Thanks so much to Marc Elston for the interview! Some years ago I interviewed Marc about Bulldozer Crash, the band he had with Stephen Maughan, and it now made sense to pick up were we left it and talk about the Liberty Ship which was a band he had afterward and who released fine records on Matinée and Sunday. These days Marc is recording beautiful music solo which you can check on his Bandcamp! Also do check this unreleased track by The Liberty Ship called “Wooden Man” if you haven’t already!
++ Hi Marc! Thanks so much for being up for this interview! Many years ago we did an interview about Bulldozer Crash so it’s great to do this as sort of a continuation. Or maybe that’s not, right? Was there any other projects in between Bulldozer Crash and The Liberty Ship?
I played in two bands. I played bass in Boyscout in the mid ‘90’s we were a noisy 4 piece, the key influences were alternative US rock like The Pixies and Smashing Pumpkins, very much a rehearsing and live band (the first drummer was Brian from Peru and later The Flatmates) Later I played synths and guitar in Johnny Domino, the band was influenced by Pavement, The Fall, Krautrock etc. I loved playing in both bands but I needed an outlet for my own songwriting. I played in The Liberty Ship at the same time as I was ‘operating’ synths for Johnny Domino.
++ And these days you’ve actually released music just under your own name, Marc Elston. How do you you like that? Compared to releasing music with a band, what differences do you find? Is it easier perhaps?
Actually as MJ Elston now (I have no idea why). I record when I feel I have something worthwhile to make, though the last thing I released was pretty improvised. It’s just a complete labour of love because when I’m in the mood I really enjoy the process of making and recording music. I really miss making music with other people, other commitments and now the pandemic make that difficult.
++ So let’s go back in time. What are your first music memories? Do you remember what was your first instrument? How did you learn to play it? What sort of music did you listen to at home while growing up?
The first album I discovered for myself was ‘Revolver’ by The Beatles and remains one of my favourite records… a really predictable choice but the breadth of imagination and variety on it are incredible. My first instrument was a Roland SH09 monosynth…one note at a time so not a great challenge to get great noises out of it. I only picked up guitar when I was 19. I’m lucky that I was an early teen for the explosion of great imaginative chart pop music coming out of the UK in the early ‘80’s (Japan, Soft Cell, Human League, Depeche) and then as a later teen The Smiths, C86 and getting into earlier guitar bands like Orange Juice, Aztec Camera and The Pale Fountains. I’d grown up with The Beatles and The Byrds as part of my childhood soundtrack.
++ Had you been in other bands aside from the ones we’ve mentioned so far? If so, how did all of these bands sound? Are there any recordings?
I can’t think of any, a few false starts with local bands etc but no recorded evidence.
++ Where were you from originally?
I’m from Durham in the North East of England…I lived in the same village as Paddy McAloon as a young child.
++ How was Nottingham at the time of The Liberty Ship? Were there any bands that you liked? Were there any good record stores? Or what about the pubs or venues to go check out up and coming bands?
Nottingham was quite vibrant at the time. Sam Metcalf was promoting gigs at a great venue called Junktion 7 and he was really kind to us with support slots, The Rescue Rooms was getting up and running, bands like Airport Girl and The Chemistry Experiment were around, labels like Fortuna Pop, Artists Against Success in Derby and record shops like Selectadisc were all going strong.
++ When and how did the band start? How did you all meet? How was the recruiting process?
I’m a little sketchy, it was c1999/2000. Tim the bass player was already a friend and we started working on my songs with a drum machine. Rachel came to us via an ad in a music shop and Steve was a workmate of Rachel. Tim was a Felt fan but nobody else was a big indiepop fan. Things came together quite quickly mainly due to the enthusiasm and open mindedness of everyone involved.
++ How was the creative process for you? Where did you usually practice?
I always recorded basic ideas on 4 track cassette machines so everyone had something to work from. It was great when Rachel started to contribute songs because she really brought a different perspective and I loved working on the guitar parts for her material. We sometimes rehearsed at Tim’s house but mainly in a rather nice (we were working and we weren’t kids), well equipped rehearsal space in Nottingham.
++ What’s the story behind the band’s name?
It’s a bit ‘precious’ really…as I was in a band already and it was a vehicle for my songs it was a ‘Liberty Ship’…no connection with The Las, though I like them…I am a History fan so I knew about WW2 Liberty Ships.
++ Who would you say were influences in the sound of the band?
The Byrds, West Coast ‘60’s pop generally, Teenage Fanclub, The Go Betweens, East Village but bits of my synthpop youth crept in.
++ Most of your records came out in Matinée, and your brother’s band, Slipslide was also on the same label. I was wondering if this brought any benefit to you both? Perhaps you had gigs together? Or for touring?
We did a couple of gigs together but no ‘touring’. Graeme had already recorded for Matinee and I knew it was a really well organised label with a strong aesthetic and Jimmy was kind enough to release some of our stuff.
++ Speaking of your brother Graeme (Love Parade, Pure, Slipslide), has there ever been a band with both of you together?
Graeme and I grew up with our Dad’s Yacht Rock, and our Mam’s chart pop. We listened to synthpop and jangly guitar bands together and we were introduced to lots of great music by Stephen Maughan and his fanzines. Graeme was up and running as a band leader as a mid teen and I was already at University. We’ve played together a few times but nothing regular or serious. Graeme has always been really encouraging with my music and helps me with recording a lot…not very ‘Gallaghers’ I’m afraid!
++ Another interesting thing when it comes to labels is that you released your records only in American bands. Was there no interest from UK or European based labels? Or other labels in general?
I have never had any expectations in terms of labels taking an interest I have felt incredibly grateful for anyone enthusiastic enough to want to release my songs. The Liberty Ship was a band of people with jobs and commitments so the idea of ‘going for it’ didn’t really figure.
++ So both “Tide” on Matinée and “Small Lives” on Sunday Records came out in 2003. I can’t remember which one came first? And I understand your relationship with Sunday was thanks to Bulldozer Crash but how did you end up working with Matinée?
As I said the connection came through Graeme and I guess that Bulldozer Crash singles were known by some people.
++ Speaking of Matinée, your first release, “I Guess You Didn’t See Here”, has on the cover photo someone with a guitar, I want to guess that it is you. Am I right? Do you still own that guitar? And what about the B side on the 7″, a Gene Clark cover. What other covers did you usually have in your repertoire? (I also remember The Smiths one!)
Haha…not me it’s a picture of a young Pete Townshend with his Rickenbacker and it’s a total rip off of East Villages Sub Aqua singles and their beautiful guitars. I love ‘She Don’t Care About Time’ I think it’s one of Gene Clark’s greatest songs. We’d sometimes play ‘No Matter What’ by Badfinger. We recorded ‘Sweet and Tender Hooligan’ for a Matinee compilation, I can’t listen to it, I rushed the recording and it’s surrounded by great covers by other bands which is always a problem on comps when you know your contribution is sub par.
++ In 2003 you released a CDEP called “Northern Angel”. I’ve seen many photos of the Angel of the North sculpture, just like the one on the sleeve, but wondering what does it feel to see it? Must be impressive?
It’s an impressive thing, maybe not a big as you might expect but a fascinating piece of civic art. I’m quite homesick for the North East at the moment.
++ On Sunday, as mentioned, you released “Small Lives” a nice 6-song mini-album. Why did you stop releasing with them after this release?
No specific reasons, it’s always nice to be asked to do anything for any label. I provided an instrumental piece for a Sunday compilation recently.
++ And just out of curiosity, to make all these lovely jangly songs, what were your favourite guitars to play? Did you use 12-strings on any of the recordings?
In Liberty Ship I was playing a Rickenbacker 360 6 string and Danelectro 12 string a lot. I had a Eko Ranger Acoustic 12 string which I liked too.
++ I think my favourite song of yours might as well be “I Guess You Didn’t See Her”, wondering if you could tell me what inspired this song? What’s the story behind it?
It’s about hurting people you love and knowing that you’re doing it…nice. There’s a lot of The Byrds and ‘Reckoning’ period REM in that song musically…it’s one of the first songs I wrote with the magical musical device…the capo.
++ If you were to choose your favorite The Liberty Ship song, which one would that be and why?
I love “Cabin Fever” of mine, I like the arrangement and the lyrics. I recently recorded an all acoustic version because, well…lockdown. My favourite overall is Rachel’s ‘Final Kick’, I remember her presenting it so modestly as a basic 4 track recording and I loved it straight away.
++ What about gigs? Did you play many?
Quite a few really, we supported The Lucksmiths, one of Amelia Fletcher’s bands (I can’t remember which one) my memory is awful for gigs usually due to the fog of stage fright…I think we supported Camera Obscura but I’d have to check with Tim who kept gig diaries…I’m a terrible archivist. It’s a good job I’ve worked with people like Stephen in B Crash and Steve in Johnny Domino otherwise there’d be no evidence I’d been in bands at all.
++ And what were the best gigs you remember? Any anecdotes you can share?
The gigs out of town were always fun, we played in Widnes near Liverpool a couple of times, they weren’t ‘indie scene’ gigs and it’s always good to play to a different audience. I’m a school teacher and I thought playing gigs in small obscure venues wasn’t going to be a problem…until I heard ‘Mr Elston!’ being shouted from the back ‘The Rescue Rooms’!
++ And were there any bad ones?
Nothing awful…just some nervy performances
++ When and why did The Liberty Ship stop making music? Were you involved in any other bands afterwards?
Nothing dramatic just run of the mill ‘grown up’ stuff like work relocations. When Rachel left to take a new job we worked as 3 piece for a while but she brought a lot to the band and it sort of fizzled out. I’ve not been in a full band since and then my kids came along. I still make a lot of music and collaborate with people when I’m asked.
++ What about the rest of the band, had they been in other bands afterwards?
Rachel played in a band in London but I don’t think anyone else has done anything musical since.
++ Has there been any The Liberty Ship reunions?
No, but never say never…
++ Was there any interest from radio?
A few plays on some very niche radio stations but nothing noteworthy
++ What about the press? Did they give you any attention? What about from fanzines?
I think Sam wrote about us in one of his ‘zines and a few kind internet reviews. I never felt our recordings were as good as we could have done…which is completely my fault. I’d had fun experience of DIY recording with Johnny Domino and it really worked for the band. The ‘lo-fi’ approach wasn’t right for us and I shouldn’t have been so stubborn about it.
++ Looking back in retrospective, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?
Building the band from Tim and I with a drum machine to a full band line up and working on those songs as a harmonious and easy going group of good humoured adults…that sounds a bit dull doesn’t it but making music can be cathartic without being painful.
++ Aside from music, what other hobbies do you have?
Reading, cycling, I love France (sighs), History…
++ Anything else you’d like to add?
I enjoyed doing this, it reminded me of a happy time making music with great people.
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