Dirty Pretty Things Bond in Cemeteries, Record in So. Cal
Dirty Pretty Things, the band formed by Carl Barat after Britain's the Libertines disbanded, are gearing up to record their second album in sunny, Southern California. "We're packaging ourselves up and sending ourselves out there 'cause we don't get a lot done here [in London]," guitarist Anthony Rossomando tells Spinner. "Fortunately, there's been a lot of adventures on the wrong side of daylight, bonding or whatever you want to call it, but it's us getting ideas together. Then, we can throw ourselves in the room and everything will work itself out."
In addition to those late night "bonding" sessions (usually in pubs, flats and gig back rooms), Rossomando says he and Barat have been getting ideas together on the sunny side of the 24-hour clock. The location of such activities, however, is anything but cheerful.
"Carl and me, we've been to some cemeteries recently to do some writing," the moppy haired axeman explains. "We go in the afternoon and hang out, drink a couple cans and wander around and bump back into each other and go 'What have you got? What have you got?' kind of thing."
So far, with Barat, Rossomando and bassist Didz Hammond's songs altogether, Dirty Pretty Things have amassed about two dozen tracks for the upcoming recording session, set to kick off later this summer. Among the cuts currently taking shape are 'Come Closer,' 'Plastic Hearts,' 'Best Face in the Place,' 'Suits, Punks, Military,' and 'Tired of England.'
"That's actually Carl's [song]," Rossomando says of the last track. "It was originally 'How Can They Be Tired pf England.' At first it was patriotic and then it kind of turned to be ironic after we put some thought into it."
Another untitled cut -- this one penned mostly by Hammond, heads in a different sort of direction for the group known for their British, shambolic indie goodness.
"It's actually a pretty nice, sentimental little song," Rossy explains. "But, we'd rather have that piano-y song sound like Arab Strap than f***ing Coldplay. If we're gonna try something we didn't do on the first record, there's always a couple of ways you can go with it."
Though Dirty Pretty Things recorded half of their first album in L.A. with Jet producer Dave Sardy, this time, they're going with someone less known, provided the band confirms the unnamed studio wizard in time.
"We're working with a lesser known guy. We have a better chance of making something that sounds unique, you know," he explains. "We have a lot of cooks already. We don't really need someone to come and put their sound or style or imprint into the band. We've got enough sh** going on to reign in as it is."
By Jolie Lash
Source:
spinner.com
