Thanks so much to Robert Sekula for this fantastic interview! Always been a fan of the 14 Iced Bears, many of their songs are true indiepop classics. Seen them a few times after they reformed some years ago. And then one day Rob got in touch through the blog, about another Brighton band, and I didn’t miss the opportunity to ask if he would be up for an interview… and he was! So here it is, lots of questions to one of the most important bands in p!o!p!

++ Hi Rob! Thanks so much for being up for this interview! How are you? Still based in Brighton?

Hey Roque, no probs. I’m fine ta, considering, hope you’re well. I left Brighton in 1992

++ Are the 14 Iced Bears still going? Are you still making music?

Nah, we reformed in 2010, toured the US twice, Paris and the UK. Then we resplit in 2014. I’m still making music, working on my own stuff

++ I’ve always known you being in the 14 Iced Bears but I’m curious if you have ever been involved in any other bands before, after, or during the time of the 14 Iced Bears?

Just before the Bears, I formed a group called The Velvet Underground when I was at uni. We just did their songs. This was before tribute bands, way ahead of our time! Then from about 1990-1992, along with the Bears, I was in a band with my friends from Brighton called Arthur. I was the lead guitarist. We supported The Stairs among others. Our singer was obsessed with Arthur Lee of Love, and he ended up in a transit van with Arthur driving up to Liverpool, with all the weirdness you can imagine! After the Bears I formed a band to do my new songs, called Easter Sun. We played some gigs but that’s stopped for now.

++ Let’s start from the beginning. 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 at home while growing up?

When I was 4 or 5 I had a go on the glockenspiel at school in Camberwell, South London (St Josephs). The teachers said I was talented and I should have music lessons. My family weren’t well off but my mum really encouraged me to learn the recorder /piano, bless her. I reached Grade 8 recorder (highest possible) but wasn’t into classical music much, apart from Beethoven and a few others. While I grew up I loved pop music. The mid-70s were a golden time for pop music, even the cheesy stuff were great songs. From David Soul and David Cassidy to Suzi Quatro and the Osmonds – loved it all.

++ I’ve read that you were formed in Brighton and have also read that you were formed in South London. What is true? And where were you all originally from?

I’m originally from Camberwell, South London but I went to Sussex University, near Brighton, where the Bears were originally formed – my and my uni mate, the drummer Nick Emery, started it off. The other longest-serving Bears were probably drummer Graham Durrant, from Norfolk, and Kevin Canham, from Oxford. Think the only original Brightonian was Kev (Will ) Taylor, who played bass on the first lp.

++ How was Brighton at the time you started? Were there any bands that you liked? What were the good record stores? Or what about the pubs or venues to go check out up and coming bands?

Brighton was exciting, as there was a lot of interest in bands like the TVPs, the Pastels, June Brides as we were starting. The Big Twang club at the Escape venue was the centre of all that was going on. They put all the new bands on, that’s how we got to support the Wedding Present there on our second-ever gig. It was a real coming together and everyone would have a great time dancing to the newest indie hits. They had their own fanzine. Not only bands, but people like journalist Johnny Dee (as in the Chesterfields song) came from that scene. We all used to mainly go to Borderline records, but there were a few decent shops around.

I’m too out of touch now to recommend anything – apart from the Heart and Hand pub, at least. Great jukebox of classic stuff.

++ When and how did the band start? How did you all meet? How was the recruiting process?

As I said, me and Nick met at university. The main reason I’d gone to uni was to start a band! Then we put an ad in the local Brighton music shop windows and did a little practice with the possibles.

Luckily, soon enough, we had some people.

++ There have been quite a lot of members in the band, right? Why the many lineup changes and what would be the “classic” lineup for the 14 Iced Bears?

Mainly bass players! A bit like Spinal Tap drummers. I think at one stage I believe we’d had 14 members, then we split up. Spooky. It was mainly bass players leaving! Difficult to say, but my preference would be the first lp line-up: Graham, Kevin, Will and me.

++ Why the name 14 Iced Bears?

It’s something that happened to me as a child, is what I used to always say.

++ How was the creative process for you? Where did you usually practice?

I seemed to have songs coming out of my ears at the time. Most weeks I would come up with a song while I wandered the streets of Brighton. If a song was good, I’d feel a weird tingle and rush home to tape it. We’d practice in local rehearsal rooms.

++ And who would you say were influences in the sound of the band?

At first I’d say Burt Bacharach, JAMC, the Pastels, Syd Barrett (our first ever gig we covered Syd’s ‘Late Night’), Primals, Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes and more, then by around 87, the line-up had changed and we went more towards West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, 13th Floor Elevators, Big Star, among others.

++ During the mid and late 80s (and early 90s), there was an explosion of guitar pop bands in the UK. Why do you think that happened? Did you feel part of that?

I think people were a bit bored, after the Smiths first came out people were excited, then nothing much happened for a year or so. It was all a bit miserable goth, and bland pop, at the time. That’s why hearing the Mary Chain’s Upside Down was such a shock at the time. A great tune! Not sure what you mean by guitar pop bands, but we felt part of a growing indie thing across the country, with all the fanzines and local scenes happening.

++ I read that it was at your first gig that Mark Flunder from the TVPs spotted you and offered you a release on his brand new Frank Records. That’s really amazing! Was it really your fist gig? Where was it? Who else was playing?

It’s all a bit hazy now, but I think it was (or our third? 🙂 ). I could be wrong, but can’t remember for sure, any more! I remember it was at Sussex University campus in Falmer, near Brighton. Our first gig was with our friends, Hypnotising Chickens, again on campus. They included a friend from our ex-Velvet Underground days 🙂

++ This first release was the “Inside” 7″ which includes “Inside”, “Blue Suit” and “Cut”. I must say that one of my most favourite songs by the band is “Cut” and would love to take the opportunity to ask you if you could tell me the story behind this song in a few sentences if possible? 🙂

Glad you like “Cut”, one of my faves too. Erm, I was sharing a house with an ex, among others. From what I remember, she got off with one of the Bodines, I think, in the room above mine. I was pretty upset. That’s when I wrote the song! Although it’s all getting more and more hazy these days. Seems like a different world.

++ Also I really like the art for this record, with the white and pink vertical bars and very cool design. But I’m wondering who used to take care of all your art? Was it always you or it was sometimes the label?

It varied. On that occasion it was Mark Flunder’s idea.

++ You then went to release “The Importance of Being Frank EP”, a superb 12″ that included a classic song of yours “Balloon Song”.  I’ve always been curious about the cover version The Aislers Set did of that song. How did that happen and did you like it? Did you ever see them play live or meet any of the members?

Thanks re “Balloon Song”. I think I found out on the grapevine after they’d done it. It was very touching that someone released a version of it. I was glad, it may have got more people into the song. Think I saw them play live in London once in the 90s, but they didn’t do BS 🙁 Met some of them, but it was like 20 years ago!)

++ This same song was later included in a flexi shared with The Hermit Crabs. I read that it was taken from a gig recorded for BBC Radio Sussex for a show called Turn it Up. What was that show about? And why did you choose to use this live recording for this flexi?

Turn it Up was the local music radio show. They were really nice and we did a few interviews with them over the years. It was a ‘Xmas party version’ (as you can tell?) for their yuletide night and was actually called Saloon Bong! We recorded a version of the Chocolate Watchband’s Are You Gonna Be There for them in their studio, a few years later. It’s on youtube if people want to hear it.

++ And again, “Balloon Song”, appears on the Shelter Video compilation. It looks as you are playing live somewhere with the Shelter banner behind. When and where was it recorded?

That was at Bay 63, Ladbroke Grove, London, I think, prob about 87. The sound’s terrible on it unfortunately, I’m a bit embarrassed about it but for years that was the only video thing people knew of us on the internet

++ A year later, in 1988, you were to release the classic “Come Get Me” on Sarah. I’ve always wondered why was it your one and only release on Sarah, why didn’t you continue releasing records with them?

It was our only one because we wanted to make an lp next and they didn’t do them at the time.

++ And because I know many friends love this song, I have to ask, what inspired it?

I was living opposite a small park at the time, and I would imagine popping over there on lazy afternoons with my girlfriend and it was a little oasis from everything. There was never anyone else around. The song just came from being there, really. The feeling of the swings.

++ Most of your records afterwards came out on Thunderball Records. Who were behind this label? How was your relationship with them and how did you end up signing with them?

It was someone we knew a bit from Harlow in Essex, Graeme Sinclair. He did the Shelter and CND video compilations with loads of indie bands on them – An Ideal Guesthouse and Carry on Disarming, I think.

He was into our stuff and was keen to put out an lp, so we did. The first time I met him, at a party in Brighton, he head-butted me as a joke. Quite a good start!

++ I believe that for the “Mother Sleep” 12  you recorded your only promo video, and it was for the title song. Where was this one recorded? It looks like a park and then a studio?

It was recorded in another park in Brighton, and I can’t remember which studio, sorry!

++ Your other promo video, “World I Love” was also for another Thunderball single. How was that experience of doing these videos and why weren’t there more by the 14 Iced Bears? 

It was great doing them, but in those days it wasn’t so easy to do. We made one for Hold On that was really good, filmed by one of Jane Pow. Unfortunately it’s been lost. I’d love to find it again.

++ Something I noticed is that you released a couple of splits with bands like The Hermit Crabs, Crocodile Ride, Splendour in the Grass. Were you friends with them? Or they just happened thanks to the labels?

It was mainly a label thing but we knew Crocodile Ride as they were our mates in Brighton.

++ On the German label Mermaid Records you released a single sided 7″ with a cover of “Julia Dream”, an original by Roger Waters of course. Did you use to play it live? Were covers part of a regular 14 Iced Bears gig? Did you record any others?

Yeah, we used to play that plus, at times, Smell of Incense by West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Bouncing Babies by Teardrop Explodes, even did Whole Lotta Love by Led Zep! Our first gig we played Syd Barrett’s Late Night. I think the Teardrops one live is on our Slumberland comp.

++ Your last releases were to happen in Borderline Records in the early 90s, the “Hold On” 12″ and “Wonder” album. Why the new change of labels? I don’t know much about Borderline, would you tell me a bit about who they were? where were they based?

It was just things changed, can’t remember exactly. Borderline was run by Dave Minns, who ran the town’s best record shop. He was friends with Gene Clark from the Byrds and there was talk of him being on Wonder but unfortunately that was the year he died. It was based in Brighton, and Dave put on a lot of the local gigs. He was always in the Heart & Hand and felt like my Brighton dad.

++ Something that I like about you is that you always made your music accessible by releasing compilations in the 90s, and then in the 2000s, on Overground in the UK and Slumberland in the US, and later on Cherry Red. Was this the intention? To keep your music easily available?

I obviously wanted people to hear the stuff so we were delighted to do the comps. It wasn’t our mission as such but we were glad to do them.

++ I was looking at the compilation appearances and there are many, but most of them are quite recent I’d say. From the ones in the past I’m curious about the “Fingernails” tape that included “Train Song” and was released in 1988 by Toytown. It was an Australian compilation, and I’m quite impressed that your music ended up down under. Do you remember how that happened?

I’m not aware of that! Do you have any details?

++ Lastly I wanted to ask about the latest record you were part of, the “Three Wishes: Part Time Punks” 12″ sessions record that you shared with two other fab bands like Aberdeen and The June Brides. I’m wondering if you ever share a gig with them in the past? And how did you enjoy LA and recording these tracks?

No we just played with them on our West Coast US tour of 2011. We had a friend to stay with in LA, so hung out a bit. Really excited, quite an exotic landscape for a boy from Camberwell. We did the tracks in Robert from Brian Jonestown Massacre’s studio. It was great fun!

++ A couple of weeks ago you mentioned that there will be a new Cherry Red compilation. What’s that about? Or you can’t say much yet?

Sorry not allowed to give any details yet!

++ You recorded not one but two Peel Sessions. One in 1986 and another in 1987. How did that happen? How was that experience? Did you get to meet Peel? Any anecdotes you can share?

He really liked our first single Inside and got in touch with the label. It was an amazing experience, especially being mixed by Dale Griffin from Mott the Hoople. Dale said he really liked Cut, which, for a bunch of kids doing their first stuff, was great news.
The first time went like a dream but, the second one – our van keys broke in the lock after we finished and we had to sleep on the BBC sofas in the foyer overnight!
We didn’t meet him there but we were overwhelmed by his reaction on air to our songs. He loved it. A teenage dream come true!
I met him in the street in London about ten years later and had a nice chat. Although, we used to talk over the phone on rare occasions during his show.

++ Are there any unreleased songs by the 14 Iced Bears? Or has everything been released?

There’s a few early things that were only released live like Jumped in a Puddle and some stuff after Wonder before we split.

++ Was there ever interest big labels?

Apparently Geffen were interested around the time of the first LP but nothing came of it.

++ What about gigs? What were the best gigs you remember? And why?

So many. The best was probably supporting Alex Chilton around 91/92 in Brighton. Had a great time hanging out with him post-gig, and he really liked our set, so I didn’t care what anyone else thought after that! 😀Touring the US was amazing recently. Playing gigs itself was a real rush for me. The first time we got loud cheers from the audience, at our very first gig in Brighton, felt really exhilarating too.

++ And how different was playing Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland, compared to the UK?

You definitely get treated better! We couldn’t believe hotels and meals were organised for us.

++ Had there been any bad gigs?

Erm, playing wise, a couple of times! The Falcon in Camden, around 91, my amp cut out at the gig and we still couldn’t hear the other guitarist. I started pulling the strings out of my guitar during the set, the mic kept falling down while I was singing, and we got a terrible review in the NME! Had to be in London, didn’t it!

++ When and why did the band split? Had members of the band involved with any other bands afterwards?

Long story. I moved up to London in 92. Not sure what everyone’s been up to – I know Kev has a band, Blackthorn Crescent, and Graham still plays drums for people.

++ In 2010 there was a reunion to tour the US and some UK gigs. How did that happen? Was it easy to put the band together once more?

Through some friends on Facebook who were music promoters in the US really. I’d had no plans to reform but this felt like a adventure so I managed to get enough ex- band members together.

++ I remember being lucky to see you at Indietracks and in London. A new generation was excited to see you play and listen to your music. I want to thank you for that. But for you, what were the best gigs of this reunion and the best part of playing with the 14 Iced Bears again?

I loved all of them really, and it was great to play those songs to new people, and we were pretty tight too!

++ Also there was a mention of 14 Iced Bears on the song “Twee” by Tullycraft. I suppose you don’t consider your music twee, do you? And has there been any other good covers or mentions by bands that you remember now? I can remember the The Shapiros’ “Cut” which is great too…

I’m not sure what twee means. It used to mean affected and crap, so I don’t think we were twee in that way. I suppose now it’s more of a genre label, so I have no idea. When we first started it was a counter to all the goth and crap-chartpop around. It felt quite punky to write melodic stuff with a noisy, untamed sound. Then, around 88, we were more interested in 60s psyche. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band’s third lp changed my life and was constantly on in the tour van.

There was The Aislers Set version of Balloon Song, which probably kickstarted the Slumberland compilation. There’s been a few others over the years.

++ Did you get much attention from the radio? What about TV?

Mainly John Peel in Uk radio, and college radio in the States. We did an interview on Snub TV in 88/89 (UKTV programme) but I don’t know where any copies of that are.

++ What about the press? Did they give you any attention?

We got single of the week for Balloon Song, can’t remember which UK music paper it was. Our lps got strange reviews – one in the NME or similar said we’d be massive if we had a different name! We were mainly in fanzines, I suppose.

++ I suppose you got a fair amount of appearances in fanzines back in the day? Were you perhaps involved in fanzines or not? And what were your favourite fanzines back then?

I wasn’t involved personally but knew Johnny Dee (Especially Yellow). As he was local, I got quite into that fanzine – we did a rather silly interview, I remember.

++ Looking back in retrospective, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?

God knows – so many. Being liked on John Peel, releasing any thing at all, playing with some of my musical heroes – among others, we played with Julian Cope, Mo Tucker and Sterling Morrison, as well as Alex Chilton – making our albums, touring. Pretty much all of it, actually!

+ + And aside from music what other hobbies do you have? What about football? Do you support any team?

I’ve made up my own type of yoga meditation which I’m really into, and it has healed me of so many things, including physical things. I love Eckhart Tolle’s writings. I’m quite political – it’s been great to be part of the wave that saw Jeremy Corbyn’s rise. A paradigm shift in UK politics. I’m also a big believer in Cannabis legalisation. There’s been a social revolution with the worldwide change in its perception and that’s been exciting too. As long as we don’t destroy the planet, in the meantime.

I’ve supported Tottenham since I was about 4, and that’s been great recently also!

++ I was in Brighton once some years ago but it is always better to ask a local for some suggestions. Like what are the sights a pop fan shouldn’t miss? Or the traditional food or drinks that you love that I should try? Any good record stores to visit?

I haven’t lived there for 26 years so have no idea. When I go there now, it looks similar but all the bodies are different. A bit like a Body Snatchers film.

++ Anything else you’d like to add?

No! That was pretty exhaustive, are you a detective? 🙂 but seriously, thanks so much for being into our stuff, Roque. It’s very appreciated.

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Listen
14 Iced Bears – Cut