Gründe für die Bandauflösung, Zukunftspläne und Lieblingssong - ein Frage- und Antwortspiel mit Matt James, Drummer der Band Gene

FM5:  When you founded Gene about 10 years ago, what were you expecting to achieve with the band, and did it work out as you “planned” it?

Matt James: Think it worked out better than I expected really. Back then my biggest ambition was to headline the forum in Kentish Town. We did that in the first year. Perhaps we should have planned further because we ran into our first problems after we achieved that!


FM5:  Why did you split up Gene? What were the main reasons?

M.J.: Not all the group wanted to continue with a new LP..the moment that happens it’s time to call it a day? Glad it was amicable..it may not have been if we had tried to continue.


FM5: Many of your songs – especially from your last album Libertine - are so “damned” sad, are all/most of the lyrics autobiographical?

M.J.: Martin (Rossiter, Anm.) is responsible for the lyrics and as we know he isn’t always the happiest of people!..having said that I think there has also been a ‘humour’ in the lyrics that is often missed or at least brushed over.


FM5: How is your song-writing process? Do you write the songs and lyrics all together?

M.J.: Anyone of us could initiate the music…after that we all sit together in a room and bash it out to the point that we are happy with it. It’s a kind of ‘Gene forum’ & our standards have always been rigorous! Everyone’s parts comes under the microscope before we realise that my ideas are by far the best… !!!!!!!! 


FM5: What are your future-plans?

M.J.: I’m working with Steve (Mason, Anm.) on a new project at the moment. We both enjoy being in a band…it’s definitely my favorite thing to do! I expect it to be ready sometime this year…I’m also doing a bit of session playing which has been fun. I still manage Mower who are starting their 3rd LP now. They just get better.


FM5: Is there a chance of a Gene-“reunion”?

M.J.: No I don’t think so…you never know what you will feel like in the future so best not say ‘never ever again’ but I doubt it. Gene was special and best left that way. 


FM5: Do you have a personal famous Gene-song (or album)?

M.J.: LP.Olympian; song…where are they now (especially the instrumental outro on the LP..my fave bit of Gene music)


Interview: Stephan Brückler

Kurzbio Gene:
1993 in GB gegründet - 1994 erscheint die erste Single „For The Dead / Child´s Body“ - stlistisch irgendwo zwischen The Jam, Small Faces, The Smiths angesiedelt, entwickeln Gene bald ihren ureigenen Stil, eine Mischung aus kraftvollem, hymnischem Alternative-Rock und sanften, sehr emotionalen Indie-Pop-Balladen – 1995: Debutalbum „Olympians“ (Polydor) landet in den UK-Top10 – nach Herauskommen der Compilation „To See The Lights“ erscheint 1997 „Drawn To The Deep End“, das es ebenfalls in die UK-Top 10-Charts schafft – 1999 wird „Revelations“ veröffentlicht (immer noch auf Polydor) - aufgrund Differenzen mit der Plattenfirma (und wegen mangelnder Verkäufe des Albums) trennt sich die Band bald nach Erscheinen von „Revelations“ von Polydor – Gründung des eigenen Labels „Contra“ – nach einer ausgedehnten Welttournee erscheint ein in Los Angeles mitgeschnittenes Konzert unter dem Titel „Rising For Sunset“ als CD und DVD – 2001 wird das letzte Gene-Album „Libertine“ veröffentlicht, ein Charterfolg bleibt, trotz weiterhin ausverkauften Konzerthallen, aus – 2004 gibt die Band schließlich nach Erscheinen einer weiteren Live-DVD ihre Trennung bekannt und spielt am 16.12.04 im Londoner Astoria ihr fulminantes Abschiedskonzert.

Das Abschiedskonzert