On Song :: The Miserable Rich

The Miserable Rich released their latest EP Covers this week via the excellent Humble Soul label. The five piece, featuring members of The Leisure Society and Shoreline recently answered are probing questions about what’s causing their ears to prick up at the moment. One of the most entertaining On Song’s we’ve had in a while for sure.

The Miserable Rich bring their charming bar-room chamber pop to the following venues in November and December:
21st Nov – Red Roaster, Brighton with Denis Jones and Homelife
9th Dec – Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, London
10th Dec – St George’s Church, Brighton

You can hear the Covers EP streamed in full over on their Myspace page.

What was the first song that really caught your imagination?
James de Malplaquet (vocals): “Johnny, Remember Me” has these swirling windy noises and this rumbling rhythm. The story of a ghost singing on the wind really got to me. I can clearly remember galloping over the sofas at home to this one, much to the amusement of my three older sisters and their friends. All the versions i know are great – Johnny Leyton, The Meteors, even Showaddywaddy (or however you spell it)

Jim Briffett (guitarist): David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” – heard it as a kid and it did everything you’d expect it to do – it blew my mind.

James: That one brings me back to a camping holiday in France. My sister and her friend taught me the lyrics in the car on the way, between sulks and outbreaks of pinching.

What was the music your parents liked and do you think it’s influenced you at all?
Will Calderbank (cello): Dad – Loenard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa. Mum – Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, King Crimson.

I didn’t like any of this at the time although they bought me Blondie’s ‘Hanging On The Telephone’ when I was 4 and I really liked that. After that I just liked classical music. Mainly romantic period piano. After I realised not all pop music was bad so I guess they’re pretty pivotal people.

James: My father was a jazz drummer and loved big band swing – Count Basie, Buddy Rich. I think i picked up my appreciation of jazz standards from him – Gershwin, Cole Porter and all that.

My mother loved soul music, and gave me her Atlantic Black Gold records, and albums by Otis Redding – my hero at 14 – and Wilson Picket, Sam Cooke, Booker T and Aretha. I still love all that stuff, although i’m afraid to say Aretha is a shouter. Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan are more my line.

Jim: Trad jazz, opera, musicals and, of course, Genesis… I’ve avoided their influence I’d like to think.

What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?
Jim: Iron Maiden’s “Trooper” – Eddie the Ed dressed up as a Trooper – awesome and a great song too, Axl Rose was in there somewhere too

James: I remember I had Sinead O’Connor, Public Enemy and a close up of a rather attractive lady’s posterior.

Will: Didn’t have posters on my wall. Parents had that Robert Doisneua photo of the kiss which I liked. I had an Obituary Taste of Death poster once because I liked the (awful) picture.

Which songs or albums would you play at a party?
Will: I’d probably play that Soulwax one we were listening to in the van the other day. As much dancing as you can do driving down the M1 very late. Maybe some Django Reinhart depending on the mood.

James: I like playing tunes at a party, but i don’t like it to be too cool or too cheesy. Usually like to warm up with ‘Hold tight’ by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.

Jim: One of the best songs I’ve “dropped” at a party was Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse” – it filled the room and everyone went crazy – very unexpected!

Which songs remind you of a rainy day?
Jim: “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” was one of the first songs I learnt on the guitar when I was 10 – I like to give that a blast every so often – a beautiful song indeed if a little literal for this question.

James: When I was a kid I got really into Kate Bush at about the same time as hip hop and Prince. I went to stay at my gran’s when my folks went on holiday for a fortnight, only bringing The Hounds Of Love album with me – and i remember being bored sitting at her home, but also doing crosswords and watching snooker with her, as she puffed on her Silk Cut 100s and sipped her Martini. It’s a really resonant part of my memories.

I learned loads of new tricks on my bike to show my mates when I got home, and i fell in love with one track, which still makes me want to curl up in bed on a rainy day – ‘And Dream Of Sheep’.

Which album do you seek solace in when you are feeling sad?
James: Probably that one, but an awful lot more besides. i really like the album Mercury by American Music Club. Mark Eitzel is a lyrical genius.

Jim: I felt sad the other day and listened to John Lennon’s Legend and it totally sorted my head out – I love his total rawness and passion, and the whole peace, love, power to the people stuff

Will: ‘Abide With Me’. A song for funerals – My life has been too joyously happy for any other answer.

Which album would you play when you wanted to get down to some lovin’?
James: I actually tried to seduce someone when I was 18 by mouthing along to all the words to Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ á la Pretty in Pink. I got a kiss, as I recall, but nothing more. Great kiss though.

Jim: You should try doing it with horse racing commentary in the background – builds to a climax and everything.

What music was, or would be, the “first dance” at your wedding?
Will: ‘Private Dancer’ by Tina Turner.

Jim: I got married last year and we had Nick Cave’s ‘Into Your Arms’ as the first dance, the words were also read out at the wedding ceremony by our mate Steve, but my two nephews made fart noises throughout most of it! It was nearly very moving…

What was the first gig you went to as a paying customer?
James: Public Enemy at Brixton Academy aged about 12.

Jim: Def Leppard at Wembley Arena – I was only 11. I thought it was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen – lasers, smoke, lights, thousands of denim and leather clad rockers, and Rick “Thundergod” Allen the awe-inspiring one-armed drummer.

Name the one song you think everyone should hear.
Jim: The Enid’s ‘In The Region Of Summer Stars’ – it’s the most beautiful piece of prog rock ever, my Dad recorded it off Tommy Vance’s Friday night rock show and it was often on in the car when I was I kid.

James: So many, but I’ll say ‘Do What you Gotta Do’ by Roberta Flack.

Which one artist do you think not enough people know about?
Jim: The Correspondents put on an incredible show – saw them on a bandstand at Lovebox this year – it’s like drum’n’bass crossed with the Jungle Book with a hyperactive MC dressed in “semi-erotic” top hat and tails, and Mr Chuckles(!) spinning the discs – they should be massive!

Mike: All I can think at the moment is to add Cass McCombs to the list of artists people should hear. He’s very good. His song ‘Windfall’ is really beautiful I think

What’s the best thing you’ve heard recently?
James: I really enjoyed playing with Vadoinmessico recently, and had a bit of an obsession with Babel’s murder ballad “Police Car” after playing with them. That track “London Girl” by The Invisible is currently getting me moving (I mean right now in this chair – it’s getting difficult to type man!)

Jim: I really like the Pains Of Being Pure At Heart’s single – lovely synthy fuzzy indie pop rock. Love our labelmate Denis Jones and can’t wait for his album to come out

Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Jim: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Love and The Stones.

Will: Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison – pretty good live performers from what I’ve seen. A couple of other bands from our wonderful Willkommen Collective (they are great and this would reduce the possibility of them playing at another festival at the same time). The Pope. He needs to get that material on the road.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Pick five tracks with a theme of your choice.
Jim: On the theme of Space – “Life On Mars” – David Bowie / “Great Gig in the Sky” – Pink Floyd / “Rocketman” – Elton John / “Spaceboy” – Smashing Pumpkins / “Venus in Furs” – Velvet Underground.

James: On the theme of Money – “Money (That’s What I Want) – The Flying Lizards / “Money Changes Everything” – Cyndi Lauper / “Baby I Got Your Money” – Ol’ Dirty Bastard featuring Kelis / “Mo Money Mo Probems” – Notorious B.I.G / “Tomorrow Will Be Like Today” – Money Mark

And finally, who would win in a fight: a stoat or a goat and why?
Will: So would it be brute force and a good headbutt or wiley cunning and a very sharp set of teeth? Oh hang on a moment. I come from the countryside – a place there this sort of thing happens ALL the time. Definitely be the stoat. Out of interest our pet dog, Nick, was once seriously maimed by a frog.