Fuj Bucket
Fuj Bucket playing live at the Cellar
What style of music do you play?
Childish but tuneful indie, with occasional hints of rock, funk, and acting our age. Our first album's out at the moment and the variety of music on it is quite wide – from Ben Folds Five-style piano ballads, to quite rocky funk songs. I'm not really interested in what style of music the band plays. Categories are for journalists; I'm just interested in writing the best songs I can.
How did you all meet?
Cousins, Sixth-form, Brookes – to put it simply.
What are your influences?
Ben Folds Five, Midget, David Devant and his Spirit Wife, Super Furry Animals, Organ Jazz (like the late Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Mcgriff and the James Taylor Quartet). Tea features quite heavily. I get inspired equally by a bunch of people you wouldn't seat next to each other on a table plan: Zappa, Drake, Wonder, Brown, Page. As far as attitude is concerned, Tom Lehrer encapsulates it – flippant. If this answer seems mushy, listen to the album and you'll see what I mean.
Have you done much recording?
We've recorded just that one album – a 50-minute scrapbook of teenage thoughts. Songs about suburbia, tea, the sadness of parting, professional TV criticism – and of course, the First World War; not to mention an answer to that age-old question: why don't we do it in the road? We recorded it ourselves and didn't really know how to work the machine, but despite that it's not too bad. In fact, some have been known to say that it is mind-bogglingly fantastic. Certainly, there's only one way you can find out. It's out now, priced £6.50. You can get a copy from Polar Bear on the Cowley Road.
What was your best gig?
We played at Camden Underworld on 14th April 2003, where we had the privilege of displacing international death/roots metal superstars Sepultura from the bill. The crowd was prepared, and during the traditional teabag-throwing opportunity ‘Give Me Tea', they had brought teabags to throw back at us. Luckily, there are quite a lot of us and we have quite a lot of friends. This is a tactic I'd recommend to any band, because it enables you to simulate a meteoric rise through ever bigger London venues, whilst also ensuring that you only ever play to people that like you. Some other highlights have included being supported by Seb Winnett's immortal cartoon art-project band the Rebel City Taunt in the Cellar earlier this month, and by a band featuring my dad, who had not touched a drumkit since the trail of his weddings-and-barmitzvahsfunction- band went cold at some point in the late-90s. And yes, if it interests you we have worn school uniform onstage.
What do you think the future holds?
Discovery, adulation, bribery, bankrupcy, reinvention, C-list. Hopefully also tapdancing. Perhaps occasional Motown-style backing singers with synchronised dance moves. Musically, I want to see our song ‘Santa Is a Communist' at Christmas Number One at some point over the course of my lifetime. It's time people were told the truth, dammit.
24th Feb 2005