As Tellison and Grieving prepare to head out on a brief run of shows together, the two bands sat down for a chat to find out a bit more about what they can expect from four days on the road together.
Grieving, to Tellison’s Stephen Davidson:
Q: What does Tellison mean? And what doesn’t it mean?
A: Tellison means never give up, look after each other, behave in a civilised way as much as you can even when it’s easier and probably better for you on an individual level not to. It means eat that whole pizza if you want to, go to that gig on your own and stand at the front, take yourself on a date, have a great time, buy and wear that coat you think is great but everyone else says is “bad” and “horrible”, believe in yourself and don’t let anyone tell you differently, fight the good fucking fight basically and never, ever, ever give up. Tellison doesn’t mean those people who could actually give you a break will ever reply to your emails or phonecalls, or that things will ever be simple and easy, it doesn’t mean every pizza you order will be delicious or even strictly digestible, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to mix your drinks into your thirties and get away with it the next day and it doesn’t mean you won’t be made weaker by the things that don’t kill you and ultimately die of those weaknesses.
Q: If Pedro is a Lion, what animal is each member of Tellison?
A: Andrew is an otter, determined with a stone in his pocket, holding hands in his sleep. Peter is something furry and good that likes to nap and looks for solitude and peace to do its business. Henry I think is some kind of snow leopard or puma or private and regal animal that probably is better than us on a level we don’t know about. I am a beluga whale, pale and hideous but curious and desirous of friendship and acceptance.
Q: Who/what band is your favourite recent music discovery?
A: Along with a billion other people I really like that Pinegrove record. They seem to be an excellent band so far. The Spills I think are probably the best British guitar band around at the moment and their last record was EXCELLENT. I love the new John K Samson record, it only just came out so I only recently discovered that. He’s a smart and thoughtful man and so so good at writing great songs. Darn.
Q: Why are sad songs so much better?
A: Because in sadness we are all together. If someone is happy you resent and loathe them and wish ill upon them until they too are sad like you or (even better) until they are sad and it is your turn to be happy and in the golden light of the sun. A light which is all the more perfect because it is transitory.
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever eaten?
A: I ate a huge, huge pizza from somewhere called “Pizza at Home” once back in the late 2000s and it gave me terrible, truly terrible food poisoning. Then we were on tour for two weeks and it was, shall we say, uncomfortable. The rest of the band also ate these “Pizzas at Home” but none of them got sick. I also once made myself a really staggering banana split with brownies and ice cream and squeezy cream and sauces and then I wanted to die.
Q: What is the best cocktail?
A: The Tellison cocktail. It’s really a cocktail cycle. It’s called the “Hammer Challenge”. Buy one pint of lager and drink half of it. Then buy one double gin and tonic and pour that into your remaining pint. You are now holding a “Hammer”, majestic king of cocktails. Drink half of this. Buy a half of cider, pour that in. You’re now holding the subtle “Sledgehammer”. Drink half of it. Buy a double Jack Daniels and coke, pour that on in. This is the mighty “Jackhammer”, a curious brew that tastes (to some) like ice cream. Drink all of it. Repeat. (if you prefer you can drink half of your “Jackhammer” and add some sangria to create the “Bloodhammer” or some Guinness to birth the “Blackhammer”. Probably don’t do these last bits. Though a man I went to University with once drank two cycles of hammers, with Blookhammer finishes, and was up for church the next morning.) Remember to drink and behave sensibly and responsibly (though I’m not sure how to do that whilst completing the Hammer Challenge). Probably don’t do the Hammer Challenge everyone. When we’re all dead and gone the Hammer Challenge will probably be Tellison’s only lasting contribution to the world of rock and roll music.
Q: Which is the best chord?
A: Fadd9 played on as many instruments as you have to hand with an additional D played on the fifth fret of the A string of a bass guitar.
Q: We’re really into the sound of the last record, where did you record it, who with and did you have any tracks left over that are yet to see the light of day?
A: Thank you. We like it too. We recorded it in a very tiny studio under the McDonald’s at Highbury & Islington in London with a man called Andrew Jenkin. We spent a very very long time getting everything just right. It was the first time we’d just used all our own equipment and recorded in a way that meant we contributed from the first step to the sounds the guitars and drums and everything else made. It was terrifying but liberating and it was a lot of fun. We also didn’t do a huge amount else for about a year while we were making it. We did indeed record some songs that didn’t make the record. Some have been released as bonus tracks and b sides, some will emerge in the future.
Q: Have you started writing for album four just yet?
A: Yes. I have written a complete song about scientific methods and real life and several incomplete songs about the life of a man and an increasingly sentient computer on a lonely space lighthouse in the uncaring darkness of space. I’ll try to write some more over the next few months. Although all I really seem to want to do is cover “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “I should be so lucky”. Peter is also writing new songs.
Q: Stephen, you work for Football Manager (the game) outside of the band, can you name us 2-3 dead cert winners to buy from lower leagues early please?
A: My favourite current footballers in the lower leagues are Sam Foley, Kieffer Moore and George Corp. They probably won’t win you much silverware but medals aren’t the only way to be a champion.
Q: What’s the best music related movie ever?
A: I thought Frank captured the reality of being in a small band pretty darn well. Dirty vans, hot tubs and papier mache egos.
Q: And on the subject of movies, you guys worked in an arts cinema with some of us a few years back – what are you favourite stories about the “regular” visitors? Who do you miss?
A: There was a man who used to build model lifts in the bar, there was an employee who dressed up as an old woman and pretended to be a difficult customer to his colleagues. One time I met Paddy Considine and complimented him on his leather jacket, he seemed genuinely grateful. Mostly I miss my friends and the excellent hijinks.
Q: What do you want for Christmas (or applicable holiday)?
A: I’d like the expansion packs for Settler of Catan and maybe a new suit please. Also one thousand books and some new bookshelves for those books.
Q: How are you handling the fame?
A: Badly. I comfort eat and I don’t exercise and I’m worried most of the time. I do enjoy being able to expense meals at country pubs though.
Q: Who are you weaker than?
A: Almost all people and things. Though on occasion I have an enormous well of strength and determination I can call upon in the darkest moments. Also my favourite racket sport is badminton. So tennis players.
Q: What are you least afraid of?
A: I am not afraid of going on stage. Once you’ve died in front of a sold out house then gone home and had some toast a few times you realise you’re invincible.
Q: Where to next?
A: To Cambridge and Bristol and Manchester and London on a small tour this week with you, the people asking us these ridiculous questions, Grieving. Then home to Scotland for Christmas. After that who knows, maybe I’ll take my own advice and move to New York.
