As endorsements for your band go, this ain't bad: "This nineteen year old kid lifted up his shirt and showed me a tattoo he'd just had done. It said 'The Rifles' with a big guitar going right across his back..." (Luke Crowther, Rifles guitarist)
But this is better: "There's some good haircuts there." (Paul Weller, The Modfather)
Such high, and weird, acclaim is reflective of The Rifles' activities in the two years since their debut album No Love Lost was released in the UK. Basically, they’ve touring their bollocks off, getting their music out to the people in the style of their heroes The Clash and The Jam.
"The last two years has turned us into a real working band," says Luke. "The first album didn't get a massive amount of coverage, so people got into us through word of mouth. They discovered our music for themselves, so they feel strongly about it."Frontman Joel Stoker agrees, "Our fans haven't just been told it’s good - they've found it out. They're really loyal, and the crowds keep building."
Not having massive airplay hasn't stopped the band from selling out places like Shepherd's Bush, the Astoria, and the Forum (where Weller joined them on-stage to play “Eton Rifles”) over the last year, and having booked the 5,000-capacity Brixton Academy for a show last November, the increasing numbers of fans massing behind The Rifles cannot be ignored for much longer. Cue: Album Number 2.
To record album Great Escape, The Rifles - Luke, Joel, bassist Rob Pyne, and drummer Grant Marsh - relocated to a farmhouse in Norfolk with producer Jan 'Stan' Kybert, who came personally recommended by Weller, who'd worked with him on the As Is Now album. The Walthamstow boys enjoyed a bit of fishing out in the countryside and set about crafting a new sound.
"The last one was all 3 minute, catchy pop songs," says Joel, "But this is a much more mature album. We've definitely grown musically, without a doubt."
Recorded mostly live, there is simultaneously a looser feel to the album and a greater depth. Employing a string section for the sessions, they bring a rounded feel to “'The Great Escape,” and especially stand-out epic, “The General,” which Joel wrote about none other than Mike Tyson.
"We had some music with a great chorus about someone who isn't what he used to be, but no verses," remembers Joel. "Then I got a call from a mate inviting me to 'An Evening with Mike Tyson' happening at the centre where I play football in Debden. It was £100 to go and ask Mike Tyson a question. When you're doing that you're at the end of the line. But I had a subject for the verses!"
The song “Sometimes” is classic punchy Rifles, but it's “For the Meantime” that the band is most proud. With its Strawberry Fields-style mellotron, and simple lyric about being away from home, it has a beautiful delicacy you wouldn't expect from these Mod-punks.
"It has some magic that track," says Joel. "The string section were waiting for a cab to go home, and I just said to the leader if he fancied added a quick something to the track. He just wanted to go home, but said, 'OK, give me five minutes.' He sat there, and then just nailed a beautiful arrangement. If he'd had a day to do it, it wouldn't have been any better."
It's a special song for a special album, combining their tough, working-class honesty with an uplifting ambition to go far beyond that. No wonder Weller has taken them under his wing to such an extent; he clearly sees something of himself in them. The band is too humble to totally accept that though:
"He just genuinely likes us," is Joel's reasoning. "There's no other reason or benefit for him to help us out. He's in a position where he can help. We supported him on a few dates initially, he got into us, and we kept in touch. He's a lovely fella, and it's blinding to have him championing us."
With Weller standing at their shoulder, the Rifles army in support, and a cracking album sounding out, it's surely time for them to storm into the national consciousness and plant a flag for real music.
Grab your tin hat: The Rifles' time has come at last.
My wife was watching the US show Private Practice last night and I was stunned to hear Winter Calls during the show. Fingers crossed it has the same effect for you guys as when Greys Anatomy used Chasing Cars....
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I LOVE THE RIFLES :)))))