Look See Proof create the kind of sound that can only be described as indie-pop in excelsis and have been a slow burning success for a while now, however 2008 is the year that the Hertfordshire tykes’ dancefloor anthems will break through into the mainstream. Their as-yet untitled album will undoubtedly offer the soundtrack to your summer and is set for a June release. Singles Casualty and Local Hero have slayed nightclubs around the country thus far and there’s plenty more to come. Fusing together the boundless energy of The Wombats and The Kooks with enough substance to keep even the sternest of rock fans happy, Look See Proof are on the verge of being 2008’s brightest new stars.Lee Sentino caught up with drummer Johnny Harry and guitarist Jason Slender as they took to the studio to talk about alcohol, crowd surfing and die-hard fans.
What can we expect from the new album then?
Johnny: We’re looking at different sounds and styles for the album. So it should be really good. It’s going to include the singles Casualty, Local Hero and Discussions so old and new fans should be happy.
Your music has been described by NME as like The Futureheads throttling The Libertines Do you mind such comparisons?
Jason: Really, we don’t want to sound like anyone else, we want to be known for our own sound. It’s flattering don’t get me wrong, but we want to be known as our own band.
What influences do you take?
Johnny: There’s a real diversity in the band, I like the 60s and Bob Dylan but between us we’re influenced also from bands like Bloc Party, The Futureheads and The Kooks.
What’s the best thing about being in a band?
Johnny: Recording an album and getting paid for it, playing all these gigs, meeting other bands and generally having a really good time.
And of course the drinking also goes down well!
And the worst?
Johnny: Nothing. We even enjoy travelling up and down the country on tour, we’ll get up early in the morning and be ready to do it all again.
You started out in January 2006, and in such a short time you’ve supported the likes of The Fratellis, Ash and The Pigeon Detectives. Also you’ve been thought promising enough to play the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury. How do you prepare yourself for a gig like that?
Jason: You can’t really think about it a lot because otherwise it’ll get too much. We just let the music do the talking.
Johnny: Yeah, we’ve done some really good gigs. London Calling in Amsterdam was brilliant and we’ve also played in Austria.
They just ended up with people on the stage and two of us started crowd surfing.
It was mental. We’re heading out to South by Southwest as well this year; it’ll be great to play somewhere totally new to different people.
How did you get together and decide to form a band?
Johnny: Well David and Lee are brothers and also went to school with Jason. They decided to form a band while on holiday, so Lee left his band and formed Look See Proof. I joined the band through an advert for a drummer that was in a phone box!
How does it feel to have developed such a loyal fan base?
Johnny: The fans are amazing. There was this one gig in York, where we have never played before. But it turned out to be one of the best gigs ever.
They really stick with us, those that have been with us at our first shows, we still see them around even now, the fans are what make it all worthwhile.
Is it possible for a smaller band to release a pay-what-you-like album like Radiohead and still have success?
Johnny: I don’t really know because you have to have the fan base to do it originally. Radiohead are massive so they can do whatever they want.
But not necessarily for us, we’re gonna stick with the good old CD release.
Finally, what 3 words would you use to describe your live set?
Jason: Energetic, Catchy and Spontaneous!
By Lee Sentino.