The Arts & Culture Journal

Q & A with Clark, lead singer of The Down & Outs

Who have been the major influences and inspirations on your work and why?

I grew up in a household of 50s and 60s music – the usual stuff. The Beatles, Kinks, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry but I think that early to mid 60s sound is what really inspires me to go and write songs and play music. The Tin Pan Alley, Leiber and Stoller R’n’B/Rock n’Roll  sound. Beyond that… nostalgia for a golden era that’s no longer present - although perhaps not so present in this current single!

Have you received any formal training?

When I met Jak and Fisher (Drummer and Bassist) neither of them had really started to learn their instruments. In fact I had to persuade Jak to get a drum kit so we bought one off a friend at school for a hundred pounds – although we offered him £150 and never paid the rest. It’s all a bit makeshift DIY.

How has your history affected the way in which you work?

It’s quite hard to answer that to be honest. Our fathers were all in bands so I suppose we’ve got a bit to prove to them… but it’s more recent history that affects the music. What’s happened to us in the past 3-4 years since we first met and trying to tie that into a good tune is probably more relevant than how my parents brought me up, or the “streets that I grew up on” to borrow a cringe-worthy line from a near perfect album.

One thing that has definitely influenced us is that we’ve always been conscious of what our parents would think. This might be because our main influences stem from their era. Some people go out and start thrash metal bands and sing about Satan sexually tormenting US Presidents but that hasn’t ever appealed to me. A good ole’ wholesome love song will do me.

What are the overall themes and messages you try to incorporate in your work?

I love sixties music so the style is loosely based on that influence. We’re more of a live band so we try to keep the overall feeling of the music upbeat and catchy. I think there’s an old-fashioned sense about the band. We like to wear shirts and ties and play vintage looking instruments. There’s a lot of negativity in the world so I hope we’re doing our best to inject a bit of optimism into the Glasgow music scene. We’re lucky to be alive right? Let’s enjoy it!

What do you think are the major difficulties facing young musicians today and why?

I don’t think there are enough opportunities for young musicians to develop their talent. Not enough quality venues that are directly involved with creating a good positive musical environment. It’s all about ticket sales, alcohol consumption and getting people in the door.

What place do you think your music has in today’s society?

I think we’re doing our best to try and preserve something of what we think is a timeless genre of music. In a society that is fast and technologically advanced we still prefer the mid- sixties ideal of suits and ties, mop tops, pointy shoes and breezy pop songs.

The Down & Outs can be found on MySpace at www.myspace.com/thedownouts