So who are they? A Dave Lee Travis tribute band?
Travis are a classic rock foursome from Glasgow, art degrees 'n' all. Despite their youth (early 20s), they formed six whole years ago, actually starting before those Mancunian chancers. Their line-up is: Francis Healey (vocals, guitar and main songwriter), Douglas Payne (lead guitar), Neil Primrose (drums) and Andrew Dunlop (bass). They got their moniker from Harry Dean Stanton's obsessively wandering character in Paris, Texas, the band's fave flick.
Not much like Bis, then?
Thankfully a lo-fi-free zone. Travis make swaggering, angst-ridden rawk that sounds equally at home in a bedsit or a stadium. Lead singer Francis belongs to the Elvis Costello/Thom Yorke "a sneer and a tear" school of vocalists, but his slyly humorous lyrics suggest that there is a healthy dose of Eddie Izzard in there as well. He says that he tries to avoid emulating other bands, although he did admire Madonna in 1985 "when I had to buy 'Crazy For You'."
Any product?
Just one 10-inch single, the searingly anthemic, Teenage Fanclub-esque "All I Wanna Do Is Rock." It's unlikely that you will be able to pick this up though: "We printed 750 whole copies, and thankfully we managed to sell them all," Neil dolefully explains.
"All I Wanna Do Is Rock?" Are they taking the pish?
"Originally the song was called 'All I Wanna Do Is Fuck'," illuminates Francis, "and if you have that in mind, you might have a better idea what the song is about. We couldn't release the song with the original title, though. You have to toe the line a wee bit, and we're not into being sensationalist." In conversation, on the other hand, the four could safely swear for Scotland, especially when you get them onto the machinations of the music industry.
Any kerrazy rock 'n' roll antics, then?
"We're too busy writing and recording," says Francis rather disappointingly. "It's like a vocation being in a band." Douglas: "We're going to New York to record our album with Steve Lillywhite, but that's only 'cos there's nish studios to do it in England. Travelling is bollocks, 'cos you're just in the studio and one is the same as another."
But surely it must be nice to have limousines meeting you from the airport?
Francis: "That's only because they're cheaper than taxis over there, though I do like the decanters of whiskey that you get in them."
Are they hungry for fame?
Francis did tell his mum at the age of five that he was going to be a big star, but the rest of the band suggest more noble motives. "You're in a band to provide total entertainment," says Andy. "So many musicians in the '90s are in a band just for the sake of being in a band. We want to make them feel better than when they're working in a supermarket or sitting in some office, 'cos we've all done that and it's fucking boring. If we can achieve fame on the way, it's nice."
Select
February 1997
Text: John Mullen
Photography: Simon Fowler
TRAVIS: A lively interest in Harry Dean Stanton, songs about shagging and not the merest hint of Radiohead. No, really...
