In anticipation of the impending Australian tour, Tone Deaf spoke to Future of The Left guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist and founding member Andy “Falco” Falkous about their forthcoming record and what we can expect at their upcoming tour.
With the most recent recordings Travels With Myself and Another being released back in mid 2009, Future of The Left have had plenty of time to be writing new songs. “It’s the most prolific band I’ve been a part of” says Falco, and the “fans have been incredible.”
“The process of writing needs to be enjoyed,” insists Falco, possibly contributing to the reason why the band has been so prolific. I write “when I’m happy” explains Falco, and insists that using an acoustic whilst writing is a big no no. They “just take all of the actual humanity out of writing, I think I’ve only ever written two songs on acoustic.” -possibly surprising advice, given that we can expect more melody from the forthcoming, as yet untitled LP. Having recently been in the studio, Falco and co. have currently laid down about 19 tracks, with “8 or 9 to be on the record for sure.”
Future of The Left will be in Aus for Falls and Southbound, though you might not get to hear a whole lot of new material during their 45 mins festival slots (“we don’t like to indulge in a Billy Corgan/Charles Bukowski fashion”). However, if you are salivating to get your ears on some fresh FotL tracks, you can expect to hear “about four new tracks for the club shows” says Falco.
And yes, there has been there have been some line-up changes with FotL since their last visit to Australia, with Kelson Mathias leaving to join fellow Jarcrew member Hywel Evans at Truckers of Husk, and being replaced by Jimmy Watkins and Julia Ruzicka on guitar/vocals and bass respectively.
But having been through various line-up changes before, and come out the other side producing equally great, if not better music, Falco insists “the essence of the band remains, we’ll be wiping the floor with the previous line-up, we’ve earned a little bit of respect.” “I want to be in the best rock band in the world” says Falco. And maybe he’s inching his way closer to this goal with every line-up change. The forthcoming tour may just be their best yet.
With FotL known for throwing out a few surprises during their Aus shows (remember when this cover of mclusky’s Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues showed up on YouTube after their show at Amplifier in Perth), who knows what might happen this time round? Shooting At Unarmed Men reunion to support? Maybe Jonathan Chapelle might even jump up on stage with FotL?
-Squiggles
