CD Review - The Little Philistines - Bus Pass

Lovely little band. Very friendly, cheerful and they play uplifting stuff. Go see nao.

Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in December 2009
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH

THE LITTLE PHILISTINES
BUS PASS / JUDITH CUT MY HEAD OFF

The Little Philistines are pop fans. That’s nice to see - or rather, hear. Pop is a dirty word for many nowadays. But there’s nothing dirty about the pop confection of Bus Pass, a fast and sparky tune of lust on public transport. It’s impossible not to be swept along in its warm charm and sweet energy. And it only lasts for two minutes, so you find yourself playing it over and over. The lyrics are quite amusing - “This must be love – or my name’s Margaret Thatcher,” being my particular favourite. Bus Pass is short, sharp and leaves you wanting more. A delightful gem.

Judith Cut My Head Off (then she put it on again) is a bit spikier and not as immediate, though again once it gets going has a sweet warmth to the melody. “Come on fathead,” isn’t my favourite insult of all time, though it gets better with “No-one likes to hang around / with someone whose head is upside down,” - a story to make Raggy Dolls fans bow theirs in sympathy. Judith... includes a slightly tortuous, strangulated cry, but it soon continues with a more innocent sounding tune. The Little Philistines’ cheerfulness will not be kept down for long.

Both songs are available now through iTunes.

The Little Philistines

Interview - The Little Philistines - Southsea Fest

Another of the interviews I carried out in the Kings Theatre's bar during Southsea Fest. Very cheery and charming band.

Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in September 2009
Words - Suzy Sims
Editor - Rob Ball
(c) mINtSOUTH.com

INTERVIEW - THE LITTLE PHILISTINES @ SOUTHSEA FEST 2009

mINtSOUTH: Tell me a bit about yourselves.
Emily: “We all live in London. I’m from Southend which is a seaside town so I kind of have a kindred feeling with Southsea. John and Rob decided to have a new band. John said let’s have Adam, and I wanted to be in the band but they would only let me sing and play violin if I also agreed to play keyboards.”
John: “…And if she brought biscuits.”
Emily: “Then after that had all been sorted we didn’t have a drummer, then at my birthday party one year we did a little gig and Matt begged us to let him play.”

mINtSOUTH: Can you describe your music?
The Little Philistines: “Poppy, indie, guitary, violiny, quirky, banging drumming, harmonies, intelligent lyrics, a bit political. Music to have fun to basically - but also to make you think.”

mINtSOUTH: What do you like your listeners to be doing while they’re listening to you?
Emily: “Hopefully our listeners will be singing along with our music, or dancing, or both. We did an acoustic set for Recharged Radio and it was nice to get instant feedback in the chatroom.”

mINtSOUTH: Southsea Fest – have you played yet today?
The Little Philistines: “We played at the Kings upstairs. It was great. Everyone’s just been really really friendly.” John: “But then I don’t imagine many people are drunk yet, so maybe later it will turn dark…”
Adam: “It’s a great set up having all these venues on the same road. It’s really cool.”

mINtSOUTH: Any bands you’re looking forward to seeing? The Little Philistines: “Tubelord, Anja McCloskey who’s from Haunted Stereo, Strange Death of Liberal England, Beans On Toast.”

mINtSOUTH: What are your plans for the rest of the weekend?
Rob: “That’s very forward of you.”
Matt: “I’ve got to drive to Sheffield tomorrow for my mum’s birthday, so I’m missing all the bands I want to see today. This Town Needs Guns, I wish I were seeing. This City I wish I were seeing, The Xcerts I wish I were seeing.”
John: “Emily, can you go and get the violins?”
Adam: “I’m going to find out where the free drink is. The rest of the weekend may do as it will.”

mINtSOUTH: How did you choose the name of your band?
Emily: "There was a bit of a band name war, it went on for several decades. We ended up with a shortlist and The Little Philistines was on the shortlist because that’s what my dad used to call me and my sister when we were little and we didn’t appreciate culture. It kind of won by default because it was the least unpopular. But actually we’ve quite grown into it now. My dad’s reaction has been fairly non-committal - he just raised his eyebrows.”

mINtSOUTH: Which band member would you eat first on a desert island?
Matt: “I’m the meatiest.”
John: “I think I would go for Emily because I suspect that Emily eats the best out of all of us. We should get the nutrients from what she’s eating.”

mINtSOUTH: Gorilla versus bear – who would win in a fight?
Matt: “Bear. I’ve seen Grizzly Man.”
John: “A Gorilla could knock your head off with one swipe.”
Adam: “If we’re talking a polar bear, they’re huge.”
Matt: “How many bands split up over this question?”

Shoutbox – Single ‘Bus Pass / Judith Cut My Head Off’ is out now on iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/thelittlephilistines