Features

Foz : Take us back to your days growing up in Ipswich...

I went to school at Northgate. I guess my main band was Mantilla although it had a few different names before that. Our regular gigs were at places like the Rose & Crown, Spread Eagle, the Premier Pool Club and the Earl Roberts before it got turned into a carpark. When I left school I worked at Customs & Excise for a year before realising it wasn't for me and then went to study music technology at university in Stafford. That's where I met the other 3 members of The Editors (Tom Smith - vox/gtr; Chris Urbanowicz - gtr; Russell Leech - bass) and we all lived together in the typical student hovel.

The Editors

Foz : What was the next step after college?

We all moved to Birmingham because it was the nearest big city, met our management, took menial day jobs (I was working in a shoe shop) and concentrated on writing the songs. We were rehearsing almost every night developing the sound and learning to separate the wheat from the chaff. It helped that we were away from London and not under any microscope.

Foz : What was the big break?

Conversely, it was when our demo was rejected by a record company who we thought were interested. It lead to an increase in concentration on what we were doing. We tried to re-focus on the songwriting but also on our attitude and image. However, I think it's vital bands concentrate on the songs. Too many just project an image and it's not enough.

Foz : 2005 was obviously a massive year ...

We played over 200 gigs including a great tour supporting Franz Ferdinand, recorded the album and had a top 20 hit with Blood. It's put us in a privileged position for 2006. The "Munich" single's being re-released. We're off to the US for a couple of months after our UK tour which takes in the Norwich UEA. With regards to the second album, the pressure is mounting although it's self-imposed as we try and develop as writers.

Stephen Foster and Ed Lay

Foz : So are you good friends still?

Yes, we're still living together in Birmingham, except for Tom who's in London. I know it's corny, but we are really tight, like a family. We know when to leave each other alone and when not to. You have to know these things given the amount of time we spend together on tour buses!

Foz : Any chance of a "homecoming" gig?

(BBC editor's note: Rising stars The Duke Spirit played at the Cock & Pye in Ipswich in 2005 - largely because their drummer Olly Betts is from Suffolk - Haughley to be precise. See links to other articles on the right hand side of this page)

Well, I'd like to but the venue is the issue. I'm quite impressed that The Duke Spirit played somewhere as small as a pub. However, it's not just down to me or the band - we have to convince our booking agent and promoter, but it's an idea.