A stuttered leap to stardom, headliners of major festivals, deaths of band members and a huge commercial demand are just a few of the battles Feeder have endured throughout their successful fifteen year career. It’s no wonder then, that after 2008’s Silent Cry ended their long-term record deal, Grant Nicholas & Taka Hirose wanted to shake things up a bit. At the start of the year, the band’s temporary alter-ego Renegades was born.
“We wanted to rediscover the old days. The last tour and this one is about building ourselves up again, doing something special for ourselves and for the fans who never had the chance to see us in small venues. Instead of the usual routine of recording then touring arenas and academies, it’s showing off our new songs in front of our most dedicated fans. ”
Despite being under a new name though, the Renegades E.Ps have been a natural musical progression for Grant’s song writing.
“We touched on the heavier sounds on the last album (Silent Cry) but this is an evolution of that, like in Who’s The Enemy. It’s never been the case that I decide in advance if I’m writing songs for Feeder or songs for Renegades. We’ve got this album in the works and it could go under either name.”
Whilst Feeder have seen a constant evolution in their sound, from the grunge sounds to Stereoworld to the Radio 2 friendly anthems like Feeling a Moment. Renegades’ self titled song contains the line “We go right back to the start in sweet defiance”, a line which captures the pressures of being in such a band.
“I think there is perhaps an element there of frustration, when you’re writing songs the words just come back to you and it’s only when you step back you realise quite what you’re saying. It’s an honour to have your music recognised by so many people but sometimes you need to try something different.”
“I’ve always loved playing in little pubs and clubs because it’s music in its rawest form. Academies and arenas are nice but it’s so structured, it’s like being back at school in a way. It’s been quite emotional playing as a three piece again, it’s the first time we’ve played at this level without Jon. We played Tangerine for the first time in over ten years.”
The band will take to the stage of Northumbria University’s Stage two on their second Renegades tour, with the second E.P. included in the ticket price of £18.
“We always love playing in Newcastle but sometimes don’t get chance to play there. I had the Riverside in mind for this tour but I hadn’t realised it closed. We played there in ’99 with Muse supporting and it was a great gig.”
Their straight-out old school rock sound will surely get the small crowd moving as the band preview material from the upcoming album, songs from the two Renegades E.Ps as well as throwing in a few older Feeder songs for good measure.
“Last time we played Sweet 16, Tangerine and Descend but we’re maybe thinking of mixing that up a bit because the Swim/Polythene stuff goes really well with what we’re playing now. I think I want to play Shade and maybe Stereoworld.”
With their own label set up, a hoard of new material to record and an exciting challenge of redefining themselves, one thing is for ; the future of Feeder/Renegades is entirely in the hands of Grant and Taka. Beneath their commercial shell of Buck Rogers and Just a Day is a band full of creativity and diversity. Renegades lets the Feeder boys shed their skin.
Stuart Edwards
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