Dexters… Lab fab
Interview: Dexters
Published on December 3rd, 2012 | Jonny Abrams
East London rockers Dexters have of late supported The Enemy and The View with their blaring indie-pop blasts, one of which – “Recover”, with its attendant video below – was recently released as their debut single. Rocksucker caught up with singer Tom Rowlett ahead of their gig at the Queen of Hoxton on Wednesday to find out how they plan to attack the new year ahead…
How was last night’s show for you?
It was good. Good sound and a good crowd, I loved it. It’s great to play with big bands like The View and The Enemy, and try to steal their audiences!
How’s the album coming along?
We’ve talked about going into the studio early next year, possibly January or February. We’ll be on tour then so it’s going to be a busy time.
Do you know yet who’ll be producing it?
I’m not too sure but I think it’ll be a guy called Jamie Ellis; he did the single and worked on our demo with us, so I think he’ll be doing it. He was Paul Epworth’s number two for a while and now he’s doing his own stuff. He’s proper good, done Chapel Club and things like that. We have a good mixer too, Duncan Mills; he worked with bands like The Beastie Boys, The Vaccines and MGMT.
Besides the album, what else do you have planned for 2013?
Just taking over! We want to be doing everything in 2013 – album, tours, festivals – the lot, definitely.
How are you spending New Year’s Eve?
We’re playing the Vibe Bar [on Brick Lane]. Miles Kane will be doing a DJ set, The Rifles are playing acoustic, then there’s us and a few other bands. It should be a good night.
Which would be your albums of 2012?
It’s not an album but I really like the Peace EP (Rocksucker detects a careful enunciative separation between ‘Peace’ and ‘EP’ on Tom’s part, quite conceivably to avoid sounding as if he was saying “I really like the PCP”). The Howler album’s really good too. Did the Black Lips one come out this year or the year before? I’m losing track of the year (laughs).
Are there any other up-and-coming bands you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?
There’s this band from Scotland that we’ve started playing gigs with up there called Last Minute Glory and they’re just immense musicians. They’re barely old enough to get into the venue but they’re mind-blowing, especially the drummer. Our drummer’s 26 and I said, “Mate, this kid’s better than you.” There’s a sort of indie-pop band from London called Mucky Pups who are really good as well. They’re kind of like early Cribs: messy, but pure pop songs.
Finally, if you had to spend the rest of your days with the back catalogues of just four different musical artists, whose would you choose and why?
The Clash, The Jam, The La’s and The Black Lips.
Tom Rowlett, thank you.
“Recover”, the debut single by Dexters, is out now. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dextersband
The band will play at the Queen of Hoxton of Wednesday – click here for tickets.
About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
