished by the time it got to him. We kinda told him what we were thinking. He does some kind of experimental stuff to get away from processes and stuff.' Sam is equally surprised at the experimental tag that the recording has picked up. 'There’s a couple of moments where it’s a little busy you know where its not straight up rock or pop. I’d say propositional is probably a better word. We played a lot more freely. It was experimental maybe to what we were doing a couple of albums back but experimental to the types of music around the world for the past 20 years of music? I don’t think so.' Sam is laughing at this point suggesting that this isn’t a direction he wishes to pursue any time soon.

So what actually does influence Quasi? 'You know we’ve been going a long time. We’re pretty old. We’ve been influenced by a lot of bands but we pretty much now do our own thing now. I don’t really listen to much of the (new) stuff now. Recently, I don't think I'm really influenced by anyone.' Quasi's brand of indie-pop is unique and although they are by no means alone, you'd be hard pressed to find a band with a similar sound. Unfortunately this lone ranger status may have hindered Quasi’s progress in selling records. Something that they seemingly wouldn’t object too.

A quick peek at Quasi’s website reveals a passionate onslaught on the present political environment - although by Sam's own admission this is somewhat out of date. When I question how this translates over to the music Sam is quick to play down a connection. 'I don’t think it’s a big part of our music specifically. It enters into it every once and a while. People that are trying to create honest human music that communicates ideas and makes some sort of positive connection with people is potentially a way to make real positive change. Politics don’t really work. It's like damage control. You have to get involved in politics for damage control. You’re only going to change the world with politics. That doesn’t mean to give up though. Voting is just a small part of it and you've got to do a lot more than that but if you don't do it its worse. Vote for candidate B over A. Go with the lesser evil.'

Tonight’s gig is the first of a new tour and Quasi are aching to play. 'We haven’t played for so long. Usually our first show is not the best show what with messing around with the equipment and jetlag. Usually after a week we hit our peak but you never know. This year is the first year we’ve been touring with Joanna.' Joanna has of course recently joined the band after taking a vacation from bass duties with Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks. She wasn’t involved in the writing of the new album. On touring the UK Sam points out that they came here specifically resisting the lure of the rest of the continent. 'The shows around in the UK are usually a lot better for us than other Countries apart from (the U.S.). Obviously we have worked a lot harder in the U.S. Prompted by Sam’s admission of good shows on these shores I ask if Quasi have sold out the venue tonight. He laughs and then utters in a typically modest manner, 'I doubt it.'

The gig takes place in the unfamiliar surroundings of a cinema - an odd circumstance that isn’t lost on either the band or the audience. Throughout the set Janet playfully assumes the role of a college lecturer reciting questions and offering encouragement to the crowd as if they were her own students. The audience are a lot more reluctant to join in with the performance choosing to sit back in their cinema seats enjoying Quasi’s beautiful melodies and frequent ‘propositional’ outbursts.

Before we leave I find time to ask Sam about the widely publicised Sleater Kinney hiatus. Although perhaps not the best qualified to ask he provides us with an honest enough answer. 'Never say never but I don’t expect to see them regroup anytime soon.' As if Janet miraculously heard us gossiping from the other room she makes a series of monkey noises to Sam’s amusement. Initially I wasn’t sure if she'd overheard the gossiping surrounding her old band but from closer inspection it turns out she was just eating a banana. It doesn’t look like Quasi will be facing the same demise as Sleater Kinney any time soon and I for one am glad.