The Wombats
Introducing...
We managed to grab ten minutes with Matt Murphy, frontman, singer and guitarist with Liverpool indie kings The Wombats.
The Wombats released their debut album
A Guide To Love, Loss And Desperation late in 2007 and eventually reached #10 in the
Album Chart in 2008.
Influenced by bands as diverse as the
Beach Boys,
Johnny Cash and
Arcade Fire, they also won Best Dancefloor Filler at the
NME Awards for 'Let's Dance To Joy Division'. Watch the video and then read the hilarious interview.
Where did the name come from?
"We got ourselves a gig at Hannah’s Bar in Liverpool and we didn’t really have a name at the time. Me and Dan went through a period of calling each other stupid wombats, we needed a name for this first gig so Dan was like, 'Just call us The Wombats,' and the rest is history."
How did you all meet?
"We met at LIPA
[Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts] as fresh-faced 19-year olds and the ridiculousness grew organically from then on."
What song do you wish you'd written?
"
Nick Drake – 'Which Will'. It’s an amazing song with amazing lyrics. I could listen to it all day."
What’s on your iPod at the moment?
"
Interpol – ‘No I In Threesome’. I love everything they do, they could fart into a mike and I’d still buy it. Also listening to
The National – ‘Fake Empire’ – go and buy this song now. No, buy the whole album it’s amazing."
What's the best gig you've ever played?
"We had our album launch on a boat. The first night was insane. We had no barriers for the stage, just eight massive bouncers looking like Shrek on speed, holding everybody back. We had to stop the show so many times, including in the middle of 'Let's Dance To Joy Division'. We had to have a 10-minute break before we could start again."
How much do you know about love, loss and desperation?
"Too much."
Have you played with any of your heroes?
"We played with
Peter Hook in Newcastle a few weeks ago, which was pretty ridiculous!"
What's the sexiest thing you've ever done?
"Once I got frisky in an otter den. There was hummus everywhere."
Myspace or Facebook?
"Myspace for music, Facebook for stalking."
Return to The Wombats artist page 