They got their name from Battle for the Planet of the Apes. “Its a really terrible low budget affair. At one point Caesar shouts “Now Fight Like Apes” as the apes go to war and it seemed appropriate to what we were interested in doing musically at the time. The balance of trash culture / aggression I suppose.” So with this rebellious bad boy (& girl) image in tow, FLA will hit the Le Cheile festival in Meath for what promises to be a memorable performance. The band are crazy busy touring this Summer, but Jamie managed to squeeze in a quick email to meg.ie to let us know how they are getting on.
Meg: You’re playing some big European festivals like Pukkelpop in Hassalt and the Reading Festival, which one are you looking forward to the most?
I love Reading. Last year it was my favourite festival of the year so I’m really hoping that this year doesn’t disappoint. Faith No More are playing so even if we have a bad one i’ll still enjoy myself.
Meg: How did it feel to be nominated for the Choice Prize? Were you disappointed not to have won?
It was cool to be nominated. Awards aren’t really my bag. I’m not too concerned with them. We were absolutely delighted for Jape. We were going to Jape/Redneck manifesto gigs for years before starting FLA; so it was just cool to be even be put in the same category as him. Ritual is a fantastic album. Still though, would’ve loved ten thousand quid.
Meg: What was the defining or most memorable moment for you as a band?
Probably our first gig. Everyone hated it and we thought we were amazing. A very bizarre experience. Story of our lives haha.
Meg: What does the next 12 months have in store for Fight Like Apes?
Gonna finish out the rest of festival season and then do a German tour in September. Hopefully get to Japan and start flirting with the idea of going to the States. We’re writing again so I wouldn’t be surprised if get a start on the second album soon enough. Fight Like Apes and the mystery of the difficult second album.
Meg: MayKay has been compared with Debbie Harry, quite the compliment I’d say! What do you make of this?
I don’t really get it to be honest. I see the Siouxsie thing a bit but not Debbie Harry. It’s an amazing compliment of course but I don’t think any of us take comparisons too seriously.
Meg: You’ve said before that you pick long titles for EPs and albums to piss off journalists. Why?
Cos its funny.
Meg: You’ve played Glasto, T in the Park and SXSW, among others and I’ve watched and read a few interviews and you come across with a relaxed attitude towards music, real Irish wit. How do you get with other bands on at festivals? Any memorable moments?
We generally get on well with any band that isn’t up their own arse. Johnny Foreigner are probably our favourite band to hang out with. They’re unbelievably fun and never take themselves too seriously. When bands take themselves too seriously they tend to talk a lot of business. Put the adding machine down, take off your sunglasses and your pointy shoes and go to bed.
Meg: Finally, what was it like to support The Prodigy?
Awesome. Totally terrifying but really worth it. It’s kinda weird to meet people you grew up worshipping but they were really nice and complimentary. It’s also weird supporting a band that you know whatever you do on stage and however well you play your not even gonna be in their league. It was genuinely like being in school or something. Keith Flint is terrifying, Maxim leans a lot and Liam Howlett is the coolest man to ever bleach his hair.
