Young Knives are coming to St Albans

Indeed, at the height of their fame, they were filling venues across the country and courting the attentions of newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television shows.

But instead of basking in the glory of success, things didn’t quite turn out as expected for Young Knives.

Although their second album Superabundance received generally positive reviews, by the time it came to their third offering: Ornaments from the Silver Arcade they were barely limping into the top 100.

So where did it all go wrong?

“It’s a funny industry to be in,“ reflects Henry Dartnall, the band’s lead singer and guitarist. “When we wrote the first album, we were writing songs in the village hall around the corner, we were just hanging out and playing, there was never any notion of being in a professional band, so in that sense, there was no pressure.

“But as soon as we were signed, then it was a case of every album we put out after that had to sell more than the previous one. It was very much a case of it’s got to match or do better. You think to yourself, Christ, if I got half of that success I’m doing well.

“So our problem was that we were always being judged against what we have done before.

“And then there was the money, ridiculous amounts being spent on marketing and production, money you didn’t know was being spent until you were shown the bill later and then you’d realise you’d be lucky to make a couple of quid back.

“We were marketed as these funny, quirky guys in tweed suits, Kaiser Chief wannabes, something for lad rock sub Oasis fans to cling too, but in truth, we were nothing like that.

“With the third album we made a mistake in that we were swayed into making it more commercial.

“Young Knives had always had this mental side, this raw edge, but that was completely glossed over. We still wrote the songs, but they weren’t produced in the way we’d have liked, even when I listen back now I think how hollow and unhappy they sound. Which is a shame, because it has some of our favourite tracks (Vision in Rags, Woman), but the record is too LA slick for Young Knives.

“And for the fans who were with us in the beginning – well, that’s not what they want to hear.“ Young Knives are hoping to rectify that. The group, who hail from Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Leicestershire ), are under new management and have just embarked on a limited 13-date tour, which includes gigs at The Horn, St Albans and 02 Academy Islington. It’s an exciting time for the four-piece. They’ll be showcasing their latest album Sick Octave, a record which takes the principle of DIY to a whole new level.

Created from found objects, second-hand kit bought from eBay and instrumentation built from scratch using a Maplin soldering set, they also used a crowdfunding website to purchase a mixer.

The result?

“A nasty, filthy record,“ laughs Henry. “The best album of the year. Maybe not to everyone, but it is to us.

“We had to make a choice whether to make the fourth album or not, but we decided if we did, it had to be something we really loved.

“We were no longer going to be pushed in certain directions by other people and we were bored of chasing the charts.

“And I can honestly say it’s the first record I’ve listened back to and been really proud of. It’s full of filthy noises, Sega Mega Drives in a blender kind of sound.

“Of course we’ve taken it to radio, but nobody gets it, they think it’s weird.

“But these are the same people who think ball-less banal indie music that pretends to be credible is worth championing.

“If it’s the weirdest thing out there, then what can I say, the world’s gone to s***.

“We’re making a stand. We’ve got the balls to make music that’s fun and exciting. We’re prepared to be wrong... but hey, at least we’ve given it a whizz.“

 Young Knives are at O2 Academy Islington, Friday, November 8, The Horn, St Albans, Sunday, November 10.